Michael Zimmerman of the Clergy Letter Project suggests that people should become fans of "We can find 1,000,000 people who DO believe in evolution before June". For the subtle, there is also a page for people who don't believe in gravity.

Megan Filbin points out an abcnews article about the new National Academy of Sciences book on evolution, "Science, Evolution, and Creationism". A NYTimes article is here, and NCSE article here . Links for the book are here and here and other National Academy evolution resources are here. Previous versions were published in 1984 (Science and Creationism: A view from the National Academy of Sciences) and 1999 (Science and Creationism) . Related book is "Scientists confront intelligent design and creationism" by Petto and Godfrey. See also a 2005 letter from president Bruce Alberts to academy members.

Council of Europe states must ‘firmly oppose’ the teaching of creationism as a scientific discipline. Parliamentarians from the 47-nation Council of Europe have urged its member governments to “firmly oppose” the teaching of creationism – which denies the evolution of species through natural selection – as a scientific discipline on an equal footing with the theory of evolution. “The prime target of present-day creationists, most of whom are Christian or Muslim, is education,” the parliamentarians said in the resolution. “Creationists are bent on ensuring that their ideas are included in the school science syllabus. Creationism cannot, however, lay claim to being a scientific discipline.”

See article on "pork barrel anti-evolution", a move by the morally upright Sen. Vitter.

Kirk Johnson from the Denver Museum of Natural Science notes that on Sept 6, Mark Serreze from the National Snow and Ice Data Center will be presenting results of his research on the extent of the floating polar ice pack. "This is some of the most compelling data I have seen for climate change and I encourage you to attend the lecture if you have a free evening." see info sheet.

Matt Krane writes an opinion piece in the Summit Daily News asking if we (humans) are done evolving (or devolving).

Here is a somewhat interesting article on evolution, immigration, and other topics at Colorado Confidential.

The pope has apparently continued developing his theory of theistic evolution, including quotes that debaters wrongly present the two sides "as if they were alternatives that are exclusive - whoever believes in the creator could not believe in evolution, and whoever asserts belief in evolution would have to disbelieve in God...This contrast is an absurdity, because there are many scientific tests in favor of evolution, which appears as a reality that we must see and enriches our understanding of life and being." Along with the remarkably sensible "We all see that today man can destroy the foundation of his existence, his Earth...We cannot simply do what we want with this Earth of ours, with what has been entrusted to us." See NCSE comment. See full comments in Italian.

A Colorado cave provides a million-year record of evolution (of sagebrsuh voles) and climate change.

A lucid update on the problems with the ID/evolution "debate". Some pretty good points are made about the philosophically dubious strategy of making sweeping generalizations about what "evolutionists" say or do.

Here's a rather old (2005) opinion piece on the false dichotomy of religion vs. evolution in the Colorado Daily.

Here's an Aspen Times quote from John McCain a year ago: "I think Americans should be exposed to every point of view," he said. "I happen to believe in evolution. ... I respect those who think the world was created in seven days. Should it be taught as a science class? Probably not."

It has been widely reported that a "young-earth creationist" is suspected of sending death threats to various UC Boulder biology faculty and others. The threats were apparently intended to discourage the study of evolution (see news review). Although many appear to view the suspect as akin to a "spotted loon", and there is discussion as to how "direct" the death threats were, the whereabouts of him and his wife are currently unknown.

Linda Seebach (a former college mathematics professor) writes in the Feb. Rocky Mountain News on how the "more than 700" scientists that ID proponents claim doubt Darwin's theory compares to the 10,555 signatures on the Clergy Letter Project's open letter which avows, "We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth...". She writes, "The Discovery Institute wanted to play that game [popularity polls] and they have lost it." Also, "what scientists think may not change reality, but reality affects what scientists think".

Old (pre-CERT) Colorado news on the anti-evolution misinformation campaign from MESIC (Maintain Educational Standards in Colorado).

UC Denver's Department of Philosophy hosted a small interdisciplinary conference on "Intersections: Science, Religion, and Ethics" in April. CERT's David Pollock spoke on the topic of "What makes us human? Religion, philosophy, and the attack on science".

On March 3-4 the Western Interior Paleontological Society (WIPS) held its bi-annual Founders Symposium at the Green Center at the Colorado School of Mines. The topic this year is "Inscribed in Stone: Evolution and the Fossil Record." This symposium consists of a series of lectures and workshops on biological evolution, the tools and methods used by geologists and paleontologists to study earth/life evolution, and what we learn from the fossil record. It is open to the public; however there is a registration fee.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosted "A Flock of Dodos" in their IMAX theater on Darwin Day (weekend of Feb 12, the birthday of both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln in 1809).

January 30, 2007: "Top legislative leaders are trying to steer $10 million to the University of Colorado's health science center to counter debilitating funding cuts during the early years of this decade."

A bit of humor.

A "Public School Religious Bill of Rights" was introduced to the Colorado Legislature last in late January, 2007 that appears to be aimed, among other things, at excusing children from classes when things such as evolution is being discussed (or tested), and excusing teachers from teaching "a topic that violates his or her religious beliefs".

The amendment 41 "gift ban" may bar many low-income Colorado students from accepting college scholarships unless lawmakers exempt such awards. This doesn't bode well for education in Colorado, including science education.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute had it's 2005"Holiday Lectures in Science" on Evolution.

"Standing up for Science", an opinon article by CERT's Jeff Kieft on why evolution is the key to biology (2006); published in the Denver Post with a prominent letters section follow-up the next sunday.

For a view from the theological front, a review of Michael Shermer's "Why Darwin Matters" demolishing and Jonathan Wells' ID book that tries to defend the "intelligent design" version of creation theory are reviewed by Denver Seminary professor Douglas Groothius in the Denver Post. The review was soundly trashed in a letter by Dave Stevens of Littleton.

Even in England.

This isn't just local, but seems very relevant: On September 27, Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA) "to electing public officials who respect evidence and understand the importance of using scientific and engineering advice in making public policy." News articles in the New York Times, Digg, and BoingBoing.

September 2006 news articles: Pius Kamau opinion article in the Denver Post, "Spirituality and Science Converge" on a conference at the Iliff School of Theology, called "The Convergence of Science and Spirituality: Healing the Earth and Healing the Self."Article on Sean Raymond (UC Boulder) simulations of how organic life changed earth's atmosphere during its evolution. Review of Horowitz's anti-academic book, including brief dissection of the "Colorado student" example. Article on James Sikela's (UCDenver) work on genes duplicated in the great ape lineage, proposed to be linked to the evolution of cognition. Rocky Mountain News report on meeting of the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life in Boulder. CS Indedent opinion article on Tom Cronin's recent local survey of political opinions, including belief in creationism as opposed to evolution. Not too far away, there will be an evolution science and education symposium on "Macroevolution: Evolution above the Species Level" sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) with the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) at the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Oct. 14.

News Radio AM 850KOA: Mike Rosen "moderated" an Evolution vs. Intelligent Design "debate" on the conservative (according to 850KOA advertising) and political Mike Rosen Show (login-based replay available). The title is "A debate featuring Darwin's theory on evolution vs. the idea of intelligent design" (2006) , but in many ways it is a debate about whether there is (or should be) a debate. Featured guests were Michael Shermer (Scientific American, The Skeptics Society) and Jonathan Wells (Discovery Institute, The Unification Church). It is an interesting example of a conservative viewpoint supporting science and evolution (see the CERT review of it). It contains some surprising statements by Wells (e.g., the Discovery Institute is not advocating the teaching of ID in public schools, and "this 'theory' [ID] has to be tested on the field of science and win its stripes that way"). It would be great if DI and Wells would remove themselves and ID from public discussion until such an improbable times as that happens. Address for feedback to 850KOA.

Steve Ruskin review of the biography "The reluctant Mr. Darwin" for the Rocky Mountain News (2006). "Quamman paints the shy, perennially ill, 'reluctant' Darwin as simply human...Given Darwin's status as a cultural lightning rod, it's an impressive feat to pull off in less than 200 pages."

Vail Daily News: Dr. Gene Bammel embroiled in the evolution wars (2006). By Alex Miller (748-2931).

Michael Landon editorial in the Boulder Weekly on Michael Dowd (ecumenical pastor) and Connie Barlow (evolutionary humanist) and their traveling ministry for Sacred Evolution, which seems to focus on telling the history of "everyone and everything" that honors and embraces all religious traditions and creation stories" (2006).

From the GJ Sentinel (2006), "Famous Scopes 'monkey trial' began as a prank", letters discussion of an editorial on Janet Rowland's (the current bubernatiorial running mate) comments on creationism in schools, Opinion and letters regarding Beauprez on 'science' and on Rowland as his running mate in this context, pandemic risk from evolution of bird flu, and on Republican House District 54 candidate Steve King "breaking ranks", including saying he "would not support a bill that would mandate that schools teach creationism alongside evolution in the classrom".

Ken Neubecker editorial in the Vail Trail on climate change and glaciers melting.

April article on fossil fish includes at the end a discussion of creationist views that "transitional" fossils don't exist, which "destroys the whole evolutionary story" (2006).

April reader comments regarding evolution in the Rocky Mountain News (Associated with Rocky Talk Live). This seems to have developed based on a reader claim that a "Christian-hater" [Katie Couric] was going to the CBS anchor chair (2006).

Luci Storelli-Castro Collegian review of David Horowitz's book providing a "grocery list compilation of professors...whom Horowitz deem[s] liberal, manipulative, and subversive". Includes quotes from Dr. Dean Saitta at the University of Denver, one of the targeted professors (e.g., "...you have to analyze it in the context of current challenges to civil liberties spawned by 'wartime' conditions..." and "as a way to consolidate power" also fueling "various culture war antagonisms-including attacks on the teaching of 'godless' evolution". "The Horowitz attack is what it is: a largely uninformed and clearly partisan attack on the university".

Rocky Mountain News article on "biblically correct" tours (link broken) through, e.g., the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. Includes many quotes from the tour leader Rusty Carter and founder Bill Jack (coming to Colorado Nov 19 2006), including their view of museums as secular temples. The article also includes quotes from Denver museum chief curator Kirk Johnson, e.g., "It's an interesting kind of arrogance to dismiss something that you don't know a lot about." (2006).

Denver Post article on stem cell research at the University of Colorado, including reference to work by CERT founder James DeGregori (2005).

A Durango Herald editorial on the Pennsylvania ID decision (2005), review article by Mike Clark on "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce Lipton, a sort of bizarre column sort of on the evolution of milk drinking,

Arturo Santiago (CBS4) article on Debbie Stafford's (Colorado General Assembly, R-Aurora) efforts on a bill "that would protect teachers who teach alternatives to evolution in Colorado schools." Includes quotes from Kirk Johnson, chief curator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Wayne Laugesn article in Denver Catholic Register on a Richard Weikart talk in Denver. Includes quote from Francis Maier, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver, "There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the idea of evolution".

Denver Post blogish discussion on ID and (2005) Denver school board politics (Dani Newsum); also referred to in 2006 roundup. "In time, religion and science coexist", by John A. Farrell.

"Evolution puts Indigo on top of food chain". An interesting use of evolution as a means of introducing a review of Indigo, a Denver restaurant.

Relevant columns by Dr. Barry Fagin include: School choice would erase evolution debate (undated). Evolution is a "theory" grounded in facts (2005). Time for a sequel to inherit the wind (2005). Vouchers are the solution to design versus evolution debate (2005).

Article on the creation-evolution conflict (2002). By Charles Haynes (2002).

Comment on and quotes from a (2000) Denver post letter on genetically modifed foods by James DeGregori, "Genetically modified foods biotech crops help in battling malnutrition".