Dana's Reporting Blog: Practice Makes Perfect Take 2

Question 1: U.S. Census Statistics

Population estimate of Colorado 2009: 5,024,748

Population according to 2000 census data: 4,301,261

Asian Population in Colorado 2000: 95,213; 2.2% of population

Pacific Islanders in Colorado 2000: 4,621; .1% of population

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US08&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_QTP5&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U

Question 2: Crime Story 1

Site that lists sex offender registries in the U.S.: http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/register.htm

According to the United States Department of Justice sex offender site and the Colorado State registry site, there are 19 offenders in the Boulder area (Area Code 80302). The familywatchdog.us registry site states that there are 14 offenders and 5 non-mappable offenders.

http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx

http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=captcha.verify

http://www.familywatchdog.us/Default.asp

In Maryland, several colleges in three counties have sex offenders within a one mile radius. Allegany Community College has one offender; Frostburg State University in Allegany County has five offenders. In Carroll County, Western Maryland College has 11 offenders, while Carroll Community College has 0. In Kent County, Washington College has 8 offenders within a one mile radius. Other colleges in other counties may also have registered offenders, but I limited my search to these three counties.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services site offers an interactive map with which users can search for sex offenders. The map allows the user to search for offenders in the various counties or by address. Users can also check for offenders near schools, libraries, colleges, shopping centers, churches, and recreational areas within a one to five mile radius.

http://www.socem.info/

Question 3: Crime Story 2

The statistics listed on the University of Colorado Police Department site seem almost identical to those listed on the U.S. Department of Education site. The numbers are the same for forcible sex offensives in 2008 (7) and for robbery (3). The numbers differ for burglaries in 2008: CU lists 44, while the Education site lists 59. The CU site offers numbers on theft and arson, whereas the Education site does not.

http://ope.ed.gov/security/

http://www.colorado.edu/police/statistics/uniform-reports.html

Question 4: Political Reporting 1

According to opensecrets.org, Michael Bennet’s campaign committee raised $3,661,380 from 2005-2010. Mark Udall’s campaign committee raised $12,015,829 from 2005-2010.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00008051&cycle=2010

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030608&cycle=2010

For Colorado district senators, Rollie Heath (district 018) raised $102,062 in 2008 according to followthemoney.org

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=CO&y=2008&f=S&so=O#sorttable

Question 5: Political Reporting 2

The Colorado governor received $984,026 in the campaign contributions for 2008. He received $4,365,457 for his last election.

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=97368

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=79371

Question 6: Government Statistics 1

Tuition costs 2007-2008: $16,245

Average 4-year public tuition, fees, room and board 2007-2008: $13,424

Average 4-year private tuition, fees, room and board 2007-2008: $30,393