Reminder: 2010 Tax Forms at Norlin Library

With less than a month until the end of Tax Season, a reminder about the availability of Tax Forms at Norlin Library seems in order. Also, due to recent changes in Federal tax laws, the Government Information Library has only recently received physical copies of many of the standard federal tax forms. Below is a repost of our tax forms blog post from January this year. We hope you find it helpful.

* * * *

The Tax Forms and Information page -- our regular home for all things tax-related in Government Information -- has been updated in two significant ways: Now, instead of a blog post that will explicitly list which tax forms are available in Norlin, patrons can visit the Tax Forms and Information Page and download an excel spreadsheet that details that same information. This process decreases the time it takes for the Gov Info staff to update the Web site with the most recent information.


A second change is the addition of a new printable guide: Finding and Printing 2010 Tax Forms. This guide explains how to locate specific tax forms online, and how those forms can be printed here in Norlin Library. Pre-printed copies of the guides are available in the Government Information Library, and at the main Research Desk on the 2nd floor of Norlin.

We hope these chances will be useful to our University and Public patrons who have come to rely on the Government Information Library for tax forms. As always, any questions or comments can be directed to us at govpubs@colorado.edu or on the phone at (303) 492-8834.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the foreign relations, defense, budget, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:

• U.S. Response to the Global Threat of Tuberculosis: Basic Facts
• U.S. Response to the Global Threat of Malaria: Basic Facts
• U.S. Response to the Global Threat of HIV/AIDS: Basic Facts
• Law Enforcement Use of GPS Devices to Monitor Motor Vehicles: Fourth Amendment Considerations
• Mandatory Vaccinations: Precedent and Current Laws
• The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
• War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance
• Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2010
• Middle East and North Africa Unrest: Implications for Oil and Natural Gas Markets
• The Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Refined Product Reserves: Authorization and Drawdown Policy
• Terrorist Use of the Internet: Information Operations in Cyberspace
• International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute: 2010 Review Conference
• International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues
• Closing Yucca Mountain: Litigation Associated with Attempts to Abandon the Planned Nuclear Waste Repository
• U.S. Tsunami Programs: A Brief Overview
• A U.S.-Centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations
• Algeria: Current Issues
• Asian Carp and the Great Lakes Region
• Brazil-U.S. Relations
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress
• Chinese Tire Imports: Section 421 Safeguards and the World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Committee Types and Roles
• Earthquakes: Risk, Detection, Warning, and Research
• Export-Import Bank: Background and Legislative Issues
• Federal Agency Actions Following the Supreme Court's Climate Change Decision: A Chronology
• International Food Aid: U.S. and Other Donor Contributions
• Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
• Kuwait: Security, Reform, and U.S. Policy
• Limiting Central Government Budget Deficits: International Experiences
• Project BioShield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress
• Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: The 2012 Election Reforms
• Public Health and Emergency Preparedness
• Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests
• Security Assistance Reform: "Section 1206" Background and Issues for Congress
• State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts
• Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests
• The Department of Defense's Use of Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress
• The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty
• The Financial Action Task Force: An Overview
• The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)--Responsibilities and Potential Congressional Concerns
• The Speaker of the House: House Officer, Party Leader, and Representative
• Transportation Security: Issues for the 112th Congress
• U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends and Policy Issues
• Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims--Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
• Veterans' Benefits: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Survivors
• World Trade Organization (WTO) Decisions and Their Effect in U.S. Law
• Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Saturn Images Combined to Recreate Flight of the Cassini Spacecraft

Enthusiasts of space travel are no doubt aware of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratories at Caltech. JPL's research has made possible some of the key spaceflights of the 20th century, including the Pioneer Moon program (though Pioneer 4 now orbits the Sun), the Viking to Mars program, and the Wide Field and Planetary Camera installed on the Hubble telescope, among many others.

One of JPL's current missions is the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft's orbit of the planet Saturn, with a separate component designed to parachute through the atmosphere of the planet's moon Titan. NASA's calls the mission "the most ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted."



As with each of JPL's missions, photographs from Cassini are available at the Lab's online Photojournal, and also through the Cassini mission site, which is highly recommended.

Ambitious filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren is compiling Cassini's still images into an IMAX resolution film. Below is a two-and-one-half minute preview of some of the imagery van Vuuren has compiled. The film speaks for itself, but be sure to watch it in full-screen HD. It's amazing.

5.6k Saturn Cassini Photographic Animation from Stephen van Vuuren via Vimeo.

Discovery's final mission

Yesterday, the space shuttle Discovery landed for the final time. Discovery has logged the most days in space of any shuttle, with 352 days in space before this final mission. In other words, after this past 12 day mission it has logged almost a year in space, with over 180 different people having ridden in this shuttle. (from the mission press release)

Discovery is the first space shuttle to retire, to be followed by Endeavor and Atlantis. In honor of this landing, why not check out this video from NASA:


If you want to see some of the still images of the mission check out the image gallery for mission STS-133 (the 133 mission into space) from NASA.

Still hungering for more space information? Why not check out the library's guide.

What is FDsys?

In addition to our usual tutorial videos, the Government Documents Library at CU Boulder is trying a few new approaches to engage and attract users to the types of information to be found in government resources. The video below, "What is FDsys?" is the first part in a short series on the GPO's Federal Digital System or FDsys. We hope you find it informative and useful, and welcome comments below.

And now you can find more videos about government sources at the CU Boulder Libraries YouTube channel.

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This set of publications from GAO investigates the environment, post office, government spending, and many other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• U.S. Coins: Replacing the $1 Note with a $1 Coin Would Provide a Financial Benefit to the Government. GAO-11-281, March 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-281
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11281high.pdf
• Electronic Government: National Archives and Records Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 Expenditure Plan. GAO-11-299, March 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-299
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11299high.pdf
  
• NASA: Assessment of Selected Large-Scale Projects. GAO-11-239SP, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-239SP
• Defense Infrastructure: Navy Can Improve the Quality of Its Cost Estimate to Homeport an Aircraft Carrier at Naval Station Mayport. GAO-11-309, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-309
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11309high.pdf
• Elder Justice: Stronger Federal Leadership Could Enhance National Response to Elder Abuse. GAO-11-208, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-208
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11208high.pdf
• VA Real Property: Realignment Progressing, but Greater Transparency about Future Priorities Is Needed. GAO-11-197, January 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-197
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11197high.pdf
• Warfighter Support: DOD's Urgent Needs Processes Need a More Comprehensive Approach and Evaluation for Potential Consolidation. GAO-11-273, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-273
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11273high.pdf
• Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue. GAO-11-318SP, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-318SP
  E-report - http://www.gao.gov/ereport/gao-11-318sp
  Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_48.html
• DOD Education Benefits: Increased Oversight of Tuition Assistance Program Is Needed. GAO-11-300, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-300
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11300high.pdf
• Education of Military Dependent Students: Better Information Needed to Assess Student Performance. GAO-11-231, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-231
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11231high.pdf
• Financial Audit: American Battle Monuments Commission's Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009. GAO-11-320, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-320
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11320high.pdf
• 401(k) Plans: Improved Regulation Could Better Protect Participants from Conflicts of Interest. GAO-11-119, January 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-119
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11119high.pdf
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Potential Effects of Changing Comparability Requirements. GAO-11-258, January 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-258
• Defense Health: Management Weaknesses at Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Require Attention. GAO-11-219, February 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-219
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11219high.pdf
• Surface Freight Transportation: A Comparison of the Costs of Road, Rail, and Waterways Freight Shipments That Are Not Passed on to Consumers. GAO-11-134, January 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-134
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11134high.pdf
• National Archives: Framework Governing Use of Presidential Library Facilities and Staff. GAO-11-390, February 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-390
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11390high.pdf
• Oil and Gas Bonds: BLM Needs a Comprehensive Strategy to Better Manage Potential Oil and Gas Well Liability. GAO-11-292, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-292
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11292high.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: High-Level Federal Interagency Coordination Is Warranted to Address Transportation Needs beyond the Scope of the Defense Access Roads Program. GAO-11-165, January 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-165
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11165high.pdf
• Defined Contribution Plans: Key Information on Target Date Funds as Default Investments Should Be Provided to Plan Sponsors and Participants. GAO-11-118, January 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-118
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11118high.pdf
• Debt Limit: Delays Create Debt Management Challenges and Increase Uncertainty in the Treasury Market. GAO-11-203, February 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-203
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11203high.pdf
• Defense Management: Additional Cost Information and Stakeholder Input Needed to Assess Military Posture in Europe. GAO-11-131, February 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-131
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11131high.pdf
• Commercial Motor Carriers: More Could Be Done to Determine Impact of Excessive Loading and Unloading Wait Times on Hours of Service Violations. GAO-11-198, January 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-198
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11198high.pdf
• Electronic Prescribing: CMS Should Address Inconsistencies in Its Two Incentive Programs That Encourage the Use of Health Information Technology. GAO-11-159, February 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-159
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11159high.pdf
• High-Risk Series: An Update. GAO-11-278, February 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-278
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11278high.pdf
  Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_46.html
• U.S. Postal Service: Foreign Posts' Strategies Could Inform U.S. Postal Service's Efforts to Modernize. GAO-11-282, February 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-282
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11282high.pdf
  Video available - http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-282?action=play
• Medicare Home Oxygen: Refining Payment Methodology Has Potential to Lower Program and Beneficiary Spending. GAO-11-56, January 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-56
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1156high.pdf
• Nuclear Weapons: NNSA Needs More Comprehensive Infrastructure and Workforce Data to Improve Enterprise Decision-making. GAO-11-188, February 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-188
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11188high.pdf
• Military Personnel: DOD Addressing Challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan but Opportunities Exist to Enhance the Planning Process for Army Medical Personnel Requirements. GAO-11-163, February 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-163
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11163high.pdf
• Department of Education: Improved Oversight and Controls Could Help Education Better Respond to Evolving Priorities. GAO-11-194, February 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-194
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11194high.pdf
• Multiple Employment and Training Programs: Providing Information on Colocating Services and Consolidating Administrative Structures Could Promote Efficiencies. GAO-11-92, January 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-92
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1192high.pdf
  

Correspondences

• Additional Cost Transparency and Design Criteria Needed for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Projects. GAO-11-364R, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-364R
• Depot Maintenance: Navy Has Revised Its Estimated Workforce Cost for Basing an Aircraft Carrier at Mayport, Florida. GAO-11-257R, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-257R
• Medicare: Private Sector Initiatives to Bundle Hospital and Physician Payments for an Episode of Care. GAO-11-126R, January 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-126R
• Motor Carrier Safety: FMCSA Has Devoted a Small but Increasing Amount of Resources to Develop the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Program but Is Requesting a Significant Increase for Full Implementation. GAO-11-416R, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-416R
• Tactical Aircraft: Air Force Fighter Reports Generally Addressed Congressional Mandates, but Reflected Dated Plans and Guidance, and Limited Analyses. GAO-11-323R, February 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-323R
• Ryan White CARE Act: Estimated Effect of Continued Application of the Fiscal Year 2010 Stop-Loss Provision on 2011 Funding for Urban Areas. GAO-11-405R, February 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-405R
• Superfund: Information on the Nature and Costs of Cleanup Activities at Three Landfills in the Gulf Coast Region. GAO-11-287R, February 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-287R
• Department of State's Report to Congress and U.S. Oversight of Civilian Assistance to Pakistan Can Be Further Enhanced. GAO-11-310R, February 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-310R
• Accountability for U.S. Equipment Provided to Pakistani Security Forces in the Western Frontier Needs to Be Improved. GAO-11-156R, February 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-156R
• Depot Maintenance: Air Force Is Assessing Engine Maintenance Options for Work Currently Performed at Kelly Aviation Center. GAO-11-274R, February 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-274R
• Medicare Advantage: Comparison of Plan Bids to Fee-for-Service Spending by Plan and Market Characteristics. GAO-11-247R, February 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-247R
  

Testimonies

• Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-441T, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-441T
• Foreign Operations: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight, by Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers, managing director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-419T, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-419T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11419thigh.pdf
• 8(a) Program: The Importance of Effective Fraud Protection Controls, by Gregory D. Kutz, director of forensic audits and investigative service, before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. GAO-11-440T, March 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-440T
• Environmental Protection Agency: Major Management Challenges, by David C. Trimble, acting director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-422T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-422T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11422thigh.pdf
• DOD Education Benefits: Further Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Tuition Assistance Program, by George A. Scott, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-389T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-389T
• Elder Justice: Stronger Federal Leadership Could Help Improve Response to Elder Abuse, by Kay E. Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-11-384T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-384T
• Medicare: Program Remains at High Risk Because of Continuing Management Challenges, by Kathleen King, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-11-430T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-430T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11430thigh.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Actions Needed by Treasury to Address Challenges in Implementing Making Home Affordable Programs, by Mathew J. Scire, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-11-338T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-338T
• U.S. Postal Service: Modernization and Restructuring Needed to Address Financial Challenges, by Phillip Herr, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-428T, March 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-428T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11428thigh.pdf
• Warfighter Support: DOD Should Have a More Comprehensive Approach for Addressing Urgent Warfighter Needs, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-11-417T, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-417T
• Department of the Interior: Major Management Challenges, by Anu K. Mittal and Franklin Rusco, directors, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-424T, March 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-424T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11424thigh.pdf
• GAO's 2011 High-Risk Series: An Update, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-394T, February 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-394T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11394thigh.pdf
• Federal Workforce: Practices to Increase the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, by Yvonne Jones, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-351T, February 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-351T
• Federal Mandates: Few Rules Trigger Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, by Denise M. Fantone, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and Procurement Reform, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-385T, February 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-385T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11385thigh.pdf
• Border Security: Preliminary Observations on Border Control Measures for the Southwest Border, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-11-374T, February 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-374T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11374thigh.pdf
• Employment Verification: Federal Agencies Have Improved E-Verify, but Significant Challenges Remain, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-11-330T, February 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-330T
• Recovery Act: Broadband Programs Awards and Risks to Oversight, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-11-371T, February 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-371T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11371thigh.pdf
• Federal Real Property. The Government Faces Challenges to Disposing of Unneeded Buildings, by David J. Wise, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-11-370T, February 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-370T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11370thigh.pdf
  

Colorado National Monument

As you race down I-70 past Grand Junction you may have seen a sign for the Colorado National Monument. Now how many of you have actually stopped and seen the monument? Did you wonder what it was a monument of? Or maybe you knew that national monuments are also managed by the National Park Service. I went there one memorable evening at sunset and watched the rocks turn an amazing red. This year brings us the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the 20,000 acres as a national monument. In honor of this I thought I would share a few resources.

(Image from National Park Service web site, taken by Rob Kurtzman)

First, how does a place get declared a national monument? Well, this action can be taken by the President of the United States without congressional approval. This designation offers certain protections to the area and can be done much more quickly. You can read about the history of this designation in a CRS report called "National Monument Issues" from 2002.

Second, why not check out the Colorado National Monument at this anniversary? They have a web site that provides information on events, things to see in the park and the beautiful Rim Rock drive.

Finally, want to learn about the movement to give the Colorado National Monument, National Park status? Check out this news story "Park Status for CO monument?" from Colorado Public Radio or the press release on the meeting Senator Udall had on this issue in Grand Junction.

Still want more? Check out the library's guide to Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and Historic Places.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the military, environment, energy, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by Open CRS and Secrecy News:

• Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations
• Political Transition in Tunisia
• National Security Letters: Proposals in the 112th Congress
• Murder or Attempted Murder of a Member of Congress and Other Federal Officials and Employees: Implications in Federal Criminal Law and Procedure of Events in Tucson
• The U.S. Foreign-Born Population: Trends and Selected Characteristics
• The Obama Administration’s Open Government Initiative: Issues for Congress
• Implication’s of Egypt’s Turmoil on Global Oil and Natural Gas Supply
• Israel’s Offshore Natural Gas Discoveries Enhance Its Economic and Energy Outlook
• Global Natural Gas: A Growing Resource
• The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) and Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) Programs
• Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress
• Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations: Source and Scope of the Rising Violence
• Is Biopower Carbon Neutral?
• Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: Selected Examples and Congressional Responses
• The Obama Administration’s Feed the Future Initiative
• Egypt: The January 25 Revolution and Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
• Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire February 28, 2011
• Intelligence Identities Protection Act
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration
• Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy
• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
• Reaching the Debt Limit: Background and Potential Effects on Government Operations
• 401(k) Plans and Retirement Savings: Issues for Congress
• Abortion Services and Military Medical Facilities
• Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
• Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
• Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Clean Air Issues in the 112th Congress
• Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices
• Emergency Communications: Broadband and the Future of 911
• Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity
• International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 112th Congress
• Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues
• Iran Sanctions
• Litigation Seeking to Establish Climate Change Impacts as a Common Law
• Multilateral Development Banks: How the United States Makes and Implements Policy
• Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Private Health Insurance Premiums and Rate Reviews
• Reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy: Issues for Consideration
• Reform of U.S. International Taxation: Alternatives
• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements
• Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace
• Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement
• Temporary Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Emergency Unemployment
• The Bush Tax Cuts and the Economy
• The Employee Free Choice Act
• The Federal Food Safety System: A Primer
• Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean
• U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress
• U.S.-China Relations: Policy Issues
• Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and "DREAM Act" Legislation
• Upcoming Rules Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.