Morning headlines from DenverPost.com

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Today's Front Page News

Colorado Senate passes per-diem bill, but co-sponsor Shaffer backs out
He co-sponsored the bill and voted for it in committee, but when legislation including an increase in rural lawmakers' daily expense allowance came up for a vote on the Senate floor Wednesday, Senate President Brandon Shaffer walked away from it.  

• Gay activist Tim Gill taps Republican to helm Action Fund
• Denver sheriff's captain says department ignored her accusations of rape by colleagues
• Broncos ex-teammate's testimony scathing at Cox sex-assault trial
• Suncor working to expel cancer-causing benzene from under Denver-area refinery
• "Fragile front-runner" Romney looks to Super Tuesday

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Today's Local Politics

Colorado Senate passes per-diem bill, but co-sponsor Shaffer backs out
He co-sponsored the bill and voted for it in committee, but when legislation including an increase in rural lawmakers' daily expense allowance came up for a vote on the Senate floor Wednesday, Senate President Brandon Shaffer walked away from it.  

• Gay activist Tim Gill taps Republican to helm Action Fund
• Colorado House committee passes bill to review enterprise zones
• Popular bill that could save Colorado $60 million a year languishes

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Today's Business

Airline mergers will be more tangible at DIA
Integration of airlines that serve Denver continues to move forward this week with the carriers reaching some key milestones.  

• Parker: Official says Target needs $5 million from Denver or it will abandon Tamarac Square site
• Gov. Hickenlooper forms task force to address Colorado drilling regulations
• New website offers financial guidance to small businesses
• 7 more Dunkin' Donuts planned in southeast Denver area
• Owners slash price tags on condos above Denver Ritz-Carlton

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Today's Sports Headlines

Colorado State rallies for win over No. 17 UNLV
For two straight seasons, UNLV pushed and punked and punched Colorado State and called Moby Arena theirs.  

• Broncos have been trying for years to upgrade their defensive line
• If you're an NFL defensive player, wrestling is a good thing to have on your résumé
• Expect Jorge De La Rosa's return to Rockies in July, coach says
• Troy Tulowitzki new leader in Colorado Rockies' clubhouse
• Kiszla: Nuggets should consider Faried to fill in more for Nene

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Today's Entertainment

Swedish gentry misbehavin' in Paragon Theatre's "Miss Julie"
"Miss Julie" inaugurates Paragon Theatre's agreeable new digs in the RiNo district, an evolving neighborhood that, like this classic Strindberg play, knows the frisson between the privileged and less-privileged classes. Claire Martin's rating: *** (out of four stars)  

• Gadzooks! Suddenly everybody wants to play the uke
• People: Julia Roberts: "Express elevator or rehab" for today's starlets

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Today's Style

Mondo Watch: He's on our Mile High Style blog today
Mondo Guerrais all over the map. Fresh off the Academy Awards red carpet where he was a commentator for ABC-TV, the Denver native and "Project Runway" contestant flew to South Carolina to  

• Denver Post Fashion Calendar, 3/1/2012
• Beauty: The eyes have it
• Show: Denver's Fashion Weekend
• Store: Tween-age togs
• Five Tips: Beat winter wardrobe blahs

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Today's Opinion

Editorial: While gas booms, shale is on its own separate track
Chevron Corp.'s decision to give up its oil-shale lease in northwest Colorado is hardly a monumental change of heart for a company its size. Indeed, Chevron had only three people working full-time on oil-shale research who will now be reassigned.  

• Editorial: A group effort on state drilling rules
• Horrigan: An out-of-it guy on in-with-it style
• Guest Commentary: Licensing housing association managers a longtime goal
• Littwin: Nausea Boy blew it
• Rosen: Santorum's civics lesson