LEADVILLE — There was an edginess to the tone a Colorado state senator took with U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar on Saturday over the federal government's dealing with a hazard waiting to become a catastrophe.

"We need to push past expressing concern and start demanding action," Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, told Salazar, referring to a blockage inside the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel that could burst, unleashing a billion gallons of toxic water onto a small trailer court and into the Arkansas River.

Salazar met with Wiens, whose district includes Leadville, and Lake County commissioners on Saturday to tell them about steps he has taken to resolve the pending crisis and to get feedback from local leaders.

"I don't think pointing fingers is where we need to get," Salazar said to Wiens....

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