municipal budgets

Some communities question if they can function along the Spartan economic guidelines touted by Tea Party activists. One place those municipal leaders might want to examine is Colorado's second-largest city. It's a laboratory in draconian fiscal conservatism.

Across the U.S., lots of Americans won't see the rockets red glare or the bombs burst in air this year. That's because their towns can no longer afford to celebrate the anniversary of our nation's independence with the typical fireworks display.