HIS HEART ON HIS BELT BUCKLE

Sen. Dan Gibbs is known as the bark beetle's biggest legislative enemy, yet he wears an emblazoned image of the little pest nearly every day.

A group of entomologists gave him a wooden belt buckle with an image of the killer on it last year after he had addressed them about efforts to battle the bug that is killing more than 2 million acres of lodgepole pine trees here.

Gibbs now wears it proudly. "It may look funny that I have a bark beetle buckle, but it's really serious," Gibbs said.

FEELING NICKEL-AND-DIMED

"Just so the record is clear, that won't be a fine. It would be a cash fee for entering the chamber."

GOP Sen. Shawn Mitchell, publicly ribbing Gov. Bill Ritter for backing auto-registration fee hikes for roads. The guv made a surprise visit to the Senate on Thursday, and was "fined" $5 for disturbing the chamber. Mitchell opposes fee hikes, and made the point by jabbing Ritter

TWO DAYS OFF?

THINK AGAIN

While most House members are taking two days to meet with constituents, Rep. Sara Gagliardi is getting in a little community service on the side.

Gagliardi, D-Arvada, delivered Meals on Wheels on Thursday morning in Lakewood and plans to do so again today in Arvada. In addition, she worked at the Arvada Community Food Bank.

House members set aside Thursday and today to host "district days" and meet with voters. Meanwhile, the Senate will be working both days.