DENVER – Membership selection for a Colorado commission to study gas and oil development issues is being delayed because of immense interest from people wanting to be part of the panel.

The Coloradoan of Fort Collins reported that the governor’s office planned to select commission members last week. But hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls from interested parties mean it will be another couple of weeks before selections are made.

Gov. John Hickenlooper announced the creation of a commission as part of an agreement this month to get groups to drop four competing ballot initiatives that either supported or opposed hydraulic fracturing.

Eighteen people will be on the commission and will include representatives from the energy industry and civic leaders. La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt will be the panel’s chairwoman.

FBI chief calls Islamic terror group ‘savages’

DENVER – FBI Director James Comey says Islamic State extremists who beheaded journalist James Foley are “savages” and that the agency is helping investigate the killing.

Comey spoke about the execution Wednesday on a visit to the FBI field office in Denver.

Comey says the FBI has been investigating American hostages in Syria for two years. He says “these savages have turned that into a homicide investigation.”

Comey’s comments come a day after the militants released a video showing the beheading of Foley.

Associated Press