NWS, fire officials warn of high fire danger into Presidents’ Day
Denver area fire officials are warning of continued high fire danger into Presidents’ Day, enacting fire bans amidst dry, windy conditions.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday for the southern foothills, Palmer Divide and much of the eastern plains south of I-76.
Relatively humidity values are as low as 10%, the NWS reported, and wind gusts up to 35 mph are forecast.
The North Metro Fire District and other area jurisdictions enacted a level two fire ban Sunday afternoon until further notice.
A level two fire ban restricts outdoor burning or use of open flame, tossing cigarettes outside, and any outdoor activity that could cause sparks, according to the fire district. People can still use propane grills and gas fire pits, but charcoal grills and pellet smokers are banned.
High temperatures, low humidity and dry ground conditions all contribute to high fire hazard conditions, the district said in the ban. Officials cautioned people to be extra vigilant and call 911 to report any smoke or fire.
Officials also encouraged people to have an emergency plan in place and a “go bag” ready just in case.
The case for our artists as everyday heroes
John Moore
john.moore@denvergazette.com
Updated 13 hours ago
The work is short and inconsistent. The pay is lousy. They’re underfunded. Man, are we lucky to have artists who do it anyway. Why is it so hard to be a working artist? In my professional life as a journalist...
John Moore
Reporter
PHOTOS: The 78th Annual Leadville Skijoring Competition
Stephen Swofford
stephen.swofford@gazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
Stephen Swofford
Reporter
Adams County Detention Facility nurse charged with giving weed to inmate
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
A former contract nurse who worked in the Adams County Detention Facility was charged Friday with allegedly giving an inmate synthetic marijuana. Stephanie Bagwell, 52, was charged with introducing contraband to the second degree for allegedly introducing synthetic cannabinoids into...
Michael Braithwaite
Reporter
Thornton man sentenced to 68 years for kidnapping, assaulting teen girl
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 15 hours ago
A Thornton man was sentenced to nearly 70 years in prison Friday for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl in 2023. Phillip Torres, 44, received 68 years-to-life in prison, the maximum allowable sentence under the law, for kidnapping and...
Michael Braithwaite
Reporter
Brothers sentenced to decades in prison for Denver Aquarium drive-by shooting
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 15 hours ago
Two brothers were each sentenced to multiple decades in prison Friday for a drive-by shooting that killed a teenager outside the Denver Aquarium in 2024. Antonio Vasquez and Jason Trujillo were sentenced to 40 and 20 years in prison, respectively,...
Michael Braithwaite
Reporter
4 injured in snowy, 3-vehicle I-70 crash near Genesee Friday
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 16 hours ago
Four people were hospitalized after a three-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck on Interstate 70 in near Genesee Friday evening. The crash, which took place just before 6 p.m., was a rear-end collision involving a Dodge Durango and Chevy Silverado, as...
Michael Braithwaite
Reporter
Female aviators use Earhart’s legacy to inspire future pilots at Wings over the Rockies
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 13 hours ago
“Someone’s got to sit in that seat, why not me?” The line was written at the top of a poster board in the Wings Over the Rockies hanger at Centennial Airport Saturday morning. It also captured the essence of the...
Michael Braithwaite
Reporter
Colorado health equity funder’s redirection debated
Debbie Kelley
debbie.kelley@gazette.com
Updated 1 day ago
A redirection in grantmaking that began two years ago for The Colorado Trust, a 40-year-old Denver-headquartered funder, has led some employees to now voice concerns, which has reportedly put their jobs in jeopardy. The vice president of communications for the...
Debbie Kelley
Reporter
Redistricting scheme would give Colorado Democrats seven House members, split El Paso County | Bob Loevy
Bob Loevy
bob-loevy@denvergazette.com
Updated 36 minutes ago
A proposed redistricting plan, which could give Colorado seven Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and only one Republican, would split El Paso County into two parts and thereby weaken the county’s influence in Congress. El Paso County,...
Bob Loevy
Reporter
Battle of the Badges connects cops, community and cancer
John Moore
john.moore@denvergazette.com
Updated 21 hours ago
For Aurora and Denver first responders, the gloves come on for a good time and a good cause Guns down, gloves up. That was the mantra last Saturday night for the 30 Denver and Aurora police officers, firefighters, corrections officers...
John Moore
Reporter
PREV
PREVIOUS
Robert Duvall, Oscar-winning actor and 'Godfather' mainstay, dead at 95
LOS ANGELES — Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor of matchless versatility and dedication whose classic roles included the intrepid consigliere of the first two “Godfather” movies and the over-the-hill country music singer in “Tender Mercies,” has died at age 95. Duvall died “peacefully” at his home Sunday in Middleburg, Virginia, according to an announcement from […]
DougCo deputy fired after DUI, careless driving arrest
A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy was fired Friday after he was arrested by Parker Police the previous weekend. Andrew Sanders faces charges of driving under the influence, careless driving, assault on a police officer and obstruction in relation to a traffic stop just before 8 p.m. Feb. 7, according to a Friday news release from […]