Author: Michael Braithwaite
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Fire in Thornton throws smoke over Denver area, closes I-25
For the second day in a row, a fast-moving grass fire whipped by winds triggered evacuations in metro Denver — but no homes suffered damage, largely due to the quick response by firefighters with significant resources. A fire in Thornton threw a thick plume of dark smoke over the north metro Denver area that closed…
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Douglas County commissioners approve shoplifting ordinance despite pushback
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved an ordinance Tuesday afternoon that will mandate businesses report suspected shoplifting crimes. The ordinance, a highly-debated measure that has been in the works for over a year, was unanimously adopted by the three-commissioner board despite considerable pushback from community members, some of whom sarcastically noted their concerns during…
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Grass wildfire in Douglas County reaches 500 acres, 100% contained
Responders reached 100% containment on a grass fire near Colorado Highway 83 in Douglas County on Thursday. The wildfire, which spread rapidly and prompted mandatory evacuations near Franktown, sparked near Dahlberg and Lake Gulch Roads, the Franktown Fire District said just after 1 p.m. on social media. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office correspondingly issued an…
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Elitch Gardens opens seasonal job applications, to host hiring fairs
Snowfall in the mountains, fire danger in the plains. But amid all that chaos, there is one thing remains constant: Elitch Gardens. Denver’s century-plus-old amusement park announced Tuesday morning that it has opened applications for 1,500 seasonal positions before its opening weekend in April. Additionally, the organization said it will host two job fairs this…
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Ice climbers pick it at Longmont World Cup competition
As the sun rose behind The Climbing Collective, it was cold. Ice cold. On the building’s southwest exterior, strengthening sunlight illuminated puffy coats and clouds of breath — both a rarity along the Front Range this tepid winter. But the pocket of brisk weather made the atmosphere appropriate for the event on hand. And as…
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Four Denver police officers found justified in October gas station shooting
Four Denver police officers were found justified in using deadly force against an armed robbery suspect in October at a Maverik convenience store. Alec Garcia, Vincent Roldan, Brian Martinez and Marco Nunez were found justified in the Oct. 27, 2025 fatal shooting of Hosea Rashid Moore, 35, who was holding two female employees at gunpoint…
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TdA members sentenced, fined for Denver jewelry store robbery
Two members of the Tren de Aragua gang were sentenced and fined Thursday after pleading guilty to robbing a Denver jewelry store. Jean Torres-Roman, 22, and Newman Castillo Delgado, 23, each from Venezuela, pleaded guilty to charges relating to an armed robbery of Denver’s Joyeria El Ruby Jewelry Store in the 5100 block of West…
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Parker Police Department sergeant resigns after placed on administrative leave
A Parker Police Department sergeant resigned last Friday after he was placed on administrative leave, department officials said Thursday night. In a Thursday statement, the department said that Troy Brienzo, 31, was placed on investigative leave on Jan. 7 after an “alleged incident.” He then resigned just over a month later. Spokespeople for the department…
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Audit finds Caring for Denver Foundation misused taxpayer funds
An audit of a nonprofit contracted by Denver to manage a fund intended for social services found the organization misused taxpayer dollars. The Caring for Denver Foundation, under a contract by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), used taxpayer funds for meals and alcohol, awarded grants for illegitimate purposes and did not…
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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…