Alexander Mountain fire 1% contained

Good morning, Colorado.

We hope wherever you are, you’re safe and clear of the several wildfires that have sparked along the Front Range this week. Wednesday was a difficult one for our beautiful state, but The Sun is here to keep you updated with all the important information as those fires continue into Thursday.

If you missed any of Wednesday’s updates for the Stone Canyon, Alexander Mountain, Quarry or Lake Shore fires, we wrapped up all of that news into one story here. David Krause and Olivia Prentzel — as well as several Sun journalists, some of whom have had to evacuate or avoid the smoke themselves — are watching today’s updates in this feed.

That and the rest of today’s news below.

Kevin Jeffers

Product Team

THE NEWS

FRONT RANGE WILDFIRES

Live updates: Firefighters work to get containment on wildfires burning across Colorado’s Front Range

As more resources are expected to arrive today, fire crews worked through the night to contain three of the wildfires burning along the Front Range. Crews overnight managed 20% containment on the Stone Canyon fire north of Lyons. The Alexander Mountain fire west of Loveland — which at last count was burning up to 7,648 acres — is at 1% containment, while the Quarry fire near Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County threatens a densely populated area. Keep this feed open today for updates.

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• Human remains found in home burned by Stone Canyon wildfire near Lyons. One fatality has been reported from the week’s fires thus far, as updated by the Boulder County sheriff Wednesday. Jesse Paul has more.
• Officials keep wary eye on reservoirs, infrastructure as Front Range wildfires rage nearby. Officials say water delivery has not been interrupted, even as the fires threaten nearby infrastructure, reports Shannon Mullane.
• Everywhere there’s been a wildfire in Colorado in the past 15 years. John Ingold and Danika Worthington put together this interactive map showing the past decade and a half of wildfire activity in the state.

POLITICS

Trial begins for Tina Peters, Colorado clerk charged in election system breach

After three canceled prior court dates, the trial for former County Clerk Tina Peters finally began Wednesday with opening statements in Grand Junction. A national hero among the Stop the Steal faction of American politics, Peters is being tried on seven felonies and three misdemeanors in a 2021 breach of her county’s election system. Nancy Lofholm sums up the Peters saga to this point, and explains what comes next in the courtroom.

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WILDLIFE

After thousands of fish die in Sloan’s Lake, park officials jump in to cool the water

Toxic algae blooms caused by consecutive days of scorching heat are the culprit for the deaths of at least 2,000 fish floating on the surface of Sloan’s Lake, according to Denver Parks and Recreation. Tracy Ross has the details on a problem that isn’t just a city issue.

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HEALTH

A new Colorado hospital opens this weekend. It’s built with the lessons of COVID in mind.

Intermountain Health’s Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge will close this weekend and move 3 miles west to a new $680 million facility. As John Ingold reports, the new facility will reflect how the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing health systems to rethink what a hospital must be able to do.

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Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

COLORADO REPORT

• Are there enough affordable breakfast sandwiches in Denver? Finally, someone brave enough to ask the real questions.
  — The Know 🔑
• Should voters have a say on where Aspen airport puts its runway? A group collected enough signatures to put a measure on the ballot that, if passed, would require public vote if the airport wanted to expand or relocate.
  — The Aspen Times
• Can Ford Amphitheater Dethrone Red Rocks As Colorado’s Top Music Venue? The just opened venue in Colorado Springs offers views of Pikes Peak, dining at Roth’s Seafood & Chophouse and $250,000 firepit suites. 
  — 5280
• What is … Tattered Cover is now officially owned by Barnes & Noble? This isn’t actually a question but I needed some way to stick with my theme. So yes, Denver’s locally owned, independent business has officially gone corporate after filing for bankruptcy. 
  — Denverite

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Danika Worthington | Presentation Editor

What’s Happening

AUG. 1-8

Happy 148th Birthday, Colorado! It’s Aug. 1! Also known as Colorado Day, also known as Colorado’s birthday. To celebrate, the governor is inviting everyone over to his house for a party — or, at least, what was intended to be his house, since Polis doesn’t actually live in the governor’s mansion. The residence in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood was donated to the state by the Boettcher family in 1959, and it has housed most governors since then. Free tours of the residence and the State Capitol will happen throughout the day. 

If politics is fine, but you’re here for the nature, we hear you. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering free entry to all State Parks on Monday, Aug. 5, in celebration of Colorado Day. Here’s a list of CPW’s picks, or use this map to find which of Colorado’s 42 state parks are close by.

That said, maybe celebrating outside amid a rash of wildfires and high 90s heat isn’t your kind of party. In that case History Colorado’s birthday offerings might be of interest. On Saturday, Aug. 3, History Colorado offers free entry to all of its museums, including the Center for Colorado Women’s History in Denver, El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo, the Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin in Leadville, Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center, Trinidad History Museum, and the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose.

Free; Aug. 1-5; Various locations

• “As You Like It” by UpstART. Shakespeare done twice in southwestern Colorado. UpstART Theater performs “As You Like It” from Aug. 2-5 at The Wright Opera House in Ouray. Then the performance moves outdoors for two free performances at Anesi Park in downtown Silverton. No tickets needed for the Silverton performance. 

Free; 6 p.m., Aug. 6 and 7; Anesi Park, 1239 Blair St., Silverton

• High Plains Chautauqua. A very full, very free program of talks and performances in the style of a 19th-century Chautauqua. Local actors play historical characters that embody this year’s theme of “game changers.” Expect appearances from Rachel Carson, Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and others. 

Free; Aug. 5-9; Aims Community Welcome Center, 4901 W. 20th St., Greeley

• PlatteForum Fair. The inaugural PlatteForum Arts and Community Fair to showcase and celebrate the nonprofit’s work. Live performances, more than 20 artist vendors, booths from local organizations and games. 

Free; 2-6 p.m., Aug. 4; Mestizo-Curtis Park, 32nd St., Denver

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

Stay safe.

— Kevin & the whole staff of The Sun

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