In 2013, nearly a decade after I graduated high school, I returned to the classroom as a reporter for Chalkbeat, the nonprofit news organization that covers public education. The world I returned to looked nothing like the one I left. And yet, one thing remained the same: the culture wars. As long as there have […]
Jefferson County
Posted inCOVID, Health, News, Politics and Government
Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director Dawn Comstock resigns
Jefferson County Public Health Director Dawn Comstock has resigned. Comstock offered her resignation during a closed-door Board of Health meeting on Monday. Board members voted unanimously to accept Comstock’s resignation. The special Board of Health meeting was held almost entirely in executive session outside of public view. The vote was taken in open session. Board President […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Southeastern Colorado struggles to attract home builders. Now federal stimulus will help add 127 homes.
Between the state and private prisons, the sheriff’s office, schools and a growing cannabis cultivation industry, there are plenty of workers who could make Crowley County their home. Except there aren’t enough places for them to live. And, as the supply of houses and apartments has declined in the rural county east of Pueblo, few […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News
Jefferson County judge sets hearing to reconsider trucker’s 110-year sentence
By Colleen Slevin, The Associated Press GOLDEN — A truck driver sentenced to 110 years for an explosive crash that killed four people in suburban Denver moved a step closer Monday to potentially having his prison term reduced. Judge Bruce Jones scheduled a hearing for Jan. 13 to reconsider Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence following widespread outrage […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
How Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence could be shortened by the court, and the power Colorado’s governor has to intervene
The 110-year prison sentence imposed on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos for causing a fiery Interstate 70 wreck west of Denver that killed four people has stoked international outrage and prompted calls for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ to intervene. Jefferson County prosecutors have filed a motion asking the court to reconsider the sentence, which could change the penalty […]
Posted inNews
The next big move to solve homelessness is a metro Denver recovery campus. But which city will host it?
Eight years ago, Colorado repurposed an old Army fort surrounded by farm fields into a homeless recovery center, a peaceful campus on the plains, far from the gritty streets where its residents previously slept. More than 1,700 people have lived at Fort Lyon, about three hours from Denver in Las Animas, and about half of […]
Posted inNews
4,000 cars, one exit: Residents in growing neighborhoods worry their new neighbors could crowd wildfire escape routes
CONIFER — A fire chief warning county officials in all-caps that he would be “UNABLE TO PROTECT” a proposed housing complex might have sounded like its death knell. But in this mountain community west of Denver, the developer decided instead to file a lawsuit seeking a court-ordered takeover of the Elk Creek Fire Protection District. […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Masks and muscles must coexist at the gym
Walking into the Lakewood 24 Hour Fitness for a pre-Thanksgiving workout Wednesday night, I noticed staff at the front desk dutifully informing patrons they needed to wear a mask upon entering. They even passed out masks to those who did not have one readily available. Unfortunately, that is where it stopped. I spent the next […]
Posted inCOVID, News
Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties will have indoor mask mandates starting Wednesday
Facing the possibility that the current COVID-19 surge could breach Colorado’s hospital capacity, the public health agency for Adams and Arapahoe counties Monday issued a new indoor mask mandate through at least the end of the year. Also Monday, Jefferson County Public Health’s board voted 4-1 to pass a new ordinance to require people ages […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
More competition means more spending in Colorado school board elections this year
More cash is flowing into Colorado school board contests this year than in previous election cycles as teacher unions, charter school advocates and wealthy individual donors open their purse strings to influence closely contested races across the state. The spending is part of a national trend of contentious school board elections, super-charged by COVID-19, the […]