Posted inNews, Outdoors, Outsider

Colorado’s independent ski areas are thriving in the shadow of dueling, consolidating resort giants

In the shadow of battling behemoths, smaller, independent ski areas are thriving.  “It’s not just that the big areas are crowded and skiers want to escape crowds,” said Bob Nicolls, the owner of Monarch ski area, which saw record visitation in 2021-22, with income for the ski area climbing 20% above the previous season. “I […]

Posted inColoradans, COVID, Education, News

COVID outbreaks have shut down some Colorado schools. Will holidays and cold weather make things worse?

When COVID-19 swept through an elementary, middle and high school in Pagosa Springs in November, many kids in Archuleta School District #50 JT once again had to abandon the classroom to learn at home. Along with shutting down the high school for five school days amid a string of staff absences, the rural southwest Colorado […]

Posted inBusiness, Environment, News

Colorado has a dismal recycling rate. Could a fee on manufacturers turn things around?

In Boulder, where every resident automatically receives access to recycling and composting services, more than half of the city’s waste is diverted from landfills. But in many Colorado cities and towns, residents who want to recycle must pay extra, or make a trip to recycling centers.  The discrepancy between the relative ease of recycling in […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, COVID, Environment, News, Transportation

Colorado dangles free transit on bad pollution days. But will there be anyone to ride? Or drive?

Way back in 2019, when most of us wore masks only at Halloween, Jayne Neimann considered the Bustang a vital part of her life. The bougie commuter bus run by the state transportation department offered Wi-Fi, cushy seats and a chance to relax with her phone for an hour on her way to Denver, where […]

Posted inCOVID, Crime and Courts, News

Owner of Loveland clinic fined $40,000 after he wouldn’t stop marketing fake COVID-19 cures

The owner of a medical clinic in Loveland has to pay $40,000 after he failed to stop marketing alleged cures for COVID-19, such as an anti-parasite drug often used for farm animals, while illegally overstating their effectiveness. Siegfied Emme, owner of Loveland Medical Clinic, will have to pay only $20,000 if he complies with the […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News

Loveland police sergeant in rough arrest of elderly Colorado woman resigns

LOVELAND — A police sergeant who was placed on administrative leave following the rough arrest of a 73-year-old Colorado woman with dementia has resigned. The Loveland Police Department announced Wednesday evening that Phil Metzler submitted his resignation amid a disciplinary review. Police Chief Robert Ticer said in a statement Metzler’s resignation “closes one more chapter […]

Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Environment, Growth, News, Politics and Government, Water

Thornton reverses Weld County denial of water pipeline. Property owners are not happy.

Thornton can start building a segment of a water pipeline in Weld County, even though the Weld County Board of Commissioners told the city “no” two months ago. Thornton City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a resolution that overrides Weld County’s denial of a permit to build a segment of the Thornton Water Project, […]