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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Colorado News

  • USDA Forest Service and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control form joint wildland fire fuels module

    FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Two wildland fire management agencies have announced a new agreement to proactively confront the wildfire crisis along Colorado’s northern Front Range. As part of the USDA Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire risk to infrastructure and communities, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National is making a multi-million dollar investment in shared resources with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

    “Through partnerships with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, we can maximize the use of shared resources to effectively mitigate fire risk,” said DFPC Director Morgan. “Fire is a concern for our entire State, and this partnership is part of the long-term collaborative strategy to reduce the threat to our communities and natural resources.”

    The first agreement of its kind between the two agencies, the effort involves implementing a preventative, cross-boundary approach to wildfire mitigation. A highlight of the agreement involves forming a joint wildland fire and fuels module focused on reducing hazardous fuels in and around the wildland-urban interface on both public and private lands. The module will focus on strategic project planning, information distribution, and wildfire mitigation implementation (e.g. thinning and prescribed burning).

    “The Division and the Forest have a strong foundation of working together during wildfires,” said Forest Supervisor Monte Williams. “This is the first time our agencies have come together to get out ahead of the fires, to do some preventative planning and treatments across fence lines, and I’m really excited about all the doors this agreement opens for us.”

    Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Law, this collaborative effort will operate in the Front Range Priority Landscape, which includes areas along the Front Range from the Wyoming state line south to the I-70 corridor. This landscape is also part of the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative, a partnership of federal, state and local natural resource agencies, non-profits, community groups, and researchers working to address wildfire risks to communities and keep Colorado’s water supplies reliable.

    As part of this agreement, hiring for the new joint wildland fuels module is currently underway. The fuels module will be based out of the Division’s offices in Windsor.

  • Colorado Missing Persons Day—February 3, 2023: Ceremony to be held at State Capitol

    January 31 – CBI – Lakewood, CO – Colorado Missing Persons Day is being honored with a series of events at the state Capitol building (200 E. Colfax Avenue) beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023. In addition to a Resolution being read at the Capitol, a prayer vigil will honor 589 individuals currently missing for a year or more in the State of Colorado.

    The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also post the list of those missing in Colorado to its website on the day of the event, as well as display a slide show featuring some missing person cases in the state.

    *Order of events at the State Capitol Building on February 3, 2023

    8:30 a.m. – Family members are invited to meet near the Senate Gallery

    9:00 a.m. – Family members will join the Senate in their chambers to observe the ceremony to designate February 4, 2023 as Colorado Missing Persons Day.

    9:45 a.m.  – 10:30 a.m. – Family members will join the House in their chambers to observe the ceremony to designate February 4, 2023 as Colorado Missing Persons Day.

    10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  (or at the conclusion of the Senate/House Sessions): A Prayer Vigil and the reading of the names of the missing will take place on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building.

    The ceremony will conclude with a Bubble Release.

    *Order and timing of events are dependent on weather. All updates about Colorado Missing Persons Day will be on the CBI website and on the Bureau’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

    “While Colorado law enforcement agencies have recorded a number of solved cold cases in the past year, we must never lose sight of the families still left without answers about their missing loved ones,” said CBI Director John Camper. “While we are making great strides in incorporating emerging technologies as part of some cold case investigations, we must continue to also focus our resources on supporting families who are navigating the myriad of challenges associated with having a missing loved one.”

    Family members and friends are asked to share a short tribute about their loved one on the Colorado Missing Person Day Memoriam page created in their honor.  (https://www.forevermissed.com/coloradomissingpersonsday/about)

    Colorado Missing Persons Day is sponsored by Colorado State Senators Rhonda Fields and Bob Gardner, along with House Majority Leader Monica Duran and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese.

    Note: CBI Victim Advocates are available for any family member of those missing needing additional support during this difficult time. To contact a CBI Victim Advocate, please call (303) 239-4649.

  • Feb. 1 is National Energy Assistance Day

    Coloradans are encouraged to apply for energy assistance through LEAP

    DENVER (Jan. 30, 2023) — The Colorado Department of Human Services is celebrating Feb. 1 as National Energy Assistance Day. All potentially eligible Coloradans are encouraged to apply for Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally funded program that helps save eligible households money by paying a portion of winter home heating bills.

    LEAP, a statewide program, helps keep Coloradans warm during the winter months by making a one-time payment directly to the utility company on behalf of each LEAP eligible household. Nearly 57,000 Colorado households have received LEAP benefits this season, a 15.8% increase over last year at this time. The average benefit is $441. Applications are accepted through May 1.

    “Recent data shows nearly 26 percent of Coloradans reported reducing basic expenses like food and medicine to pay their energy bills,”explains Theresa Kullen, LEAP program manager. “LEAP can help Coloradans with their high energy bills. We encourage Coloradans to find out if they qualify and apply to take advantage of the program’s many benefits.”

    In addition to home heating assistance, LEAP recipients may be eligible to receive furnace repair and replacement in heat-related emergencies, as well as weatherization services. LEAP recipients may also qualify for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a temporary program that is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). LIHWAP provides funds to make a one-time payment directly to the water vendor on behalf of eligible households who are facing eviction due to unpaid water bills or whose account is either in arrears or shut off, as long as funding is available and the water vendor is a LIHWAP participant. 

    To qualify for LEAP, Coloradans may have an income up to 60 percent of the state median income level, which equates to a household income of less than $66,468 a year for a family of four. Additionally, LEAP recipients must pay home heating costs directly to a utility company or landlord as part of their rent and have at least one U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. living in the household.

    Coloradans can access a LEAP application at cdhs.colorado.gov/LEAP, or by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to receive an application via mail or email, or by visiting their county human services office. 

  • Colorado Ranks the Second Best State in the 2022 USA Healthy Aging Index

    The 2022 Healthy Aging Index, a newly released report about life quality in the US performed by digital health company DoFasting, ranks Colorado 2nd out of 50. The state hangs back from Utah by a slight difference. According to the research, the primary variable for such outstanding results concerning healthy aging is healthcare.

    The report analyzes 5 fundamental pillars of healthspan: demographics, economics, behavioral aspects, healthcare, and mental health. Underpinning these pillars are 25 indicators (5 per pillar) that are interrelated and work together to provide an overall measure of healthy aging across the 50 US states. Each indicator’s highest score is 4, the lowest is 0. The highest possible final score is 100; however none of the states have scored it.

    The 2022 Healthy Aging Index aims to highlight specific improvements that individual states could make to support healthy aging. For Colorado factors such as diet, divorce rate, and suicide rate have not shown excellent results and have let the Colorado state settle down with second place in the Healthy Aging Index.

    “According to recent meta-analysis, higher fruit and vegetable intake reduces mortality; Colorado scored only 1 out of 4 points when it comes to healthy diet,” says Supriya Lal, RD, MPH, health advisor at DoFasting.

    While the primary variable for such outstanding results of Colorado state concerning healthy aging is healthcare, indicating that the state is coping well with chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and  hypertension.

    “An Oxford university analysis involving nearly one million people worldwide has shown that obesity can trim years off life expectancy. A study showed that moderate obesity reduces life expectancy by about three years and severe obesity by ten years, equal to time loss due to lifelong smoking. This indicates  that such a comparable factor within the state can be an important consideration when it comes to healthy aging,” says Supriya Lal RD, MPH, health advisor at DoFasting.

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     “Corresponding to the study, the best state for healthy aging is Utah, which is becoming an attractive destination for relocation due to affordable healthcare costs and beautiful nature. The worst state for healthy aging is Mississippi because of the lower quality education, lower income, and high poverty and crime rates,” says Kasparas Aleknavicius, MD, medical advisor at DoFasting.

    “Multiple recent studies have shown that a low-risk lifestyle can prolong life expectancy – and that most of these additional years of life are spent in good health,” adds Aleknavicius.

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    Despite spending the most on healthcare worldwide, the United States falls well behind other world leaders in life expectancy rankings. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that after a historic drop in life expectancy in 2020, the country took another alarming hit in 2021, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic reports. And while life expectancy in other high-income countries has since increased, in the US, it fell by almost 3 years (down to 76.1 years).

    One of the reasons for such poor rankings is the US medical system. However, such measures also depend on a variety of socio-economic and behavioral factors that affect an individual’s health – diet, exercise, smoking, poverty, obesity, compliance with medical protocols, and many others.

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     The research was carried out by experts in the digital health company DoFasting. The team of researchers and medical doctors analyzed 1,250 units of data from 25 reputable sources. The research was conducted to shed light on the uneven distribution of resources around the United States and help people make decisions regarding the most suitable place to live in.

    The methodology and explanations of how each factor influences healthy aging can be found here. The methodology behind the report and all calculations can be found here. Visualized information and web access can be found here.

  • Colorado Doesn’t Brake for Kids or Work Zones

    Troopers cite almost 10,000 drivers in three years

    school zone

    (COLO) – School zones and constructions zones have lower speed limits, traffic calming devices and a number of high-visibility warning devices for drivers for good reason. Kids and roadside workers lives are at-risk. Yet when looking at data from the
    Colorado State Patrol over a three-year period (2019- 2021), troopers cited 9,643 people for speeding in construction or school zones.

    “Great lengths are taken to alert drivers in advance of areas or work spaces that we know could be fatal for pedestrians,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Motorists should never assume people will not be present and should reduce their speeds and put away distractions. People’s lives are depending on you.”

    Speeding is a common type of aggressive driving, and it can happen in neighborhood streets as well as busy four-lane highways. When looking at speeding charges in all locations, the Patrol issued over 208,000 over this same three-year period (2019-2021).

    “Speeding can be habit forming, but it doesn’t make it excusable,” explains Col. Packard. “When you don’t have the awareness to drive cautiously and lawfully in school and work zones, you are displaying extreme indifference to your neighbors and community.”

    According to Colorado State Patrol data, the top five counties with the largest quantity of speeding charges at the highest speeding intervals in 2021 were:


    1. El Paso
    2. Douglas
    3. Jefferson
    4. Weld
    5. Eagle

    Troopers continue to take a low tolerance approach to lane violations while launching a yearlong campaign called “Stay in Your Lane.” This campaign is designed to remind people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment. This campaign also aims to bring attention to three of the most common and avoidable behaviors that contribute to lane violations – driving aggressively, driving distracted or driving while impaired.

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  • CPW’s big game license distribution and preference point comment form live until February 20, 2023

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is considering changes to policies and regulations that direct the distribution of big game hunting licenses in Colorado. To help inform this process, CPW is looking for input from residents and nonresidents interested in big game hunting in Colorado.  

    CPW is encouraging the public to complete this comment form and share their thoughts on the current big game license distribution process. The comment form will be open through February 20, 2023. Results from this comment form will be shared with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to inform their decision-making process on big game license distribution.  

    Changes that are being considered: 

    • A preference point banking system
    • Averaging group applicant preference points
    • Updating the high-demand hunt code split from 80% to residents and 20% to nonresidents to 90% for residents and 10% for nonresidents
    • An across-the-board license allocation of 75% to residents and 25% to nonresidents 

    These topics under consideration were requested by the CPW Commission. The results of the comment form will be discussed with the Commission at its March 15-16, 2023 meeting. 

    Changes that have already been made: 
    In November 2022, the Parks and Wildlife Commission approved an update to big game license allocation. The three-year preference point average that is used to determine high-demand hunt codes that are allocated 80% to residents and 20% to nonresidents was updated such that CPW will use the most recent three years (with a one-year lag). 

    The Commission decided to retain the six preference point threshold used to determine high-demand hunt codes, which added about 1,200 deer and elk hunt codes to the 80/20 allocation of high-demand hunts. This change will be effective for the 2023 big game hunting season.

    Why is CPW evaluating big game license distribution now?
    Due to the complexity of the subject as well as on-going interest from stakeholders, the Parks and Wildlife Commission requested that license distribution be reviewed separately from the upcoming Big Game Season Structure. Members of the Colorado General Assembly also showed interest in making changes. 

  • Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Tragic Shooting in Monterey Park, California

    DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings and properties immediately until sunset on January 26, 2023, in honor and remembrance of the victims of the horrific tragedy in Monterey Park, California as directed by President Biden. Flags will be flown at half-staff starting immediately until sunset, January 26, 2023.

     

    The text of the proclamation reads:

    As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on January 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 26, 2023.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

    JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife to Attend the 2023 Farm Show

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife to Attend the 2023 Farm Show

    CPW representatives accept “Best Big Educational Booth” award

    GREELEY, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife will host a workshop and operate an extensive booth at the 2023 Farm Show in Greeley. The Farm Show runs from Jan 24-26 at Island Grove Park. CPW will have representatives on hand to talk about state parks, hunter outreach, and education opportunities. 

    The CPW workshop will discuss wildlife conservation, private land ownership, and ways to support habitats. The workshop will be Thursday starting at 10 a.m. in meeting room C. CPW will also lead an Agriculture Roundtable to meet with producers and groups on the nuances of conserving Colorado’s natural resources.

    Agriculture producers are an important part of Colorado life, and agricultural lands provide important habitat for wildlife. CPW will engage with farmers, ranchers, and landowners, who have vital perspectives on pressing environmental and economic topics affecting the state.

    Additionally, CPW looks forward to defending the “Best Big Education Booth” award for the fifth year.

  • Colorado Re-Introduces Three Retired License Plates to Benefit State’s Disability Funding Committee

    DENVER – Today, the State of Colorado released three previously retired license plate backgrounds with proceeds from their sale benefiting the Colorado Disability Funding Committee, providing grants for disability application assistance and innovative programs that increase the quality of life and independence of Coloradans with disabilities. These license plates can be purchased for use from county motor vehicle offices state-wide or online for a $25 annual fee.

    “The Colorado Disability Funding Committee has raised more than $200,000 from the sale of the rights to license plate configurations since 2020, with this revenue directly benefiting programs that support Coloradans with disabilities. I look forward to seeing these unique plates on the road and knowing that it’s supporting programs and services that improve the quality of life for the disability community,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera.

    The three released backgrounds feature the word COLORADO in white lettering on solid blue, red, and black backgrounds respectively based on the 1914, 1915 visitor, and 1945 Colorado license plates. These backgrounds, as well as the green mountain background re-released in 2021, are now available for purchase in-person at county DMV offices or online at mydmv.colorado.gov. Graphics of the license plate backgrounds can be found in this folder. 

    The Colorado Disability Funding Committee is made up of 13 Governor-appointed members, with the requirement that at least seven members must identify as living with a disability or have first-hand experience working with someone who does. Members oversee the distribution of grant funds which are used to support disability application assistance for programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicaid long-term support services, as well as new and innovative programs increasing quality of life and independence of Coloradans with disabilities.

    The Colorado Disability Funding Committee also has numerous upcoming license plate configuration auctions for 2023 starting with a live auction January 21 at the National Western Stock Show in collaboration with the Colorado Auctioneers Foundation. Other planned 2023 auction themes include: Cannabis in April, Star Wars in May, Colorado in August. Additional information on upcoming auctions can be found on the committee’s website https://disabilityfundingcommittee.colorado.gov/. 

  • Broomfield Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Assault and Attempted Manslaughter for Trying to Mow Down an Oncoming Police Officer

    Broomfield, CO — Today, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the First-Degree Assault, Aggravated Robbery, and Attempted Manslaughter conviction of Angel Ramirez-Armas, 32, following a jury trial in Broomfield County District Court.

    On November 12, 2020, Broomfield Police were dispatched to an apartment complex along Summit Boulevard in response to a shots fired call. Upon arrival a victim stated that a man stole his gold pickup truck and fled towards Highway 36. The victim said the man also fired two shots with a handgun in his direction before departing the area.

    A short time later, the Broomfield Police Officer spotted the pickup truck and verified that it was the stolen vehicle from the previous call. The officer pursued the truck with lights and sirens on, but the driver continued to flee at a high rate of speed. A Broomfield Police Sergeant was in route to the area in his marked patrol vehicle. When the driver of the pickup truck, Angel Ramirez-Armas, encountered the Broomfield Police Sergeant, he veered aggressively into oncoming traffic. The Sergeant had to swerve to the side of the road to avoid a head-on collision. Ramirez-Armas was traveling approximately 75mph at the time.

    Ramirez-Armas continued to drive recklessly into oncoming traffic. At one point, the driver of a stopped semi-truck, who was outside of his vehicle, had to jump behind the truck to avoid being hit. The pursuing Broomfield Police Officer attempted a PIT maneuver that successfully forced the defendant’s vehicle off the road. Ramirez-Armas fled on foot but was later captured.

    On November 3, 2022, a Broomfield County Jury found Ramirez-Armas guilty of:

    • Aggravated Robbery (F3)
    • First-Degree Assault (F3)
    • Attempted Manslaughter (2 counts) (F5)
    • Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (F5)
    • Vehicular Eluding (F5)
    • Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender (Guilty Plea After Trial) (F6)

    On January 5, 2023, at 10:00am, Ramirez-Armas will be sentenced by a Broomfield County District Judge.

    “This defendant put so many lives at risk and nearly killed a police officer in a head-on collision,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “Our officers put their own lives at risk every day to protect those who live and work in our community. We will aggressively prosecute those who put the lives of officers or members of our community at risk, as the defendant did here. I commend the Broomfield Police Department and my team at the DA’s Office for their hard work on this case and am grateful to the jury for returning a just verdict.”

    Deputy District Attorney Dan Martin and Deputy District Attorney Kate Armstrong led the prosecution of this case.