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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Front Page

  • Colorado Introduces Changes to Bike Laws

    Colorado Introduces Changes to Bike Laws

    Bicyclists and Drivers Need to Know the “Safety Stop”

    (COLO) – As a reminder for Colorado Bike Month, motorists should be aware that a new bill was signed into Colorado law this past April that may change the behaviors of bicyclists and other human-powered vehicles. The new rule has been termed the “Safety Stop,” and it applies to bicycle riders and other low-speed conveyances, such as electrical assisted bicycles, and electric scooters.

    The ultimate purpose of this law is to reduce injuries and fatal crashes resulting from collisions at controlled intersections. The “Safety Stop” applies to anyone 15 years of age or older, or a child accompanied by an adult who is also operating a low-speed conveyance, to treat a stop sign as a yield sign and a red traffic signal like a stop sign.

    With the passage of the Colorado Safety Stop law, bicycles, electric scooters and other human-powered vehicle operators must already have the right of way and ride no more than 10 miles per hour through stop signs at an intersection. They may also proceed straight or turn right on a red light, only after coming to a complete stop, yielding to crossing pedestrians and immediate oncoming traffic. Left turns from a red traffic signal are allowed only if proceeding onto a one-way street.

    Nothing in this new law prohibits bicyclists or other human-powered vehicle operators to make a complete stop at stop signs or red traffic signals.

    “As the Colorado State Patrol, our number one priority is saving lives,” said Sergeant Troy Kessler. Colorado State Patrol. “Whether someone takes advantage of this new law or not, the ultimate goal is to see drivers of motor vehicles and other vulnerable road users behave in a considerate and caring way to each other. Law or no law, if people were to consciously think about and act in a way that prioritizes the value of other people’s lives, injuries and deaths on the road would fall significantly.”

    For additional information on the new Safety Stop, please see the below links:

    Bicycle Colorado

    CDOT – Safety Stop

    To learn more about the Colorado State Patrol follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • Plumbing issues close ArapCo DMV facility

    Plumbing issues close ArapCo DMV facility

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  • CPW launches Keep Colorado Wild Pass public outreach campaign for income-eligible resident input and education

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced today the launch of a public outreach campaign to engage with Colorado residents, in particular disproportionately impacted communities, and educate the public about the availability of a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Annual Pass during their annual vehicle registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  CPW will host small focus groups around the state and accept submissions on an online comment form (in English and Spanish) to understand the use and affordability of state parks for income-eligible residents.

    “Colorado has beautiful state parks that should be accessible to anyone in the state who wants to be in nature,” said Lauren Truitt, Assistant Director for Information and Education with CPW. “The Keep Colorado Wild Pass and the proposed income-eligible pass is a win-win because it allows more residents to get out and enjoy the great outdoors while also supporting the protection of our lands, waters and wildlife.”

    CPW will host 23 in-person focus groups and two virtual focus groups this summer. The schedule and registration links can be found on the calendar here. Participants in the in-person focus groups will receive a $25 gas or grocery gift card. For those who are unable to attend a focus group, residents can provide feedback on the comment form, open until Aug. 15, 2022.

    About the Keep Colorado Wild Pass:
    In 2021, Colorado legislative leaders and Governor Polis signed a bill that will allow Coloradans to easily access state parks and invest in Colorado’s wildlife and great outdoors. Senate Bill SB21-249

    Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, Colorado residents can buy a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass during their annual vehicle registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Residents will have the option to buy or decline the pass every year when registering a passenger vehicle, light truck, motorcycle and/or recreational vehicle.

    The Keep Colorado Wild Pass is an annual state park that includes:

    • Entry to all Colorado state parks
    • Protects wildlife, lands and water
    • Supports search and rescue programs
    • Funds trails and local community projects
    • Helps make the outdoors safe and available to all

    Money raised from the pass will be used to protect wildlife and healthy habitats, search and rescue programs, avalanche education and outdoor equity learning programs. For more information, read the 10 Keep Colorado Wild Pass funding goals.

     

     

    DENVER –  La división de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW) anunció hoy el lanzamiento de una campaña pública para involucrar a los residentes de Colorado, en particular las comunidades afectadas de manera desproporcionada, y educar al público sobre la disponibilidad del pase anual Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre y el proceso de registro durante el registro anual de su vehículo a través de la División de Vehículos Motorizados (DMV). CPW organizará pequeños grupos de enfoque en todo el estado y aceptará presentaciones en un formulario de comentarios en línea (en inglés y español) para comprender la accesibilidad y la asequibilidad de los parques estatales para los residentes elegibles por ingresos.

    “Colorado tiene hermosos parques estatales que deberían ser accesibles para cualquier persona en el estado que quiera estar en la naturaleza”, dijo Lauren Truitt, Subgerente de Información y Educación de CPW.  El pase anual Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre y el pase con descuento elegible para residentes con ingresos elegibles es beneficioso para todos porque permite que más residentes salgan y disfruten del aire libre al mismo tiempo que apoyan la protección de nuestras tierras, aguas y vida silvestre”.

    CPW organizará 23 grupos de enfoque en persona y 2 grupos de enfoque virtuales este verano. El horario y los enlaces de registro se pueden encontrar en el calendario aquí. Los participantes en los grupos de enfoque en persona recibirán una tarjeta de regalo de $25 para gasolina o tarjeta para el mandado. Para aquellos que no puedan asistir a un grupo de enfoque, los residentes pueden brindar comentarios sobre el formulario hasta el 15 de agosto de 2022.

    Acerca del pase anual Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre :
    En 2021, los líderes legislativos de Colorado y el gobernador Polis firmaron un proyecto de ley que permitirá a los habitantes de Colorado acceder fácilmente a los parques estatales e invertir en la vida silvestre y el aire libre de Colorado el proyecto de ley es conocido como SB21-249.

    A partir del 1 de enero de 2023, los residentes de Colorado pueden comprar el pase Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre de $29 durante el registro anual de su vehículo a través de la División de Vehículos Motorizados (DMV). Los residentes tendrán la opción de comprar o rechazar el pase todos los años al registrar un vehículo de pasajeros, camioneta, motocicleta y/o vehículo recreativo.

    Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre es un pase estatal anual que incluye:

    • Entrada a todos los parques estatales de Colorado
    • Protege la vida silvestre, las tierras y el agua.
    • Admite programas de búsqueda y rescate
    • Financia senderos y proyectos comunitarios locales.
    • Ayuda a que el aire libre sea seguro y esté disponible para todos.

    El dinero recaudado con el pase se utilizará para proteger la vida silvestre y los hábitats saludables, los programas de búsqueda y rescate, la educación sobre avalanchas y los programas de aprendizaje de equidad al aire libre. Para obtener más información, lea los 10 objetivos de financiación del pase Mantenga a Colorado Silvestre.

  • Public health officials have identified a presumptive monkeypox case, awaiting CDC confirmation: Risk to public remains low

    Public health officials have identified a presumptive monkeypox case, awaiting CDC confirmation: Risk to public remains low

    STATEWIDE (May 26, 2022) — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Public Health Laboratory has confirmed a presumptive monkeypox case and is awaiting CDC confirmation. The person who acquired the virus recently traveled to Canada where an outbreak of monkeypox is occurring and is cooperating with state and local public health epidemiologists who are investigating and notifying people who may have been exposed. There are currently no other presumptive positive monkeypox cases in Colorado. 
    The risk to the public continues to be low. While anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected monkeypox case can acquire monkeypox, people who have recently traveled to a country where monkeypox has been reported, or men who have sex with other men, are currently at a higher risk for monkeypox exposure.
    The presumptive case is a young adult male who sought care in the Denver area, and is a man who has sex with men. He is now isolating at home with his condition improving. Coloradans should be aware of monkeypox symptoms and prevention. Monkeypox often begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion. Typically a rash develops within one to three days after the onset of fever, often beginning on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. In recent cases, the rash often starts in the genital or perianal area. The associated monkeypox rash can look similar to other infections like syphilis or herpes. The incubation period for monkeypox is usually seven to 14 days, but can range from less than five to 21 days. Most people recover within two to four weeks. Coloradans can help prevent the spread of monkeypox by avoiding close physical contact with individuals who have acquired monkeypox, wearing a high-quality mask if they will be spending time in close contact with someone experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, and contacting a health care provider as soon as possible if they experience symptoms.
    “We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to the public is low, but we also want them to know of the symptoms so that we can catch other cases as soon as possible,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of the CDC, local public health agencies, and health care providers in learning about, treating, and investigating this case.”
    Two vaccines are available for the prevention of monkeypox, and Colorado is requesting vaccines from the federal government. The vaccines can be used to prevent infection or decrease the severity of infection among those who have had a high-risk exposure. An example of a high-risk exposure would be unprotected contact between a person’s skin or mucous membranes and the skin, lesions, or bodily fluids from a person known to have active monkeypox virus in their body. The determination of risk and the need for vaccination following an exposure is made by a medical provider with consultation from public health. 
    Monkeypox outbreaks are currently occurring in Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and other European countries. Monkeypox is rare in the United States, but has happened in people with international travel or people who had contact with animals from areas where the disease is more common. In 2021, there were two monkeypox cases in the United States associated with international travel, and there was a monkeypox outbreak in six states involving 47 cases associated with contact with infected animals that had contact with small mammals from Ghana in 2003. Neither of these outbreaks included cases in Colorado.
    In parts of the world where human cases of monkeypox more commonly occur, people are typically exposed through bites or scratches from infected rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products. Monkeypox does not happen regularly in animals that live in the United States. The virus can also spread from human to human through large respiratory droplets, but this likely requires prolonged face-to-face contact. Other human-to-human ways of spreading the virus include direct contact with body fluids or broken lesions, and through contaminated clothing or linens. There are two known types of monkeypox. 
  • Colorado state park summer safety tips for Memorial Day weekend

    Colorado state park summer safety tips for Memorial Day weekend

    Picture: Sylvan Lake State Park

    DENVER – As people gear up for an outdoor adventure this holiday weekend, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds our local outdoor community of a few safety tips to help support a positive outdoor experience.

    With increased visitation to outdoor spaces throughout the state, spending time outside remains a popular pastime in Colorado. Nature belongs to all of us, and the need to balance outdoor recreation with conservation never takes a holiday.

    Know Before You Go
    Be aware of weather conditions, water temperatures and trail closures where you plan to visit. In Colorado, even late spring can bring snowstorms, strong winds and extremely cold water temperatures.

    • Camping reservations are required at Colorado state parks.
    • Use the CPW Park Finder to learn about what activities are available at each state park.
    • COTREX provides additional outdoor opportunities in surrounding areas if your desired trailhead or park is crowded or closed.
    • On a holiday weekend, expect lines and potential gate closures. Have a backup plan and be kind – CPW staff is working hard to provide a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all.

    Life Jackets Save Lives
    As boat ramps open and warmer temperatures entice people to recreate on the water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges people to wear a life jacket and boat responsibly.

    Be Careful with Fire
    Know any restrictions or bans before you go. Colorado’s low humidity has perks but can create dry, dangerous conditions. Keep campfires small and manageable to avoid sparking wildfires.

    • Dry conditions frequently impact what type of fires are allowed, and they may be completely restricted in some areas. The websitewww.coemergency.com provides up-to-date information on county fire restrictions and bans.
    • When putting out a fire, water it until you can handle the embers.
    • Never let a fire burn unattended or put hot coals in a dumpster.
    • Buying locally-sourced firewood can help prevent invasive critters from crossing state lines.

    Keep Wildlife Wild
    Colorado is home to 960 species of wildlife. To keep them — and you — safe, don’t feed or approach them.

    Together, we can live life outside and all do our part to care for Colorado and keep our landscapes healthy for future generations. Learn more about Colorado state parks and outdoor activities, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/.

      
  • After an exhaustive search for a missing party, Cherry Creek State Park will re-open to boating Friday

    After an exhaustive search for a missing party, Cherry Creek State Park will re-open to boating Friday

    AURORA, Colo. – The recovery operation in the search for the missing 29-year-old male victim in the reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park continues. The reservoir will re-open to boating on Friday at 6 a.m.

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife, South Metro Fire Rescue, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and volunteers from Tightline Outdoors participated in the five-day recovery operation while the reservoir was closed. They utilized specialized underwater equipment, drones and personnel to search and support Cherry Creek State Park.

    During the six-day closure everyone involved maximized technology and personal resources to the fullest. The reservoir bottom has been thoroughly searched with specialized equipment to the extent they were designed for. CPW will continue searching difficult areas with an underwater drone that is not impacted by lake traffic and will continue to search shorelines and utilize equipment on daily patrols.

    Now that the specialized equipment has been provided a search environment without boaters and has been maximized to the fullest extent, CPW will re-open the lake. CPW will maintain an investigation into all possibilities regarding the report of the missing victim.

    CPW sincerely thanks all participants for their dedication and continued time with the search. The goal has been and will continue to be to bring closure for all impacted by this tragic event.

    If you have any information regarding this incident please contact CPW’s Denver office at 303-291-7227.

    Stay up to date on the latest in the search and the status of the reservoir as it pertains to boating by following CPW’s Northeast Region Twitter account,@CPW_NE.

  • Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates

    Issued for the eastern plains of Colorado
    Issued Wednesday May 11, 2022
    Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

    Affected Area: Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Morgan, Washington, Yuma, Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, Las Animas, Baca, and eastern portions of Weld, Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, and Huerfano counties. Locations include, but are not limited to, Sterling, Julesburg, Holyoke, Fort Morgan, Akron, Wray, Kiowa, Hugo, Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Pueblo, Ordway, La Junta, Eads, Las Animas, Lamar, Trinidad, Springfield, and Walsenburg.

    Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MST, Wednesday, May 11, 2022 to 9:00 PM MST, Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

    Public Health Recommendations: If significant concentrations of fine particulates are present and reducing visibility to less than 10 miles across a wide area, People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children in the affected area should reduce prolonged or heavy indoor and outdoor exertion.

    Outlook: Strong and gusty winds will produce areas of blowing dust on Wednesday. Areas of blowing dust will persist throughout the region during the late morning and afternoon hours. The threat for blowing dust will gradually diminish across the advisory area Wednesday evening. Additionally, smoke from out-of-state wildfires will be transported into the advisory area throughout the day on Wednesday.

    For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit:

    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

    Social Media:

    http://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd http://twitter.com/#!/cdpheapcd

  • Shred-A-Thon

    SATURDAY, May 14

    Shred-A-Thon hosted by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office at Dove Valley canceled.

  • Jury convicts man of manslaughter for fentanyl overdose death of 16 year old girl

    Jury convicts man of manslaughter for fentanyl overdose death of 16 year old girl

    On May 3, 2022, an Arapahoe County jury found Jorge Alexander Che-Quiab (26) guilty of manslaughter and other charges for his role in distributing fentanyl to a 16-year-old victim who ultimately died of an overdose.

    On August 7, 2020, officers with the Aurora Police Department responded to Che-Quiab’s home on a report of a possible overdose of a young female. A subsequent investigation revealed that Che-Quiab and another adult male supplied alcohol, marijuana, and fentanyl to a group of underage girls during a social gathering at Che-Quiab’s home. Che-Quiab admitted to police that one of the girls appeared to be suffering from symptoms of overdose, but decided to go to sleep rather than seek medical attention on her behalf.

    The following morning, others awoke and noticed that the girl was not breathing and called 911. Che-Quiab admitted that he used the time before paramedics arrived to flush some of the remaining drugs down the toilet. Tragically, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Investigators later learned that during the same gathering Che-Quiab sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl to whom he had also supplied a large quantity of alcohol. A search of Che-Quiab’s apartment yielded approximately 300 pills containing fentanyl, disguised as blue “M-30” Oxycodone pills, in addition to several bricks of Heroin. The total street value of the recovered narcotics was in excess of $20,000.

    Che-Quiab was charged with first degree murder (extreme indifference), felony murder, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sexual assault of a child, enticement of a child, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual assault (victim under 15), and attempted sexual assault.

    Che-Quiab pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a jury trial commenced on April 25, 2022. Following the six-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on charges of manslaughter, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sexual assault of a child, and sexual assault (victim under 15).

    “This defendant used alcohol and extremely dangerous drugs to manipulate these girls for his own selfish purposes,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo, who tried the case with Chief Deputy Darcy Kofol.  “When it became clear one of them needed immediate medical care, he callously chose to do nothing.”

    A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2022 at 3:00 pm. Che-Quiab faces a term of imprisonment of eight to 116 years to life.

    “This is yet another tragic case underscoring the danger that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids pose,” District Attorney John Kellner said.  “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who distribute these poisons in our community.”

    The Honorable Judge Darren Vahle presided over the trial.

  • Take a Friend Fishing and reel in great prizes!

    Take a Friend Fishing and reel in great prizes!

    Mentor Gregory Geiger and mentee Roy Romero, winners of the 2021 Take a Friend Fishing contest, show off Roy’s first catch ever!

    DENVER – For the fourth consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and our partner Colorado fishing companies are encouraging anglers to take a friend fishing. As a reward for sharing your expertise and love of fishing, we’ve created a contest for mentors who take the time to pass on their knowledge. We are now offering prizes for the mentor as well as the mentee!

    “Fishing is something a person can enjoy their entire life. When you teach someone how to fish, you can literally change their life forever,” said CPW Angler Outreach Coordinator Andre Egli. “We’ve received some truly inspiring stories about fishing in Colorado over the past few years. I’m excited to see what kind of photos and stories our anglers will send in this year.” 

    Mentors, take a beginner angler out or mentees encourage an experienced angler to teach you how to fish and enter to win some great prizes by submitting a photograph and brief story of your time on the water. Submissions will be judged by their ability to inspire. 

    Winners will be selected at three different times throughout the year (July, October and February). Both the mentor as well as the mentee will receive a prize. All prizes retail between $300 – $900!

    Prizes include:

    • six-hour guided boat fishing trip for two provided by Northern Colorado Fishing Outfitters – $475
    • Full-day guided fly fishing trip for two on the Platte River near Denver provided by Trouts Fly Fishing – $550
    • Cooler package: Soft-sided YETI cooler and 60-quart polar cap cooler from Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – $600
    • Full beginner fly fishing set up (rod/reel combo, tippet, leaders, tools, and fly box with 60 flies) from Ascent Fly Fishing – $400
    • Full beginner spin-casting set up (rod/reel combo, net, and tackle box with over $300 worth of gear and lures) – $400
    • Full ice fishing set-ups including; sled, auger, rods/reels, and pop-up shelter – $600
    • Premium fly fishing set-up: Orvis rods with Ross Reels – $900
    • Tenkara rods from Zen Tenkara – $300
    • Belly boat with accessories (fins & pump) – $300

    Each winner will also receive a year subscription to Colorado Outdoors Magazine.

    • Mentor and mentee must be at least 21 years of age.
    • Mentees must meet one of these criteria:
    • Never had a fishing license until 2022
    • Only had a fishing license in 2021 (e.g., a second-year angler)
    • Not had a fishing license in the past five consecutive years (i.e., since 2017)
    • Contest participants must follow all applicable Colorado fishing regulations.
    • Mentor must have had a Colorado fishing license before the start of the contest.

    To learn more, see the official rules and find out more about how to Take a Friend Fishing in 2022.