fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Local News

  • Full closure of 6th Avenue between Del Mar Circle and Potomac Street scheduled for July 19 through July 20

    Traffic will be rerouted to Colfax Avenue

     

    AURORA — Full closure of 6th Avenue between Del Mar Circle and Potomac Street is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and on Wednesday, July 20 from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Overnight work will include the erection of the pedestrian bridge as a part of the State Highway 30 Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project. Traffic will be rerouted to Colfax Avenue.

     

    Motorists can also expect eastbound and westbound single lane closures until Saturday, July 23. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the crosswalks at Del Mar Circle to cross 6th Avenue during the construction period. Flaggers will be directing traffic during single lane closures.

     

    PROJECT BACKGROUND: The State Highway 30 (6th Avenue) Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project began in early summer of 2016 and is scheduled to be completed by August 2016. Work on this project includes replacing the bridge structure with an ADA compliant structure and adding additional sidewalk on the south side of SH 30 from Vaughn Street to Potomac Street in order to improve the existing bus stop and overall pedestrian mobility.

     

    Stay Informed: For more information about this project, please call 720-583-8853 or email . Weekly lane closure information for all state highways is available on www.cotrip.org. Visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/sh30atvaughn to sign up for email alerts.

  • Rural Seat Belt Enforcement Begins Today Click It or Ticket Runs July 18-24

    Rural Seat Belt Enforcement Begins Today Click It or Ticket Runs July 18-24

    STATEWIDE — Seat belt usage rates for Colorado rural communities are some of the lowest in the state. In fact, according to a 2015 CDOT survey, three of the five lowest counties for seat belt use in Colorado are rural — Baca (67.1 percent), Delta (70.8 percent) and Montrose (75.5 percent).

    To improve road health in these rural counties, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local police will conduct a rural Click It or Ticket enforcement period from July 18 to 24. Buckled motorists and passengers reduce their risk of death in traffic crashes by 45 percent.

     

    “CDOT is committed to ensuring all Coloradans are aware of the benefits of seat belts and the severe risks of neglecting them,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “We hope these enforcements remind rural communities that whatever the excuse may be, there is no acceptable reason for not buckling up.”

     

    To directly reach rural communities, CDOT will be running a targeted social media campaign to encourage seat belt use. The videos in the campaign focus on a simple idea: friends and family tell you to buckle up because they care about your safety — law enforcement does it for the same reason. View and download the videos at bit.ly/CIOTvideos.

     

    In a crash, unbelted passengers can become projectiles and severely injure themselves and other occupants. Unbuckled passengers are also 30 times more likely to be ejected — one of the most lethal outcomes of crashes. Unbelted rear-seat passengers increase the fatality risk for the driver by 137 percent.

     

    Fines for not buckling begin at $65, and parents or caregivers caught with an improperly restrained child will receive a minimum fine of $82.

     

    “Motorists may find citations frustrating, but it’s the best way for our officers to remind unbuckled motorists of the consequences of not wearing a seat belt in a crash,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “The intention of the seat belt enforcement is to ensure the well-being of all people on the road. Refusing to buckle up does not just affect you — you also put those around you at risk.”

     

    Colorado Seat Belt Laws

    • Adults — Colorado has a secondary enforcement law for adult drivers and front-seat passengers. Drivers can be ticketed for violating the seat belt law if they are stopped for another traffic violation.
    • Teens— Colorado’s Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, no matter what their age, to wear seat belts. This is a primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts.
    • Children— Colorado’s child passenger safety law is primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under age 16 in the vehicle.

     

    In 2014, seat belts saved an estimated 12,802 lives nationwide, including 169 in Colorado. An additional 63 lives could have been saved in Colorado if all unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants five and older involved in fatal crashes had been properly restrained. For more information about seat belt safety and enforcement citation numbers, visit SeatBeltsColorado.com.

  • Tri-County Health Department warns of possible measles exposure

    Tri-County Health Department warns of possible measles exposure

    Tri-County Health Department is warning of possible exposure to a baby with measles who was at various locations in the south metro area. Measles is a respiratory illness that can be spread by coughing and sneezing, and can be very dangerous for infants who are too young to be vaccinated, immune-compromised people, and those who have not been immunized. Complications include ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

    The health department advises that anyone in the locations listed below contact their healthcare provider to get vaccinated if they are not already immune to measles, and to watch for symptoms:

    • Kumon Math and Reading Center of Highlands Ranch – East – 9362 S. Colorado Blvd. #D-08, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 – July 8, 3:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m. and July 11, 3:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m.

    • King Soopers – 9551 S. University Blvd, Littleton, CO 80126 – July 11, 4:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
    • Panda Express – 9563 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126– July 11, 5:45 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
    • Southeast Denver Pediatrics – 11960 Lioness Way #200, Parker, CO 80134– July 12, 9:50 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; July 13, 9:50 a.m.-12:35 p.m.; and July 14, 11:35 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
    • Target – 10001 Commons St., Lone Tree, CO 80124– July 12, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
    • Sky Ridge Pediatric Emergency Department (Evergreen Building) – 10107 Ridge Gate Pkwy, Lone Tree, CO 80124– July 14, 12:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
    • Pediatric Unit at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian St. Luke’s – 2001 High Street., Denver, CO 80205– July 14, 8:30 p.m. to July 15, 3:30 a.m.

    “As of Sunday evening, July 17, every person known to have been in contact with the baby—or in close proximity at the locations listed—has been identified and/or personally contacted by the health department, and provided the appropriate preventive measures. This notice to the public is out of an abundance of caution, and any remaining risk is extremely low,” states John M. Douglas, Jr. MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department.

    Symptoms of measles typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, and include a fever of 101 degrees or higher, a runny nose, red eyes that are sensitive to light, and coughing. Two to four days after the first symptoms, a red rash starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

    A person can be contagious for four days before the rash appears and for up to four days after the rash appears. People with measles symptoms should NOT go to childcare, school, work, or out in public, since they may spread the disease to others.

    If you need to be seen by a doctor, call the office to tell them about your symptoms. Do not go inside the doctor’s office or hospital since measles is highly contagious, and the doctor might meet you outside of the medical office in order to protect other patients and visitors.

    Though vaccination will not protect against this exposure, it will protect against future possible exposures. For more information, call Tri-County Health Department at 303-220-9200, the COHELP InfoLine at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911, or visit www.tchd.org.

  • Front Range Action Day for Ozone

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have issued an OZONE ACTION DAY ALERT at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2016 for the Front Range Urban Corridor from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Greeley.

    Stagnant weather conditions will lead to ozone concentrations reaching the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category Friday afternoon and evening for the south and west suburbs of Denver, including the nearby foothills.

    This Ozone Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016.

    For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

    The highest Ozone related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on July 15, 2016, is 74 which indicates Moderate ozone air quality. It was recorded by the CHAT ambient ozone monitor. Unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

    The highest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on July 15, 2016, is 52 which indicates Moderate Particulate Matter (PM2.5) air quality. It was recorded by the LNGM ambient monitor. Respiratory symptoms possible in unusually sensitive individuals, possible aggravation of heart or lung disease in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
    Friday, July 15, 2016, 2:30 PM MDT

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive groups range on Friday and the Good to Moderate range on Saturday. Ozone concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Friday are most likely for the south and west suburbs of Denver, including the nearby foothills. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion in those areas until 10 PM on Friday.

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Friday and Saturday. Several wildfires in the state could produce moderate concentrations of fine particulate matter throughout the Front Range region. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion throughout the Front Range region on Friday and Saturday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday and Saturday.

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday and Saturday.

    Visibility on Saturday is expected to be Poor during the morning then improve to Good to Moderate during the afternoon.

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
    Friday, July 15, 2016, 2:30 PM MDT

    Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

    Issued for Hayden Pass Wildfire in Fremont County near Coaldale.
    Issued at 9:00 AM MDT, Friday, July 15, 2016

    Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

    Affected Area: Fremont County. Locations include, but are not limited to Cotopaxi, Coaldale, Hillside, Howard and Texas Creek.

    Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Friday, July 15, 2016 to 9:00 AM MDT, Saturday, July 16, 2016

    Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

    Outlook: Unhealthy levels of smoke have again been recorded Friday morning near the fire in Cotopaxi. Similar smoke concentrations are likely in Coaldale and perhaps Texas Creek. That smoke should gradually decrease as westerly winds are expected to increase at the fire during the day on Friday. However, some periods of heavier smoke can still be expected for areas in close vicinity to the east of the fire, including Coaldale, Cotopaxi, Howard and Hillside. Depending on fire activity, some smoke could also be transported further downwind to the east Friday afternoon and evening, perhaps bringing some occasional smoke to Colorado Springs, Canon City and Pueblo. There is also the possibility of a few late afternoon and evening thunderstorms near the fire, which could produce erratic winds and send smoke in any direction. Light winds are expected late Friday night and Saturday morning. This will allow smoke to drain towards the Arkansas River, once again impacting Coaldale, Cotopaxi and perhaps Texas Creek and Hillside with periods of moderate to heavy smoke.

    SMOKE FROM OTHER WILDFIRES:
    The 20,981 acre Beaver Creek Wildfire is located in northwestern Jackson County approximately 24 miles northwest of Walden. Northwest to southwest winds are expected at the fire on Friday. This would tend to send the smoke to locations northeast to southeast of the fire. This could impact Cowdrey and Walden at times, and perhaps far northern parts of the Front Range region depending on fire activity. The wind will calm at the fire late Friday night and drainage flow will likely pool smoke, perhaps heavy at times, to northern parts of North Park. This would include the area from the community of Cowdrey northward to the Wyoming state line.

  • Sheriff’s Office Looking for Bond Violator

    Sheriff’s Office Looking for Bond Violator

    ADAMS COUNTY — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Adan Quiriarte-Jara (D.O.B. 06-14-94). Adan Quiriarte-Jara was out on bond awaiting trial for the charges of Vehicular Assault. The Sheriff’s Office received a notification that Adan Quiriarte-Jara, had allowed his electronic ankle monitor (GPS) battery to power off that he was wearing as a condition of bond. Contact with Adan Quiriarte-Jara has been unsuccessful.

    Adan Quiriarte-Jara is described as a 22 year-old Hispanic male, 5’9 “, weighing 185 Pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

    A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Adan Quiriarte-Jara. If you see Adan Quiriarte-Jara or know his whereabouts contact your local law enforcement agency.

    Adan

  • Burn restrictions levied across I-70 Corridor

    Burn restrictions levied across I-70 Corridor

    by Steven Vetter
    Managing Editor
    As wildfire season appears to be in full swing throughout the western half of Colorado, I-70 Corridor jurisdictions have implemented stricter burn restrictions to prevent a similar trend locally.
    Adams and Elbert county sheriff’s departments announced Level 2 burn restrictions July 11 with Arapahoe County following suit the next day. The stricter fire bans were the result of close coordination with fire department officials throughout all three counties, especially in the unincorporated eastern areas.
    Under the stepped up fire restrictions, all open outdoor burning is banned, except:
    • Charcoal or gas grills;
    • approved portable exterior fireplaces; and
    • outdoor welding or hot work.
    Prescribed burning of fields or fence lines will only be allowed when a signed permit from the presiding fire chief is obtained. The likelihood of a burn permit being approved during the ban is low. Fireworks and the use of educational rockets is also restricted until further notice.
    Limited burning of household trash is allowed, as long as it is done in a container that limits the amount of flame escaping.
    Residents caught violating the burn ban can face stiff fines. For example, in Arapahoe County, the first convicting could result in fines up to $500; $750 for the second violation; and possibly $1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
  • July 2 funnel cloud

    July 2 funnel cloud

    Corridor shutterbugs were out in force July 2, snapping photos of a funnel cloud that dropped down from the sky between Watkins and Bennett around 6:30 p.m. Below are some photos submitted to the I-70 Scout. Video submitted by Michelle Forbis. Photos submitted by Michele Olivia, James and Marie Rose, Kristi Bowyer, Bernadette Schulte, Anaia Brockopp, and Patrick Moran.

  • July 4th DUI Enforcement Cites 312 Drivers

    STATEWIDE — Law enforcement across Colorado were on heightened alert for impaired drivers over the Fourth of July weekend, citing 312 drivers during the latest The Heat Is On enforcement. The 312 citations are an increase from the 271 during last year’s enforcement.

     

    “Unfortunately, DUI arrests over the Fourth of July weekend increased this year,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Even one impaired driver is a tremendous hazard, and we thank our law enforcement partners for taking 312 impaired drivers off the road who were putting others in danger.”

     

    90 agencies participated in the enforcement period with the Colorado State Patrol (64 arrests), Aurora Police Department (39 arrests) and Colorado Springs Police Department (33 arrests) recording the most arrests.

     

    To date 2,983 impaired drivers have been arrested in the five The Heat Is On enforcement periods this year. The next enforcement period is the Labor Day Crackdown from August 19 to September 6. There are a total of 12 enforcement periods throughout the year.

     

    “It’s unfortunate that impaired drivers make the bad decision to put themselves and all others on the road in danger,” Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of CSP. “With Colorado law enforcement agencies working sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, I’m sure many alcohol related crashes were avoided over the holiday weekend.”

     

    To access CDOT’s The Heat Is On arrest database visit bit.ly/HIOarrests. Arrest data can be sorted based on law enforcement agency, county and enforcement period.

     

    The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

     

  • South Entrance of Denver International Airport Closed For Repairs

    South Entrance of Denver International Airport Closed For Repairs

    IMPORTANT NOTICE!

     

    Residents of the I-70 Corridor who want to go to Denver International Airport through the south entrance should be advised that 56thAvenue west of Hudson Road is closed for road repairs.

     

    To use the south entrance, go west through Watkins on Highway 36, north on Hudson Road, west on 26th Avenue, north on Monaghan Road, and west on 56th.

     

    Otherwise take E-470 or Tower Road to Pena Boulevard.

  • Wheat Field Days coming to Genoa, Roggen

    Wheat Field Days coming to Genoa, Roggen

    FORT COLLINS — The 2016 Colorado Wheat Field Days will take place June 9-15 at 11 variety trial sites throughout Eastern Colorado.

    The events include plot tours at 12 p.m., Friday, June 10, at Ross Hansen Farms near Genoa in Lincoln County and at 4 p.m., Monday, June 13, at Cooksey Farms near Roggen in Weld County.

    Dave Anderson of Haxtun, president of the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC), encourages all wheat farmers “to attend the one nearest to you to see how the old favorites look and how the new varieties in the breeding pipeline compare in your area.”

    The field days will highlight new hard red and hard white winter wheat varieties developed by Colorado State University and other public and private breeding programs in the Great Plains region. Attention will also be given to variety selection, special areas of emphasis in wheat breeding at CSU, and progress and plans with CWAC funding for CSU wheat research.

    Each plot tour will last about an hour. All field day locations will include refreshments or a meal.

    Each location will also feature a yield contest in which participants guess which variety will yield the most bushels.

    Speakers are CSU Extension agronomist Dr. Jerry Johnson; CSU wheat breeder Dr. Scott Haley; and Rick Novak, CSU seed programs director.

    For more information, visit www.coloradowheat.org or call 1-800-WHEAT-10.