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Weather corner: Hidden Colorado headwaters, the unknown mountains of Grand County

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Weather corner: Hidden Colorado headwaters, the unknown mountains of Grand County

208 “ranked peaks” are located within Grand County. These are defined as peaks that rise more than 300 feet above its closest connecting ridge or saddle. Many of these high points reside in one of the two largest microclimates in Grand County: the northern and southern mountains.

These mountainous microclimates typically experience more precipitation than surrounding valleys due to mountains creating extra lift for clouds — fueling the development of showers both in the winter and summer months.

They can also experience months of temperatures below freezing from early November through early April according to data from the PRISM Group. These higher elevations, especially below timberline, often hold snow for months after the last major snowstorm. As such, these vast regions are responsible for keeping the Colorado River’s streamflow healthy year round.



This year, many stream flows have already peaked after a March heatwave fueled rapid runoff.

The northern mountains

Including prominent peaks such as Parkview Mountain — the highest peak in the Rabbit Ears Range — Elk Mountain, Little Gravel and Gravel Mountain, the northern mountains have many important tributaries into the Colorado River.

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According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of Sustainability and Climate, the Antelope, Troublesome, Corral, Willow, Stillwater and Supply Creeks supply healthy amounts of water year-round into the Colorado from the wide expanses of public land that encompass the area enclosed by U.S. Highway 40 to the south and west, and U.S. Highway 34 to the east.

Following the road near Little Wolford and Wolford Mountains, a view towards Grouse and Elk Mountains stretches across the horizon.
JP Connick/For Sky-Hi News

Taking Colorado Highway 125 brings you along one of these major tributaries, Willow Creek, and sends you into Jackson County once you hop Willow Creek Pass.

Willow Creek and Muddy Creek above Antelope Creek are both flowing stronger than usual due to early melting of snowpack. They typically see peak streamflow in late April through early May, but is already slowing down after much of the snowpack feeding this stream has already melted.

As of April 6, the Upper Colorado basin is only at 26% of median during the same period we typically reach our usual peak in snowpack, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Muddy Creek above Antelope Creek were flowing above average, peaking for the season at over 200 cubic feet per second on March 27. Since then, flows have been falling back to 50 cubic feet per second, without ample snowpack to keep feeding the stream.

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This map highlights the location of the northern and southern mountains microclimate.
JP Connick/For Sky-Hi News

The southern mountains

With more peaks above timberline than you can name along the southern county border, Byers Peak marks the most prominent peak on the county’s interior and shines in the middle of Fraser’s webcam.

With major tributaries sourced from this region including Williams Fork, Little Muddy, Tenmile, Crooked, Saint Louis and Vazquez Creeks, the slightly higher peaks that line the southern mountains are responsible for a significant portion of headwater flows.

This region can be explored by taking County Road 3 towards Ute Pass and branching off onto the numerous curvy, rougher roads that can be used for various recreation opportunities.

Byers and Bills Peak is seen from saddle between those two peaks and Bottle and Ptarmigan Peaks
JP Connick/For Sky-Hi News

Similar stories of earlier-than-average peak flows can be found scattered through the more numerous sensor suites that measure stream discharge along these southern tributaries.

Williams Fork has likely already peaked for the season when streamflow usually only starts rising in early April. Saint Louis Creek has also been seeing high early streamflow above last year’s mark since mid-late March. While Vazquez Creek is usually still muddled by ice and slow flows around five cubic feet per second, flows have been marked above 10 cubic feet per second since March 20.

Both of these microclimates’ month-early peaks in streamflow have met calls for immediate action with Kremmling instating level three watering restrictions and the declaration of stage three drought by the Grand County Drought Preparedness Committee.

Similar downturns in water supply forecasts from the United States Department of Agriculture for the Colorado River have lifted red flags for water scarcity and extreme drought, not just in Grand County but along the Colorado River as a whole.

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The Weather Corner is your go-to column for valuable information about Grand County’s weather.



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Avalanche vs. Kings Game 2: Key takeaways as Colorado wins OT thriller, takes 2-0 series lead

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Avalanche vs. Kings Game 2: Key takeaways as Colorado wins OT thriller, takes 2-0 series lead


DENVER — When getting good looks but failing to finish against a locked-in goalie, it’s not easy to stick to a game plan. But instead of pressing, Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar’s group showed maturity, even after the Los Angeles Kings’ Artemi Panarin scored what could’ve been a back-breaking first goal of Game 2 late in the third period.

Captain Gabriel Landeskog buried a perfect pass from Martin Nečas three minutes after Panarin scored. Then Nicolas Roy scored the game-winner, giving Colorado a 2-1 win and 2-0 series lead.

“I liked our mentality again tonight,” Bednar said, adding that he was pleased with his team’s defensive effort. “That’s how we have to win. It’s good practice. It’s something we’ve been talking about all year, the importance of defending, and I’m happy with the commitment that we’re getting from our guys.”

The Avalanche led the league in goals scored this season, but they also were stingy defensively, allowing fewer goals than any other team. Through two games, they’ve shown a willingness to play tight-checking, low-scoring games and get the results they need.

“We have absolutely no problem playing this way,” said Landeskog, who scored from the slot after Nečas caught the previously-impenetrable Anton Forsberg out of position and set his captain up for an open look. “If you get a little impatient with it, you start forcing plays. And I thought tonight, we just kind of kept it going. Kept trusting our forecheck, and finally, we ended up getting rewarded for it.”

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Colorado has controlled the series at five-on-five. The Kings’ only two goals have come on power plays, and Colorado had 79.05 percent of the expected goal share at five-on-five Tuesday, per Natural Stat Trick.

It was an odd night that included a broken glass delay, a choppy first period and a waved-off goal after a puck got lodged in the side of the net. Let’s dig into all of it.

Roy plays hero

With goalie Patrick Roy and forward Peter Forsberg’s retired numbers hanging in the Ball Arena rafters, it was probably a bit disorienting seeing a Roy score on a Forsberg in overtime. But that’s what happened when trade deadline addition Nic Roy backhanded a loose puck past Anton Forsberg’s left pad, punched the air and jumped into the glass in celebration.

The goal was Roy’s second overtime goal in his career. He scored the Game 4 winner for the Vegas Golden Knights in their 2021 conference final series against Montreal. That goal also came at the net-front.

“I like to be in (that) area, and a lot of those (overtime) goals are scored there,” Roy said. “So I try to be there as much as I can.”

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“He’s a really smart player,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “It might not be everyone’s first pick (to score), but it takes a full team to win in the playoffs.”

Josh Manson fired a shot from the point to create chaos around the net ahead of Roy’s goal, and Bednar also credited Nazem Kadri with making a slick play to get the puck to his defenseman.

Physicality and a penalty parade define the first

D.J. Smith didn’t quite get his exact wish of his players hitting Colorado’s defensemen more in the first half of the first period, but he did get big hits. Shortly after Colorado’s Josh Manson laid a massive body check on Scott Laughton, Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson hit Martin Nečas in the neutral zone, seemingly catching him in the head.

Nečas went down, bloodied, and chaos ensued. Brett Kulak went after Anderson. Scrums broke out next to the Kings net. Sam Malinski brought down Quinton Byfield, and Mathieu Joseph did the same to Artturi Lehkonen. Anderson did not get a penalty for the hit, though he and Kulak were handed matching roughing minors. Kulak got an extra penalty for a cross check. (Nečas briefly left the game, presumably because he was pulled by a concussion spotter, but returned.)

“There were big hits,” Bednar said. “We gave some. We took some too, but it’s all right. That’s what’s going to happen this time of the year. You’re playing a big, strong, physical team, and sometimes I like it. Can wake some guys up if they’re not going, and you can ramp up your competitive spirit.”

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It was the most dramatic stretch of a rugged first period that included seven minor penalties. The string of infractions slowed some of the momentum Colorado gathered from a furious start. The Avalanche led 9-0 in shots through the first 6:04. The period ended with Colorado leading 14-6 in shots.

After Anderson’s hit, scrums broke out after seemingly every whistle. At one point Jeff Malott caught Cale Makar with an elbow. Nečas also took a chance to hit Anderson toward the end of the period.

“There were a bunch of melees on the ice today,” Bednar said. “It felt like playoff hockey, which is the way you want it to feel. It tests your team, and it’s why it’s the most fun time of the year to play in the playoffs.”

In total, the period took around 45 minutes. The Kings got big saves from Anton Forsberg, allowing them to stay in the game and shift it into a rugged style that favored them, at least temporarily. It wasn’t enough in the end.

“To a man, this team’s playing hard,” Kings coach D.J. Smith added. “We have to find a way to win, though.”

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Goalies continue strong start to the series

Darcy Kuemper started the year as Kings starter, but Anton Forsberg became their go-to goalie during their late-season playoff push. He has continued his strong play into the first round. In Game 1, he made 30 saves on 32 shots. He was sharp again Tuesday, helping the Kings withstand Colorado’s early onslaught of shots. Colorado gave him a tough look early in the second. Kadri fed Landeskog on the slot, and Forsberg managed to parry it away. Late in the second, he got in front of turnaround shots from both Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche eventually beat him in the third when he overcommitted to Nečas, who instead passed to Landeskog in the slot.

He finished the night with 34 saves. He wasn’t quite able to make a 35th, giving up the game-winner to Roy.

“We’re right there, playing well,” Forsberg said. “We’re fighting hard. We just have to stick with it and turn this around.”

Across the ice, Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves. Panarin beat him with a dangerous shot from the slot for the lone goal he allowed in regulation, but overall he continued to give Colorado the dependable goaltending expected of him. His highlight came when he stopped Quinton Byfield on a penalty shot. He robbed Byfield again in overtime, making a glove save on a shot off the rush.

A penalty, a penalty shot and a long wait

Jeff Malott took an ill-advised boarding penalty on Artturi Lehkonen in one of many instances of the Kings’ fourth line toeing the line of too much physicality. The Avalanche were in position to gain the lead — or at least some momentum — but Cale Makar mishandled a puck at the blue line, leading to a Quinton Byfield breakaway. Makar got called for a hook as he raced back to catch the forward, and the referees awarded a penalty shot.

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Byfield tried to beat Wedgewood glove side, but the goalie made the save. The crowd erupted in excitement, but that came with an unexpected drawback. Fans banged on the glass behind the Kings’ bench, and a pane of it shattered. Kings coach D.J. Smith got smothered with shards. It caused a 19-minute stoppage for clean up.

If the Wedgewood save was going to serve as momentum for the Avalanche power play, the delay stopped that. Nathan MacKinnon got called for interference on Alex Laferriere shortly after play resumed.

“I think the flow would kind of come and go a little bit,” MacKinnon said. “Not ideal with the glass, but it was the same for both teams.”

“They just handled it better coming out of that,” Bednar added.

MacKinnon and Bednar both felt the Avalanche were able to push the pace more in the second half of the second period.

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Another waved-off goal

Sam Malinski fired a shot toward the net to start the third period. It got caught in the side of the net, but not on the inside. Malinski thought he scored, and the goal horn went off. After review, though, it was clear the puck was lodged on the side of the cage.

It was the second Avalanche goal waved off in as many games. Logan O’Connor had a goal waved off for goaltender interference last game.

Panarin shows why Kings traded for him

The Kings acquired Artemi Panarin from the Rangers to bring a gamebreaking offensive talent into a lineup that lacked it. He validated their trust late in the third period. He played his normal shift with the top power-play unit, then stayed on with the second grouping. Trevor Moore found him with a pass in the slot, and he buried it.

Colorado’s top skilled players had more chances than Los Angeles’, but Panarin came through when he got his best look of the night. He also scored the Kings’ only goal of Game 1.



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Southern Colorado farmers’ market season is here

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Southern Colorado farmers’ market season is here


(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Spring brings the first fresh produce, which means it will soon be time for farmers’ markets to kick off around the area.

For those in Southern Colorado who want to buy their products from local vendors and growers, check out the list below.

North Colorado Springs

Western Museum of Mining and Industry

  • 225 North Gate Boulevard, near the I-25 exit
  • Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Runs from May through September

Briargate Farmers Market

  • 7610 North Union Boulevard, near Briargate Boulevard
  • Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Runs from May 27 through Sept. 30

Cordera

  • 11894 Grandlawn Circle, near Briargate Parkway and North Union Boulevard
  • Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Runs from May 24 through Sept. 6

Colorado Farm and Art Market

  • 7350 Pine Creek Road, near East Woodmen Road and I-25
  • Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Runs from June 20 through Oct. 17

Banning Lewis Ranch at Vista Park

  • 8833 Vista Del Pico Boulevard, near Dublin Boulevard and Marksheffel Road
  • Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Runs from May 28 through Aug. 27

Backyard Market in Black Forest

  • 6845 Shoup Road, near Black Forest Road
  • Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Runs from May 23 through Oct. 17

South Colorado Springs

Colorado Farm and Art Market

  • 132 West Cimarron Street, at the corner of Sierra Madre Street, Downtown
  • Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Runs from June 17 through Oct. 21

Old Colorado City Farmers Market

  • Bancroft Park at West Colorado Avenue and South 24th Street in Old Colorado City
  • Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Runs from June 6 through Oct. 17

Colorado Springs Sunday Market

  • Acacia Park 115 East Platte Avenue, Downtown
  • Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Runs from May 10 through Oct. 25

Southeast Farmer’s Market

  • 2050 Jet Wing Drive, near Chelton Road
  • Sundays from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.
  • Runs from June 14 through Oct. 11

Fountain

Fountain Community Market

  • Metcalfe Park, 618 East Ohio Avenue, near Fountain Mesa Road
  • Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Runs from May 30 through Sept. 26

Woodland Park

Woodland Park Farmers Market

  • At Memorial Park, 117 Center Avenue, near East Lake Avenue
  • Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Runs from June through September

Pueblo

Pueblo Farmers Market

  • Mineral Palace Park, 1604 North Santa Fe Avenue, at West 15th Street
  • Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon
  • Runs from May 2 through Oct. 31



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Thornton marks 70 years: Exhibit traces Colorado city’s roots from developer’s dream to thriving suburb

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Thornton marks 70 years: Exhibit traces Colorado city’s roots from developer’s dream to thriving suburb


Seventy years ago, a housing developer looked at an empty stretch of land north of Denver and saw the future. What Sam Hoffman built there became the city of Thornton — and a free public exhibit is now telling that story for the first time in a generation.

CBS Colorado is excited to shine the spotlight on Thornton, as Colorado marks 150 years as a state.

“The history of Thornton is really the history of suburbia,” said Lance Jones, the historian and curator of the city’s 70th anniversary exhibit. “Thornton was planned. Thornton was intentionally created as a city.”

City of Thornton


Hoffman, Jones explained, recognized an opportunity in the postwar boom. “He realized the Denver Metro area was going to really explode and he wanted in on the ground floor,” Jones said. To sell his 5,000 planned homes, Hoffman turned to an unlikely marketing asset — Hollywood.

Three of his employees happened to be the brothers of Jane Russell, one of the biggest film stars in America at the time. “She was an A-list actress. I mean, she was really top of the game,” Jones said. Hoffman asked the brothers if their sister might make an appearance, and she agreed.

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“One day in 1954, his grand opening celebration, she came out. And a lot of people came out to see her — big, big crowd,” Jones said. “Thousands of people showed up to see her, to get a glimpse, to take a picture.” Russell would return to Thornton more than three decades later, appearing at the opening of the Thornton Parkway interchange in 1986.

hoffmanhomesbrochure-03.jpg

City of Thornton


The homes Russell helped promote were advertised at $9,950, with a down payment for GI’s of $532.30 and a monthly mortgage of $65. Jones noted those were not trivial sums for working families of the era. “That represented a big chunk of the average person’s paycheck. People would have to save up for that,” Jones said.

A Denver Post clipping from Jan. 31, 1954, on display at the exhibit, documents the arrival of the city’s first residents. “This is one of the first families in Thornton moving in,” Jones said. “This was a unique thing. They created the city. It just sprang from nothing.”

By 1956, residents had established enough civic infrastructure to pursue formal incorporation. “There were a lot of civic organizations, a lot of clubs, a lot of veterans organizations — it was a big joiner kind of town,” Jones said. “And, eventually, in 1956, they were able to get incorporated.”

That civic spirit, Jones argued, never left. “The culture here in Thornton kind of developed from that. It’s still a city with a lot of civic involvement, a lot of events, a lot of cohesion.”

2026-4-7-loretta-garcia-1st-baby-born-in-thornton.jpg

Loretta Garcia, the first person born in the City of Thornton in 1956.

City of Thornton


The exhibit highlights several residents whose stories reflect the city’s early character. Among the artifacts is a cheerleading uniform that belonged to Loretta Garcia — the first baby born in Thornton after its incorporation. She and the city share the same milestone birthday. “Thornton is 70, and so is she,” Jones said. Garcia was delivered at home on Rowena Street because the trip to a Denver hospital was considered too far. “The doctor came up here and delivered her at home.”

Another featured resident is Norma Ellman, a Thornton High School teacher, who in 1956 traveled to California to compete on a CBS game show called “High Finance.” She won the equivalent of what Jones estimates would be more than $1 million today. The victory was significant enough that the mayor authorized Ellman to present the show’s host with a key to the city of Thornton.

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Jones said the exhibit is designed to connect newer residents with the people who built the community, noting that from its earliest days Thornton had a strong Hispanic presence that continues today alongside a growing diversity of other ethnicities.

“The younger people really do need to hear from the folks who made Thornton, Thornton,” Jones said. “You have to know where we came from to know where we’re going.”

The 70th anniversary exhibit is free and open to the public at the Thornton Arts and Culture Annex. Visit this page for days and hours. 



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