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As Colorado water deaths trend lower, this rescue team trains in “the most difficult conditions” to keep people safe

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As Colorado water deaths trend lower, this rescue team trains in “the most difficult conditions” to keep people safe


The first weekend of summer has been a scorcher, with temperatures flirting with triple digits in metro Denver for the first time this year.

With the heat comes a burst of desire to head to a river, creek or lake to seek relief. But waterways across the state — flush with recently melted snowpack — are often still a bone-chilling 45 degrees or so.

Fall in, jump in or get tossed in, and things can turn deadly serious in a flash, said Todd Miner, a retired senior instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

“You get in that cold water, and it’s really tough to stay in control,” he said. “People don’t recognize how debilitating that can be.”

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Add to the cold a formidable current, and chances for serious accidents — even fatal ones — only multiply. Stand up in the creek, and expect to get your foot wedged and pinned in between rocks on the creek bed, said Capt. Harold Osborn with North Metro Fire Rescue.

“A lot of times, (people) don’t understand the flow dynamics of the river,” he said.

Osborn was one of 15 members of the North Area Technical Rescue Team practicing water rescues on a roaring Clear Creek last week west of Golden. The 150-member organization, now in its 30th year and made up of emergency officials from nine local fire departments, performs specialized rescues in Denver’s northern suburbs, including rope rescues, confined space rescues, trench rescues and collapse rescues.

On Wednesday, the focus was water rescue training in Clear Creek Canyon. A rescuer was tethered to the shore or was free swimming across a raging current, then grabbing hold of a free-floating “victim” and pulling them back to land. Lt. Jacob Charney, with North Metro Fire Rescue, was in charge.

“Because the water’s so high, we do the training in the spring,” he said, wearing a dry suit and helmet as a bloated Clear Creek rushed past. “It’s the most difficult conditions because of the velocity of the water.”

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Less than two weeks ago, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office closed the creek through downtown Golden to belly boats, inner tubes and single-chambered rafts — as well as body surfing and swimming — until water levels subside. People on kayaks, river boards, whitewater canoes and multi-chambered, professionally guided rafts can still ride the creek.

The closure comes after three years of particularly deadly water activity in Colorado. More than 30 people died on the state’s waterways and water bodies last year. There were 32 deaths in 2023 and a record 42 fatalities in 2022, according to an unofficial tally kept by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

This year, so far, has been a departure from that deadly record. As of Friday, the state had seen eight deaths recorded in 2025, according to news releases from CPW.

In comparison, by the first few days of June last year, there had already been a dozen deaths on Colorado waters.

Fire and rescue crew members carry a boat during water rescue training in Clear Creek Canyon in Jefferson County on Thursday, June 18, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

“We are not on the same pace as last year, and that is fantastic news,” CPW spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose said.

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She credits the drop in water deaths to a cooler and wetter May, with Memorial Day weekend almost a total washout.

“When it rains, people are less likely to be out on the water,” Van Hoose said.

This year’s deaths in Colorado waters have largely been on lakes, rather than rivers. The incidents began in late February with the discovery of the body of a 65-year-old fisherman who had fallen through the ice at Cherry Creek Reservoir. In mid-April, the body of a man who fell from a canoe was recovered from Spinney Reservoir in Park County.

Last month, a fisherman using a bellyboat — a small, inflatable tube — got caught in strong wind gusts at Steamboat Lake State Park and drowned, authorities said. He was not wearing a life jacket. In the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, a popular rafting and kayaking spot near Buena Vista, a kayaker died after his vessel capsized.

Another four deaths have occurred at Lake Pueblo State Park, including a drowning on Thursday. In most of the Lake Pueblo deaths, the victim did not wear a life jacket.

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“Any water can be deadly if you’re not wearing a life jacket,” Van Hoose said.

Employees at Golden River Sports hand out life jackets and helmets to all customers who rent their tubes. But Jon Baskin, who has worked seasonally at the tube and kayak rental store in downtown Golden for five years and was a raft guide for a decade, sees many on Clear Creek not wearing protective gear.

Lt. Jacob Charney of North Metro Fire Rescue leads an exercise during a water rescue training in Clear Creek Canyon in Jefferson County on Thursday, June 18, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Lt. Jacob Charney of North Metro Fire Rescue leads an exercise during water rescue training in Clear Creek Canyon in Jefferson County on Thursday, June 18, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

“I see people without PFDs,” he said, referring to personal flotation devices. “Clear Creek on a weekend day is like a carnival — there are hundreds and hundreds of tubes. But it’s still a wild river, it’s not like the lazy river at Elitch’s.”

Golden has taken measures in recent years to control, and even restrict, the crowds that mob the waterway near downtown Vanover Park on warm, sunny days. The city places daily limits on the number of tubes the two concessionaires in town can rent to the public. It also embeds radio frequency identification tags in tubes to track their usage.

Last year, Golden discussed the introduction of a reservation system, like the timed-entry system used at Rocky Mountain National Park. It has not yet put in place such a system to control access to the creek.

Whether 2025’s less-deadly trend on Colorado’s waters continues into July and beyond, CPW’s Van Hoose said, will ultimately come down to individual behavior and precautions taken.

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“We hope we continue to see good numbers — but it’s up to the people,” she said.

Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

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Colorado

Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation

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Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -After receiving dozens of reports, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is looking for an injured deer that has been tied up by red material.

Residents have spotted the deer in the Gleneagle neighborhood in North El Paso County.

According to CPW, a wildlife officer found it in a residential garage with a deep wound on its backside. They approached the deer before it ran away, and over a neighbor’s fence. CPW says they only intervene if there is a chance the animal will suffocate, strangle, struggle to eat, or see due to the entanglement.

As the holiday season is coming around, wildlife officers are also asking you to consider wildlife safety when decorating for the holidays, advising people not to put lights on trees or bushes.

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In a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they say in part, “Antlered animals like deer and elk naturally shed their antlers each winter, providing a passive way to shed an entanglement. Sedating, immobilizing and handling wild animals can cause stress and injury to the animal, so if there isn’t an immediate health concern, the animal is better off carrying the item instead of removing it.

Updated photos from the Gleneagle community on Monday showed red material around the deer’s front leg. Combined with the visible backside injury, this has increased CPW’s interest in locating this deer…Our officers will continue their efforts to ensure the safest possible response. “

If you spot the deer, you can report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at (719) 227-5200.



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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss

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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss


Deion Sanders was at a loss for words until he wasn’t.

Speaking to reporters after a one-sided, 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars on the road on Saturday, the head coach described his reaction, simply saying he didn’t have much to say.

“It wasn’t good. I’m at a loss for words,” Sanders said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the loss and the performance of his team. “No one could have told me that it was gonna turn out like this.”

Deion Sanders looks on against the Houston Cougars during the first half at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders has a lot to say. He just won’t. Not at the expense of his team.

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“Oh, Lord, thank you. I’m thanking God for not allowing me to say what I want to say,” Sanders said. “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all. I take full responsibility of the foolishness that went on out there that we tried to name football. We tried to call it football. It wasn’t that. We’ve got to do better in every phase of the game. We’ve got to do better preparing our kids. We’ve got to do better, period.”

In the loss, Colorado trailed just 16-14 at halftime before being outscored 20-6 by the Cougars, who rolled to the finish.


Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes speaks with Ryan Staub #16 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Deion Sanders speaks with Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders later added, “We’re not struggling. We’re getting our butts kicked. You don’t have to be polite with me. You don’t have to sugarcoat it.”

Colorado is just 1-2 on the year, with their only win over a cupcake opponent in Division I FCS foe Delaware, who the Buffaloes routed last week, 31-7.

In their season opener, Colorado dropped a close out to Georgia Tech at home, losing 27-20.

The Buffaloes will look to even their record at 2-2 with a win over Wyoming next week in their return home to Colorado.

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB