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Christmas lights at risk from horned deer, Colorado warned

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Christmas lights at risk from horned deer, Colorado warned


This holiday season, festive decorations may be at risk of being ripped down by an surprising culprit.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has warned residents of the state that they are receiving large numbers of calls from people who have had deer getting their antlers tangled up in their Christmas decorations and other yard equipment.

While deer are usually rather clumsy creatures, they become much more erratic and aggression-prone at this time of year, as they are frantically searching for a mate.

“Our wildlife officers respond to calls every year of deer stuck in various netting and holiday decorations,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta said in a statement.

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Mule deer buck tangled in Christmas lights. Colorado residents are advised not to hang lights on trees, and ensure they are at least 8 feet above the ground.

Alan Ziff / CPW

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns residents that male deer may find themselves getting tangled up in swing sets, sports netting, hosepipes, Christmas lights and even bicycles during the rut season.

There are two main types of deer native to Colorado: mule deer and white-tailed deer. The rut of both species typically peaks in mid to late November and can extend into late December in some areas.

During the rut, bucks are highly active and display behaviors aimed at attracting does and establishing dominance over other males. This can include traveling extensively, often during daylight, and also engaging in sparring or even full-blown fights to establish dominance and breeding rights.

This activity is how the male deer end up getting tangled up in things like Christmas lights.

“In some cases, these hazards prevent the deer from being able to eat and breathe. Additionally, this causes high levels of stress on the animal and can lead to fatality,” Archuleta said.

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The public is advised to ensure holiday decorations and lights are firmly attached to solid structures, and hung at least eight feet from the ground. Hanging the lights on trees or bushes is discouraged, as the deer often rub their antlers against plants or tree trunks to sharpen them during the rut.

If you encounter a deer that has become tangled or trapped, you should not attempt to free it yourself, as the deer are often increasingly aggressive at this time of year.

“When deer do become entangled, it is important for the public to call their closest CPW office quickly with location information,” Archuleta said.

“People should never try to free deer of these hazards themselves because of the serious risk of injury that can be caused by antlers and hooves.”

Additionally, deer can carry diseases such as chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and acidosis. This is why it is illegal to feed wild deer in Colorado.

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“Attracting deer can concentrate them in small spaces, making disease easier to spread, attracting predators, and causing them to lose their natural fear of people,” the CPW warn on their website.

During the rut, deer may be seen on the roads more frequently, so drivers are also advised to keep an eye out.

“Drivers are also reminded to slow down and be on the lookout for deer on highways. Not only are bucks in pursuit of a mate, but animals are also migrating to winter range and will be more present crossing roadways both on highways and arterial roadways,” the CPW said in the statement.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about deer? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.

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Rivalry Week Winners and Losers as Ohio State Soars And Colorado Flops

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Rivalry Week Winners and Losers as Ohio State Soars And Colorado Flops


The final full weekend of the college football regular season delivered everything the sport promises in late November—rivalry drama, playoff-shifting results, and, for some programs, a harsh reminder of how far they still have to climb.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images / Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

For the Colorado Buffaloes, the script remained painfully familiar. A snowy road loss to Kansas State capped a frustrating 3–9 campaign in year 3 under Deion Sanders. In contrast, Ohio State strengthened its claim as the nation’s best team with a massive win in The Big House. Meanwhile, Texas A&M squandered a golden chance at the SEC Championship.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from Week 14 of the college football season.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats de

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Chiddi Obiazor (8) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images / Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Another Game, Another Loss — But a Few Signs of Hope

For the fifth straight week, the Colorado Buffaloes land on the wrong side of the ledger. Their 24–14 loss at Kansas State was a microcosm of the entire season: flashes of potential drowned out by inconsistency and key absences.

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Colorado’s defense opened the game with resilience, holding K-State in check after an early touchdown drive and keeping the Buffs within striking distance well into the fourth quarter. But missing multiple starters — including All-American left tackle Jordan Seaton, who missed the final three games with a foot injury — placed even more pressure on the offense, which struggled to sustain momentum.

Kansas State’s Joe Jackson ultimately took over, erupting for 188 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats punched their bowl ticket. Colorado, meanwhile, finishes the year 3–9, a sharp decline from the program’s 2024 breakthrough that featured a bowl appearance, a near Big 12 title berth, and Travis Hunter becoming the first two-way Heisman winner in a generation.

Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Tro

Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images / Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images

But there is a silver lining.

This season wasn’t about hardware — it was about experience. Colorado’s young core, headlined by freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, logged meaningful snaps against Big 12 competition. Those reps should make a big difference in how Lewis and the Buffs look next season. With “Coach Prime” expected to overhaul both the roster and coaching staff, the offseason becomes a crucial reset point — one that will shape whether Colorado’s growing foundation can finally translate potential into wins.

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) celebrates after defeating the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA football

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) celebrates after defeating the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. / Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A Rivalry Win Sets the Stage for a Historic Matchup

When the pressure and the stakes are highest, the great teams rise to the occasion, and that’s exactly what the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes did, delivering a clean, dominant performance against their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines.

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The Buckeyes walked into Ann Arbor and delivered one of their most complete performances of the year, beating rival Michigan 27-9 to remain undefeated and stake their claim as the nation’s top team.

In a rivalry often defined by razor-thin margins, Ohio State weathered Michigan’s early momentum by controlling the trenches and smothering Michigan’s run game, forcing the Wolverines’ freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood into mistake-filled moments, including a late fourth-quarter interception that sealed the win for the Buckeyes.

The win preserved Ohio State’s perfect record and sets up a historic Big Ten Championship matchup against No. 2 Indiana — the first time the conference’s title game will feature undefeated teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2. The winner will not only claim the Big Ten crown but the No. 1 seed in the expanded College Football Playoff.

MORE: What Colorado Quarterback Julian Lewis Said After Impressing In First College Start

MORE: Three Big Takeaways From the Colorado Buffaloes’ Loss to West Virginia

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MORE: What Deion Sanders Said After Colorado Buffaloes’ Loss to West Virginia

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown during the

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

A Rivalry Collapse — But a Playoff Lifeline Remains

The stage was set for Texas A&M to make a national statement.

Beat Texas in Austin, and the Aggies were headed to the SEC Championship Game. Instead, Arch Manning and the Longhorns flipped the script on the maroon and white. Manning’s late touchdown run sealed a 27–17 win over the No. 3 Aggies, handing coach Mike Elko and A&M a painful loss to close the regular season.

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Head coach Mike Elko watches the first half of play against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Head coach Mike Elko watches the first half of play against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The defeat ended the Aggies’ hopes of playing for an SEC title — something the program hasn’t done in over a decade — and denied them the satisfaction of beating their archrival on the biggest stage since the rivalry was renewed.

Still, the Aggies are expected to reach the College Football Playoff thanks to their strong overall record and big road wins over Notre Dame, and Missouri. A&M star linebacker Taurean York put things bluntly after the loss:

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“Hurts a lot,” York said after the game. “But you got to regroup and get ready for the playoffs.”

The Aggies may have lost the battle in Austin — but the war that matters most is just ahead.



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CSPD: Westbound Fillmore closed after multiple crashes

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CSPD: Westbound Fillmore closed after multiple crashes


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado Springs Police are urged drivers to be careful on the roads as snow fell across Southern Colorado on Sunday night.

Just before 8:00 p.m., police posted on social media that all lanes of westbound Fillmore at I-25 were closed due to multiple crashes. They asked drivers to be careful and avoid the area.

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Jewish Family Service of Colorado marks 153 years of providing food aid and housing support

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Jewish Family Service of Colorado marks 153 years of providing food aid and housing support


Jewish Family Service of Colorado is rarely quiet these days. In the two-story brick building at the corner of Eastman Avenue and Tamarac Drive, people rush up the stairs toward reception, passing others who step into the food pantry to select groceries.

Nearby, visitors pause, flipping through pamphlets and reading signs plastered across the wall, taking in the full scope of the nonprofit’s work.

For Linda Foster, president and CEO of JFS, the steady stream of people seeking help is both a sign of unprecedented need and a reminder of why the nonprofit exists in the first place.

The Denver Post Season To Share is the annual holiday fundraising campaign of The Denver Post and The Denver Post Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Funds support local nonprofits that help low-income children, families, and individuals move out of poverty toward stability and self-sufficiency. Visit SeasonToShare.com to learn more or to donate now.
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“We are an organization that has Jewish values, but we serve everybody. We don’t discriminate in any way,” Foster said.

Today, the nonprofit serves more than 26,000 people annually through over 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, refugee resettlement, chaplaincy and Jewish life, disability services and aeroponic farming.

JFS, which receives funding from The Denver Post Community Foundation’s Season to Share program, is now in its 153rd year and has grown far beyond its origins as the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society.

As Colorado faces a housing crisis, rising food prices and growing community vulnerability, Foster said JFS continues to adapt while staying true to its mission of improving the lives of individuals and families in need across the state.

At the center of that response is a staff driven by purpose, Foster said. JFS has nearly 200 employees and over 700 volunteers of all types of backgrounds, and is what drew Foster to take on the role.

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“Every day I’m doing something that makes a difference, and I have the most incredible staff who care about each other, but also care about our community and our clients. So, I wanted to be part of that,” Foster said.

The nonprofit is expanding its food pantry support, community partnerships and focusing efforts on preventing homelessness through its Emergency Housing Assistance program and Rapid Rehousing program.

People pick out fresh food items at the Jewish Family Service of Colorado food pantry in Denver., on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
People pick out fresh food items at the Jewish Family Service of Colorado food pantry in Denver., on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

More recently, JFS has worked to fill the gaps left by SNAP cuts that occurred during the government shutdown by increasing the amount of produce and protein it offers and ordering thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards.

While the pantry can only provide so much, these gift cards allow families to purchase additional essentials that JFS can’t supply. However, even though the nonprofit has the flexibility to adapt to problems the community faces, it can sometimes add up.

“The support of the community around those are just so critical,” she said as the nonprofit receives hundreds of calls every day from people who need assistance.

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“We’re really dependent on a committed community of donors — we wouldn’t be able to survive if we didn’t get that kind of support. We’re a nonprofit, so we have to find ways to be sustainable, and that’s when we depend on grants and we depend on donors.”

Foster sat at a big table in the middle of her office on a Tuesday afternoon, hands clasped together, staring off at the wall as she recalled meeting a client.

“Oftentimes I’ll go down just to hear someone’s story,” she said. “It reminds me why I’m here and what I’m doing.”

“I care so much about our organization and the people we serve, and there’s so much good we’re doing,” Foster said.

The Jewish Family Service of Colorado, founded in 1872, is a nonsectarian nonprofit human services agency based in Denver, photographed on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
The Jewish Family Service of Colorado, founded in 1872, is a nonsectarian nonprofit human services agency based in Denver, photographed on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)



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