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Juneteenth an official state holiday in Colorado

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Juneteenth an official state holiday in Colorado


Juneteenth is now Colorado’s eleventh official state vacation after Gov. Jared Polis signed the designation into regulation on Monday.

Juneteenth, additionally referred to as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, celebrates the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the US. The vacation acknowledges June 19, when Main Basic Gordon Granger introduced slaves in Texas have been free in 1865. The announcement got here greater than two years after President Abraham Lincoln declared the tip of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.

“It’s gone time to make Juneteenth a Colorado state vacation,” stated Sen. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, who helped lead the hassle. “I’m proud to champion this necessary laws, which can assist educate all Coloradans in regards to the horrors of slavery, make area to have fun the Black group, and raise up our ongoing work to verify we don’t overlook our previous.”

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Senate Invoice 139, which acknowledges the vacation, handed the state Home in a 61-2 vote in April and the state Senate in a 32-1 vote in March. The three Republican lawmakers who opposed the invoice didn’t clarify the rationale behind their “no” votes on the ground.

Three Black lawmakers championed the invoice: Buckner, Denver Democrat Rep. Leslie Herod, and Denver Democrat Sen. James Coleman.

The invoice signing comes practically 70 years after Denver’s first official Juneteenth celebration held within the historic 5 Factors neighborhood in 1953. Denver’s annual Juneteenth parade and music competition is without doubt one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations within the nation, attracting round 50,000 attendees every year, in accordance with occasion organizers.

“Juneteenth has been celebrated by the Black group for generations, and starting right now, this statewide vacation will obtain all formal recognition, celebration and reflection it deserves,” Herod stated. “Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black group and showcases the perseverance of previous and current generations.”

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The invoice sponsors stated that is the primary time laws has been launched to formally acknowledge Juneteenth in Colorado. Native politicians and activists have been combating for the vacation for years.

Tax exemption for period products, diapers passes Colorado legislature

“Making Juneteenth a state vacation means Colorado wouldn’t solely acknowledge that Black persons are free, however that every one persons are free,” Coleman stated. “It’s a recognition that we not solely need for some Coloradans to prosper, however for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, no matter race or background, to earn a dwelling wage, have an reasonably priced place to name dwelling, and get the equitable entry to well being care and training individuals want to maneuver ahead and thrive.”

Colorado is formally designating the vacation slightly below one 12 months after Juneteenth Nationwide Independence Day was made a federal vacation — the primary since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. In February 2021, the town of Denver additionally established Juneteenth as an official metropolis commemorative vacation.

That is the primary change to Colorado’s state holidays since 2020, when lawmakers repealed Columbus Day, changing it with Frances Xavier Cabrini Day.

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Colorado

Police investigating after cyclist found in Colorado Springs roadway

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Police investigating after cyclist found in Colorado Springs roadway


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Police are working to learn what happened when they found a cyclist on a Colorado Springs roadway Friday.

Police tell 11 News they were called to an area along Afton Way, just south of Palmer Park, at about 9:34 a.m. When officers arrived, they found the cyclist and called an ambulance. Details on the possible injuries the cyclist had were not available.

It isn’t clear if the cyclist was hit or not, that’s part of the investigation.

The scene was cleared at about 11 a.m.

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As more information becomes available, this article will be updated.

KKTV 11 News is choosing to cover this because of the first responder presence in the area.



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How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation in Colorado

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How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation in Colorado


Preparing to evacuate because of a wildfire is now a year-round reality in Colorado, with destructive, deadly wildfires possible every month of the year, according to state officials.

Colorado’s “core wildfire season” is now 78 days longer than it was 50 years ago, according to the state Division of Fire Prevention & Control, and state forest service experts estimate nearly half of all Coloradans are at risk from wildfires.

Residents can prepare for a possible wildfire evacuation or a pre-evacuation warning by gathering important supplies and documents and making their home as fire-resistant as possible through these guidelines from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado Springs Fire Department.

Supplies for wildfire emergency kit or go-bag

  • Three-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food
  • First aid kit and sanitation supplies, including toilet paper and baby wipes
  • Flashlight, battery-powered radio such as a NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
  • Extra set of car keys, credit cards and cash
  • Extra eyeglasses, contacts, prescriptions and a week’s supply of necessary medications
  • Important documents and phone numbers, including insurance information
  • Printed map with evacuation routes marked in case your phone dies
  • Valuables or irreplaceable items you can easily carry
  • Personal electronic devices and chargers
  • A pair of old shoes and flashlight in case of a sudden evacuation at night
  • Other items needed by your family, such as baby supplies, games and activities for children, pet supplies, two-way radios and a manual can opener

What to do during a wildfire pre-evacuation warning

  • Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice and monitor local news for updates.
  • Listen to your instincts. If you think you should evacuate even if you haven’t received an official notice, evacuate now.
  • Back your car into the garage or park it facing the direction of escape.
  • Put your emergency kit, important items and valuable papers inside your car.
  • Wear protective clothing outside, such as sturdy shoes, cotton or wool clothing, long pants and a shirt, gloves and a handkerchief over your face.
  • Put your pets in one room so you can find them easily if you need to evacuate.
  • Set up temporary housing at a friend or family member’s home outside of the evacuation area.
  • Close outside doors, windows and vents but leave them unlocked.
  • Close inside doors to prevent drafts.
  • Shut off natural gas or propane at the source.
  • Connect garden hoses to outside faucets and fill any pools, hot tubs, tubs, garbage cans or large containers with water.
  • Remove flammable drapes and curtains and close all shutters and blinds.
  • Move flammable furniture to the center of your home, away from windows and sliding glass doors.
  • Move flammable items outside your home, like patio furniture, children’s toys or firewood, as far from the house as possible.
  • Leave interior and exterior lights on so firefighters can see in smoky conditions.
  • Shut off the air conditioning and sprinkler system.
  • Disconnect automatic garage door openers so they can still be opened if the power goes out, but leave them closed.
  • Check on your neighbors to make sure they’re preparing to leave.



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Fourth of July celebrations take place all over Colorado Springs

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Fourth of July celebrations take place all over Colorado Springs


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – People across Colorado Springs say they love to celebrate for several reasons, some tell me they enjoy being with friends and family. Others say every fourth to them means a little bit more after their decades of service.

“I’m obviously a 20-year veteran so yes that’s why,” Colorado Springs resident Darrell Glover said. “My son and I are going to spend a little time eating and hanging out.”

Crowds of people swarmed the grounds of Vista Park in the Banning Lewis Ranch neighborhood. Celebrating Independence Day some going to the inflatable slides, some playing volleyball while others grabbed freshly made burgers.

Across town, thousands bought tickets to see the Switchbacks play and stay afterward for one of the largest fireworks shows in Colorado springs at Wiedner Field.

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“It’s the best show in town and we have a wonderful time,” Annie Coffman said. “We have a wonderful country and we want to make sure that everybody knows it.”

Earlier in the day people lined the streets for an annual Fourth of July parade in monument, dressed in red white and blue waving the American flag. For some people in the springs, the Fourth of July means more than just grilling, watching fireworks and having a drink.

“I think it’s good to be around the people you love it’s just like that’s something that’s really special is a day out of the work week usually reach me around the family that you love and the country that we all care for,” Ryan Walker said.



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