Connect with us

Colorado

Last of Marshall Fire donations in Colorado used to build affordable housing

Published

on

Last of Marshall Fire donations in Colorado used to build affordable housing


In the years since the Marshall Fire impacted thousands of people in Colorado, the Community Foundation of Boulder County has been spreading out the $43 million it received in donations to survivors. This past week, the foundation announced it has spent the last $6 million on future affordable housing projects. This announcement stirred up mixed reactions from many survivors who still need financial aid.

The Marshall Fire on Dec. 30, 2021.

CBS

Advertisement


Jen Hart in Louisville was one of the many Marshall Fire survivors who worked to rebuild over the last few years. But she says the process was long and expensive, and years later, she says she’s still in debt.

“We took a second [mortgage] out on the house. We owe family members for helping us rebuild. And then we have our Community Foundation loans,” Hart said. 

So, when Hart first heard about the Foundation’s decision for the final donation dollars to build new homes, she said she was skeptical of how much it could directly help fire survivors.

“[The foundation is] trying to help bring and give housing to those members of our community, and I’m all for it. But is this the right place to take the money? That’s what I struggle with,” Hart said.

Community Foundation Boulder County CEO Tatiana Hernandez explained that the three funded affordable housing projects will prioritize individual survivors in applications to the estimated 68 new apartment and single-family home options.

Advertisement

marshall-fire-rebuilding.jpg

A neighborhood that burned during the Marshall Fire. 

CBS


Hernandez explained, “Folks who have rebuilt might not feel completely recovered, when some of them have loans that they need to pay off for their home rebuilds. On the positive side, we’ve seen people really excited about what it means to maybe bring some back, some renters who were displaced, with some options. It means for the community to have some dedicated affordable housing.”

The funds are being divided between Impact Development Fund, Penrose LLC, and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. The exact totals and project goals can be found here.

Hernandez continued to explain the foundation’s focus on a wide reach, adding, “We recognize that the financial need in the aftermath of this fire was massive… So, what we’ve tried to do is provide as broad a base of support for everybody and deeper support for those who really will not financially recover.”

Advertisement

Some survivors like Jen are still waiting on Xcel Energy settlement payouts. She says the debt can add up.

“We have to have a judge rule on [the final settlement]… So, then there’s $6 million other dollars of funds sitting around. So, it’s kind of like, ‘Hey, here we are!’ but we’re just trying to be patient through it all,” Hart said.

Hernandez also said that if anyone still needs financial aid, the Community Foundation Boulder County still has funds available for people who qualify under their recovery support program. Hernandez says this program continues to help survivors pay for rent or even medical bills and expects to do so through most of next year.

marshall-fire-rebuild.jpg

Rebuilding in the wake of the Marshall Fire. 

CBS

Advertisement


Applications for this financial assistance opened this month, and the website says they will stay open through Jan. 31, 2027.

Not everyone impacted by the fire will qualify, but more information on those requirements can be found here.

Advertisement



Source link

Colorado

Colorado residents should prepare for Xcel power outages this week as fire danger surges, utility says

Published

on

Colorado residents should prepare for Xcel power outages this week as fire danger surges, utility says


Xcel Energy is warning its customers along the Front Range to be prepared for possible power outages this week as the risk of wildfire surges due to hot and dry weather.

“Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, enhanced powerline safety settings are active across out Front Range service territory,” according to a social media post from the utility. The settings make the powerlines more sensitive and prompt a line to stop the flow of electricity if an object touches a line.

The highest risk for wildfire danger will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when strong gusty winds are forecasted, according to the National Weather Service.

Humidity could be as low as 10% and winds may top 25 mph, leading to critical and extremely critical fire weather between Thursday and Saturday, forecasters said.

Advertisement

Tens of thousands of customers have lost power in recent months from planned outages during fire danger and powerline damage from high winds.

In December, 86,040 Xcel customers lost power because of a mix of planned shutoffs and downed powerlines from high winds. The decision led some customers to criticize the utility, asking it to fine-tune its weather responses.

Some schools in northern Colorado schools preemptively canceled classes in January after Xcel announced a planned power shutoff for 9,000 customers in the area.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Colorado

An Evening Against Edmonton | Colorado Avalanche

Published

on

An Evening Against Edmonton | Colorado Avalanche


Edmonton Oilers (31-25-8) @ Colorado Avalanche (43-10-9)

8 p.m. MT | Ball Arena | Watch: TNT, truTV, HBO Max | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM) 

After back-to-back shootout victories, the Avalanche concludes its two-game homestand on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. This game is an Avalanche Cup Classic, presented by KeyBank, which will honor the 2022 Avs team that won the Stanley Cup and defeated the Oilers in the Western Conference Final. Tuesday’s game is the second of three regular-season meetings between the teams, as the Avalanche won 9-1 in Edmonton on November 8th, and they’ll play in Alberta on April 13th. 

Latest Result (COL): MIN 2, COL 3 (SO) 

Latest Result (EDM): EDM 4, VGK 2 

Advertisement

Sunday Success

The Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in a shootout on Sunday at Ball Arena. Nathan MacKinnon and Nicolas Roy both scored for Colorado while Nazem Kadri posted an assist in his second Avs debut. In net for Colorado, Scott Wedgewood stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced. MacKinnon opened the scoring at 12:19 of the second period with his 43rd goal of the season via a right-circle one-timer set up by Kadri, who began the play with an interception below the offensive-zone goal line. Kirill Kaprizov tied the game for Minnesota with a power-play goal at 4:17 of the third period when his pass from the right circle deflected into the net. The Wild took a 2-1 lead at 7:01 of the third period when Nico Sturm scored a shorthanded breakaway. Colorado tied the game at 12:39 of the third period when Nicolas Roy scored his first goal as an Av and sixth of the season via a net-front deflection on Brett Kulak’s slap shot. In the shootout, Valeri Nichushkin scored for Colorado in the first round, Matt Boldy scored for Minnesota in the second round and MacKinnon tallied the winner in the fourth round. 

Leading the Way

Nate the Great

MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals (43) while ranking second in points (104) and third in assists (61). 

All Hail Cale

Among NHL defensemen, Cale Makar is tied for second in points (66) while ranking fourth in goals (19) and assists (47). 

Marty Party

Martin Necas is tied for seventh in the NHL in points (76). 

Series History

In 135 regular-season games against the Oilers, the Avalanche has a record of 74-49-6-6. The teams have met three times in the playoffs, with the Avs winning the 1997 Western Conference Semifinals in five games and the 2022 Western Conference Final in four contests.  

Advertisement

Sunday in Sin City

The Oilers defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday. In the second period, Trent Frederic opened the scoring for Edmonton at 3:21 before Vegas’ Noah Hanifin tied the game at 13:09. The Oilers took a 3-1 third-period lead after goals from Vasily Podkolzin at 2:34 and Leon Draisaitl at 11:53. Jack Eichel cut the Golden Knights’ deficit to one with a shorthanded goal at 16:43 of the third period. Edmonton took a 4-2 lead when Kasperi Kapanen scored an empty-net goal at 18:03 of the third period. 

Producing Offense Against the Oilers

MacKinnon has posted 39 points (13g/26a) in 29 regular-season games against the Oilers, in addition to five points (3g/2a) in four playoff contests. 

Makar has registered 13 points (5g/8a) in 13 regular-season contests against Edmonton, in addition to nine points (2g/7a) in four playoff games. 

Kadri has recorded 25 points (12g/13a) in 30 regular-season games against the Oilers, in addition to four points (1g/3a) in three playoff contests. 

Edmonton’s Elite

Connor McDavid leads the Oilers in points (108), goals (35) and assists (73). 

Advertisement

Draisaitl is second on the Oilers in points (92), goals (34) and assists (58). 

Evan Bouchard is third on the Oilers in points (73) and assists (55) while ranking fourth in goals (18). 

A Numbers Game

34

The Avalanche are 34-0-0 when leading after the second period this season. 

85

Colorado leads the NHL with 85 second-period goals this campaign. 

.806

The Avalanche’s .806 points percentage at home this season is the best in the NHL. 

Advertisement

Quote That Left a Mark

“Emotional seeing the support I get here. It’s absolutely incredible. It makes me want to play harder for these fans and this team.” 

— Nazem Kadri on the support he received from Avalanche fans at Sunday’s game



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Colorado

Colorado Rockies spring training game no. 17 thread: Kyle Freeland vs. Jedisxson Paez

Published

on

Colorado Rockies spring training game no. 17 thread: Kyle Freeland vs. Jedisxson Paez


In his first spring training action of 2026, Kyle Freeland faced the daunting task of pitching against Team USA in an exhibition game on March 4. He gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in a two-hit, one-strikeout performance in one inning.

Today, Freeland and the Rockies (8-6-1) will take part in his first Cactus League action against the White Sox (10-7) at Camelback Ranch. The Rockies are 5-2 on the road this spring vs. 3-5-1, including the showdown vs. Team USA, at Salt River Fields.

Advertisement

Today’s game represents a rematch of a Feb. 23 showdown where the Rockies beat the White Sox 5-4. Chicago will send Jedisxson Paez to the mound to start the game. The 22-year-old RHP will be making his third spring appearance. He’s posted a 23.14 ERA in 2 1/3 innings over two starts with six earned runs, six hits, including one homer, three strikeouts and one walk. Former Rockie Drew Romo will be starting at catcher for the White Sox.

Advertisement

On Sunday, four pitchers combined to throw five scoreless innings and Kyle Karros and Tyler Freeman each had two-hit performances in the Rockies 4-4 tie with Cleveland. Even though it’s only spring training, the Rockies offense has been much improved thus far. The Rockies rank among all Major League teams this Spring in: on-base percentage (.381, T-1st), home runs (23, T-4th), average (.287, 3rd), HBP (14, T-2nd), slugging (.492, 3rd), OPS (.871, 3rd), runs scored (98, 5th), RBI (91, 6th) and total bases (254, 6th).

Earlier on Monday, the Rockies released a new motto for the 2026 campaign: “New era. At altitude. We are here for the climb.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending