Colorado

Letters: The burden of managing the wolf population in Colorado

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Press Room

The burden of managing the wolf population

Re: “Waking up to wolves,” Dec. 31 commentary

This law is a one-sided thing that should never have been passed by voters, but now requires some serious legislation to regulate or nullify it.

Robert Cox, Montrose

I am not sure who decided on the subheadline (“Colorado Parks and Wildlife damaged any trust they had built with ranchers”), but I think it is misplaced and does a disservice to CPW.

I won’t argue with Fischer’s opinion; the concerns are real, and I appreciate his perspective, even if I may not entirely agree with it. However, it may help to remember it was Colorado voters who passed the law that brought the wolves back home, and CPW was tasked with carrying out the law. There are laws that some of us disagree with, but personally, I think following the law builds trust, not damages it.

Roland L Halpern, Denver

Comparing Trump’s words on Jan . 6 to Civil War “laughable”

Re: “Year of the Colorado judges also saw politicians falter,” Dec. 31 commentary

Continuing the discussion concerning the Colorado Supreme Court’s efforts to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 presidential ballot, Krista Kafer’s commentary states, “…I’m proud Colorado’s court agreed with our legal arguments that Trump’s actions have disqualified him from office.”

In the good old days, if someone had not been charged with a crime (such as insurrection) nor been convicted, rational people would not pretend that both of these prerequisites had been met. But in 2023, an astonishing number of people on the political left don’t want to be confused by the facts. There is no vaccine for “Trump derangement syndrome.”

Voting for the other guy is not enough for the radical left. There is also no proportionality on the left when using the word insurrection. To compare the Civil War, where more than a half-million Americans were slaughtered, to what Trump said on Jan. 6 would be laughable if it weren’t so scary.

Trump did not encourage the protesters to take up arms and overthrow the federal government. I guess it was just implied that they could find enough sticks and stones around the Capitol to get the job done. The only shooting that took place was the killing of an unarmed protester by a security guard. I believe Trump used the word “peaceful,” no?

Brighter and more measured minds than the Colorado Supreme Court four and Kafer’s have predicted, after reading the Constitution, that the U.S. Supreme Court will probably vote 9 to 0 against Colorado. These radical differences of opinion (and facts?) in this country are in themselves scary.

Richard Chervenak, Broomfield

We don’t need more conspiracy theories on antisemitism

Re: “Follow the money to the source of antisemitism on America’s campuses,” Dec. 24 commentary

The rise of antisemitism on college campuses is egregious, and conversations on the matter should be welcome. However, Doug Friednash makes several omissions and assumptions when he broaches the subject – decisions that I fear generate more suspicion and distraction in a contentious time.

His argument is to link the rise of antisemitism on campus to the influence of “undocumented money,” primarily from Qatar. This gesture to a shadowy foreign adversary does two things. First, Friednash bypasses more pressing homegrown issues, such as recently proposed budget cuts for the Department of Education. Specifically, Republicans are targeting DOE’s Office of Civil Rights, which is precisely the arm of the DOE that helps address and curtail antisemitic activity on campuses. Readers should be paying attention to this.

Second, Freidnash’s rhetorical strategy is to tie several actors together by mere proxy on the page without offering any evidence of their connection. A hurried reader will assume that the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, the critics of Zionism, college administrations, and Al Jazeera are all of a singular piece. As if there were a direct line – “follow the money” – between these actors and one authoritarian regime. Friednash’s brush strokes border on the conspiratorial, and we need fewer, not more, conspiracies attached to discussions of antisemitism.

As a counterpoint, let me suggest that our own government’s massive investment in Israel’s military – and the military in general – is a more tangible burden on America’s education system. Couldn’t that money be used to bolster more inclusive, safe and rigorous institutions of higher learning?

Luke Leavitt, Denver

Marijuana legalization is taking a toll

Re: “10 years of legalized marijuana: Colorado paved the way, and sky didn’t fall,” Dec. 31

No, the sky did not fall. All that happened was that we are breeding new generations of addicts hooked on the most powerful cannabis ever developed. The economic and health consequences of this disastrous experiment will blight generations of Coloradans and Americans in other states that followed our foolish lead. This is late-stage capitalism at its worst.

Steven Krauss, Denver

State’s moves not so “shameful”

Re: “Another shameful first,” Dec. 31 letter to the editor

Colorado voters expressed their support for a woman’s right to choose. They also supported the legalization of cannabis and psilocybin. The “drug war” declared by President Richard Nixon has done nothing but criminalize benign substances and the people’s struggles to obtain them. Our prisons are filled with non-violent drug “offenders.” Coloradans also vote to retain the Supreme Court judges who exercise judicial review. (Calling section 3 of the 14th Amendment “unused” is irrelevant; it’s still the law.)

I’m proud to call my state the trailblazer in decriminalizing abortion, marijuana and “magic” mushrooms. The people’s will was expressed via their vote. This is representative democracy in a republic.

Now, veterans, as well as people with PTSD, can get relief. Women have the right to choose. Colorado’s prescient and exemplary voters should be celebrated, not condemned.

John Amari, Denver

Here are just three pronouncements that show Donald Trump’s manipulative plan:

August 17, 2020: “The only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged.”

January 2, 2021: “I just want to find 11,780 votes.”

January 6, 2021: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution.”

Susan Clare, Westminster

Snail mail responses: Some good, some ugly

Re: “To the anonymous letter writers,” Dec. 22 letter to the editor and “Bullying through anonymous mail,” Dec. 17 letter to the editor

I, too, have received response letters to my Open Forum letters via snail mail. Some of those letters have been kind. I have been invited to join a like-minded political action group. One lovely lady named Flor shared her deep religious beliefs with me. All of the kind letters have been signed with return addresses. Not so much the others. An anonymous writer explained to me that guns are part and parcel of men’s identity, which is to fight and kill. Another person, in a letter addressed to me, told my husband he should shut me up.

Freedom of speech implies that individuals don’t have to be sneaky about having their own beliefs. It seems pretty cowardly to not attach one’s name to one’s opinion. I applaud those who read newspapers and take the time to react to what they read, including through snail mail. I think it’s important that we keep talking. But when I read an unsigned letter, I immediately get the impression that the writer feels like a naughty boy getting away with doing something wrong. If you are not proud of your beliefs, you need to talk to yourself, not the rest of us.

A. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver

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Colorado

Windstorm batters Colo., leave tens of thousands without power; restoration expected by Saturday night

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Windstorm batters Colo., leave tens of thousands without power; restoration expected by Saturday night

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado’s foothills were hit by hurricane-force winds Friday morning, with gusts reaching 112 mph in Boulder County. The storm caused damage, outages, fires, and travel disruptions, but no injuries were reported.

Earlier in the week, on Wednesday afternoon and evening, a previous windstorm brought gusts up to 109 mph, knocking down trees and power lines and sparking fires near Yuma.

No serious injuries were reported from the fires near Yuma. Authorities believe no homes were lost. All fires were contained by Thursday night after burning just over 14,000 acres.

Power outages

Xcel Energy carried out another public safety power shutoff (PSPS) on Friday in response to hurricane-strength winds in the Front Range foothills, as crews worked around the clock to restore power to thousands of customers after initiating a Wednesday PSPS.

Xcel said PSPS conditions subsided as of 5 a.m. Saturday. However, about 57,207 Xcel customers were still without power.

Xcel Energy

The utility company said it’s aiming to restore power to customers by 10 p.m. Saturday, but warned that the outage could extend into Sunday for some customers.

“The safety of crew members is paramount as they work to restore power. Xcel Energy asks customers to help keep crew members safe as they work diligently to restore power as quickly as possible,” wrote Xcel Energy in a release.

Xcel said it has identified 396 customers who have been without power since the initial outage on Wednesday. The company said these customers are being prioritized as restoration efforts continue followed by other high-needs areas.

xcel crews power shutoff_dec 18 2025.jpg — Xcel Energy workers toil to repair power lines on a street closed after hurricane-force winds whipped through the metropolitan area and interrupted service to residents Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Xcel set up resource centers and charging stations in Evergreen, Gilpin County, Lakewood, and Idaho Springs.

On Saturday, Gov. Jared Polis urged residents to avoid directing their frustration at Xcel’s frontline crews over ongoing outages, saying workers are working long hours to restore service.

“As many Coloradans await the return of power to their homes and communities, I want to urge everyone not to take their frustrations with power being out on the hardworking men and women who make up the Xcel crews. The company and its crews are working around the clock to ensure our safety and to restore power. While I have expressed great frustration with Xcel and there’s much room for improvement in communications about what’s going on and timelines, I am grateful for Xcel’s frontline workers and all those people working to restore people’s power. Please thank them if you see them,” Polis said in a statement.

CORE Electric Cooperative, which provides power to parts of Clear Creek, Jefferson, and Park counties, said that 9,281 customers lost power during Friday’s storm.

CORE said the return of service for most members will likely not occur until later in the day on Saturday, as more favorable weather will help with restoration efforts. However, strong winds are still expected, and many trees have been weakened during the storm.

Damage and closures

Reports of downed trees, power lines, and street poles in and around Boulder and across the foothills during Friday’s wind event flooded emergency dispatch.

In Longmont, Friday’s windstorm severely damaged the roof of Longmont Climbing Collective, 155 Pinnacle Street, prompting the closure of the business as crews work to replace the roof.

Longmont Climbing Collective said in a Facebook post that it hopes to reopen Sunday or Monday, but it may take longer. No injuries were reported.

Downed trees and street poles blocked roads and trails across Boulder County, causing major closures, including portions of CO 72, CO 93, US 36, and CO 128. But some reopened by nightfall.

In the Allenspark area of Boulder County, a propane tanker on CO 7 rolled over after hitting black ice on Friday, trapping the occupants and prompting an evacuation and the closure of the highway.

According to the Allenspark Fire Protection District, high winds and leaking diesel fuel at the crash scene made the situation particularly sensitive and extended the time needed to resolve it.

Due to concerns about possible propane leakage, residents and businesses were evacuated. However, no propane leakage was ultimately found.

No major injuries were reported.

Friday’s storm also closed schools across Boulder and Jefferson counties, as well as Evergreen.

Here are the top 10 wind speeds recorded on Friday from the National Weather Service:

112 MPH — 3 NW Marshall, Boulder, CO
110 MPH — Sunshine, Boulder, CO
102 MPH — 2 WNW Niwot, Boulder, CO
99 MPH — 1 NE Crisman, Boulder, CO
97 MPH — 1 S Wallstreet, Boulder, CO
96 MPH — 2 SW Hygiene, Boulder, CO
95 MPH — 1 NE Crisman, Boulder, CO
95 MPH — 3 S Carter Lake, Larimer, CO
94 MPH — 3 N Berthoud Pass, Grand, CO
92 MPH — 5 N Boulder, Boulder, CO

DIA impacts

Friday’s strong winds created a rough start to the December holiday travel season at Denver International Airport.

FlightAware reported more than 1,200 delays at DIA on Friday—the most nationwide—along with more than 80 cancellations.

A plane takes off at Denver International Airport.

On Saturday, the numbers dropped considerably, resulting in only 88 reported delays.

Several pilots reported moderate-to-severe or even severe turbulence on Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration defines turbulence as “severe” when it “causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. It usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control.”

Back‑to‑back windstorms batter Colorado, leave tens of thousands without power

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Colorado

Avs’ home heater continues as Colorado beats Winnipeg 3-2 in chippy win

Published

14 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Avs’ home heater continues as Colorado beats Winnipeg 3-2 in chippy win

The Avs on home ice remain as close to invincible as a sports team can get.

Colorado beat Winnipeg 3-2 on Friday at Ball Arena, improving to 14-0-2 in Denver. The win extended the longest home point streak to start a season in franchise history, and the Avs’ 12th straight victory at home is the longest in the NHL this season and second-longest streak in franchise history.

“When other teams play here, it’s tough to come into this building,” defenseman Josh Manson said. “When the fans get behind us, momentum shifts. We score a goal, they get loud, the building gets rocking and the momentum starts to carry and we can feel it. And from there, we can start pouring it on.”

The Avs didn’t play perfect on Friday, giving up a shorthanded goal and battling through several Winnipeg surges after reigning Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck settled into the game.

But as they have all season, Colorado found a way to win in front of the Avs faithful in a game featuring four scuffles, highlighted by a fist fight between Manson and the Jets’ Tanner Pearson. The Avs’ only home losses this year came in a pair of 5-4 shootout setbacks, to Dallas on Oct. 11 and Carolina on Oct. 23.

Since then, Colorado’s been a sure bet to prevail at “The Can.”

“This was one of our better defensive efforts of the year — physical, and we spent some time in the D-zone in the second period and didn’t give up any dangerous chances five-on-five really,” Avs head coach Jared Bednar said. “Made a mistake on the power play, made a mistake on the penalty kill, but besides that I liked our game tonight.”

The Avs started fast against struggling Winnipeg, which has battled injuries and inconsistencies while looking like a shadow of the team that won last season’s Presidents’ Trophy. Colorado blitzed Hellebuyck with a number of quality shots in the first 10 minutes, then finally broke through with Brent Burns’ goal.

“Right from the drop of the puck, we were taking it to them,” Manson said. “… (During this stretch of home dominance) we’ve set the pace on teams.”

Burns, the oldest active NHL player, wristed one home from behind the right playoff circle as his shot deflected off the skate of a Winnipeg defender to make it 1-0.

Five minutes later, Colorado made it 2-0 thanks to a highlight-reel combination between Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. MacKinnon, tied with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid for the NHL points lead entering the night with 58, made a precise pass that split two defenders and found Necas streaking down the center of the ice. Necas beat Hellebuyck on the bottom right shelf.

“When we beat them up ice, we’re capable (of finishes like that),” Necas said.

But in the second period, Hellebuyck tightened up, turning away several scoring chances as the Jets killed three Avs power plays and the crowd buzzed off of Manson’s fight with Pearson.

After both players went to the penalty box just under three minutes into the period, the jumbotron cam jumped from Manson to Pearson, with the former getting met with deafening cheers and the latter with a chorus of boos.

“(That) gets you fired up a little bit,” Parker Kelly said.

But on Colorado’s third man-advantage of the period, the Jets stole the momentum back with a short-handed goal.

Off a Hellebuyck save, Alex Iafallo possessed the puck and cleared up ice high off the glass. Morgan Barron outskated Cale Makar down the ice to retrieve the bouncer, then beat Scott Wedgewood one-on-one with a backhanded shot to quiet the crowd and make it 2-1 with 37 seconds left in the frame.

“We weren’t worried after that,” Manson said. “If anything, I was thinking in my mind, ‘We’re going to go get one here at the start of the third period.’”

The Avs did just that.

Less than two minutes into the third, Colorado grabbed the mojo right back. Manson blasted a shot from up near the blue line, which deflected off a screening Kelly and past Hellebuyck for a 3-1 lead.

“I saw it go to low to high and I just tried to beat my guy to the net,” Kelly said. “(Manson) was walking down mainstream. Honestly, I was just there to try and provide a screen. I thought (Manson) was going to rip it. I don’t know if it got tipped, but the shot was along the ice and my stick was on the ice. Just tried to get a little touch on it.”

But the Jets quickly answered about 90 seconds later, capitalizing on a hooking penalty on Devon Toews as Mark Scheifele scored just seven seconds into Winnipeg’s power play to again make it a one-goal game.

Midway through the period, the Avs had a goal wiped off the board. Kelly deflected the puck into the net off a shot by Samuel Girard, but Kelly used high-sticking to do it, negating the score.

From there, Wedgewood and the Colorado defense held on as the Avs notched their 56th and 57th points of the season. Wedgewood made 20 total saves, including two saves in the final minute to seal the win for Colorado (25-2-7).

“We got heavy around the net, and Wedgie played great between the pipes,” Manson said. “We were making good decisions with the puck at the end of the game… We made smart plays and didn’t force anything in the last eight, 10 minutes of that game.”

The longest home win streak in Avs history came during their championship season in 2021-22, when Colorado won 18 straight in Denver from Nov. 11 to Jan. 30.

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Several Colorado highways temporarily closed due to high winds

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Several Colorado highways temporarily closed due to high winds

BOULDER, Colo. (KKTV) – Several Colorado highways are closed due to high winds reaching up to 80 MPH in some locations.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the closures currently in place include:

CO 93 both directions from 64th Ave (Arvada) to CO 170.
CO 72, both directions from CO 7 to Ward Road.
US 36, both directions from Boulder to Lyons.
CO 128, both directions from CO 93 to McCaslin Boulevard.

Transportation officials said the winds may also cause traffic signal outages.

If traffic lights are experiencing a power outage, CDOT said drivers must treat it as a four-way stop:

Come to a complete stop at the stop line or before entering the intersection.
Vehicles proceed one at a time, in the order they arrived.
If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first.
Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists already in the crosswalk.
Make eye contact when possible and proceed cautiously – do not assume others will stop.

Drivers are also encouraged to reduce speeds, keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel, and be alert for debris, downed signs and sudden gusts. High-profile vehicles, such as trucks, vans and vehicles towing trailers, are encouraged to avoid travel when closures or restrictions are in place.

CDOT also reminds commercial drivers to ensure tire chains are properly secured and not dragging, which can create sparks and increase wildfire risk during dry, windy conditions.

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