Colorado
Utah’s offensive struggles continue vs. No. 18 Colorado
The Utah Utes had a golden opportunity to set the tone early against the Colorado Buffaloes, thanks to an interception by linebacker Lander Barton on the first play of the game. Barton capitalized on Shedeur Sanders’ misstep, returning the pick 17 yards and giving Utah excellent field position. However, the Utes’ inability to find the end zone limited them to a field goal, settling for an early 3-0 lead instead of a commanding start.
Offensive struggles plagued Utah throughout the first half, largely due to their ineffective rushing attack. Without a reliable ground game, the Utes were forced to lean heavily on quarterback Isaac Wilson, who struggled to find a rhythm. Wilson completed only 8 of 20 passes for 62 yards, throwing an interception to Travis Hunter late in the half. The play was a deflating moment for the Utes, as Wilson’s pass, intended for Munir McClain, was tipped by Colorado cornerback Hood before being snagged by Hunter. Although Utah’s defense managed to hold the Buffs scoreless after the turnover, it was yet another missed opportunity for the Utes to shift momentum.
The offensive struggles took a toll on Utah’s defense, which played valiantly but began to wear down under the strain of repeatedly being sent back onto the field. The Utes defense managed to disrupt Sanders’ usual passing dominance, holding him to two touchdowns and one interception. They also applied consistent pressure, sacking Sanders twice and forcing a second turnover. However, Utah’s offense couldn’t capitalize on these defensive efforts, going three-and-out on four consecutive possessions.
Despite their defensive grit, the Utes found themselves trailing 21-9 at halftime. The lack of offensive production and failure to score touchdowns instead of field goals left Utah in a precarious position. To compete with Colorado, the Utes needed to adjust their offensive game plan, particularly along the offensive line, which struggled to match Colorado’s defensive intensity.
If Utah hoped to win, they had to find the end zone and capitalize on Colorado’s sloppy play. With the Buffs likely to make halftime adjustments, Utah’s inability to generate consistent offense threatened to leave them trailing in the second half.
Denver residents have a great way to clean up for the holidays and get ready for spring through the city’s Treecycle Program.
Starting Monday, Denver residents can drop off their holiday trees at designated sites so that they can be turned into mulch. That mulch will be available to residents for free during the annual Mulch Giveaway this coming spring.
From Dec. 29 through Jan. 30, trees can be dropped off each weekday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at these locations:
- Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
- Havana Nursery – 3685 Havana St.
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (next to the Denver Animal Shelter)
(Note: These locations will be closed January 1 and January 19 for holiday observances)
These drop sites will be open Saturday, Jan. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- Fred Thomas Park – 2400 Quebec St.
- Evie Dennis School Campus – 4800 Telluride St.
- John F. Kennedy High School – 2855 S. Lamar St.
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
- Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
Drop sites are available on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. here:
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
- Carson Elementary – 5420 E 1st Ave.
- John F. Kennedy High School – 2855 S. Lamar St.
- Congress Park – E. 9th and Josephine St.
- University Park Elementary – 2300 S St Paul St.
- Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
- Bruce Randolph School – 3955 Steele St.
- Fred Thomas Park – 2400 Quebec St.
- Evie Dennis School Campus – 4800 Telluride St.
Any nails, ornaments, plastic, tinsel, tree stands and lights should be removed before dropping off a tree for recycling. Flocked trees and wire-based wreaths cannot be recycled.
Denver area residents can also recycle broken and burned out holiday lights for free by dropping them off at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off and Blue Star Recyclers until Jan. 1. City officials said residents should be aware that holiday lights can’t be placed in purple recycling carts, and can only be accepted for recycling at the drop off locations.
Those who do not want their tree mulched can set it out for collection on their large item pickup day. Those trees will not be recycled.
Many other areas across the Front Range offer tree recycling services, including:
From record heat to accumulating snow across Colorado. Highs will reach about 59 degrees on Saturday before a strong cold front moves through around 10 p.m. Saturday night. Temperatures will tumble, with highs only near 29 degrees on Sunday.
That front will also bring accumulating snow to much of the state. Snow develops across the high country early Saturday morning, then intensifies through the evening hours. Travel could become tricky at mountain pass level and along the I-70 corridor by the Saturday evening commute.
Saturday night into Sunday morning, snow levels drop quickly. Accumulations are possible from Fort Collins to Boulder, Denver, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs, extending all the way to Colorado’s southern border.
Storm totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across the high country, with locally higher amounts up to 14 inches at mountain pass level in the northern mountains and the highest peaks.
Up to 5 inches is possible in the foothills, with around 4 inches across the Denver metro.
Keep in mind, with temperatures near 59 degrees on Saturday, some snow will melt initially. That could lead to slushy, wet accumulations, especially early in the event.
Thursday was the warmest Christmas in Denver history as temperatures reached 70°, shattering the previous heat record of 69° for Dec. 25, 2005.
This month has been a record-setting month for heat in Denver. On Christmas Eve, Denver beat a heat record, reaching 71°, breaking the previous record of 70° set in 1955.
Wednesday’s temperatures are about 29° warmer than the average temperature for this time of year in Colorado.
Before Christmas Eve, December has already broken two notable warm-weather records. Earlier this month, Denver recorded eight days with highs of 60° or warmer, breaking a record that had stood since 1939.
Then on Dec. 22, temperatures at Denver International Airport soared to 76°, smashing the previous daily record of 70°. That also made it the second-warmest December temperature ever recorded in Denver.
While Dec. 22, 2025, saw the second-hottest temperature ever recorded in December, Dec. 22 has also seen the second coldest temperature ever recorded in Colorado. In 1990, it was 25 below!
There will be a shift in our jet stream pattern by the weekend, which will help allow some of the Pacific moisture to move into Colorado.
Mountain snow is expected to return by the end of the week, with snow chances continuing through the weekend.
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