Rocky Mountain Voice

CBS Colorado

Denver firefighters face pressure campaign, scare tactics ahead of no-confidence vote
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Denver firefighters face pressure campaign, scare tactics ahead of no-confidence vote

By Brian Maass | CBS Colorado In the run up to a no-confidence vote this month on Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton, rank-and-file firefighters are facing a pressure campaign seeking to get them to vote against the no-confidence vote on Fulton. CBS News Colorado has obtained multiple anonymous letters that have been sent to Denver fire stations over the last two weeks, warning firefighters that a vote of no confidence might have severe financial repercussions. Assistant Chief Patrick Hynes, who called for the no-confidence vote, said, "The divide is between the command staff and the rest of the membership. Virtually everyone I talk to is prepared to vote no-confidence in the chief." READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Idaho Springs police revisit cold case of teenager Beth Miller 42 years after disappearance
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Idaho Springs police revisit cold case of teenager Beth Miller 42 years after disappearance

By Spencer Wilson | CBS Colorado A Colorado mountain missing persons case for a teenage girl has been cold for 42 years, but there is renewed effort to learn what happened since her disappearance happened decades ago.  Beth Miller was 14 years old when she went missing from Idaho Springs. Investigators believe she went for a jog and never returned home to her family in the small mountain town. Now, Idaho Spring Police Department is revisiting one of the cases that's haunted its community for decades.  Sgt. Ryan Frost took the case after the chief of police said it was going to be a priority for them to get some answers. The issue is there's still not a lot to go on without help from the community on a case that hasn't been touched for a long time.  READ THE FULL STORY AT C...
JBS announces $50 million expansion project at Greeley beef plant
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

JBS announces $50 million expansion project at Greeley beef plant

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado On Tuesday, leading global beef producer JBS USA announced its plans to invest $50 million into an expansion project in Greeley, Colo. The company said the project, which will begin in 2025, will include a new state-of-the-art distribution center at the Greeley beef production facility. ‌"A new distribution center at our Greeley beef plant, one of the most important beef production facilities in the country, ensures we are well positioned for continued growth and to help meet the demand for high-quality U.S. beef," said Wesley Batista Filho, JBS USA CEO. "Our ongoing investments in U.S. agriculture show our optimism about the future, and projects like these benefit farmers and ranchers, consumers, our team members and the communities whe...
Colorado parents scramble after five Montessori schools announce sudden closure
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Colorado parents scramble after five Montessori schools announce sudden closure

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado Guidepost Montessori announced the closure of all Colorado locations next month, leaving 300 families scrambling to find new schools for their children. Parents are now faced with the challenge of finding care with limited time and resources. Guidepost Montessori families across five schools in the Denver metro area received the devastating email Monday afternoon. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Two found deceased in storm drainage tunnel in Fort Collins
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Two found deceased in storm drainage tunnel in Fort Collins

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Fort Collins police told CBS News Colorado that two people were found deceased in a storm drainage tunnel early Monday morning. Officers were called to the location under College Avenue about 3:30 a.m. The person told police that there were two people unresponsive in a tent that was set up inside the tunnel. Law enforcement and emergency personnel believe they likely got into the tunnel by crawling under safety gates at the opening. Police said the two found deceased were previously contacted on several occasions by members of the Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement team "in an effort to direct them to various city resources." READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Colorado hires range riders to protect livestock from wolves as Boebert pushes to delist wolves
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Colorado hires range riders to protect livestock from wolves as Boebert pushes to delist wolves

By Spencer Wilson | CBS Colorado Colorado wildlife officials are working to hire range riders to protect livestock from the recently reintroduced wolves as some elected officials are pushing to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list. Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, whose district includes much of Colorado's Eastern Plains, is part of an effort to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act aims to give states control over their own gray wolf populations. Ranchers have continuously raised concerns about wolves preying on livestock while wildlife biologists and environmental activists say wolves are vital to keeping ecological balance and preventing certain species from becoming overpopulated.  READ THE F...
Tour guide who died at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine fell out of elevator after apparently not latching door
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Tour guide who died at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine fell out of elevator after apparently not latching door

By CBS Colorado A tour guide killed at a former Colorado gold mine last year fell out of a crowded elevator taking tourists below ground after apparently not latching its door closed, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. As the elevator descended, the door swung out and caught the side of the mine shaft, the guide fell out and he ended up landing on top of one of the tourists as the elevator continued its descent, investigators determined. The harrowing account of the October accident that killed Patrick Weier, 46, at the Mollie Kathleen Mine was included in an investigative report obtained by AP in response to a public records request. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Gov. Polis calls for investigation into Morgan County water district disaster
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Gov. Polis calls for investigation into Morgan County water district disaster

By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado After years of fighting for clean drinking water, a Morgan County neighborhood is finally getting help. A series of stories by CBS Colorado exposed a water district disaster 20 years in the making and got the attention of Gov. Jared Polis. Now, he's doing what many other government officials have failed to do - he's helping. The governor says every Coloradan deserves to have clean water. Yet, all the checks and balances meant to ensure safe drinking water failed at Prairie View Ranch Water District and residents say the people they turned to for help turned a blind eye. Their drinking water is now black sludge that certified lab tests show has unsafe levels of radioactive lead and uranium. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Top Aurora police crime analyst faces nine counts of official misconduct: ‘I shouldn’t have done it’
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Top Aurora police crime analyst faces nine counts of official misconduct: ‘I shouldn’t have done it’

By Brian Maass | CBS Colorado The Aurora Police Department's top crime analyst, Frank Fredericks, 60, was charged this week with nine counts of official misconduct. In a phone call Wednesday evening, Fredericks admitted he used department computers for non-law enforcement purposes. "I ran a query on my husband to obtain a VIN on a vehicle that is in his name. Is it wrong, yes," said Fredericks. "I shouldn't have done it." Court records show the nine charges were filed Monday and stem from incidents between March 22, 2023, and April 29, 2024. Fredericks resigned from the Aurora Police Department June 17, 2024, after about 18 months on the job. He said he resigned due to a difference of opinion with APD command staff over an internal reorganization. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS ...