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CBS Colorado

Higher minimum wage in Boulder, Colorado puts strain on local restaurants
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Higher minimum wage in Boulder, Colorado puts strain on local restaurants

By Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado In November, Boulder voters approved the increase of minimum wage in the city from $14.42 to $15.57 per hour, which went into effect on Jan. 1. As the new year begins, Peter Waters, the T/aco restaurant owner, is taking a close look at his budget. "We have about 50,000 labor hours a year, so $1.10 increase, you can do the math, is a quick $55,000 that we need to figure out how to adjust for in the coming year," Waters said. One of those adjustments will show up on menu prices which is T/aco's first raise since the COVID-10 pandemic. "In addition to price increases, we are going to have to start adjusting labor hours and asking more of our staff," Waters said. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Enforcement in place for new law to automatically fine express lane violators
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Enforcement in place for new law to automatically fine express lane violators

By Jasmine Arenas | CBS Colorado Effective Jan. 1, drivers who weave in and out of express lanes in Colorado will automatically be ticketed. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is introducing electronic enforcement along US-36, I-70 through Denver, and the I-25 South Gap, using cameras and sensors to monitor toll lanes. This includes areas outside designated zones in Central 70, I-25 South Gap, and the US-36 corridors. During a 30-day grace period, thousands of warnings were issued to drivers who entered and exited express lanes improperly. But as of Jan. 1, violators will be fined. Tim Hoover, a spokesperson for CDOT, says this was created to make the roads safer for drivers. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Evergreen Lake Plunge draws hundreds to frigid dip to start the New Year
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Evergreen Lake Plunge draws hundreds to frigid dip to start the New Year

By CBS Colorado New Year's morning drew hundreds of people for a longstanding tradition in Evergreen. The Evergreen Lake Plunge brought over 350 people to jump in a hole cut in the ice of the frigid lake. "I don't know. Why are we doing this? For fun," said one mom there with her two boys. Water temperatures hovered a few degrees above freezing as Evergreen Fire Rescue cut through the foot-thick ice to open a hole for the plungers. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Juvenile rescued after falling into missile silo east of Aurora Reservoir
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Juvenile rescued after falling into missile silo east of Aurora Reservoir

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado A juvenile was rescued Wednesday after they were injured falling into a missile silo in Arapahoe County. According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, dispatchers received a report at 3:45 p.m. that a juvenile fell into the silo east of the Aurora Reservoir. Authorities said three people were exploring the site when a juvenile fell 40-50 feet into one of the silo's exhaust vents and was injured. The bottom of the vent was reportedly filled with approximately four feet of water, which covered pieces of metal and debris. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Will Colorado’s cage-free egg law increase egg prices in the new year?
CBS Colorado, Approved, State

Will Colorado’s cage-free egg law increase egg prices in the new year?

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado With the new year comes a new law in Colorado requiring all eggs sold in the state to come from a cage-free facility. This change has been in the works for the last couple of years. Today, a carton of a dozen eggs in Colorado costs around $4. Three years ago, the national average was $1.79. Cage-free requirements can increase the cost of eggs, but that impact has probably already hit Coloradans' wallets. The real culprit behind the high egg prices is a nationwide egg shortage. In grocery stores across the country, it's become a familiar sight: empty shelves and high prices for eggs. "A couple of weeks ago, there weren't any eggs on the shelf at all," said Whole Foods shopper Christina Panczyk. "I bought them the other day. I think they were a...
Commerce City police officer hurt after suspected DUI driver crashes into patrol vehicle
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Commerce City police officer hurt after suspected DUI driver crashes into patrol vehicle

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado A Commerce City police officer was hurt in a crash when a suspected DUI driver slammed into the back of the patrol vehicle. The crash happened just after midnight Tuesday northwest of Denver on I-270 west of Vasquez.  According to investigators, one officer was inside the SUV at the time of the crash and rushed to the hospital. That officer suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
In Parker, Cub Scout pack collecting Christmas trees as a service project
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

In Parker, Cub Scout pack collecting Christmas trees as a service project

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado If you live in Parker, you can get rid of your Christmas tree in a sustainable way and help a local Cub Scout pack. Cubs from Pack 396 have been spotted roaming around Parker, picking up trees at every turn. 9-year-old Bear Cub Riker Reese doesn't hesitate to get the job done, loading trees into his father's truck by himself. "It was pretty heavy, but I can lug it in there," Riker said. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Spike in sick raccoons noted: ‘It’s exhausting because we’ve euthanized so many’
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Spike in sick raccoons noted: ‘It’s exhausting because we’ve euthanized so many’

By Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado Agencies across the country and in Colorado are warning of a viral disease outbreak in raccoons. Distemper a deadly illness that can spread to pets. Longmont Animal Control is reporting that they are experiencing a spike in number of calls about sick raccoons in the Colorado city. Animal Control officer Ashley Walters says that that distemper won't get humans sick, but can spread to cats, dogs and even ferrets if they're not vaccinated. Now, Walters wants to spread awareness as officers respond to a higher number of calls than in recent years. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Parents frustrated after learning of Jeffco chief of schools’ termination, criminal investigation
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Parents frustrated after learning of Jeffco chief of schools’ termination, criminal investigation

By Gabriela Vidal | CBS Colorado Colorado parents of kids in Jefferson County Public Schools district are speaking out after learning the chief of schools was terminated from his role amid an ongoing criminal investigation. "I'm scared as a parent right now," said Jeffco parent Joe Jameson. Former Chief of Staff David Weiss was fired on Thursday, Dec. 19 following a school board meeting, according to the school district. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
These three inmates were the only ones on federal death row Biden did not commute
Approved, CBS Colorado, National

These three inmates were the only ones on federal death row Biden did not commute

By Melissa Quinn | CBS Colorado President Biden on Monday announced he had commuted the sentences of nearly all federal inmates on death row, with the exception of three who did not receive clemency. There are 37 inmates initially sentenced to death who will be impacted by Mr. Biden's action and will now receive life in prison without the possibility of parole. But the remaining three on death row whose sentences are untouched are: Robert Bowers, convicted for the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue; Dylann Roof, convicted of the shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church; and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for the Boston Marathon bombing. While Mr. Biden campaigned on ending capital punishment and the Justice Department imposed a moratorium on federal executio...