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Minimal traffic impacts anticipated, study finds, for state’s second proposed Buc-ee’s megamart in Palmer Lake
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Minimal traffic impacts anticipated, study finds, for state’s second proposed Buc-ee’s megamart in Palmer Lake

By Mackenzie Bodell  | The Gazette One of the three planned studies evaluating the impact of the proposed Buc-ee's west of Interstate 25 off County Line Road indicates existing 2025 traffic operations are acceptable with only minor delays and queues anticipated.  The gas station chain — known for its iconic beaver logo — has its first Colorado location in Johnstown, but the possibility of another opening near Palmer Lake has caused a resident uproar. As of Wednesday, town officials have only approved the annexation's eligibility and there is still a long way to go until residents and travelers can potentially take a trip.  Despite Buc-ee's hiring Kimley Horn to conduct a study, the town of Palmer Lake opted for an independently conducted traffic impact study by...
Hwy. 34 reopens in Weld County after potential pipe bomb investigated during traffic stop
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Hwy. 34 reopens in Weld County after potential pipe bomb investigated during traffic stop

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Highway 34 was closed in Weld County early Wednesday morning after Colorado State Patrol troopers investigated a possible pipe bomb inside a vehicle during a traffic stop. Shortly after 6 a.m. the highway reopened and the 40-year-old driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Just before 1 a.m., state troopers stopped a black 2023 Honda Accord for speeding in the westbound lanes of the highway at mile marker 101. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
In $210M plan to ditch Tri-State, LPEA members feel the financial pinch
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

In $210M plan to ditch Tri-State, LPEA members feel the financial pinch

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Rancher J. Paul Brown tends sheep and cattle on his La Plata County spread, facing a $4,000 monthly electric bill. Lisa huddles in a home with her children, skipping heat to ease her electric bill’s bite.  This spring, folks like them could owe $90 more a year — or $308 more monthly for Brown — if a rate hike passes.  Meanwhile, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) CEO Chris Hansen, who took the helm in November 2024, earns an estimated $545,000 annually, within the role’s $400,000–$600,000 range reported by the Durango Herald. On Feb. 19, county residents packed the LPEA Board of Directors meeting over climbing rates, tied to a $210 million plan to ditch Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, their longtim...
The fantasy Mayor Mike Johnston paints for Congress on crime is not the everyday reality, residents say
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

The fantasy Mayor Mike Johnston paints for Congress on crime is not the everyday reality, residents say

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Jeff Workman never imagined that stepping onto his porch would leave him battered, unable to work and afraid to open his door after dark. His brutal attack wasn’t an isolated incident. “At 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 20, my girlfriend and I were brutally assaulted while sitting on my front porch,” Workman said. “Without saying anything, the man immediately ripped me off my porch and I fell down its four steps, landing hard on the sidewalk. I was severely injured, dazed and helpless.” The attack left Workman with a separated shoulder, multiple torn ligaments and a serious spinal injury that required emergency surgery. He is now unable to walk without a walker, unable to work and unable to care for his 98-year-old grandmother. “T...
New Westminster billboard asks for help solving 26-year-old cold case
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New Westminster billboard asks for help solving 26-year-old cold case

By Jim Hooley | Fox 31 News A new billboard along Interstate 70 and Harlan Street is asking for the public’s help in solving a 26-year-old cold case. Westminster police said new investigative DNA technology has given detectives hope of possibly bringing the investigation to a close.   Paul Skiba, his 9-year-old daughter Sarah, and Paul’s business associate, Lorenzo Chivers, were killed in 1999. On Feb. 7 of that year, Skiba, Sarah and Chivers disappeared after returning to Skiba’s moving company, Tuff Movers, located off Raleigh Street in Westminster near 71st Avenue. Investigators said the victims had just completed a job and arrived back at the truck yard around 7 p.m. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Colorado-based Lunar Outpost behind rover set to explore Moon’s south pole for first time
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Colorado-based Lunar Outpost behind rover set to explore Moon’s south pole for first time

By Karen Morfitt | CBS Colorado Following a successful launch of Intuitive Machines' lunar lander, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, the team from Colorado-based Lunar Outpost was back to work. "About 20 seconds after that rocket SpaceX Falcon 9 cleared the launchpad, you saw people running out of the bleachers to get over to mission control and to start checking on our system," said Michael Moreno, Vice President of Strategy for Lunar Outpost. The lander is expected to reach the moon's surface on Thursday. Onboard is Lunar Outpost's exploration rover MAPP, or mobile autonomous prospecting platform. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Albertsons’ new CEO is Susan Morris, who began her grocer career in Colorado
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Albertsons’ new CEO is Susan Morris, who began her grocer career in Colorado

By Bernadette Berdychowski | The Denver Gazette Albertsons, the parent company of Safeway, will soon have a new CEO who's grocery career began in Denver.  The company's Chief Operating Officer Susan Morris will succeed Albertsons' current CEO Vivek Sankaran, the grocer announced Monday.  Sankaran plans to retire and Morris will take over May 1, Albertsons said in a news release. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Superintendent’s cuts result in $5M in annual savings from 38 central office positions
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Superintendent’s cuts result in $5M in annual savings from 38 central office positions

By Nicole C. Brambila | Colorado Politics, via The Denver Gazette Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero laid off dozens of employees in the central office to save the district roughly $5 million annually. The 38 eliminated positions will be effective July 1, according to a memo sent to staff on Friday. “We are facing great uncertainty compounded by significant concerns for our future funding from both the state and national levels,” Marrero wrote. “This all comes on top of a period of declining birth rates and lower enrollment across our city and the nation. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Twitter, former landlord ask Boulder judge to decide who broke lease at Colorado office
Approved, Courthouse News Service, Local

Twitter, former landlord ask Boulder judge to decide who broke lease at Colorado office

By Amanda Pampuro  | Courthouse News It took $40 million and two years to turn the 64,557 square-foot railyards building in Boulder, Colorado, into Twitter’s new flagship headquarters, complete with a kitchen, showers for bike commuters and a grand staircase down the center to connect all four floors. “There was no question that buildout was unorthodox,” attorney Jose Ramiez, who represents landlord Lot 2 SBO, said during opening arguments Monday. “One of the biggest issues the building is having now is that they cut a hole in the center of the building, they wanted all the floors connected by a staircase, but they cut through structural elements, so that has to go.” READ THE FULL STORY AT COURTHOUSE NEWS
Why are so many Denver restaurants going belly up or moving out of the city?
Approved, DENVER7, Local

Why are so many Denver restaurants going belly up or moving out of the city?

By Claire Lavezzorio | Denver 7 News Many Denver restaurants are going belly up or moving to the suburbs. According to Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses (EXL), records show a drop of about 24% in overall food licenses associated with restaurants since 2023. To better understand the trends, Denver7 is taking a 360 look at the struggling industry and what owners are doing to stay afloat. It's the lunch rush at Blue Agave Grill, and Brenda Lucio is in her happy place. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER 7 NEWS