Rocky Mountain Voice

Local

Jury selected, opening statements set in King Soopers shooting trial
Approved, Boulder Reporting Lab, Local

Jury selected, opening statements set in King Soopers shooting trial

By Jenna Sampson | Boulder Reporting Lab Editor's note: The Boulder Reporting Lab is providing daily updates from the courtroom. This is from the Wednesday, Sept. 4, report. The jury pool was narrowed today from the initial 1,500 summoned to the final 16, including four alternates who won’t be identified as such until deliberation. The jurors’ identities will remain private for their protection, likely due to the high-profile nature of the case. Many of the jurors’ clarifying questions have revolved around how exactly they are supposed to decide whether Alissa was insane at the moment of the shooting. They discussed, for instance, if he wasn’t diagnosed as schizophrenic beforehand, does that place less weight on the later diagnosis as a factor that day? Did the incident itself con...
Why aren’t I-70 mountain express toll lanes always accessible? Here’s the answer
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Why aren’t I-70 mountain express toll lanes always accessible? Here’s the answer

By Greg Nieto | Fox 31 News After another busy weekend on Interstate 70 in the Colorado high country, some drivers are once again asking why the mountain express lanes are not always accessible. The 13-mile stretch of I-70 goes from Idaho Springs to U.S. 40. Tim Hoover, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s deputy director of communications, policy and programs, said by federal agreement, the lanes can only be open so many days and hours a year, adding: READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
No more late-night food trucks in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood starting Friday, police say
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

No more late-night food trucks in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood starting Friday, police say

By Jasmine Arenas | CBS Colorado Beginning Friday, food trucks will no longer be allowed to park in Denver's LoDo neighborhood on late-night weekends. Police handed out notices to food truck businesses on Friday. It's part of a Denver Police Department pilot program to try to curb violence in the area and increase safety. LoDo is known as one of the busiest parts of the city on weekend nights. The areas in which food trucks can operate will be restricted between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
In Fort Collins, man attempts to board school bus
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

In Fort Collins, man attempts to board school bus

By Morgan Whitley | Fox 31 News A man was arrested after he allegedly tried to get on a school bus, Fort Collins police said. On Tuesday afternoon, Fort Collins Police Services told FOX31 that a school bus full of children stopped at a regular bus stop to let the kids out. The bus stop is across from the Murphy Center, which is described as a hub for those experiencing homelessness. A man allegedly walked across the street and tried to enter the bus, police said. A security guard spotted the man and walked across the street as well. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
What’s on the ballot? In Denver, tax increases, new debt, nearly $1 billion school bond
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

What’s on the ballot? In Denver, tax increases, new debt, nearly $1 billion school bond

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A variety of topics will confront Denver voters on the November ballot, decisions which could shape the future of Colorado's capitol city. Voters will be asked about whether to allow illegal immigrants to serve in the fire and police departments, to weigh-in on a pair of bans related to animal fur and livestock slaughter, collective bargaining, tax increases and a nearly $1 billion bond package for Denver schools. That's all before Denver voters consider statewide measures on the ballot. Following is a brief look at each ballot item with links to the full ballot measure text provided, when available. The descriptor may not end up being the ballot title: Affordable housing funding: The measure would, if passed, increase the local sales tax...
Man who pulled gun in parking lot on Glenwood Springs police officer was shot and killed, police say
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Man who pulled gun in parking lot on Glenwood Springs police officer was shot and killed, police say

By Austen Erblat | CBS Colorado A police officer in Glenwood Springs shot and killed an armed man after trying to contact him in a shopping center parking lot on Monday afternoon, Glenwood Springs Police Chief Joseph Deras said. In a Monday news conference, Deras said two uniformed officers approached a man they had recently secured an arrest warrant for just before 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Glenwood Meadows shopping center. When they approached him, he pulled out a gun and one of the officers fired his weapon at the man, striking him, Deras said. "As the suspect moved toward his vehicle, the officers took up a secondary position and again engaged the suspect with gunfire. One officer was involved in that shooting exchange and the suspect was wounded and took refuge behind ...
Larimer County may put transportation tax question on November ballot
Approved, BizWest, Local

Larimer County may put transportation tax question on November ballot

By BizWest Larimer County officials next week will consider placing a 15-year 0.15% sales and use tax measure on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the tax would generate an estimated $15 million annually to fund various transportation projects across the county. Recent polling by Larimer County shows that community members are increasingly concerned about rising traffic and declining safety on the county’s roads and bridges. Transportation remains one of the top concerns among residents, leading the Board of County Commissioners to revisit the issue of a dedicated funding source. As part of its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, the commissioners are again considering a transportation tax measure to address these needs. If the measure were to pass, the tax — equivalent to 15 cent...
In Jefferson Co., campaign seeks to protect TABOR caps, as voters in other areas asked to remove them
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

In Jefferson Co., campaign seeks to protect TABOR caps, as voters in other areas asked to remove them

By Karen Morfitt | CBS Colorado Cities and counties across the metro area are going to voters asking to remove revenue limits set by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. In Jefferson County there is now a push to save TABOR that is gaining momentum as well. "I think these are like the third use of them,"  county resident Jessica Fenske said. The yard signs she's helping to paint this year are sending the same message they did in 2019 and again in 2022 -- to protect tax caps put in place by TABOR. "It's the same fight every time; it's not a left or right fight going on," Fenske said. "It's just the people trying to keep some of their money." READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
‘We are actively investigating criminal activity’ Aurora PD says amid concerns over Venezuelan gang
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

‘We are actively investigating criminal activity’ Aurora PD says amid concerns over Venezuelan gang

By Michael Abeyta | CBS Colorado As panic over Venezuelan gangs in the community continues to spread, Aurora police visited an apartment complex Friday to reassure neighbors that officers are there for them. Meanwhile, the mayor is taking a much tougher approach. On Friday, the City of Aurora released a video of Interim Police Chief Heather Morris and a cadre of officers meeting with residents at an apartment complex that has been at the center of media and online discussions about Venezuelan gang activity. "We're out here because we care," Morris said. "We want to reassure the people who live in this community that we are actively investigating criminal activity and listening to them." READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Teen mental health facility gets go-ahead in Castle Rock, as neighbors worry about safety
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Teen mental health facility gets go-ahead in Castle Rock, as neighbors worry about safety

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado One Colorado town is making moves for youth mental health. Twenty percent of teens ages 12 to 17 reported suffering from one major depressive disorder in the last year, according to Sandstone Care. Now, the town council has voted to rezone a former assisted living facility to allow for a mental health treatment center serving teens. The soon-to-be Sandstone Care treatment facility is at 864 Barranca Drive in the Metzler Ranch neighborhood of Castle Rock. However, some nearby residents are worried about the safety concerns they say Sandstone Care will bring. "Great, now we gotta watch out for what's really gonna be happening, like crime and things like that," said Metzler Ranch neighbor Miles Negley. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO