colorado
Gov. Hickenlooper pardons Rene Lima-Marin as family fights deportation to Cuba
DENVER – Governor John Hickenlooper heard the calls from lawyers and activists, awarding Rene Lima-Marin a pardon, although he said it’s not yet known if that will help the reformed criminal win his fight to stay in the U.S.
Lima-Marin won a release from prison on Tuesday after a yearslong fight to get him back out of custody. He was originally sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison for a 2000 robbery, kidnapping and burglary case and was mistakenly released into a parole program in 2008. Continue reading
Bipartisan bills to protect marijuana from federal crackdown introduced by Colo. members of Congress
DENVER – Efforts to protect states with legal marijuana programs from any possible federal crackdown are gaining bipartisan momentum in Congress, and several of Colorado’s lawmakers are playing a big part in trying to get legislation passed.
U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D) and Mike Coffman (R) introduced a bill Thursday that revises the federal Controlled Substances Act to keep Congress or any federal entities from interfering in legal state marijuana markets.
The two introduced a similar bill in 2012 after Colorado voters first approved the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in the state, but it ultimately failed.
“This bill makes clear that we’re not going back to the days of raids on legal dispensaries, of folks living in fear that they’re not going to get the medical marijuana they need, or that they might get jailed for using it,” DeGette said.
“While I have opposed the legalization of marijuana, the people of Colorado voted for an initiative in 2012 that legalized marijuana and placed it in our state’s constitution,” Coffman said.
“Since it this is clearly not a matter of interstate commerce, I believe that the people of Colorado had every right, under the U.S. Constitution, to decide this issue for themselves and as their representative in Congress, I have an obligation to respect the will of the people of Colorado and that’s why I’m reintroducing this bill with Congresswoman DeGette,” he continued.
Their bill comes a day after U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennet (D), along with a bipartisan group of senators, introduced a bill that would ease regulations on how marijuana businesses are allowed to deal with banks.
It would bar federal regulators from stopping or penalizing a bank from working with legal marijuana businesses or taking away FDIC approval from the bank. It would also stop banks and regulators from barring loans to people operating legal marijuana businesses.
While some Colorado marijuana businesses now allow people to use debit or credit cards, many still operate on cashless ATM or cash-only systems.
“The lack of access to banking services for marijuana businesses is a key issue in Colorado,” Bennet said. “It raises significant public safety concerns for both employees and customers of these businesses and creates compliance and oversight challenges.
Rep. Jared Polis (D) introduced a bill earlier this year that aims to have the feds regulate marijuana like alcohol.
Also introduced in recent weeks was a bill by Virginia Republican Rep. Thomas Garrett, which lifts federal restrictions on medical and recreational marijuana programs and allows states to operate their own. The bill also has support from both sides of the aisle.
Weather hub: Late-season snow blankets much of Front Range
FRONT RANGE – Heavy snow is already falling in the foothills and mountains of the Front Range, and a winter storm warning is in effect for much of the Denver area and northern Colorado through Friday afternoon.
Snow had already fallen across much of the Front Range both north and west of Denver Thursday morning.
Thursday is expected to be wet and slushy in Denver, as rain changes back over to snow late in the morning.
The Denver area is expected to receive between 2 and 6 inches of snow through Friday, as are the western parts of Arapahoe, Adams and Elbert counties.
Denver Public Works officials said Thursday afternoon they will have extra crews on duty through the night to respond to flooding complaints and help clear blocked inlets.
Due to rising water levels, parts of the Cherry Creek Trail were closed near 1st Avenue, according to officials.
VIEW | Current radar conditions
Douglas, Jefferson and Boulder counties could receive between 6 and 12 inches of snow, with higher levels coming as one gets closer to the foothills.
In the mountains, anywhere between 8 and 16 inches of snow is forecast, though the northern mountains could see up to 3 feet in some places.
GALLERY | See photos from this storm as it slams the foothills and metro area.
Rocky Mountain National Park said it was expecting accumulations of up to 3 feet.
The National Weather Service is warning that snow could fall at rates of 1-2 inches per hour in some places.
The Red Cross opened an emergency shelter in Estes Park in case anyone traveling in the area is in need of a warm, safe place from the dropping temperatures. The shelter is located at Presbyterian Community Church, 1700 Brodie Avenue.
Officials with the Town of Estes Park announced Thursday evening offices will be closed Friday due to “deteriorating weather conditions.”
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued a special avalanche advisory at noon Thursday, effective through 5 p.m. Friday, warning anyone traveling in the backcountry that avalanches will be likely over the next several days.
But some places could get even higher totals than forecast.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the storm had already dumped more than 8 inches in most locations across the mountains, with some places receiving close to 2 feet and more coming.
- Copper Mountain to Silverthorne 19″
- Breckenridge 15″
- Grand Mesa 15″
- Aspen area 8 to 10″
- Crested Butte area 6 to 8″
- North San Juan Mountains 8 to 17″ with the highest totals in the Needle Mountains
- South San Juan Mountains 7 to 13″ with the highest totals northwest of Wolf Creek Pass
- Rocky Mountain National Park 14″
- Berthoud, Vail, and Loveland Passes 12″
- Steamboat/Flat Tops 8-12″
Some areas of the Boulder County foothills had already received 26 inches of snow by 2 p.m. Thursday.
26 inches at 2pm, in the NW Boulder County Foothills. Wow! With plenty more to come pic.twitter.com/EVEbmfdFQz
— Cory Reppenhagen (@CRepp7News) May 18, 2017
Some power outages have been reported throughout the day as the heavy, wet snow takes out power lines — particular in northwest Boulder County.
About 1,200 homes were without power in Red Feather Lakes, Livermore, Crystal Lakes, Bellvue, Masonville and surrounding areas, as well as in the foothills, according to Poudre Valley Rural Electrification Administration officials said Wednesday evening.
Homes around Longmont, Loveland and Wellington are also experiencing power outages.
Rolling traffic information
The Colorado Department of Transportation shut down westbound I-70 at the Eisenhower Tunnel around 10:30 a.m. Thursday for a safety closure as heavy snow fell in the area.
It reopened around 11:30 a.m., but heavy delays are expected throughout the day on I-70.
Highway 36 was shut down from Lyons to Estes Park about 30 minutes earlier. Estes Park could see some of the heaviest snowfall in this storm. Highway 34 remains open at this time, though it is expected to close at 1:30 p.m.
U.S. Highway 6 was also closed at Loveland Pass overnight.
Traction laws remain in place along the I-70 mountain corridor.
Traffic was starting to back up in the Monument Hill area along I-25 around 11:15 as well. Colorado State Patrol said heavy delays should be expected throughout the day as snow continues to fall.
You can always look at our traffic page or the CDOT page for the latest road conditions in the state.
For tips on driving in the snow, click here.
Some schools closed, delayed Thursday; events too
The Boulder Valley School District canceled classes at four schools Thursday as weather conditions worsened. Nederland Middle/Senior, Nederland Elementary, Jamestown Elementary and Gold Hill Elementary will be closed. All other schools in the district will be operating as normal, officials said.
Colorado State University decided to close at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, cancelling all classes and events for the rest of the day.
Most of the Colorado state baseball tournament has also been rescheduled, according to CHSAA.
VIEW: Full list of school closures
Jefferson County Public Schools announced at around 3:30 p.m. that some of their graduation events scheduled for Thursday had been moved or rescheduled.
All graduations scheduled at Red Rocks Amphitheater were affected by the weather. The following schools have changed venues:
Bear Creek, Columbine, Golden, Dakota Ridge, Evergreen High and Chatfield high schools have all rescheduled their events. Check each school website for more information about graduation events.
Weather conditions have also prompted school officials in Summit County to cancel classes. All schools in the district are closed Thursday. The district had originally announced a delayed start but moved ahead with a full closure hours later.
No other major school districts in the area are reporting closures. However, some districts have delayed or rescheduled school-related activities, including the state track and field championship.
The meet was going to be held at the Jeffco Stadium Thursday, but officials said track conditions won’t allow for safe competition. The meet has been postponed to Sunday.
Thorntonfest was also cancelled for just the second time in 22 years because Carpenter Park flooded. More information on its closure and other events that are being rearranged in Thornton can be found here.
Late-season snow history
Though late-season snow is not abnormal whatsoever in Colorado, Denver could see some of its higher late-season totals in history in this storm.
The heaviest late snowfall, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder, was a May 25-26, 1950 storm that dumped nearly 11 inches on Denver.
Heaviest late May Snowfalls for Denver (corrected) #cowx pic.twitter.com/1lDj9UUmOu
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) May 17, 2017
The heaviest Denver snow in recent history, according to the weather service, was May 17, 1983, when Denver saw 7.1 inches.
In six out of the last 10 years, May has been the month the Denver area has gotten its last measurable snowfall for the season.
This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest weather conditions. Check on our weather pages, and with the Storm Shield App for the latest updates.
Some Colorado Republican congressmen back away from Trump amid concerns over Russia conduct
DENVER – Two of Colorado’s most-scrutinized Republican members of Congress said Tuesday they have grave concerns about President Donald Trump sharing highly classified information with two high-ranking Russian officials last week.
The responses from Sen. Cory Gardner and Rep. Mike Coffman came after the Washington Post reported the information sharing, which included details on ISIS operations and plans the U.S. had obtained from a sensitive Middle Eastern ally and had yet to share with other close allies, according to the report. Continue reading
Project Unsolved: Police, family still searching for Denver mother of 3 who vanished without a trace
Nearly 11 years ago, a young mother of three living near Sloan’s Lake in Denver left to drop medicine off to one of her sons who was visiting another family member just blocks away. She never arrived at her final destination, and not one of her family members has heard from her since.
Nicholle Torrez was 27 when she disappeared that night—December 14, 2006—and left her mother and young family with a never-ending series of questions, which were only multiplied when a car she had been driving showed up on the other side of the metro area months later. Continue reading
Rep. Mike Coffman says ‘cloud’ hanging over Trump administration, causing polarized Congress
DENVER – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman says the appointment of a special prosecutor in the ongoing probe into Russia’s alleged ties with members of President Trump’s campaign and administration is the only way to cut through the “cloud” hanging over the White House and Congress.
Coffman sat down for a one-on-one interview with Denver7 Friday, moments after White House press secretary Sean Spicer wrapped up a contentious press briefing in which he was grilled over Trump’s statements earlier this week in which he hinted that he had fired former FBI Director James Comey because of the Russia probe. Continue reading
Draft rules for Denver’s social marijuana clubs released; patron waiver draws early concern
DENVER – Businesses looking to get one of Denver’s first-of-its-kind social marijuana consumption permits got their first look Thursday at the stringent draft of rules and regulations they will likely have to adhere to if they want one of the permits.
Denver voters approved Initiative 300 last November, which opens up the possibility for the existence of the clubs. The city, state and local organizations have been hammering out exactly what requirements the businesses have to follow since. Continue reading
Hickenlooper says special session might be coming to address roads, health care funding
DENVER – Colorado’s legislative session ended Wednesday, but the Legislature could be back at the Capitol this month after Gov. John Hickenlooper said Thursday he’s considering calling a special session to address what he sees as shortfalls in addressing transportation and health care budget concerns.
Both parties were able to reach some last-minute bipartisan agreements that brought some money in to address state roads and highways, health care concerns, education issues and construction defects. Continue reading
Some Colo. GOP congressmen want Russia probe to continue, but few call for independent investigators
DENVER – Reaction from Colorado’s Republican members of Congress to FBI Director James Comey’s firing started rolling in Wednesday morning more than half a day after he was fired.
Sen. Cory Gardner, Rep. Scott Tipton and Rep. Mike Coffman all sent out statements Wednesday morning, though none called for the appointment of an independent investigator or counsel to oversee the investigation into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, as did Colorado’s Democratic members of Congress and several other congressional Republicans on Tuesday. Continue reading
Colorado’s Republican members of Congress silent after Comey fired
DENVER – Colorado’s Republican members of Congress sat silent Tuesday after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been in charge of the investigation into whether Russia colluded with administration and campaign members to influence the U.S. election.
The state’s Democrats all called for an independent investigator or commission to be appointed to continue the investigation, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from, then was part of the decision-making team that worked to fire Comey. Continue reading