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CBS Colorado

Governor’s executive order threatening loss of funding draws fire for overriding local housing control
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local, State

Governor’s executive order threatening loss of funding draws fire for overriding local housing control

By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is putting local governments on notice: Either they comply with state housing laws, or they risk losing at least $100 million a year in state funding. The governor signed an executive order that takes the battle over local control to a new level. Over the last two years, he's signed bills regarding residential occupancy limits and accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented communities and manufactured homes, and even limits on staircases and parking spots. But not everyone is on board with the new laws. Some local governments have flat out refused to comply. So the governor is upping the ante. "What we are doing now is making sure we are putting our money where our mouth is," Gov. Polis told CBS Colorado.  Polis signed an ex...
Radio outage at Denver Air Traffic Control Center, FAA points to antiquated system and staffing levels
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local, National

Radio outage at Denver Air Traffic Control Center, FAA points to antiquated system and staffing levels

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a radio failure at the Denver Air Traffic Control Center, which covers approximately 285,000 square miles of airspace covering parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The outage temporarily affected communications Monday. According to the FAA, both transmitters that cover a segment of airspace went down around 1:50 p.m., causing a loss of communications to part of the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center for about 90 seconds. The FAA said the outage affected some flights approaching Denver International Airport. They said the controllers used another frequency to communicate with pilots, and that all aircraft remained safely separated...
Teen in U.S. illegally gets probation after killing Colorado woman at 90 mph
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Teen in U.S. illegally gets probation after killing Colorado woman at 90 mph

By Shaun Boyd | CBS News The Arapahoe District Attorney's Office is defending its decision to give probation and community service to a teenager who was driving illegally and, in the country illegally, when he killed a woman.    The accident happened last July in Aurora. The victim, Kaitlyn Weaver, was headed home from work when a Jeep, barreling through a residential neighborhood, slammed into her car. The speed limit in the area was 45 mph. Investigators say the driver was doing more than 90 mph. "She didn't even see him coming," her dad, John Weaver, said. "That's how fast he was going. She was effectively killed instantly." He says he and his wife Michelle removed their daughter from life support 2 days later, "How do you fathom that loss?"   Weaver says h...
Nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in drug trafficking operation on Colorado’s Western Slope
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Nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in drug trafficking operation on Colorado’s Western Slope

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Seven people have been arrested, accused in a drug trafficking operation in Garfield County on Colorado's Western Slope. According to investigators, approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, three ounces of cocaine, nine-and-a-half pounds of fentanyl powder, and approximately 220 fentanyl pills, along with a firearm, were seized. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said that suspects Sindy Vazquez Martinez and Osbaldo Ramirez-Andrade operated a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and additional illegal drugs from Frisco to Rifle. Investigators said that they used their residence in Glenwood Springs, located 185 yards from the front door of the Glenwood Springs Middle School and 60 yards from school property, as a base t...
“Sitting on a powder keg”: Opponents slam SB25-276 for shielding illegal aliens, risking federal funds
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

“Sitting on a powder keg”: Opponents slam SB25-276 for shielding illegal aliens, risking federal funds

By Shaun Boyd | CBS News Colorado A bill aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants in Colorado has created a firestorm at the Colorado State Capitol. Supporters say it's about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone regardless of citizenship. Opponents, including Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, say it would protect dangerous criminals. He says if the bill becomes law, his deputies will have to choose between enforcing state law and losing federal funding or enforcing federal law and facing thousands of dollars in fines. Mikesell says lawmakers are presenting a false narrative. "I want to dispel rumors and myths that really the legislators are presenting in testimony," he said. He says he has worked with federal immigration agents for nearly three decades and...
Operation Take Back America: Illegal immigrants charged after hauling 180K rounds of ammo into Colorado
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local, National

Operation Take Back America: Illegal immigrants charged after hauling 180K rounds of ammo into Colorado

By Logan Smith | CBS News Colorado Two residents of Mexico were recently arrested in Colorado while transporting 180,000 rounds of large-caliber ammunition. They were pulled over after driving toward deputies and failing to dim their van's headlights.  Two Fremont County detectives were driving on State Highway 50 in Cañon City on March 26, according to a federal arrest affidavit. The van was coming in the opposite direction and left its headlights on the highest setting as it passed the deputies' vehicle. It is against Colorado state law for a driver to fail to dim his or her vehicle's headlights when there is oncoming traffic within 500 feet of it. The detectives followed the white GMC passenger van to a gas station and pulled in behind it.  Both men inside the van ...
Greeley to vote on future of new hockey stadium and entertainment district, suggested to be “regional hub” of Northern Colorado
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Greeley to vote on future of new hockey stadium and entertainment district, suggested to be “regional hub” of Northern Colorado

By Dillon Thomas | CBS Colorado The City of Greeley is looking to develop what some are calling a "regional hub" for Northern Colorado, and the project could come one step closer to reality on Tuesday night. Greeley's City Council will vote Tuesday night on whether or not to approve a predevelopment agreement that would move forward a proposal to build an arena in western Greeley. The proposal is largely driven by The Water Valley Company, which owns the minor league hockey team, the Colorado Eagles. The team currently plays in the Blue Arena in Loveland. Greeley City Manager Raymond Lee told CBS News Colorado that bringing an entertainment district to Greeley is important for many voters. "I think the citizens of Greeley have spoken and been very loud and clear that they want ...
Courtroom clash: Activist claims retaliation, ICE cites years of evasion
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Courtroom clash: Activist claims retaliation, ICE cites years of evasion

By Jasmine Arenas | CBS Colorado A lawyer representing Colorado immigrants' rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra claims Vizguerra's 1st Amendment Rights are being abridged by her detainment. They argue that her detention was retaliatory, linked to her criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and her activism. As a result, a court hearing scheduled for Friday was canceled, and U.S. District Judge Nina Wang instead set a status conference. The allegations came as the status conference unfolded. Vizguerra's counsel and the US Attorney have been preparing to argue over the legality of Vizguerra's detainment by ICE authorities since March 17. "This isn't about making America safer or making our borders more secure. This is about chaos," said Vizguerra's attorney, Laura Lichter. "...
Denver City Council leaders reject $3 million contract with Salvation Army for homeless services
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Denver City Council leaders reject $3 million contract with Salvation Army for homeless services

By Gabriela Vidal | CBS Colorado Former case managers have spoken out about working conditions in Denver's homeless shelters. Now, city council members are rejecting a new contract with the Salvation Army. "I'm thankful I left when I did," said one former case manager who spoke with CBS Colorado on the condition of anonymity. That is the sentiment shared among three former case managers, after working in one of the city of Denver's homeless shelters, managed by the Salvation Army. Each of the three former case managers chose to remain anonymous as they have since taken other jobs in a similar field.  "When I walked out and got into my truck on my last night, I broke down into tears because it just felt like the stress was off my shoulders finally," said one of the ...
Colorado man facing multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a child, distributing child sexual abuse material
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Colorado man facing multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a child, distributing child sexual abuse material

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado A man from Boulder County has been arrested and is facing multiple charges for allegedly distributing child sexual assault material. After the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was notified of the material they determined the suspect likely lived in Boulder County. One of their investigators at the Boulder County Digital Forensics lab identified Matthew Howard Cory of Lafayette as a suspect in the case. Once they obtained a warrant, Detectives and Boulder County SWAT team members searched Cory's home in the 1100 block of Chiron Street. They reportedly seized several electronic devices and determined that Cory had been distributing child sexual assault material. Authorities arrested Cory on March 14 and booked him into the Bou...