AUTO CAREENS ACROSS YARDS, HITS HOUSE

An auto veered off Orchard Avenue in Grand Junction, careened through several yards and struck a house, police said. The driver was transported to hospital. "The circumstances of this crash are under investigation," police said.

FIRE DAMAGES EATERY IN ARVADA

An attic fire damaged a restaurant in Olde Town Arvada. No one was hurt in Tuesday's blaze at Yukon Street and Ralston Road, Arvada Fire said. The cause of the fire was electrical. [Photo: Arvada Fire]

COPS FIND WANDERING TODDLER'S PARENTS

UPDATE

Police sought the parents of a toddler found wandering Wednesday in the vicinity of 7th Avenue and 18th Street in Greeley. They were located and reunited with their child after about 10 or 15 minutes. The toddler was unharmed.

RESIDENT, DOGS, BIRD ESCAPE CENTENNIAL HOUSE FIRE

Fire broke out Wednesday in the attic of a home at 3594 East Lake Drive in Centennial. No injuries were reported. One resident, two dogs and a bird were "safely evacuated," South Metro Fire said. The cause was under investigation. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

DENVER WATER ISSUES MAJOR DROUGHT WARNING

Denver Water is bracing for a severe drought amid a record-low mountain snowpack and "tightening its financial belt," officials said Wednesday.

The snowpack accounts for 90% of its water supply. 

"If the situation doesn’t improve dramatically in the next few months, it is likely that customers will be asked to save more water to preserve water levels during drought conditions," the utility said. 

Denver Water depends solely on revenue from customers and is deferring or delaying equipment purchases, maintenance projects and contracted services and has slowed the pace of hiring.

DENVER FINALIST FOR DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Denver is among five cities named by the Democratic National Committee as finalists to host the party’s 2028 national convention, Colorado Newsline reports. Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia were also selected. 

BOYFRIEND ACCUSED IN GREELEY SHOOTING, STANDOFF

A man accused of shooting his girlfriend's adult son surrendered after a brief standoff in Greeley, police said Wednesday.

The shooting occurred during a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in the 1700-block of 6th Avenue on Tuesday. Police said: "A 'Reverse 911' was issued at 4:23 p.m., advising nearby residents to shelter in place. Following 25 minutes of negotiation, the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident, lifting the shelter order. His identity is currently being withheld to protect the victims' privacy." If you have any information, contact Detective Collin Losasso at collin.losasso@greeleypd.com

TWO ACCUSED OF STARTING WILDFIRE IN SOUTHERN COLORADO

Deputies arrested Collin Bates and Jana Dunn, accused of starting last month's Lascar wildfire in Huerfano County, the sheriff's office said Wednesday. They were apprehended Tuesday. The fire broke out Feb. 24.

COLORADO BRAIN SURGEON INJURED IN POLICE SHOOTOUT IN FLORIDA

A "defiant" brain surgeon accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in Grand Junction was injured in a shootout with police.
Thomas Steffens, 72, was taken into custody on Monday in Vero Beach, Florida, and is expected to survive his wounds, according to Grand Junction police. A deputy U.S. marshal was shot in the leg. The surgeon's Colorado medical license is listed as active but restricted, according to state records. The alleged assault occurred Jan. 28. Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said: "When we finally did take him into custody, he was still defiant. He was still raising his middle finger at our deputies. He was still actively working against us, even though he had been shot four times." 

[Photo: Martin County Sheriff's Office]

MOB TOWN: AUGIE MARINO'S LAST RIDE

Somebody didn't like Augie Marino's cooking. Or so it would seem.

As an inmate chef at the Denver Jail, the bootlegger's reviews were the best: "Marino - now, he’s a cook to get enthusiastic about.” “He gets up at 4 a. m. to mix up hot cakes on Sunday and fry us eggs.” “He keeps his kitchen as clean as a plate.” 

In the end it didn't matter. He had enemies, hot cakes aside.

Marino, 23, a trusted lieutenant of slain Denver mob boss Joe "Little Caesar" Roma, was taken for a "Chicago Ride," shot dead and dumped in a ditch in Adams County in May 1933. Tire tracks indicated the killers returned to Denver.

Marino was on crutches following an earlier attempt on his life, the Rocky Mountain News said. It may have been retribution for a truck hijacking. It may have had something to do with the Roma killing. The case went cold.

Two .45-caliber bullets pierced Marino’s skull. Powder burns were visible. Marino’s face bore evidence of a severe beating. He also carried a bill for $100.50 from the Physicians and Surgeons Hospital from the previous shooting.

Marino’s mother, Mrs. Rosie Marinaro resided at 3630 Osage Street in Denver. She told police her son, who took his meals at her home, had gone on a walk. 

He had a lengthy criminal record.

[Photo: Police mugshot]

DEPUTY LOCATES MISSING DEMENTIA PATIENT, WALKS HER HOME

An Arapahoe County deputy located a missing dementia patient shortly after she walked away from an assisted living center on East Ida Court on Monday. The retired teacher, age 90, was at a nearby elementary school. She was safe and the deputy walked her home. "It seemed her heart simply led her back to a place of memories," the sheriff's office said. [Photo: Arapahoe County Sheriff]

COPS RECOVER $200,000 IN ROMANCE SCAM

Authorities recovered $200,000 snagged in a lonely heart romance scam, according to Westminster police.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation worked on the case. The scammer used a fake.
"Detectives discovered a bank account containing a substantial portion of the victim’s funds that had been frozen by a financial institution," police said.
"Detectives obtained a seizure warrant and submitted it to the bank," police said. "A significant portion of the stolen money was recovered, and the victim received a check for $200,000."
"This outcome is extremely rare in scam investigations and serves as an important reminder," police said. "If something feels suspicious, it probably is. ALWAYS verify before sending money."
They added: "This happens more than you would think."

DENVER BOMB SQUAD CALLED FOR 'HOAX ' GRENADE IN STOLEN AUTO

Denver's bomb squad disposed of a disturbing discovery inside a stolen auto - a realistic but "hoax" grenade.

A suspect was stopped by patrol officers in the 2200-block of North Roslyn Street on Feb. 14, police disclosed Tuesday. He was wanted on an active flight warrant and arrested. Then they found the frightening device.

Police provided this account of the incident:

"Officers observed a male suspect removing license plates and entering the vehicle. When they attempted to contact the suspect, he fled into a nearby house and attempted to shut the door on officers. "Officers were able to prevent him from barricading himself in the residence and safely took him into custody. During a search of the stolen vehicle, officers discovered a suspected live grenade. "The Bomb Unit responded and safely recovered the device which looked viable. Upon additionally investigation, the device was found to be a hoax."
Police didn't release the name of the suspect.

[Photos: Denver Police]

BLAZE BREAKS OUT IN DENVER'S CAPITOL HILL

Denver firefighters battled a basement blaze Tuesday near 16th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in the Capitol Hill district. No injuries were reported, the fire department said. [Photo: Denver Fire]

MOB TOWN: 'SMALDONES THREATEND MY LIFE ONCE'

After police raided his fashionable Grant Street apartment in October 1951, veteran bookie Lester Laughlin, 75, boasted how he scammed Denver's top mobsters - the Smaldone brothers.

Clyde and Checkers Smaldone were muscling Laughlin out of their bookmaking wire operation at Midwest Brokerage Co. at 5900 North Federal Boulevard in Adams County. They had brought him into it in 1949.

Laughlin - who once worked for racing biggies Moe Annenberg and Jimmy Ragan - retained solid contacts in the east and used a "tip" to trick the Smaldones.

He urged the brothers to bet on a 12-1 shot in a fixed race at a track in New Jersey - without telling them that the race was fixed. They bit, they bet - and they lost $1,200, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

They had no idea they had been the victims of a flim-flam.

The Smaldone's wire room took wagers from 30 or 40 more bookies operating from a variety of venues across the Denver area - from bars to hotels and clubs.

Back on his own, Laughlin did well. He booked about $600 to $1,000 on a typical day from his Camellia House apartment at 1235 Grant Street - equipped with seven telephone lines.

His old employers envied his success. Laughlin - according to Grand Jury Investigator Jack Gilmore - said “the Smaldones threatened my life once, but I'm not afraid of them.”

Laughlin pleaded guilty to gambling charges, paid a $150 fine - and presumably left town. “There must have been payoffs to officials in Denver because you can't operate that widely without it,” he said of the Smaldone operation.

COPS SEEK CLUES IN JEWELRY STORE THEFT IN VAIL

Police want to question this woman regarding a jewelry theft in Vail.

They said an aquamarine blue and gold Julie Voss bracelet was snatched from a display case at 11:37 a.m. Sunday at LaNae Fine Jewelry at 1 Williow Bridge Road in Vail Village. The bracelet read "Julie Tennis." If you have information, contact Officer Blake Gould (970) 479-2201 or bgould@vail.gov [Photo: Vail Police]

MEDICAL HELICOPTER MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN SILVER CLIFF

A medical helicopter made an emergency landing early Tuesday in Silver Cliff in south central Colorado, officials said. The crew of three was safe. There was no patient aboard. A Custer County deputy "transported the three helicopter crew members to a hotel in Westcliffe, where they stayed overnight," the sheriff's office said. "A mechanic was dispatched to the area to repair the helicopter. The sheriff’s office also said it is "grateful this incident resulted in no injuries, and we appreciate the cooperation of all involved as the helicopter is returned to service." [Map: Wikipedia]

HUNT FOR SOUTHERN COLORADO MURDER SUSPECT

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and local authorities are searching for a suspect in a murder in southern Colorado.

Fernando Rodriguez, 44, of Alamosa, is believed to be driving a green 1995 Subaru Station Wagon with Colorado license plate AXO-F61, officials said.

The public is advised not to approach the suspect.

The killing occurred Monday at a home in the 3000-block of Lincoln Avenue in Alamosa County, officials said. The victim, a man, was 49.

Deputies interviewed a woman who called 911.

If you have information, call the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office (719) 589-5807.

[Photo: CBI]

DOPE DEALERS SENTENCED TO PRISON IN FENTANYL DEATHS

Thomas Galiano III, 26, and Hailee Anne Helton, 26, both of Colorado Springs, were sentenced to prison for selling fentanyl that caused two deaths in October 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

A man, age 31, died at the Mountain View Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs. A woman, age 18, died at a home on Park Road in the Town of Rye.

Galiano was sentenced to 144 months and Helton 168 months. They also sold 16 fentanyl pills to an undercover police officer for $150.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said: “We remain unwavering in our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who profit from poisoning our community.”

SHE'S READY FOR DUTY IN GRAND JUNCTION

Say hello to K-9 Brisa, a loyal member of the Grand Junction Police Department.

[Photo: Grand Junction Police]

FIRE HITS SAWDUST FACTORY IN FORT LUPTON

Fort Lupton firefighters extinguished a blaze in a pine log shaver used to manufacture sawdust. No injuries were reported in Monday's incident, officials said.

[Photo: Fort Lupton Fire]

'BEAR' THIS IN MIND AS SPRING APPROACHES

It's breakfast time for bears emerging from their winter snooze. "They’re looking for easy food sources after months of hibernation, and unfortunately unsecured trash, open garages, bird feeders, and pet food can attract them into neighborhoods," according to the Louisville Police Department.

Suggestions:

• Secure trash inside a garage or shed until the morning of pickup

• Remove bird feeders during active bear months

• Keep garage doors closed, especially overnight

• Clean grills after each use

• Bring pet food indoors

• Lock vehicle doors

COPS STEPPING UP TRANSIT SECURITY IN FORT COLLINS

Fort Collins police will patrol the transit system to guard against disruptive behavior. Police are targeting the MAX Guideway corridor. Police Chief Jeff Swoboda: "Oftentimes there’s a mental health or addiction component to these behaviors."

FIRE HITS RESTAURANT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Fire struck a restaurant Monday in Jefferson County, West Metro Fire said.
911 callers spotted flames on the roof of the eatery on West San Juan Way near Kipling Street.

"The fire had started in the kitchen and traveled through the hood ventilation system," officials said. "All patrons and employees evacuated safely, there were no injuries." [Photo: West Metro Fire]

PERSON STABBED IN DENVER

A person was stabbed Monday in the 1400-block of North Race Street in Denver, police said. The victim was transported to hospital. Police were seeking a suspect. No other information was released by police.

CRASH RESCUE AT 43rd & FEDERAL IN DENVER

Firefighters freed a person from this wreck in the vicinity of 43rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Denver over the weekend, the fire department said.

[Photos: Denver Fire Department]

STATE PATROL ISSUES PHOTO OF PONDER WRECK

This is an official state patrol photo of the crash that killed University of Colorado football player Dominiq Ponder, 23, in Boulder County. His Tesla Model 3 rolled down an embankment along Baseline Road early Sunday, the patrol said.

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

WANTED BY PUEBLO COUNTY SHERIFF

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is seeking the identities of two trespassing suspects. The incident occurred in the Town of Rye, which is 32 miles southwest of Pueblo. The sheriff's office didn't provide a date or a time of the incident.

If you have information call, (719) 583-6250 and reference #5597 or call Pueblo Crime Stoppers (719) 542-7867.

GOVERNOR ON ESCORT BILL: SUPPORTS ADULTS' RIGHTS TO MAKE OWN DECISIONS

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signaled he may possibly sign a bill that would drop criminal penalties for privately selling or paying for sex between adults across the state.

The legislation would make Colorado the most permissive of U.S. states.

The governor "will review this bill as it moves through the process but supports an adult’s right to make their own decisions about their bodies,” a spokesperson said last month.

“He also wants to better understand how any changes to this area of law can also better protect against crimes such as human trafficking,” the spokesperson said.

The bill "expressly preempts statutory or home rule city, town, city and county, or county ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or codes criminalizing commercial sexual activity," the Colorado General Assembly said.

However, "the bill maintains current state criminal penalties for pandering that involves menacing or criminal intimidation and for pimping."

CU FOOTBALL PLAYER PONDER DIES IN FIERY WRECK

University of Colorado football player Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday in a fiery auto accident in Boulder County, the state patrol said.

Ponder, 23, of Opa Locka, Florida, was the sole occupant of a Tesla Model 3 that veered off westbound Baseline Road near Newland Court at 3 a.m.

University Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders said on social media: "Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader."   

The state patrol said: "The Tesla went across the eastbound lane and hit a guardrail. The vehicle continued through the guardrail. The Tesla then struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment landing on its wheels and catching on fire. The driver was pronounced dead on scene."

Ponder, a backup quarterback, saw action in two games during the 2025 season and made his collegiate debut against Arizona.

[Photo: University of Colorado]

POLICE ARREST YOUTH IN ELIZABETH BLAZE

Police arrested a youth suspected of causing a rapidly spreading grass fire that threatened homes in the Legacy Village subdivision on Feb. 27, police said. No injuries were reported. Homes on Yankee Boy Loop were evacuated. [Photo: Elizabeth Police]

DOBBY IS CERTAINLY WORTH LOOKING UP TO

Meet Dobby, the Denver Zoo giraffe. He just turned 9.

[Photo: Denver Zoo]

FLAMES SPREAD TO HOME IN NORTH DENVER

A fire in an outbuilding spread to a home in North Denver, the fire department said. One person was treated for smoke inhalation at Saturday's blaze.

[Photo: Denver Fire]

COPS ARREST FELON ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING BOUNTY HUNTER

Police arrested a fugitive accused of assaulting a bounty hunter early Sunday in Rifle.
Jose Ubaldo Amaya-Guzman, 42 - sought for domestic violence, assault and failure to appear - was captured after "jumping multiple fences" wearing only "colorful basketball shorts," Rifle police said. The suspect was taken to the Garfield County Jail. Police made no mention of the condition of the bounty hunter. [Photo: Rifle Police]

HOUSE FIRE BREAKS OUT IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

Fire broke out Sunday at a home at 462 Helena Circle in unincorporated Douglas County, South Metro Fire said. No one was hurt. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

FATAL ASSAULT IN DENVER; SUSPECT SOUGHT

A man was fatally injured in an assault early Sunday in Denver, police said.

The incident was reported at about 2 a.m. in the 9700-block of East Hampden Avenue and the victim was pronounced dead at hospital. The assailant was at large and police said they are "investigating this as a homicide."
If you have information, call Denver Crimestoppers at (720) 913-7867.

JULIUS CAESAR BLAZES DOWN DENVER'S BROADWAY

"Julius Caesar" bolted from the intersection of 20th Street and Broadway in Denver with a flaming wagon in tow.

The dairy delivery horse panicked when an oil stove inside the wagon exploded while the driver was delivering a bottle of milk.

A passerby turned in the fire alarm.

"As Julius kicked up the snow in a burst of speed down a busy avenue, scattering bottles of milk, six fire trucks took up the pursuit," the United Press reported.

Or as the Rocky Mountain News put it: "They saw the fire careening down Broadway."

The firemen corralled poor old Julius at Colfax Avenue, the News reported in its Dec. 21, 1929, edition - assuring readers he "suffered only from fright."

[Photo: Denver Public Library]

GREELEY POLICE CHIEF CLEARED IN CRASH

The state patrol cleared Greeley's police chief in a traffic accident that injured a teenage bicycle rider and charged the youth with failing to yield to traffic. The accident occurred on West 26th Street on Feb. 15. Chief Adam Turk was off duty.

GRAND JURY SAYS NO SUICIDE; INDICTS HUSBAND IN MURDER IN BENNETT

An Arapahoe County grand jury indicted Ronald Elton Lowry, 52, with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Richelle - a case initially considered a possible suicide, prosecutors said Friday.

Deputies found the woman's body inside her home in Bennett after she failed to report to work Oct. 26, 2023. She suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. The deputies broke into the locked dwelling to gain access.

"Although the death initially raised questions over whether it was a suicide, it was later determined to be a homicide based on an extensive investigation involving forensic analysis and digital evidence review," according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

The suspect was booked into the Morgan County Jail on Friday and also faces charges of stalking and tampering with evidence, prosecutors said.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Dial 988 - the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

FIRE STOPPED AFTER BRIEF EVACUATION IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

Firefighters stopped an eight-acre brush fire in Douglas County on Friday after going door-to-door delivering evacuation notices. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported in the blaze near Merryvale Trail, South Metro Fire said.

[Photo: South Metro Fire]

MORE THAN 70 GUNS REMOVED AFTER EVICTION

Police collected more than 70 guns left behind during an eviction in Brighton. The incident occurred at an apartment on South 18th Avenue on Feb. 19, police said.

[Photo: Brighton Police]

BICYCLE RIDER KILLED IN NIWOT COLLISION

A dump truck and bicycle collided Friday killing the bicycle rider. The accident occurred at the intersection of Diagonal Highway and Niwot Road in Niwot, Mountain View Fire said. [Photo: Mountain View Fire]

COLD CASE: FEBRUARY 1970 MURDER OF CHEERLEADER MARILEE BURT

On Feb. 27, 1970, a road crew found the body cheerleader Marilee Ruth Burt, 15, beneath a bridge in Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County.

She had been strangled and suffered a blow to her skull, the Rocky Mountain News said. Her clothes and personal property were missing and there was evidence of sexual assault. The gruesome discovery was made about a mile east of Phillipsburg.

Burt vanished the evening before. She was walking home after a basketball game at Goddard Middle School in Littleton. She was last sighted talking to a person in a large, blue or green late model pickup truck along South Middlefield Road after trekking on Berry Drive and Bowles Avenue. 

The murder has never been solved - and the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is actively pursuing leads in the case more than a half century later.

"In 1998, the case was formally reviewed and evidence collected in 1970 was submitted for DNA testing," the sheriff's office said this week. "While investigators pursued multiple leads, subsequent analysis eliminated those individuals as suspects."

The ninth grader and her family resided at 30 Wedge Way in Columbine Valley. Her father was the general manager of an auto dealership.

At the time of the murder, police saw similarities to the March 1968 strangling death of an Englewood High School student who was also walking home. The body Constance Marie Paris, 18, was found in a gully in Bear Creek Park. The Paris murder went cold, too.

If you have even the smallest bit of information to share, contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (303) 795-4711 or Coldcase@arapahoegov.com

[Photos: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office]

STRUCTURES ABLAZE IN FORT LUPTON

Fire struck several outbuildings and spread to a field in the Fort Lupton area on Thursday. No injuries were reported at the blaze at Weld County Road 37 and Highway 52. Fort Lupton Fire and Hudson Fire responded to the alarm.

[Photo: Fort Lupton Fire]

FREDDY GARZON FACES 72 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ROLE IN MAJOR BUGLARY RING

A jury in Arapahoe County convicted Freddy Giovanni Castro Garzon, 45, for his role in a sophisticated burglary ring targeting homes of Asian business owners across Colorado - and making off with cash, jewelry and designer items.

To select potential targets, more than a dozen crooks followed the movements owners of liquor stores, restaurants and nail salons, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney.

Prosecutors said: "Suspects used sophisticated methods to avoid detection. These methods included disabling or disrupting Wi-Fi-based security systems, using multiple vehicles during the commission of crimes, switching or displaying fictitious license plates, and conducting coordinated surveillance in advance of attempted burglaries." 

Crimes occurred in Adams County, Arapahoe County, Arvada, Aurora, Broomfield, Denver, Fort Collins, Jefferson County, Lakewood, Longmont, Mesa County, Parker, Thornton, Westminster and Windsor between 2023 and 2025.

Detectives collected evidence at pawn shops, received court approval to place tracking devices on autos associated with the burglary ring, analyzed surveillance video and evaluated information collected by automated license plate readers.

Garzon faces up to 72 years behind bars. His three-week trial included testimony from dozens of witnesses and more than 900 exhibits. 

[Photo: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office]

DENVER ZOO'S JOEY IS OUT OF THE POUCH

The Denver Zoo's adorable Huon tree kangaroo joey is out of his mother's pouch and exploring the world beyond. "When this little guy was born in late July 2025, he was roughly the size of a jellybean," the zoo said. "He instinctively climbed up into Pearl's pouch where he spent the next several months growing and developing.

"Seven months later, he's exploring outside the pouch."

[Photos: Denver Zoo]

FIRE GUTS HOME, SPREADS TO BRUSH IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Fanned by wind, flames destroyed a home Thursday in the wilds of Golden Gate Canyon and spread to grass and trees. The blaze broke out in the 10600-block of Ralston Creek Road, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. No injuries were reported. Firefighters contained the burn to less than an acre, officials said. A pre-evacuation notice for Drew Hill Road and Spirit Horse Trail was lifted at 1 p.m., officials said. [Photo: Jefferson County Sheriff]

MOUNTAIN SNOW JAMS I-70 WHILE SUN SHINES ON DENVER

UPDATE

While the sun shined on Denver, snow jammed I-70 in Clear Creek County during Thursday morning's rush hour. No one was hurt in this wreck. On social media, the sheriff's office described conditions as "crappy" on the west side of the county.

[Photo: Clear Creek County Sheriff]

WOLVES STEERING CLEAR OF HUBBUB OF DENVER

Tracking data collected by Colorado Parks and Wildlife show migrating wolves are steering clear of Denver but closing in on Pueblo and nearing Colorado Springs.

[Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife]

PARKER COPS STOP NEWBIE SPEEDING AT 91

Parker police stopped a teen speeding at 91 in a 35-mph zone. The boy, 17, "gets to have an awful conversation with his parents, lose his driver’s license and have insane insurance rates when he gets his license back," police said. An adult would face jail.

COLORADO'S BEARS ARE SPENDING MORE TIME IN TRASH BINS, DATA SUGGEST

Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 5,299 bear sightings and reports of troublemaking last year - about 300 more than a year earlier. Trash continues to be the No. 1 draw. Almost half of the incidents resulted in property damage.

SKILL BUILDING AT WORK SITE IN DENVER

Firefighters and construction workers trained at a building site in Denver on rescuing a patient with a crane and specialized equipment. The site is operated by PCL Construction.

[Photos: Denver Fire Department]

FIREFIGHTERS OF SKY SWOOP OVER DOUGLAS COUNTY

Firefighting jet makes a run through the haze of Tuesday's wildfire in Douglas County.

[Photo: South Metro Fire]

HIKER MAKES GRISLY FIND IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

A hiker found human remains in a remote area of Douglas County, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.

Deputies hunted for evidence - with Douglas County Search and Rescue and the El Paso County Search and Rescue K9 team - near Crowfoot Valley Road and Pradera Parkway.

No other information was released.

[Photo: Douglas County Sheriff's Office]

FIREFIGHTERS HURT AS BLAZES ERUPT IN CITY, ON PRAIRIE

Four firefighters were injured battling a wind-driven wildfire that erupted Wednesday in Thornton.

A civilian was also injured in the 10-acre blaze, which broke out at about 11:30 a.m. near West 84th Avenue and Huron Street, forcing evacuations, damaging businesses and burning a row of autos. 

Students at Pinnacle High School were among the evacuees. Police went door-to-door warning residents and businesses.

A tidal wave of black smoke halted midday traffic on I-25 as fire crews from across the Denver area extinguished the blaze. The cause was under investigation.

In Logan County, a prairie fire ignited by an auto accident scorched between 3,500 and 4,000 acres. The little town of Padroni was evacuated.

No injuries were reported. No buildings or livestock were lost. Firefighters from northeast Colorado and western Nebraska contained the flames.

[Photos: City of Thornton, Westminster Police]

Photos illustrate extent of Thornton fire

COPS ARREST 3, SEIZE 2 GUNS IN WESTMINSTER

Westminster police arrested three people and seized a stolen gun and an illegal ghost gun after responding to a report of gunfire. No one was hurt. Bullets struck several autos. The incident occurred near 115th Avenue and Pecos Street on Feb 13.

'DU' YOU KNOW ME? DENVER'S ZOO NAMES ITS NEW KUDU

The Denver Zoo officially named its lesser kudu - "Ella." She was born Jan. 5 and is bonding with the herd. [Photo: Denver Zoo]