COLD CASE: MYSTERY DEATH BY CYANIDE

On Oct. 10, 1957, the E&E Ambulance Service was called to the Beazell residence on LaSalle Street in Colorado Springs.

The ambulance crew found Dorothy Allen Beazell, 50, unconscious and her physician husband, James, attempting to revive her. A nurse provided help as did police and firefighters - but Mrs. Beazell was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy found cyanide in her body. The case is a mystery.

Dorothy Beazell is buried next to her husband at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. He died a few months later on Feb. 7, 1958. He was 49.

If you have information, contact the Colorado Springs Police Department (719) 444-7000.

[Photo: Fina A Grave]

COPS STOP 20 AUTOS IN LARIMER COUNTY CRACKDOWN

In Larimer County, deputies conducted a "high visibility" crackdown Wednesday, stopping 20 vehicles and issuing 14 warnings for a variety of violations, including expired tags. Six motorists were ticketed for speeding in the vicinity of Whitney Road and Dell Range Boulevard.

DMV OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FEB. 16, 17 & 18

Colorado DMV offices will be closed next Tuesday and Wednesday for staff training on a computer system set for installation over the weekend, offcials said. DMV offices will also be closed Monday for Presidents' Day.

STATE PATROL REPORTS ON KAYLEE RUSSELL CRASH TRAGEDY NEAR TIMNATH

The Colorado State Patrol issued a report Wednesday on the mystery crash that killed Kaylee Russell - tying texting, marijuana and speeding to the tragedy.

Russell, 20, of Ault, went missing Nov. 29. Her body was found Dec. 4 inside her wrecked Volkswagen Tiguan in a canal along Larimer County Road 1 near Timnath. Authorities conducted an extensive search and appealed to the public for help in a gripping drama.

"Following receipt of the toxicology report on the driver, marijuana use was confirmed, and impairment is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash," the state patrol said.

"The driver was traveling 60 miles per hour in a curve with an advised speed of 25 miles per hour and was actively using a mobile device to send text messages at the time of the crash," the patrol said.

Investigators determined Russell's "Tiguan failed to negotiate the curve and drove off the right side of the road, where there was a large embankment for a canal. The Tiguan went up the steep embankment, colliding with a utility marker, continuing up the embankment. The Tiguan rolled into the canal, coming to rest on its roof, partially submerged in water," the patrol said. 

Russell died of blunt force trauma and exposure to the cold, the Larimer County Medical Examiner's Office said in December. 

[Image: Colorado Bureau of Investigation]

'A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME': SHARING SECRET AT DENVER ZOO

Two coconut lorikeets pecked out of their eggs at the Denver Zoo over Christmas week. "Lorikeet chicks hatch featherless, with closed eyes and rely entirely on their parents for their first few weeks of life," the zoo said. "They grow quickly and typically fledge in about eight weeks. "Now just over a month old, these two are developing well and remain safely tucked away in their parents' nest box behind the scenes," the zoo said. Coconut lorikeets are native to the South Pacific. [Photo: Denver Zoo]

SPARKS FLYING AT DENVER HOUSE FIRE

The Denver Fire Department issued a photo Tuesday of firefighters hard at work at a house fire, including a crew member cutting through bars on a basement window. The fire department did not provide the location or date of the fire or report on injuries.

[Photo: Denver Fire Department]

NORTHGLENN WRECK: AUTO FLIPS ON I-25

In Northglenn, an auto flipped Tuesday night on the northbound I-25 off-ramp at 120th Avenue, causing serious injuries, police said.

[Photo: Northglenn police]

DENVER COPS SEIZE FENTANYL AFTER DRIVER FLUBS TURN SIGNAL

Police seized more than 100 suspected fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, a digital scale and cash when they stopped an auto for a simple traffic violation in Denver. The driver - who police say failed to properly use a turn signal - was arrested for investigation of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The vehicle also had illegal window tint, which first drew police attention. The incident occurred on Feb. 6 in the vicinity of West 14th Avenue and North Federal Boulevard.

HOUSE FIRE BREAKS OUT IN WEST DENVER

Firefighters extinguished a house fire Tuesday in a West Denver neighborhood. No injuries were reported. Fire officials didn't provide the street address of the photo.

[Photo: Denver Fire Department]

COP COMPLETES FOOD DELIVERY AFTER DRIVER BUSTED IN WHEAT RIDGE

A thoughtful cop completed a food order after a Door Dash driver was stopped and taken into custody in Wheat Ridge.

Police pulled over the delivery car near Wadsworth Boulevard and West 38th Avenue for an expired license tag and "after running the driver’s name, it turned out he had a warrant for his arrest, so we took him to jail" officials said Tuesday. Dinner was served Feb. 3. [Photo: Wheat Ridge police]

AUTOS ABLAZE IN COLORADO SPRINGS

Fire consumed several vehicles early Tuesday in Colorado Springs - sending a plume of smoke over parts of the city. 

The blaze occurred in the vicinity of East Polk Street and North Nevada Avenue, the fire department said. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

[Photos: Colorado Springs Fire Department]

HE'S ACCUSED OF BREAKING INTO 38 AUTOS

Police arrested Gage Collins-Conran, 19, accused of breaking into 38 autos across Grand Junction over the past month. Many of the autos were "unlocked and vulnerable," police said. The suspect faces 38 counts of First-Degree Criminal Trespass of a Motor Vehicle along with charges of Theft, Criminal Possession of a Financial Device as well as other crimes.

FATAL I-70 CRASH IN DENVER

A person was fatally injured in a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday on I-70 westbound near Havana Street in Denver. The person was pronounced dead at hospital. No other details were released.

1 DEAD IN WRECK NEAR LIVERMORE, PATROL SAYS

The driver of a Lexus RX died after the auto rolled over Monday at West Larimer County Road 74E and Eiger Road near the Larimer County community of Livermore, the Colorado State Patrol said. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

FUEL SPILL AFTER BIG RIG HITS DEBRIS ON I-25

A semi-truck struck debris on southbound I-25 in Northglenn puncturing its fuel tank, North Metro Fire said. "Firefighters quickly stopped the leak and successfully contained the fuel to the shoulder of the highway" on Monday, officials said. [Photo: North Metro Fire]

RESIDENTS ESCAPE AS FLAMES RAGE IN AURORA

Fire gutted a home Monday night in Aurora. There were no human injuries, however, "a dog was found during the primary search and unfortunately has died," Aurora Fire Rescue said. The American Red Cross assisted six residents with housing and basic needs. The cause of the blaze in the 12000-block of East Nevada Place was under investigation, fire officials said. [Photos: Aurora Fire Rescue]

916 PHONE CALLS: EX-BOYFRIEND WOULDN'T TAKE NO FOR ANSWER, COPS SAY

A woman who broke up with her boyfriend in November told deputies he called her 916 times since then, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Now Joseph Trujillo, 25, has been arrested and faces stalking charges as "this pattern of communication and conduct resulted in emotional distress and fear for the victim," the sheriff's office said. Trujillo is also accused of trying to make contact via voicemail, other phones numbers and social media - even after the woman blocked him - and showing up at her home. The sheriff's office said: "Maintaining a detailed record of incidents—including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses—along with preserving digital evidence can greatly assist investigators" in alleged stalking cases.

BLAZE IN LITTLETON; PERSON TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

A person was taken to hospital Monday after a fire at 5915 South Sycamore Street in Littleton, South Metro Fire said. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

POLICE SEEK CLUES IN TIMNATH FIRE

Police are seeking surveillance video after a grass fire broke out Saturday near Rendezvous Parkway and Bouganville Boulevard in Timnath. "Several reporting parties noted they heard fireworks shortly before the fire began," police said. "There may be video of three juveniles—possibly on bicycles—leaving the area." If you have information, call Timnath police at (970) 224‑3211.

SPRINKLER PREVENTS 'MAJOR' BLAZE IN GREELEY, FIRE DEPT. SAYS

A sprinkler stopped a potentially "major fire" that seriously burned a resident of the Chinook Winds Apartments in Greeley early Monday, the fire department said. Firefighters were alerted to an automatic fire alarm activation at 6622 10th Street at about 1:40 a.m. and "located a sprinkler-controlled fire on the second floor, which had been extinguished by the sprinkler system prior to arrival," the fire department said. One person was rescued, taken to the North Colorado Medical Center and airlifted to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood with second- and third-degree burns and signs of smoke inhalation, the department said. "Initial findings indicate that smoking materials being used in bed may have contributed to the fire's ignition," the department said. [Photo: Greeley Fire Department website]

DRUNKEN DRIVING SUSPECT CALLS UBER ... AFTER COPS START CHASING HIM

A drunken driving suspect outran Parker police officers, ditched his car - and called Uber for a ride home.

The cops caught him when the Uber driver showed up looking for her customer.

"When officers spoke to the Uber driver, she confirmed that she was there to pick up the suspect officers were looking for," police said on Facebook. "Officers located the suspect in a nearby field and, after speaking with him briefly, administered field sobriety tests," police said. He got a ride to jail in a police car. The incident occurred in January. [Photo: Parker Police Department website]

1 ARRESTED AFTER STANDOFF IN AURORA

Officers arrested a suspect after a standoff at an apartment building early Monday in Aurora, police said.

They were called to the building in 13900-block of East Marina Drive for a report of "shots fire" and the standoff ensued. Shortly after 8 a.m., police said: "The person involved in this incident has been taken into custody without incident. No injuries reported." [Photo: Aurora Police Department website]

FIRE WATCH: RED FLAG WARNINGS FOR MONDAY

 

The National Weather Service office in Boulder says: "Critical fire conditions will be in place this afternoon over eastern Larimer and northern Weld counties. Gusty winds up to 35 mph will occur especially closer to the Wyoming border."

To the south, the weather office in Pueblo says: "Unseasonably warm temperatures expected today with temperatures approaching record highs. Breezy afternoon winds and low relative humidity will lead to high fire danger across the southeast mountains and adjacent southern plains."

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN TRAFFIC SIGNALS GO DARK?

When encountering a broken traffic signal, Colorado law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop, according to the Louisville Police Department.

• Come to a complete stop at the stop line or before entering the intersection.

• Look carefully in all directions.

• Yield to the vehicle that arrived first.

• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right.

On social media, police said: "The photo in this post shows what can happen when drivers fail to follow the law at an inoperable signal. One vehicle stopped as required. Another driver did not, which resulted in a crash that could have been prevented."

COLD CASE: MURDER OF DENVER'S JUKE BOX KING

Paul J. Hilst, owned juke boxes, invested in seedy nightclubs and died with a bashed-in skull and crushed chest.

Police found Hilst's body inside his home at 256 Bannock Street in Denver on Nov. 20, 1973 - and the homicide investigation went cold. He was 65.

Hilst's "coin machines were widely distributed, and he was a familiar though mysterious figure in the excise and licensing office," the Rocky Mountain News said.

The owner of Columbine Music Co. was something of a recluse - living alone and having few friends. He "moved in and out of bar circles with dexterity, buying property and leasing establishments, making loans guaranteed by revenue from his coin machines, and selling bars and later reclaiming them through foreclosure actions against the buyers," the News said.

Vending machines - a cash business - were controlled by organized crime families nationwide during the 20th Century. Testimony in a 1982 court case revealed Denver's Smaldone crime family had loaned money to the owner of a vending machine company called LPS Associates Inc. His name was James Charles Dress of 7456 South Pierce Court in Littleton, according to the News.

It's not known if Hilst and the Smaldone family worked together, too. Of course, his murder could have been tied his other business interests - or his very private life.

"Police broke into the locked house and found the man’s beaten body, his wallet, reams of papers and two bags of coins," the News said. "There were no signs of forcible entry, suggesting Hilst may have known the man who killed him."

Police "began contacting Hilst's known associates, many of them barflies, club owners, proprietors of several clubs know as homosexual hangouts, and perhaps Art Stratton —the former Denver Building Department examining board member who was fined $12,000 for embezzlement," the News said. "Hilst was a witness against Stratton."

[Photo: Denver Police Department]

PEDESTRIAN HURT IN DENVER ON SUNDAY

Police said a pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash Sunday in the vicinity of Zuni Street and Alameda Avenue in Denver. No other information was released.

[Photo: Denver Police Department website]

TEST FINDS METH IN TRUCKER KILLED IN DENVER CRASH

A toxicology test found traces of methamphetamine and alcohol in the body of a trucker killed in a Thanksgiving Day crash, CBS News Colorado reports.

Rickey Swaniger, 56, of Sterling, died of blunt force trauma when his gasoline tanker smashed into an abutment at I-25 and East Yale Avenue in Denver, causing a huge fuel spill at the busy intersection.

Swaniger's liver showed a methamphetamine level of 110 nanograms per gram and an alcohol level of 120 milligrams per 100 grams, CBS News Colorado said. 

No one else was hurt in the wreck.

[Photo: Denver Fire Department]

RV FIRE SPREADS TO HOME IN ADAMS COUNTY

 

An RV fire spread to a home early Sunday in Adams County.

Damage to the home was minor. No injuries were reported. The blaze was reported at 2:30 a.m. Officials didn't release the address of the blaze.

"Fire investigators determine the cause to be a cooking fire that originated in a large steel trash barrel," according to Adams County Fire. [Photo: Adams County Fire]

TRAIN HITS AUTO IN BRIGHTON, 1 INJURED

A motorist suspected of being drunk was severely injured when a train hit an auto early Sunday in Brighton, police said.

The wreckage was located on tracks between East Longs Peak Street and East Bridge Street and the motorist - a man, age 29 - was located near the vehicle and transported to hospital. "The initial investigation indicates the driver was the sole occupant and that his vehicle was on the tracks when it was struck by a northbound train," police said. "Alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor in this crash." If you have information, call Brighton police at (303) 655-8740. [Photo: Brighton Fire Department]

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN CRASH THAT KILLED TEEN IN THORNTON

UPDATE

Police arrested a suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed a boy riding a motor bike in Thornton, officials said Sunday.

They also located the black BMW that struck the boy, age 14, from behind on northbound Huron Street near Thornton Parkway on Saturday night. The BMW fled northbound on Huron. "The suspect vehicle identified in the initial investigation has been confirmed as the vehicle involved in this fatal crash," officials said. The vehicle bore Colorado tag FBWX60, based license plate surveillance technology.

BROOMFIELD MURDER SUSPECT FACING INSURANCE FRAUD CHARGE

Gregory Miles, 35, charged in the murder his girlfriend in Broomfield, is now accused of insurance fraud, the Daily Camera reports. The murder occurred Sept. 12, 2024. The fraud case, unrelated to the murder, stems from a purported burglary.

CAR CRASHES INTO BOWLING ALLEY IN WALDEN

A car crashed into the front doors of the 10th Frame bowling alley at 688 Main Street in Walden on Saturday night, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office said. No injuries were reported. 

[Photo: Jackson County Sheriff's Office]

MURDER AT PUEBLO HOTEL

A man was fatally at Saturday night at the Days Inn at 4201 North Elizabeth Street in Pueblo, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other information was released.

OVERNIGHT SHOOTING AND STABBING IN DENVER

Denver police reported two violent crimes overnight. A person was shot in the 100-block of North Grove Street and a person was stabbed in the 2000-block of West Exposition Avenue. No other information was released.

FIRE SCORCHES 130 ACRES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

A 130-acre brush fire broke out Saturday at Highway 93 and Highway 72 in Jefferson County, shutting down traffic in all directions, officials said. No buildings were lost. No injuries were reported. The fire may have started along railroad tracks. Fire crews responded from across the region. "With very dry conditions, the fire quickly grew in size while being pushed by strong winds" of 30 to 40 mph, Arvada Fire said. "Firefighters worked for several hours to get containment on the fire, working the flanks to extinguish the fire front and hot spots." A pre-evacuation notice was issued for the Candelas and Plainview areas, officials said. [Photo: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Arvada Fire]

3 HURT IN CRASH AT I-25 AND I-70

Three injured people were transported Saturday from a crash on the ramp from northbound I-25 to westbound I-70 in Denver. Two vehicles were involved in the crash, police said. No other details were released.

FIERY JUGGLING STUNT STUNS COMMERCE CITY

A police drone spotted a rogue circus juggler flipping burning torches atop a unicycle in traffic in Commerce City.

The act "was both quite good and quite illegal (trespassing in the median, impeding traffic by not vacating the crosswalk in time)," police said on social media.

"We don't often get reports like this anymore... well to be fair... we have NEVER gotten a report quite like this one," they added. The recent spectacle occurred at the busy intersection of US 85 and East 60th Avenue.

[Photos: Commerce City police]

SUSPECT ZAPPED BY TASER FIGHTS DEPUTY, INJURES POLICE DOG AS MOB GATHERS

Police zapped a combative drunken driving suspect who fought a deputy sheriff and injured a police dog in front of a mob in Loveland, officials said.

Christopher Rendon, 50, of Greeley, faces variety of charges including assault, animal cruelty and resisting arrest. The incident occurred near West 45th Street and North Grant Avenue after the Larimer County deputy stopped the suspect Thursday night. A fracas ensued when "a large group of people then came outside and began verbally disrupting law enforcement's efforts," officials said. "Additional deputies and Loveland police officers responded to maintain the safety of all involved. "Rendon refused to cooperate with commands, and the deputy used a Taser to gain his compliance," officials said. "The man remained combative, and Loveland police K9 Nazar was deployed. During their interaction, Rendon began assaulting the dog." The deputy sustained minor injuries as did the dog. Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said: “This was not an easy call, but law enforcement responders worked together, focused on public safety, and resolved this situation professionally."

MONSTER MORTICIAN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS: THAT'S THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON

The motive was greed.

A judge sentenced John Hallford, former owner of the Return to Nature mortuary in Penrose, to 40 years in state prison for hiding nearly decaying 200 bodies and delivering fake ashes to families.

Hallford and his former wife spent funds on luxury - including laser body sculpting. 

The judge called Hallford's action "unspeakable and incomprehensible." His ex faces a lengthy prison sentence as well.

Hallford told the court: "My mistakes will echo for a generation."

Separately, a federal court had already sentenced Hallford to 20 years in prison for swindling nearly $900,000 from a government pandemic program for small businesses. 

RED FLAG FIRE WARNING TODAY FOR NORTHEAST COLORADO

Red flag fire warnings are in effect for Northeast Colorado today and bordering counties of Wyoming and Kansas. Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, the National Weather Service says. Humidity could be as low as 13%.

DOGS THREATEN FIREFIGHTERS, BITE DEPUTY IN WELLINGTON

A pack of dogs threatened firefighters battling a house fire Friday in Wellington.

The "aggressive" canines were "in and around" the burning dwelling and a Larimer County deputy was bitten, according to the Wellington Fire Protection District.

Firefighters removed a resident from the home at 7902 Fourth Street. The resident was treated at the scene and released.

RESCUED OWL TAKES FLIGHT AFTER INJURED WING HEALS

A rescued Northern Saw-whet owl has taken flight after six weeks of rehabilitation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Friday. Weighing just 3 ounces, the owl was found Dec. 21 near Crestone in the San Lus Valley with an injured right wing and taken to Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for treatment.

It returned to its old neighborhood this week.

[Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife]

ELECTRIC POLE CAT RESCUED AFTER 5 DAYS

A utility crew rescued a cat that sat atop a power pole in Aurora for five days, Fox 31 reports.

The operation took several hours.

Neighbors prodded public utility Xcel. The cat was perched inches from high voltage lines. The fire department declined to intervene, Fox 31 said.

BODY SCAN UNCOVERED FENTANYL STASH

A security scan showed jail inmate Kamber Lawrence, 23, was hiding a deadly dose of fentanyl "in a body cavity," the Mesa County Sheriff's Office said Friday. "Confronted by staff, she attempted to retrieve the drugs and tore open the bag, exposing herself and detention staff to a lethal amount of suspected fentanyl," officials said. No serious injuries were reported. Lawrence was originally locked up on outstanding warrants, weapon and drug charges, and contraband charges were added. She was booked into the jail Jan. 25 and the drugs were discovered two days later. [Photo: Mesa County Sheriff's Office]

HE WENT SOBER AFTER NIGHT IN JAIL IN 1983, THANKS JAILERS

A man who spent a night in the Douglas County jail four decades ago said he has been sober ever since.

The sheriff's office shared a letter of thanks (above) from the former inmate on social media Friday.

Officials said the man "went on to live a long professional life with significant responsibility, and is now 82 years old, retired, and grateful for the direction his life took afterward."

[Image: Douglas County Sheriff's Office]

COLORADO GOVERNOR POLIS WEIGHS IN ON OBAMAS

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said Friday that "it’s shameful to see the Obama’s targeted with racist attacks from the president." Media reports said the president shared a racist video on social media depicting the Obamas as apes. 

The White House blamed a staffer. The Colorado governor said the Obama's "exemplified dignity, leadership, and service to our nation."

ARREST 2 IN FIREBOMB ATTACK ON HOME

Rudolfo Castillo Jr., 37, and Benjamin Alfaro, 34, were arrested on charges of arson and attempted murder in the firebombing of a home in Grand Junction, police said. Investigators determined "two males had broken out windows and thrown incendiary devices inside," police said.

Residents extinguished the flames and the homeowner was evaluated for minor injuries in Wednesday's crime in the 500-block of North 26th Street, police said. The incident occurred at 1:40 a.m.

VAN BURSTS INTO FLAMES IN ADAMS COUNTY

A van burst into flames Thursday night in the vicinity of 52nd Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, Adams County Fire said. "The cause is a suspected mechanical issue," officials said. No one was injured. [Photo: Adams County Fire]

RUSH HOUR WRECK IN ARVADA

Two autos collided during Friday morning's rush hour at the intersection of West 56th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada, fire officials said.

[Photo: Arvada Fire]

DENVER COPS WILL FREEZE OUT ICE IF NEED BE, CHIEF TELLS GAZETTE

In an interview with the Denver Gazette, the city's police chief said officers will step in if they witness ICE or other federal agents using "excessive force."

“I think our expectation is to intervene in that situation,” Denver Chief Ron Thomas told the Gazette.

The chief's line-in-the-sand statement follows weeks of aggressive - and deadly - ICE operations in Minneapolis and other cities.

"We do partner with federal law enforcement agencies," Thomas said. "We are part of task forces that engage in investigations related to violent crime, human trafficking, drugs, those kinds of things, and we do want to continue those partnerships.

"But when it relates to federal immigration enforcement, we don’t want to take part in that, and so we don’t do that. We don’t provide any assistance in that matter,” the chief said.

[Photo: City of Denver]

DENVER ZOO'S BOUNCING BABY ... KANGAROO

It's a boy! The Denver Zoo introduced its first Endangered Huon tree kangaroo joey - born in July to first-time parents Pearl and Tristan. [Photo: Denver Zoo]

PAN OF COOKING OIL SCALDS 3; BURNS ARE SERIOUS

A pan of cooking oil overheated and seriously burned three people Thursday in Colorado Springs and injured their puppy, the fire department said.

There was no fire. Damage to the residence was limited.

Officials remind the public: "When frying, use a pan lid or splash guard to stop grease splatter" and "Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen while cooking." The puppy's burns were minor, the fire department said.

HUMAN REMAINS DISCOVERED IN RURAL EL PASO COUNTY POND

UPDATE

Human remains were discovered Thursday in a drainage pond in Pinello Ranch in unincorporated El Paso County, the sheriff's office said. Deputies on horseback searched the area for clues. The site is near Highway 85. A utility worker found the remains, said Cassandra Sebastian, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office. "It's suspicious right now," Sebastian said.

NO ONE ABOARD! BIG JET 'LANDS' ON RAILROAD TRACKS

In Weld County, a pair of BNSF Railway locomotives towed a jetliner airframe Thursday on tracks along I-76 between Keenesburg and Hudson. Destination unknown. No wings. No engines. No complementary beverages.

[Photos: Daily Sketch]

BOEBERT WINS ON RURAL WATER AFTER WHITE HOUSE VETO, POLIS WELCOMES NEWS

UPDATE

U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert helped secure about $15 million for clean water projects across rural Colorado - after the White House nixed a plan unanimously approved by Congress.

Said Boebert: "These investments will make a real difference for thousands of Coloradoans."

The White House veto was a shock for loyal, Republican-leaning rural counties. Boebert is a Republican and long-time supporter of President Trump.

The funding plan covers a variety of water projects from Lamar in the southeast to Castle Rock in the Denver metro area to tiny Ovid in the northeast near Nebraska.

The governor's press secretary, Shelby Wieman, told the Daily Sketch: "Water is an essential resource for our state and Governor Polis is glad to see the federal government giving support for our rural communities. The Arkansas Valley Conduit veto hurt rural Colorado."
Polis is a Democrat.
 
[Photo: U.S. Congress]

FAMILY ESCAPES FIRE IN AURORA HOME; ATTIC INSULATION FALLS ON FIREFIGHTER

UPDATE

A kitchen fire caused "significant damage" Wednesday night to a home in the 400-block of South Lima Circle in Aurora, officials said.

Two adults and two children were displaced. No injuries were reported.

However, a firefighter was struck by attic insulation while extinguishing the flames.
Officials said: "Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior search and fire attack, quickly locating a working kitchen fire with extension to the attic space. "All searches of the home were clear, no injuries occurred and the fire was placed under control just 17 minutes after the initial 911 call." [Photo: Aurora Fire Rescue]

PERSON STRUCK BY AUTO IN DENVER

A person was struck by an auto and seriously injured Wednesday in the 1700-block of West 38th Avenue in Denver. The motorist remained on the scene, police said. No other details were released.

STABBING IN DENVER

A person was stabbed in the 1200-block of North Galapago Street in Denver and transported to hospital, police said early Thursday. No other details were released.

FLAMES ENGULF BUILDING IN LIMON

Flames engulfed a building in Limon on Wednesday, fire officials said. No injuries were reported. Neighboring communities sent mutual aid.

[Photo: Limon Area Fire Protection District]

IT'S MURDER, COPS SAY

Denver police arrested a suspect in the murder of a teenage girl whose shooting death had appeared to be suicide.

Police identified the suspect as Jassir Simmins, 18. He was acquainted with the victim and faces a charge of first-degree murder.

The death occurred Tuesday in the 5500-block of North Tucson Street, police said in a statement issued Wednesday.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Dial 988 - the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.