Andrew Buen Sentenced for Shooting Death 

Andrew Buen, the former Clear Creek County deputy convicted in the 2022 shooting death of Christian Glass, was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday.

Glass had called 911 when his vehicle became stuck on a rock in Silver Plume during a mental health crisis. After more than an hour of failed police engagement, he brandished a knife. At that point, Buen fired five shots into the car.

Buen was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide during his retrial in February. His first trial, on a second-degree murder charge, ended in a hung jury.

Four other officers charged in connection with the case have hearings set for this year. Glass’ family also filed a civil case that resulted in a $19 million settlement—the largest in Colorado history for police misconduct.

Trial Begins for Suspect in Rock-Throwing Case 

Opening statements were delivered yesterday in the trial of Joseph Koenig, the last of three suspects accused of throwing rocks at cars, resulting in the death of a woman in 2023.

Alexa Bartell was driving northwest of Denver when a large rock crashed through her windshield, killing her. Koenig and two other teens were later arrested in connection with her death and a series of similar attacks.

All three were charged with first-degree murder. Two took plea deals in exchange for testifying against Koenig, who is accused of throwing the rock that struck Bartell.

Koenig’s trial is scheduled to last 11 days. The other suspects, who face up to 32 and 72 years in prison, will be sentenced in May.

Polis Signs Grocery Store Liquor License Freeze 

Gov. Jared Polis has signed Senate Bill 25-033, a measure that prohibits the state from issuing new liquor licenses to grocery stores with pharmacies, preventing future retailers from selling hard spirits but leaving existing license-holders unaffected.

The bill is seen as a win for independent liquor stores, which have struggled to compete in the wake of legislation allowing big retailers to sell full-strength beer and wine.

Critics of the bill consider it a step backward, arguing the license freeze is anti-competitive and limits consumer choice at a time when high prices already burden shoppers.

Gov. Polis said he had his own concerns about the law, fearing it “could take Colorado in the wrong direction,” but signed it in view of its broad bipartisan support.

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➤ Grand County: First responders and volunteers safely rescued a backcountry recreationist who fell 40 feet down a cliff west of Hot Sulphur Springs. (More)

➤ DIA: A United Airlines flight was diverted back to Denver on Sunday due to a possible wildlife strike. The plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported. (Watch Video)

➤ Aurora: Police arrested an airline pilot from Florissant and one other suspect last week in an online child predator sting operation. (See Details)

➤ Rocky Mountain National Park: Weather permitting, fire managers will conduct a 60-acre prescribed burn today, which will temporarily close Highway 36 near the Beaver Meadows Entrance. (See Details)

➤ Park County: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is searching for a missing boater after a canoe with two people onboard overturned at Spinney Reservoir on Saturday. One person swam to shore, but the other remains missing. (More)

➤ San Luis Valley: Wildlife officials say local raccoon populations are experiencing a spike in canine distemper, a viral disease transmittable to dogs. (More)

➤ The Denver Nuggets secured the No. 4 seed in the NBA’s Western Conference on Sunday with a 126-111 win over the Houston Rockets, meaning they will host the No. 5-seeded Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, beginning on Saturday, April 19. (More)

➤ The Colorado Rockies were shut out for a third straight game Sunday, managing just two hits off Padres starter Michael King, who tossed his first career complete game in a 6–0 San Diego win. (More)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche rallied from a 2-0 third-period deficit on Sunday to earn a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The Avalanche rested their top seven point scorers from the game, as their playoff seeding had already been determined. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NHL | NCAABB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Benzina, a popular Denver eatery slated to close this month due to rising costs, announced it will stay open until May 3 thanks to support from the community. (See Details)

➤ St. Mary’s Intermountain Health opened a new location for its Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic, a move meant to accommodate a nearly 400% surge in demand. (More)

➤ King Soopers has begun construction on a 103,000-square-foot store in Denver to replace a nearby Belcaro location, which the company says has outgrown the area. (See Details)

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From Selling Pokemon Cards to Disrupting a $1 Trillion Industry

Mark Cuban delivered local papers, Warren Buffet sold packs of gum, and Richard Branson bred parakeets. Today’s wealthiest business leaders started their entrepreneurial journeys at a young age.

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From selling Pokemon cards at the age of 7 to founding Mode Mobile, Novaes’ EarnPhone has led to over $325M in savings for over 45M users worldwide. His company was ranked the #1 fastest-growing software company in 2023 by Deloitte and plans are underway for a potential IPO on the Nasdaq (ticker: MODE).

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➤ Chatfield State Park was named Colorado’s favorite state park, narrowly beating Golden Gate Canyon State Park in a bracket challenge voted on by the public. (See Details)

➤ A hot and dry summer is on the books for Colorado, potentially bringing record-breaking heat, according to the 2025 weather predictions from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. (More)

➤ Denver has approved $1.6 million for an art installation taking the form of three metal aspen trees and a canopy of acrylic leaves covering the 16th Street Mall. Installation work will begin in May. (See Renderings)

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Do you like the heat?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Do you support keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs?

1. Yes: 79%
2. No: 29%

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