Search Continues for Missing Hunter

A large-scale search is underway for a Salida hunter who went missing on Mount Shavano, a 14,000-foot peak in Chaffee County, on Wednesday afternoon.

Kaden Sites, 27, went turkey hunting in the area around 1:30 p.m. He failed to show up for a 3:45 p.m. doctor’s appointment, and his family found his truck, with his phone inside, near the Blanks Cabin Trailhead.

A search for Sites began shortly after he was reported missing and has continued daily, with more than 100 people from several agencies using drones, helicopters, and dog teams to comb the steep, wooded terrain.

The search was ongoing as of Sunday morning. Sheriff Rohrich asked the public to stay clear of the area while the operation continues.

Democrats Advance Campus Abortion Bill

A Democrat-sponsored bill that would require college and university health clinics to provide abortion medication services cleared the House Education Committee in an 8-5 party-line vote.

Under House Bill 26-1335, any higher education institution with a student health center must provide access to the medication on-site or send prescriptions to an off-campus pharmacy. Religious institutions would be exempt.

Democrats say the bill protects the “right to abortion care,” which a 2024 amendment added to Colorado’s constitution. Republicans argue it oversteps that amendment by compelling private institutions to offer the services.

The bill now heads to the full House, where it will need to pass two votes before advancing to the Senate.

Orchard Uses 100 Campfires to Save Peaches

After an early stretch of warm weather, a cold snap swept across Colorado Friday, plunging temperatures into the 20s in areas with already-blooming spring plants.

The Palisade Peach Shack, a family-run farm on the Western Slope, said the cold front threatened to cause widespread damage to their peach, apricot, and cherry trees, already at mid-May stages of growth.

To save the orchards, a team of two dozen people built and monitored nearly 100 campfires among the fruit trees, raising temperatures by about 8 degrees—enough to keep most crops above freezing and ensure they survived the night.

James Sanders, the farm’s owner, said he’s hopeful no more than 10% of crops were damaged, though the full impact may not be known for about a week. Highs rebounded into the 70s by Sunday, leading into a stretch of warm, dry weather this week.

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➤ Statewide: A bipartisan bill that would make it illegal for drivers to obstruct bike lanes passed the legislature and now awaits Gov. Jared Polis’ signature. (More)

➤ Statewide: The legislature also passed a bill that would allow Coloradans to buy one-panel solar power kits that plug into home or apartment sockets, known as balcony solar. Sponsors expect Polis to sign the measure. (More)

➤ Fruita: A locally based state trooper has been named Colorado State Patrol’s 2025 Trooper of the Year, a recognition for exceptional work performance and character traits. (More)

➤ Larimer County: The Chimney Hollow Reservoir west of Loveland will be filled with 1,500 acre-feet of water for testing purposes this week, a major step forward in the project after repeated delays due to the detection of mineralized uranium. (More)

➤ Clear Creek County: Guanella Pass, a popular scenic mountain road, officially opened for the season Thursday, marking its earliest opening since it was paved about 10 years ago. (More)

➤ Greeley: A man who fired 59 shots into a local bar after being kicked out, injuring two people, was sentenced to 96 years in prison for attempted murder and other charges. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Rapids drew 75,824 fans to Empower Field at Mile High for Saturday’s 30th Anniversary Match against Inter Miami CF, setting a club record and marking the second-highest single-game attendance in Major League Soccer history. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi scored in the second half, but Miami earned a 3-2 win. (More)

➤ Former Colorado men’s basketball forward Sebastian Rancik committed to Florida State through the NCAA transfer portal, giving the Seminoles a fourth offseason addition. The 6-foot-11 sophomore averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds last season for the Buffaloes. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | NASCAR

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➤ Scientists at Washington University discovered that doing this simple couch-yoga pose fixes constipation, bloating, and embarrassing gassy moments. At the same time, they were shocked to see that something SO simple can empty your bowels faster than any laxative or fiber-rich diet can. Read all about this revolutionary trick here: This Couch-Yoga Pose Clears Your Gut Fast.

➤ Shake Shack, a New York City-based burger chain, plans to open its first northern Colorado location near Foothills Mall in Fort Collins, though an opening date hasn’t been announced. (See Details)

➤ The Colorado Gator Farm in Mosca is raising money to acquire the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience, a recently shuttered interactive museum in Cañon City. The farm plans to use the facility as a second location, combining live animals with educational experiences. (See Details)

➤ Copper Mountain is extending its season into May, with a new closing date of May 3 after previously planning to close April 26, bucking a trend of early closures at other resorts. (More)

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➤ Elon Musk is so desperate for electricity…He shipped a power plant across the ocean. He’s running dozens of gas turbines around the clock. And by some estimates, he’s burning nearly $1 billion a month because he can’t turn on the world’s largest supercomputer without equipment that takes up to two years to get. One small company can deliver it on his timeline. Wall Street hasn’t connected the dots yet. See the one stock Musk can’t build without >>

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➤ Gray’s Coors Tavern in Pueblo was voted the county’s best slopper—a green chile-smothered cheeseburger that’s a local staple. (See Details)

➤ Three Denver spas—the Oakwell Beer Spa, Jalan Facial Spa, and Clean Your Dirty Face—rank among the top 10 on a new Yelp list of the 50 best spas in the U.S. and Canada. (See List)

➤ Rebecca Kocher, a Littleton engineer who spent nearly a decade working on the Artemis II mission, died in December, just four months before launch. A commemorative plaque honors her and 36 other workers who died before the launch and contributed to Orion and Artemis. (More)

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➤ I check every single one of my patients for this…Because it can signal a heart attack is right around the corner. Are you at risk? Please check now.

Have you ever been to a Shake Shack?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

How old is the oldest heirloom, keepsake, or antique you own?

1. 100-150 years: 32%
2. 50-100 years: 27%
3. 150-200 years: 15%
4. 200+ years: 14%
5. Less than 50 years: 12%

What is the highest unpaved road in Colorado?

Show me the answer