Winter-Like Weather Returns

A cold, wet storm system arrived late Sunday into Monday, bringing mountain snow, widespread rain, and sharply colder temperatures.

Steady rainfall hit much of the Interstate 25 corridor and the Western Slope. Light snow flurries were possible in some urban areas, while forecasts called for 4-18 inches in the mountains, with the heaviest totals favoring peaks north of Interstate 70.

As the storm moved in Sunday, a gustnado, a type of tornado similar to a landspout, briefly touched down south of Denver International Airport, marking Colorado’s first confirmed tornado of 2026. No injuries or damage were reported. See a video here.

Today, highs will stay cool, with possible late-season freezes and more rain chances ahead of a gradual warmup later this week.

Oklahoma Fire Moves North

Evacuation orders triggered by the Sharpe Fire were lifted Sunday evening in the town of Campo, a small community in the southeastern corner of the state.

The Sharpe Fire broke out in Oklahoma’s Panhandle on Friday, exploding from roughly 3,500 acres to more than 10,000 acres in six hours before pushing north across the state line. Baca County officials ordered Campo to evacuate Sunday, lifting the order hours later.

Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency in response to the fire, estimated at more than 28,000 acres with 5% containment Sunday night. A 77-mile stretch of U.S. 287 is closed from the state line to U.S. 50 in Lamar.

Dry thunderstorms have ignited several recent wildfires in Oklahoma, burning more than 60,000 acres combined.

90 Bison Seized from Northwest Ranch

Authorities in Moffat County have seized about 90 bison and one mule from a local rancher, who now faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly neglecting the animals.

The sheriff’s office said it tried to work with Daniel Martin, 83, owner of Lay Valley Bison Ranch, over the past month to address concerns about the animals’ welfare, but investigators determined “further action was necessary.”

Photos show multiple bison that appear emaciated. Martin says he raises the herd drug-free and claims the bison are at natural, healthy weights, an argument he plans to make in court.

Two bison died during the seizure operation. Two more bison and a mule were euthanized. The surviving animals are receiving care from veterinary professionals and partnering agencies.

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➤ Walsenburg: A 3.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded about three miles southwest of the city early Monday. (See Details)

➤ Aurora: City Council voted Monday evening on a resolution to set guidelines for what the Aurora Police Department can post on social media. (More)

➤ Greeley: The Prize Catch, a life-size bronze sculpture reported stolen from Glenmere Park last week, has been found at a recycling facility, whose staff said someone sold them the statue the same night it was stolen. The thieves haven’t been caught. (More)

➤ Weld County: Two people were arrested late Saturday after a fight involving between 10 and 20 people broke out at a graduation party near La Salle. (More)

➤ Northglenn: A food truck owner is warning of a scam tied to the Northglenn Food Truck Carnival after losing about $1,000 to someone falsely claiming to represent the event. (More)

➤ Englewood: Belleview Park, home to a miniature train and animal petting farm for more than 50 years, will undergo a $9 million renovation to enhance infrastructure, safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience, city officials said. (More)

➤ Statewide: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling some flavors and sizes of its ice cream sold in 17 states, including Colorado, over concerns they may contain metal fragments. (More)

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➤ Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić finished second in NBA MVP voting behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokić has finished in the top two of MVP voting in each of the past six seasons. (More)

➤ Colorado College women’s lacrosse saw its 12-game winning streak snapped in a 16-5 loss to Williams College in the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. (More)

➤ Rival executives are calling Rockies reliever Antonio Senzatela one of the hottest trade commodities ahead of the August deadline. The right-hander has a 1.27 ERA after moving from Colorado’s rotation to the bullpen late last season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ Blake Street Tavern is reopening in downtown Denver as Tavern on Blake Street under new ownership, with plans for live music, an arcade and a revamped menu ahead of a targeted opening in the first week of June. (More)

➤ El Pollo Loco, a fire-grilled chicken chain, is opening a fourth Colorado location in Lakewood in the same shopping center as Casa Bonita. (More)

➤ Benihana, a Japanese hibachi restaurant chain, plans to open a fast-casual Benihana Express location in a newly renovated building on Denver’s 16th Street Mall. (More)

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➤ A local scout is using his service project to hold a pet toy drive in the Grand Valley, giving Grand Junction and Fruita shoppers the chance to help shelter pets in need. (See Details)

➤ A high schooler in Arvada almost missed her senior year prom due to a last-minute appendicitis diagnosis. Thanks to the quick work of doctors at Rocky Mountain Children’s, she made it to the dance. (Read Story)

➤ The Denver Zoo’s last hippo left this spring for a wildlife preserve in Texas. Closing his habitat cuts the zoo’s water use by about 21 million gallons a year and ends nearly $200,000 in annual maintenance costs. (More)

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