Monday, February 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2010, Vail skier Lindsey Vonn took the gold medal in women’s alpine skiing at the XXI Olympic Winter Games. Vonn’s win marked the first time in Olympic history the downhill gold was won by an American woman.

An avalanche near the Loveland Ski Area swept a vehicle off the road on Friday. Learn more in our Top Stories.

Plus, in Et Cetera, find out which McDonald’s character is coming out of retirement—and all the way from Ireland—to make a special appearance in Denver.

Today’s sponsor is LMNT, offering the best way to stay hydrated no matter the season.

Senate Advances Semi-Auto Firearm Ban

The Colorado Senate has given preliminary approval to Senate Bill 3, a proposed ban on the manufacture and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, after adding a major carveout on Friday.

Marking one of the most significant changes to state gun policy in state history, the ban would affect firearms with detachable magazines, mandating the use of more cumbersome, fixed magazines in order to slow reloading times.

The carveout was added to the bill through a five-page amendment, introduced in an effort to avoid a veto, which would exempt buyers who complete a state-run training course.

Senate Republicans spoke in opposition to the ban, which some say will put “gun stores out of business.” If it passes a final Senate vote, the bill will advance to the House of Representatives.

Cow Killed by Uncollared Wolf

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed that a cow found dead at a Jackson County ranch was killed by an uncollared wolf, one not part of its reintroduction program.

CPW released 15 gray wolves in Colorado last month, bringing the total number in the state to 29. Translocated wolves are fitted with GPS collars to track their activity.

Following a field investigation, CPW determined the Jackson County incident was a result of wolf depredation. Based on the area’s lack of collar data, however, the wolf is thought to be uncollared, making its origin unknown.

In an effort to curb incidents like this, CPW has hired nine range riders whose job is to patrol ranches and guard livestock from wolves. The state hopes to fill at least three more range rider positions.

Avalanche Closes Loveland Pass

An avalanche occurred near the Loveland Ski Area on Friday night, sweeping one vehicle 150 feet off the road and blocking Loveland Pass for hours.

Highway 6 over the pass had been closed at 6:30 p.m. due to hazardous conditions. Authorities were escorting drivers out of the area when the 164-foot-wide, 5-foot-deep avalanche struck.

The pickup truck that slid off the road had a single occupant, who was able to exit safely. The pass remained closed through Saturday.

In a warning issued Friday, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center urged those venturing into Colorado’s backcountry to be vigilant, noting that February is the “deadliest” month for avalanches in the state.

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➤ Boulder County: A body matching the description of a missing CU student was recovered by rescue crews from Boulder Canyon on Friday. Identification and cause of death have yet to be confirmed. (More)

➤ Arapahoe County: An Aurora dentist accused of poisoning his wife—and later plotting the death of a detective investigating him—is set to be prosecuted. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Republican Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, who served Colorado’s 56th district for three terms, passed away last week. (More)

➤ Denver: A Highland resident’s car left unlocked outside her home was purposely set on fire in an apparently unprovoked act of arson. (Video Report)

➤ Statewide: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a Colorado woman has been hospitalized for bird flu, the third such hospitalization in the country. (See Details)

➤ Douglas County: Leaders spoke out last week in support of a bill that would allow local police to work with federal immigration enforcement agencies. (See Details)

➤ Colorado State men’s basketball defeated Wyoming 88-52 on Saturday for the biggest blowout win in the history of the “Border War” rivalry. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar sat out of Saturday night’s game between Canada and the United States in the round-robin stage of the 4 Nations Face-Off due to illness. (More)

➤ Nikola Jokić told reporters at a press conference for the NBA All-Star Game that his semifinal loss to Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics was the most heartbreaking loss of his basketball career. (More)

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➤ A judge has partly granted King Soopers’ temporary restraining order against the striking workers union, while rejecting most of the grocer’s requested prohibitions. (See Details)

➤ A proposed law would reduce the minimum base wage for restaurant workers in Denver and Boulder County with the goal of bolstering the struggling industry. (See Details)

➤ JCPenney, the department store chain that filed for bankruptcy in 2020, is shutting down its Shops at Northfield location in Denver, one of several to be closed nationwide. (More)

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➤ Montrose’s Rathbone Hotel, a 115-year-old building originally home to the Knights of Pythias, will receive History Colorado’s People’s Choice Award in recognition of its historical significance. (More)

➤ Uncle O’Grimacey, a McDonaldland character out of commission for decades, will make an appearance at a Denver McDonald’s on Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Shamrock Shake fundraiser. (See Details)

➤ Coloradans spend less on groceries than shoppers in other states, according to a recent report. (Read the Report)

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