Fireworks Cause Fires Across State

Fireworks sparked multiple fires across Colorado over the holiday, including a five-acre blaze in Cañon City ignited by the community’s own display. The fire forced officials to cut the show short.

Improperly discarded fireworks started two house fires in Douglas County. A family and their cat were evacuated from a burning home in Littleton early Saturday morning.

Firefighters arrived at the second fire to find the garage on fire with flames shooting into the attic, prompting the rescue of several dogs and cats and leading to four deputies being treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

In Arvada, firefighters responded to several vegetation fires reportedly caused by fireworks.

Group Seeks to Rename Mount Blue Sky

Advance Colorado submitted a petition Wednesday to the Trump administration seeking to rename Mount Blue Sky back to Mount Evans.

“Back in 2023, a 128-year-old Colorado mountain was renamed based on a false record and fraudulent process. We have requested that President Trump correct this wrong by restoring the name Mount Evans,” said Michael Fields, president of Advance Colorado.

The group suggested naming a different peak in honor of the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

Mount Evans was originally named after John Evans, who served as the territory’s second governor from 1862 to 1865. His association with the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 prompted the decision to rename the mountain two years ago.

Colorado Ranks 12th in Child Wellness

Colorado ranked 12th in the nation for children’s overall well-being, with some education indicators worsening compared to past years, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

The report, which evaluates states based on factors like education, health, and economic stability, highlighted some trends: child homelessness more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, and test scores continue to fall in English and math. While youth suicide rates declined, more teens died from overdoses, car accidents, and homicides.

Governor Jared Polis called the findings a “call to action.”

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➤ Statewide: The Colorado Education Association is asking the Trump administration to restore $71 million in funding for the 2025 to 2026 school year that had been cut by the U.S. Department of Education. (More)

➤ Denver: Police are searching for the driver of a black Toyota 4Runner after a person was struck and killed on Interstate 25 while changing a tire Saturday morning. (More)

➤ Rocky Mountain National Park: Old Fall River Road has opened for the summer, winding through 11 uphill miles with tight switchbacks leading from Horseshoe Park to Fall River Pass. (See Photos)

➤ Ouray: The families of two Arizona women killed in a 2022 Jeep crash are suing the tour company, citing alcohol found in the driver’s bloodstream after the vehicle plunged more than 250 feet off a cliff. (Details)

➤ Commerce City: A trucking school is training drivers to navigate the challenges of mountain driving in an effort to prevent accidents and costly closures. Each hour I-70 is shut down costs the state an estimated $1 million in economic losses. (Details)

➤ Adams County: Repairs are set to begin this week on the Buckley Road Bridge over Interstate 76 and are expected to cause slight traffic delays. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Rockies lost 10-3 to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in a matchup of the two worst teams in MLB. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets’ newly acquired center Jonas Valančiūnas may seek a contract buyout to join a professional basketball team in Greece. (More)

➤ Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders teased a return to the team in a recent social media post, captioned “I’m Coming.” Sanders has been away from the team for a number of weeks due to health issues. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | Wimbledon | PGA | F1 | NASCAR | INDY

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➤ Safeway has reached “a fully recommended tentative agreement” with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, ending a 20-day strike that impacted 45 stores in Colorado. (More)

➤ Plans for a lithium-ion battery factory in Brighton have been put on hold after residents spent years protesting due to concerns about hazardous materials. (More)

➤ The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the state can collect sales tax on Netflix subscriptions, ending a long-running legal dispute. (Details)

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➤ Nurses at AdventHealth Avista in Louisville celebrated the Fourth of July by dressing NICU babies in custom patriotic onesies. (See Babies)

➤ Cosplay enthusiasts packed the Denver Fan Expo at the Colorado Convention Center over the weekend, showcasing their costume design, crafting, and sewing skills as they brought iconic characters to life. (See Video)

➤ The Confluence People mural on Denver’s Speer Boulevard is being restored, bringing new vibrancy to its colorful portraits of people in reflective sunglasses. (See Mural)

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Do you agree with renaming Mount Blue Sky?

1. Yes
2. No
3. No opinion

Friday’s Results:

What’s your must-have Fourth of July activity?

1. Grill or barbecue: 21%
2. Watching fireworks: 20%
3. Other: 17%
4. Beach or lake day: 14%
5. Attending a parade: 14%
6. Going to the rodeo: 14%

What glacial feature near the top of Old Fall River Road is known as the “birthplace of glaciers” for its role in shaping the surrounding valleys?

Show me the answer