Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1873, Arthur Hoyt was born in Georgetown. Hoyt would become a prominent character actor of the silent screen and early “talkies,” appearing in nearly 300 films over 30 years—most famously as the befuddled motel manager who hassles Clark Gable in It Happened One Night.

We’re featuring a handful of Colorado venues in today’s issue, including Coors Field, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary with brand-new ballpark fare. That made us wonder: What’s your go-to ballpark snack? Vote in our Poll or hit reply to let us know.

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, be sure to check out today’s sponsor, Brad’s Deals, to take advantage of special deals with Prime you may not be aware of.

Immigration Activist Detained

Protesters gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Aurora yesterday after learning that immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra was reportedly taken into custody.

Vizguerra illegally immigrated to the United States from Mexico City in 1997. She was first targeted for deportation in 2009 after being pulled over in Arapahoe County. During the first Trump administration, Vizguerra hid inside a church for three years to avoid being deported.

During her time in the U.S., she became an activist for immigration rights and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017.

A local immigration rights group claims that there are no legal grounds for her detainment. On X, Sen. Michael Bennet said ICE should “immediately release her.”

Dry, Windy Conditions Cause Fires

Multiple fires broke out in Northern Colorado on Monday when high winds and low humidity prompted Red Flag Warnings for much of the region.

Aurora Fire Rescue responded to two brush fires Monday afternoon. Both were extinguished within 30 minutes, and no injuries or damage to structures were reported.

The same day, the fast-moving Hertha Lake Fire near Carter Lake burned about 30 acres and destroyed one home. The residents, a couple and a child, escaped unharmed. The fire led to evacuations in the area west of Berthoud. Evacuation notices were lifted by 4 p.m., and the blaze was contained soon after.

Fire warnings for the I-25 corridor and plains were lifted Tuesday evening, though High Wind Warnings remain in effect through today.

March Madness to Boost Denver Economy

A new study has found that March Madness could generate as much as $23 million for the Denver economy.

Six NCAA tournament games will take place at Denver’s Ball Arena this Thursday and Saturday, featuring some of the highest-seeded teams and drawing in tens of thousands of fans.

According to the Common Sense Institute (CSI), attendee spending—split between hotels, food, merchandise, and more—will total nearly $12 million. Many businesses, like the arena’s nearby hotels, have already felt the impact.

CSI found the spending could generate between $8-15 million in personal income and $13-23 million in GDP for the metro area, depending on how much spending and sales increase from 2023—the last time Denver hosted March Madness.

10 Amazon Prime Perks You Need to Be Using

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed.

Then, one day, Amazon came out of the heavens. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to pay $14.99 per month for Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

➤ Denver: Angel “Taz” Espinoza, leader of the 2D$ street gang, pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple charges including two counts of second-degree murder. He is set to be sentenced in May to 95 years in prison. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: The Sheriff’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into Columbine High School officials after falsely claiming that a student was homeless so she could move in with a teacher. (More)

➤ Statewide: Savage Cat Food has recalled its large and small chicken boxes in Colorado and four other states due to possible bird-flu contamination. (More)

➤ Delta County: Police conducting a traffic stop on Highway 50 seized a stash of drugs that included fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a powerful elephant sedative. (More)

➤ Statewide: Xcel Energy has proposed adjustments to its natural gas and electricity prices for the second quarter of 2025. The new prices would increase the average residential bill by 2.78% or $2.56. (More)

➤ Denver: The Struggle of Love Foundation is asking the community for help after losing $60,000 to a text message banking scam. (More)

➤ The Denver Nuggets came up with a huge win over the Golden State Warriors despite sitting their top two players, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon scored 38 points en route to a 114-105 victory. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was on the ice for the duration of the team’s Monday practice. Landeskog has occasionally practiced with the team over his recovery from a brutal knee injury in 2022, but Avalanche coach Jared Bednar says he believes he is now “making strides” toward a potential return. (More)

➤ The Colorado Rockies have named Kyle Freeland as their Opening Day starter. This will be the fourth Opening Day start for Freeland and his third in succession. (More)

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➤ Denver plans to build a 14,500-seat stadium and 14-acre entertainment complex at the Santa Fe Yards for its new National Women’s Soccer League team, opening in 2028. (See Details)

➤ Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy a second time and will liquidate all U.S. stores, including five in Colorado. (More)

➤ The Denver City Council approved $1.5 million on Monday to revitalize the 16th Street Mall this summer by organizing concerts, markets, and art installations. (See Details)

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Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer. Make sure you’re not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 10 Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ Aramark, the official food and beverage vendor of Coors Field, is celebrating the stadium’s 30th anniversary with new menu items and 12 new Walk Thru Blu express beer lines. (See Menu Items)

➤ Outside has named four Colorado destinations on its list of 50 Best Adventures in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including Red Rocks, Mount Elbert, and more. (See List)

➤ The Denver Museum of Nature & Science will begin construction next month on the next phase of its East Wing Project, a renovation designed to “rejuvenate and reimagine” the museum’s east side. (See Renderings)

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