The Grand County sheriff confirmed late Friday that an elderly couple who’d refused to evacuate as the East Troublesome fire advanced on Grand Lake this week perished in the wildfire, the first fatalities linked to what is now the second-largest fire on record in Colorado. Sheriff Brett Schroetlin announced in a Facebook video that the bodies of Lyle and Marylin Hileman, 86 and 84, respectively, were recovered earlier in the day from the site of their destroyed home just outside Grand Lake. I loving memory, Lyle and Marylin Hileman. Your family loves you and misses you, and will go forward with the love, dedication, kindness, and strength […]Read full article >

As wildfires ravage the state, engulfing homes and forcing thousands to flee the flames, Coloradans should know there are ways to make sure they’re informed about potential evacuation notices — but it all depends on where they live. “It is not universal across all of Colorado,” said Kimberly Culp, chief executive officer of the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority. “Every county has their own alerting processes and systems in place.” And this patchwork of systems hasn’t always been the most effective tool. A 2012 examination by The Denver Post of 911 reverse-dialing systems across the Front Range found thousands of disconnected or […]Read full article >

Coloradans who have been affected by the state’s wildfires have multiple options to ensure their votes are counted in the Nov. 3 election, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. Those who haven’t returned their ballots can request a new one by mail by Monday or pick up a replacement from a polling center in their county. Those who have been displaced can pick up ballots in other counties and return them to any drop box in the state. Voters displaced because of evacuation orders and first responders working the fires can get emergency ballots electronically by contacting their county clerk’s office. Related Articles Colorado […]Read full article >

A Westminster Public Schools teacher who made what Superintendent Pamela Swanson called “despicable and appalling” comments about students with special needs has been fired. Related Articles Colorado homeowners have among the lowest tax rates in the U.S., but businesses say they’re paying the price Increase in COVID-19 cases pushes four school districts to remote learning Denver reconsiders reopening middle, high schools amid increased COVID-19 cases Denver area parents can track school COVID-19 cases with online dashboards Denver Issues 4A and 4B: School bond and mill levy override The district began investigating Peter Mandell, a teacher […]Read full article >

Nearly 100 years after Denver South High School’s founding, the school is adopting a new mascot. DSHS is now officially home of the Ravens, according to an announcement Friday. The new mascot replaces the Rebels, which harkens back to the days of the Confederacy. In a statement, Principal Bobby Thomas said the old emblem no longer seemed “appropriate, acceptable, or an accurate representation of what South stands for.” Over the last six months, the school conducted focus groups and online surveys and created a committee to determine the new mascot. “Ravens are smart, clever birds that are known to be strategic problem solvers. They are […]Read full article >

Whether your retirement dreams involve a cozy mountain cabin, or jet-setting around Europe, all of them have one thing in common: planning. More than just dollars and cents, planning for retirement means creating a clear picture of what life after work looks like to you, and developing a reasonable plan to get you there. Alexandra Swanson, a Financial Advisor with CUSO Financial Services, LP* located at Bellco Credit Union, shares her tips, tricks, and unique perspective on retirement that can help you make those dreams come true. @whutwhanfoto via canva.com Find Your Vision for Retirement The first step, and maybe most important, is […]Read full article >