Wildfire threatened school, homes in Summit County
A wildfire led to the evacuation of Summit High School at least 20 homes in the Farmer’s Korner area, between Frisco and Breckenridge, before firefighters from every fire department in Summit County and several from beyond the county got a handle on it, said Rachel Flood of Lake Dillon Fire Rescue.
The flames got within a couple hundred yards of the high school, and firefighters saved five homes that were threatened, one of which was saved when a slurry bomber scored a direct hit on it, Flood said.
In the end, the fire consumed only 12 to 15 acres of woodland, much of it pines killed by mountain pine beetles.
The fire was reported about 2:40 p.m., about when school was letting out, Flood said.
Colorado 9 was closed for about an hour and a half because the smoke was “rolling across the highway,” she said.
Residents evacuated Monday afternoon were allowed back into their homes in the evening.
The high school will be closed today for ventilation, Flood said.
DENVER
Dems say discrepancy is “a paper problem”
State Democratic Party officials Monday said they were trying to clear up a $3.2 million discrepancy found by a Federal Election Commission audit in which investigators determined the party may have misallocated campaign funds in 2001 and 2002.
Party chairman Pat Waak said the party is working to clear up the discrepancies and said it is only a matter of finding documents to back up the reports the party filed with the FEC.
“This is a paper problem,” Waak said.
According to the audit, the Colorado Democratic Party misreported a payment of $343,000 for media consulting as a $343 payment; failed to report receipts from a third-party fundraiser totaling $99,802 in 2001 and $112,700 in 2002; and failed to return an illegal $10,000 contribution in a timely manner.
DENVER
Girl’s suit to publicize prayer gathering fails
A federal judge on Monday denied a Pueblo girl’s request for an order forcing her high school to let her announce a prayer gathering over the school’s closed-circuit television system.
Adrienne Martin, a senior at Pueblo Centennial High School, had organized a local celebration of a nationwide event called “See You at the Pole,” according to a lawsuit her father filed on her behalf in U.S. District Court in Denver. Students plan to meet during non-instructional time at the school flag pole and pray for a moral and spiritual awakening on their campus, the lawsuit said.
DENVER
Council OKs plans for homes near DIA
The Denver City Council on Monday approved the rezoning of nearly 230 acres near Denver International Airport to pave the way for the $1.5 billion High Point development, which includes plans for 3,000 homes.
The council approved the rezoning on 10-to-3 vote, with council members Doug Linkhart, Jeanne Faatz and Peggy Lehmann dissenting. The rezoning allows Landmark Properties Group to build homes within 2 to 3 miles of a planned new runway at the airport.
Park Hill residents warned the council that it was setting itself up for a repeat of the aircraft-noise problems Denver had with homes too close to the old Stapleton International Airport.
Council members who supported the plan said they were confident homebuyers will be warned they are moving into an area where aircraft could fly at altitudes as low as 500 feet.
DENVER
Labor coalition lists DPS board choices
Denver labor interest groups announced board endorsements for Denver Public Schools on Monday.
The Coalition for Community Involvement in Education, which represents the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, the Communication Workers of America and other labor groups picked Jill Conrad, an education consultant, for the at- large seat; Jeanne Kaplan, a Denver mother whose two children attended DPS schools, for District 3; Michelle Moss, an incumbent who represents southwest Denver, for District 2; and Kevin Patterson, an uncontested incumbent who represents northeast Denver, for District 4.
LOVELAND
Female rider killed in fall from horse
A 35-year-old woman was killed when she was apparently thrown from a horse in the Carter Lake area late Monday afternoon, said Eloise Campanella of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.
The horse the woman was riding is believed to have become spooked and threw the rider off, Campanella said.
The victim’s 4-year-old son was heard screaming for help. Neighbors went to his aid and called 911, she said.
