DENVER
T-REX contractors plan to close the on-ramp from South Broadway to southbound Interstate 25 for about six weeks beginning Sunday at 9 p.m. so workers can reconstruct the ramp.
To accommodate travelers, contractors will open the Emerson Street and Downing Street on-ramps to southbound I-25, also on Sunday. Those ramps have been closed since December 2001 for reconstruction as part of the $1.67 billion highway expansion and light-rail project.
To get to the Emerson and Downing ramps, motorists on southbound Broadway will be routed on East Mississippi Avenue and Buchtel Boulevard.
T-REX stands for Transportation Expansion Project. Highway portions of the project are scheduled for completion Sept. 1. The southeast light-rail line is set to open Nov. 17.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Wind-driven blaze damages two homes
A garage fire buffeted by high winds caused “significant damage” to two homes in the 15900 block of Hedgeway Drive in the Stonegate area near Parker, fire authorities reported.
Parker firefighters responded to the fire just after 4 p.m. and found the garage engulfed in flames. They were able to contain the fire to two homes, according to a statement.
An off-duty Colorado Springs firefighter, who was in the neighborhood, evacuated three homes – including one with a woman and three children inside – the statement said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
BEAVER CREEK
Ski instructor jailed on rape accusation
A veteran Beaver Creek ski instructor has been jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail in the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl after the two skied together over the winter.
According to authorities, David Lorenzen confessed to the rape during a telephone call with the girl that was set up by police. He did not immediately return a message left for him at the jail Wednesday.
Lorenzen, 43, took the girl skiing during his days off in January while she was vacationing from Palm Beach, Fla.
The police report said the two skied a run and she agreed to have a beer with him. He took her to his apartment, where he showed her pornographic videos, gave her alcohol and later raped her despite her protests, authorities said.
“It seemed like this was a plan,” Avon police Detective Paul Arnold said.
The girl’s family had used Lorenzen as a ski instructor before and he was tipped $100 by the girl’s unknowing mother after the alleged attack, police said.
Police say the parents learned of the incident from a cousin.
Lorenzen has worked at Beaver Creek since 1988.
He has an arrest record that includes four DUIs, possession of marijuana, trespassing, criminal mischief and attempted vehicle theft.
DENVER
Libeskind proposal on Civic Center delayed
Architect Daniel Libeskind, who created a master plan to redevelop the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is recovering from complications from oral surgery and had to postpone a presentation in Denver, his wife said Wednesday.
Libeskind had an abscess but was resting comfortably at his home in Manhattan, Nina Libeskind said. She said his affliction was painful but not serious.
Libeskind designed a plan to build five office towers, a memorial, a transit hub and a performing arts center at the 16-acre Trade Center site.
Libeskind, who also designed the jagged, titanium-clad expansion of the Denver Art Museum, was to outline conceptual ideas today for Denver’s Civic Center park.
Libeskind’s presentation will be rescheduled, Denver Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Tiffiany Moehring said.
FORT COLLINS
Bloodmobile driver cited in crash
The driver of a health services bloodmobile was cited by police Wednesday for allegedly pulling out into traffic without the right of way. The vehicle was struck by an oncoming van.
The Poudre Valley Health System bloodmobile was spun 90 degrees, while the van careened across four lanes of traffic before crashing through a fence, Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis said.
The van driver was injured, but details were not provided.
James Phillips, 24, was driving the bloodmobile. He was cited for failing to yield, while the van driver, Ben DeVries, 24, was cited for speeding.
CORTEZ
County, city bristle over road dispute
In a conflict over a subdivision near the southwestern Colorado community of Cortez, Montezuma County has erected concrete barricades to cut off the development from a county road.
County commissioners say the Brandon’s Gate subdivision will add traffic on County Road L with no impact fees paid to the county.
They are also at odds with Cortez officials over when and how much money the city and developer must pay the county for road impacts.
“They are trespassing on city property,” City Manager Hal Shepherd said Monday. “I don’t feel they have any legal right to do what they did.”
The county owns the north side of the road, and the city owns the south side. County Commissioner Dewayne Findley said the barriers were put up to force discussion with city officials.
“We felt like things weren’t progressing in a manner that was addressing our concerns,” Findley said.
The development is slated to include 103 high-end homes on 82 acres of city-annexed land in northern Cortez.
ALBUQUERQUE
Retrial date set for state’s ex-treasurer
A federal judge Wednesday set Sept. 5 for the retrial of former New Mexico state Treasurer Robert Vigil on public corruption charges, but prosecutors indicated they first plan to take the case to a grand jury for the sixth time.
Vigil has pleaded not guilty to 24 counts of racketeering and extortion in an alleged kickback scheme.
The first prosecution ended in a mistrial May 22, with one juror creating a deadlock when he said he believed Vigil was not guilty.
The case subsequently was shifted to U.S. District Judge James Browning, who held a status conference Wednesday. After hearing arguments, Browning said he probably will reject defense motions seeking to gut the prosecution’s case.
“I think my inclination to deny the three motions is strong enough that we should discuss scheduling,” Browning told attorneys for both sides.
