This year’s epic snowpack has raised the flood threat in southwestern Colorado in more ways than one, thanks to massive amounts of debris wrenched loose by avalanches over the winter that now threaten to exacerbate runoff conditions.
In Lake City, the only town in remote Hinsdale County, residents have been filling sandbags, contemplating the removal of a historic dam and preparing for the worst-case scenario. But as the most severe flood risk now appears to have been avoided, residents are worried that all the disaster warnings have scared away the town’s main source of income: summer tourism.
We sent reporter Elise Schmelzer and photographer Joe Amon to the state’s southwestern mountains this week to check in with residents who, over the past two years, have had to deal with fire, drought, avalanches and, now, the threat of flooding. It’s been a rough period for those who rely on seasonal tourists dollars.
“What else can you do?” Roxa Hutchins, owner of Sportsman’s BBQ Station in Lake City, told Schmelzer. “Mother Nature, you can’t control her.”
— Matt Sebastian, Enterprise Editor of The Denver Post
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18,000 sandbags later, Lake City flood fears diminish even as rivers rise across southwestern Colorado
The residents of Lake City are hoping that flood warnings don’t scare off summer tourists, their primary source of income. After preparing for the worst from Mother Nature the remote town “feels empty,” resident Janet Potter said. Read more from Elise Schmelzer.
New lawsuit alleges at least one death and “hundreds of severe infections” going back to 2015 from contaminated surgical instruments at Porter hospital
More than 60 patients who suffered post-surgical infections are suing Denver’s Porter Adventist Hospital over a breach in sterilization procedures, which a state investigation found was far more serious than the hospital divulged a year ago.
A new lawsuit filed yesterday alleges the hospital’s failure to adequately clean equipment caused “hundreds of severe infections” in patients as far back as 2015 — and at least one death. Read more from Jessica Seaman about the lawsuit and report here and more about the patients who are part of the lawsuit here.
Pat Bowlen dies: Hall of Fame Broncos owner was 75
Late Thursday night Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen died after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers. The news was quickly followed by an outpouring of support from fans, former players and fellow owners. Read more from Ryan O’Halloran here.
MORE PAT BOWLEN COVERAGE
- Kiszla: Nobody ran harder in pursuit of Broncos’ excellence than franchise owner Pat Bowlen
- Shannon Sharpe found an owner who has his back in Pat Bowlen
- Terrell Davis remembers Pat Bowlen: “He was a confidant, a good friend”
- Champ Bailey: Pat Bowlen’s organization was first-class
- Remembering Pat Bowlen
Gun control groups nationwide declare victory over scrapped recall of Colorado Rep. Tom Sullivan
Colorado conservatives ended their effort to recall Rep. Tom Sullivan on Tuesday in a move that was hailed as a victory for gun control efforts nationwide. Read more from Anna Staver here.
Where has Denver’s soul food gone? In a historically black neighborhood, the last restaurant of its kind turns 20
Welton Street Cafe opened in 1999. Fast forward to 2019 and it’s the only soul food spot still standing in Five Points. This year, second-generation owner Fathima Dickerson says she finally feels secure in her business as she celebrates 20 years of the cafe frying chicken and catfish. Read more from Josie Sexton.
Quick Hits
+ As Castle Rock looks to evolve beyond a bedroom community, the old town dump will be key
+ Denver airport official resigns 3 months after being placed on investigatory leave
+ Colorado surpasses $1 billion in marijuana tax revenue
+ Supporters of the first TABOR timeout say new request is a bad idea
+ Ballot initiative sought to ban late-term abortions in Colorado
+ What will Denver do with its suburban frontier through 2040?
+ Weld County pounces on local control in wake of new state oil and gas law
+ Playing through the pain: a First Tee success story
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