The two health systems issued a news release Tuesday announcing plans for a “joint venture” that will put AdventHealth in charge of the daily operations of Intermountain’s in Wheat Ridge, in Brighton and in Lafayette.

A version of the news release said that the health system is also exploring options for in Denver, including “potential partnerships.” It didn’t mention any plans for in Grand Junction, which is Intermountain’s only other hospital in Colorado.

Intermountain is based in Salt Lake City and all of its other 29 hospitals are in Utah.

Florida-based AdventHealth has five hospitals in metro Denver, including in Louisville, , , �����Ի� in Denver, along with dozens of medical practices and offsite emergency and urgent care centers.

The joint news release also noted that the “transaction” would close in early 2027, assuming regulators approve. States and the U.S. Department of Justice can intervene in sales and mergers if they believe a deal would reduce competition in a health care market.

Representatives for Intermountain declined to clarify what role, if any, the system would have in the joint venture. AdventHealth said the agreement isn’t a sale, but declined to give details about how the venture would work.

“Partnering with Intermountain Health represents an opportunity to build on our shared commitment to deliver high-quality, compassionate care,” David Banks, president and CEO of AdventHealth, said in a news release.

Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health, said in a news release that AdventHealth shares a focus on helping people live their healthiest lives.

“We are excited about the prospect of a joint venture that would expand access to high-quality care and create a more connected experience for patients and care teams across the greater Denver area,” he said.

Two of the hospitals involved in the venture — Lutheran and Platte Valley — appeared on a list of financially vulnerable hospitals compiled by the union National Nurses United earlier this summer. Lutheran relocated to a new $680 million facility less than two years ago, however, which makes it difficult to tell whether the hospital truly has a pattern of losing money based on publicly available data.

will end its partnership with Intermountain this year, though it relocated its employed doctors to work in other hospitals in 2025.

Kaiser runs an insurance plan and medical facilities for about 500,000 members statewide, and said it was expanding partnerships with and to offer more choices at lower costs.

initially declined to call a a purchase or merger, though all employees of the smaller hospital transferred to work at .

Allan Baumgarten, a consultant who studies hospital markets, said he knew of at least two cases in Michigan in which a larger health system absorbed a smaller one, but called them a “joint venture” or a “substitution of control.”

To the public, however, they looked like straightforward sales, with the smaller brands disappearing, he said.

Baumgarten said he wasn’t sure why health systems might use that terminology, but it could be to avoid legal challenges. Hospitals expanding their market share, such as HCA HealthOne in the Denver area, traditionally had to make large donations to nonprofit foundations, he said.

“Maybe this approach avoids that,” he said in an email. “Or maybe you get lighter antitrust scrutiny, even though this joint venture would have significant market power.”

Richard Pena, 37, broke into 11 Coinstar kiosks inside grocery stores along the I-70 corridor between Grand Junction and metro Denver over four days in November 2021. The machines accept loose change and dispense vouchers for cash or gift cards.

Pena stole bins containing a total of $65,769.82 in coins during 11 separate burglaries, according to his indictment by Colorado’s statewide grand jury.

A person believed to be Pena was seen entering the stores with a hand dolly and, in at least some of the burglaries, observed using what appeared to be a key to open the Coinstar kiosks, according to the indictment. He removed large bins of coins and carted them out to his van, the indictment said.

“All Coinstar kiosks within the United States were keyed identically upon manufacture,” prosecutors wrote in the indictment. “This allows the same key to access every kiosk in the country.”

The company’s investigators discovered a pattern of these types of thefts that started in Southern California and, by late 2021, had netted more than $1 million in losses, according to the indictment.

“Coinstar has been working to upgrade their kiosks to two-factor authentication,” prosecutors wrote.

The Colorado grand jury indicted Pena on 11 counts of third-degree burglary, a class 5 felony. He pleaded guilty to one count of class-4 felony theft for all 11 incidents, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office said.

A Denver District Court judge ordered Pena to pay $77,044.06 in restitution to Coinstar for the stolen money and damage to its machines.

Pena is already serving a federal sentence in Oregon for similar thefts in other states. The Colorado thefts took place at stores in Denver, Adams, Jefferson, Eagle and Mesa counties.

“This case wasn’t pocket change — it was (a) real loss for businesses and communities along the I-70 corridor,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement Friday. “Through hard investigative work, prosecutors in the Special Prosecutions Unit were able to bring justice for this 2021 coin-cashing kiosk heist that stretched from Grand Junction to Thornton.”

Here are five underrated adventure destinations to check out if you’re seeking to camp, bike, relax in hot springs, explore spirituality or find all the summer fun you can handle in one place.

Lake City: Where you don’t have to fight for a campsite

If you’re tired of competing for camping reservations, it����ap time to drive further into the middle of nowhere. Hinsdale County, home to Lake City, being “the most remote area in the United States’ lower 48 states” with more than 96% of the county designated as public lands. There are many first-come, first-served campgrounds where visitors can find plenty of site choices, even during the height of summer tourism. That includes the , located on the shores of Lake San Cristobal just a few miles from town with prime access to the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, a popular OHV and four-wheel driving route. Lake City is also a stargazing hotspot. To peruse the camping options available, visit .

Crestone: Where you can tap into the supernatural

The veil is thin in Crestone, a town in the San Luis Valley known for its spiritual traditions and ethereal essence. Since the 1980s, Crestone has become a hub for communities of various faiths, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Native American traditions, each of which has put its own stamp on the local architecture. Monuments like the 42-foot-tall and the are open to the public. Additionally, the town has attracted New Age seekers and retreat centers; it����ap not uncommon to hear drums beating while hiking local trails. Those willing to travel a short distance can also hit unusual attractions like the in Center and the reptile rescue and park in Mosca, as well as the in Alamosa.

Ouray: Where soaking in hot springs is a full-time job

Those interested in soaking in Colorado’s abundant hot springs might be inclined to visit a town with “springs” in the name. But on the Western Slope, Ouray has several options to satisfy whatever kind of setting travelers are looking for — whether that����ap a large family-friendly entertainment venue like the namesake or something more intimate, like with its renowned vapor cave. features nine outdoor pools and a bar for both overnight guests and those who buy a day pass. And in nearby Ridgway, there’s the clothing-optional , which also offers camping.

Naturita: Where you can bike through history and beyond

For bikers seeking to ride where few have before, there’s a growing network of trails in Colorado’s so-called West End, in Montrose County near Utah, that offers both an adventure and a tour of the region’s history. Since 2014, a group of volunteers operating as the has built and mapped more than 300 miles of trails near Naturita and Nucla for fans of cross-country, gravel, and mountain biking. (That includes e-bikes.) Most follow old mining roads through canyons and across mesa tops where miners used to prospect for gold and uranium. The community ethos revolves around biking with stores like and , which doubles as a bike service shop, and races like the . Opportunities for camping and glamping at , located at a former mining enclave, mean you can explore for several days and enjoy the massive art installations on the 120-acre property after recreating.

Grand Mesa: Where summer fun never ends

Coloradans looking for a single destination that offers catch-all summer fun should look no further than the , near Grand Junction. Known as the world’s largest flattop mountain, the Grand Mesa is home to more than 300 lakes that provide access to fishing and boating (both motorized and not), picnicking and stunning views. Hikes abound in the forest, allowing visitors to see wildflowers and forage for mushrooms. There are numerous campgrounds where the whole family can post up and get the most out of a trip. The best part: The Grand Mesa is easily accessible via a paved scenic byway that runs from the north to the south, so you don’t need an off-road vehicle to experience what the outdoors have to offer there. With all the exceptional recreation, it’s a wonder it doesn’t get more crowded. But, hey, all the better for those who wander to the Western Slope.

Here’s a list of five must-ride destinations for mountain bikers in Colorado.

Buffalo Creek: The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, 10 miles southeast of Pine Junction in the Pike National Forest, boasts the best trail network for mountain biking in the Front Range. Located in Jefferson County only 30 miles from C-470, Buff Creek is a wonderland of more than 50 miles of multi-use, nonmotorized trails. Some connect to the Colorado Trail.

“That Buffalo Creek zone is one of the best areas to ride,” said former pro rider Ryan Petry, who works now for Shift Events in charge of community engagement. “You can go forever. It����ap flowing single-track. There is technical riding, but it����ap beginner-friendly, it����ap cross-country friendly. The trail system is just incredible.”

Buffalo Creek is the setting for one of Colorado’s most popular mountain biking events, The Hundo, a June event with 100K and 64K options. The Hundo is capped at 500 participants by the national forest, so there is a lottery to enter and it’s sold out for this year. The lottery usually opens in early March.

Crested Butte: Some say Crested Butte was the birthplace of mountain biking, while others claim California’s Marin County. Either way, CB is one of the most iconic mountain biking destinations in America.

“Crested Butte is incredibly beautiful,” Petry said. “Crested Butte has a huge range of riding, a little something for everyone; a casual rider who wants to ride for an hour and a half every day and then hang out in town, but it also people who want to go on epic all-day adventures on serious terrain, some of the most iconic rides and loops in the country. It����ap this perfect blend of how beautiful it is, but also the riding.”

If you go, don’t miss the 401 Trail, one of America’s most famous backcountry rides.

“It����ap not necessarily the best riding, but the views — and if you catch it when there’s wildflowers out — it����ap an experience unlike anything else,” Petry said. “You’re riding on the side of this mountain with wildflowers hitting your handle bars for 30 minutes straight. There’s way better riding there, but it����ap a bucket-list (ride) because of the views and the overall experience.”

Salida and the Monarch Crest: The Arkansas Valley has a lot more to offer than skiing at Monarch Mountain and summer water sports on the river. There are lots of great mountain bike rides in the area, and one might be considered a bucket-list ride.

The Monarch Crest trail is a spectacular ridge ride on a section of the Continental Divide Trail south of Monarch Pass with long descents to Poncha Springs or Salida. “It����ap super high-alpine, great riding,” Petry said. “It����ap strenuous, not for the faint of heart. But for the views and the riding, it����ap amazing.”

Down in the valley, Salida offers wonderful variety for all levels of riders. “You can go right from town and do beginner-friendly trails or more advanced trails,” Petry said. “That����ap why that town is blowing up, not just the water activities, but it has an incredible range of mountain experiences throughout the season.”

Fruita and Grand Junction: The Grand Valley is another classic Colorado mountain biking destination. There are two trail networks near Fruita — located 10 miles northwest of Grand Junction — and another in Grand Junction that stand out.

One is known as 18 Road and is located north of Fruita along the Bookcliffs. “It’s considered one of the more flowy trail systems with less tech (difficulty),” said Gary Plante, general manager of the Colorado Backcountry Biker bike shop. “Great place for families and those new to the sport, as it offers more easy trails, yet still has plenty for experienced riders.”

The Kokopelli Loops network, northwest of Fruita, runs through canyons of the Colorado River. “Kokopelli offers a great mix of flow and technical riding,” Plante said. “There are trails for novice riders, but offers more overall for more experienced riders.”

Between Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument is an area called the Lunch Loops. “This is considered the most technical trail system in the valley, with more rocks and features to navigate,” Plante said. “There are family-friendly trails at the base of the mountain, but the majority of trails are generally for intermediate to experienced riders.”

�ٳܰ����Բ���:��This mountain biking mecca in far southwest Colorado has lots of great riding, but it’s also known for its rich cycling culture.

“People move to Durango because they love mountain biking,” Petry said. “Some of the best cyclists on the (competitive) circuit are from Durango. They’ve got an amazing development program, and the way the bike shops revolve around the trails and the mountain biking community is super cool.”

Durango is set to host the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2030.

Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson were killed while trying to slow the Knowles fire as it raced toward Glade Park, an area full of cabins and homes outside Grand Junction. Thankfully, the Knowles Fire, which the larger Snyder Fire overtook, was 65% contained on Friday morning.

A memorial for the fallen heroes will be July 5 at 11 a.m. at Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction. Coloradans across the state can honor their memory by not engaging in risky activities.

Colorado’s director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said firefighters still on the lines understand the risk they take to save lives and property. He said fire managers are not slowing their efforts to stop four mega fires that as of Friday morning had collectively burned more than 157,000 acres.

“We asked several who were up close and personal with this loss, and their decision was that they still want to work,” Mike Morgan said. “They are still on the line doing the work. They are mission-committed. Do they have tears in their eyes? Absolutely, yes.”

Morgan said when things settle down, they will have resources for firefighters suffering from the loss of Barker, Hutcherson and Watson, but for now, the battle rages on.

“As a nation, we’re going to be there for them,” Morgan said.

Colorado’s first responders are spread very thin with four mega fires torching homes and forests across the state. Utah and New Mexico are burning too, meaning there is competition for mutual aid resources, too.

Gov. Jared Polis said the fires right now are well resourced, but additional ignitions will cause trouble.

“We are braced for a long fire season,” Polis said, citing the drought combined with hot, dry and windy weather. “We are asking Coloradans to avoid new fire causing behavirors … Nine out of 10 fires are human-caused. People can do their part to support our firefighters by being very cautious about potential fire-starting events in the coming days and weeks.”

Sadly, that does include personal fireworks, campfires, dispersed shooting and even ATV riding in forests that are ready to go up in smoke at the slightest spark.

While firefighters in Western Colorado mourn the loss of firefighters, those in Southern Colorado are mourning the loss of Beulah, a small mountain community that has been engulfed by the Aspen Acres fire. Families forced to evacuate from Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, Wetmore and Colorado City are still waiting to hear the fate of their homes.

The Alaska Complex Incident Management Team started working the fire on Thursday with Jake Livingston as the incident commander leading a huge team of local, state and federal firefighters. The fire has burned 66,896 acres and is zero percent contained.

Conditions kept some planes grounded Thursday, but firefighters continued to battle the fire on the ground, surrounding homes and trying to defend them.

Polis urged Coloradans to set up their phones , double-check the alert systems, and for those on pre-evacuation notice to prepare to leave quickly.

Local police, state troopers and the Colorado National Guard are going door to door helping with evacuations.

Even if there is no fire in your community, your resources are spread thin. Fire departments across the state have sent teams to these fires, so accidentally sparking a small fire in your yard, even one that is quickly extinguished, adds to the load on a system stretched thin.

In addition to the Snyder and Aspen Acres fires, two more fires continue to grow and threaten communities.

The Ferris Fire near Cahone in Montezuma County has burned 27,000 acres, and the Gold Mountain Fire has burned 18,000 acres dangerously close to the town of Ouray.

Mega fires will forever change these landscapes. Forests will take decades to begin growing again. Flood risks will increase, and water quality will decrease. Too many Coloradans will have to rebuild their lives from the ashes.

With no relief of rain in sight, according to the National Weather Service, Colorado is reliant on heroes like Barker, Hutcherson and Watson to fend off these fires. We are forever grateful for their work.

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Thousands of Coloradans have been displaced by wildfires burning across the state, with the roaring across 28 square miles in less than a day, making it the eighth-largest wildfire in Colorado history.

The Aspen Acres fire, which is , grew from 55,391 acres, or 87 square miles, on Thursday night to 73,377 acres, or 115 square miles, on Friday afternoon. It’s burning with no containment and is now twice the size of Fort Collins.

Under normal conditions, wildfires tend to calm down at night thanks to cooler temperatures and higher humidity, Alaska Complex Incident Management Team spokesperson Al Nash said.

“We really didn’t see that until close to dawn today,” Nash said Friday morning.

The fire made two big runs around midnight and 4 a.m. and burned into the community of Colorado City, near Interstate 25 south of Pueblo, forcing residents to evacuate in the middle of the night. County officials were not able to assess the damage on Friday because of the fire conditions, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said at an afternoon briefing.

The fire is burning within 200 yards of Bishop’s Castle, a popular tourist attraction, Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith said. More than 3,800 addresses are still under .

Custer County also ordered more mandatory evacuations in Wetmore on Friday afternoon, describing the fire as “unpredictable and constantly changing.”

The fire is still about 12 miles away from Pueblo city limits, Lucero said.

“They are not on a pre-evacuation notice, but we have seen some things I’ve never seen in 26 years in law enforcement with the behavior of this fire,” Lucero said. “You should have a plan, and you should be prepared if that call does come.”

Firefighters are still focused on protecting homes and infrastructure from the fire, Incident Commander Jake Livingston said.

Wildfires near Ouray, Dolores and Leadville also grew Friday.

The near Dolores grew by more than 6,000 acres, or 9 square miles, and has consumed 33,428 acres, or 52 square miles, since it started burning June 27. Containment dropped slightly Friday, from 10% to 9%, as the fire pushed toward the Benchmark Lookout, fire officials said.

To the north in Ouray County, the Gold Mountain fire grew by 6 square miles Friday and has burned 21,789 acres, or 34 square miles with no containment. Mandatory evacuations and forest closures are still active around the wildfire, which is threatening an estimated 2,602 homes, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

To the east, the Willow fire near Leadville grew by about 200 acres and had consumed 2,541 acres, or 4 square miles, with no containment as of Friday evening. Mandatory evacuations are still active around the fire, including in the Turquoise Lake area, and Lake County officials ordered more evacuations south of the fire late Friday.

Near the Utah state line, fire crews gained 95% containment on the by Friday evening, up from 65% containment on Thursday night, fire officials confirmed. The fire did not grow overnight and has burned 30,191 acres, or 47 square miles, in Utah and Mesa County.

Firefighters Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson were killed while fighting the fire last week, and a public memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Sunday at the amphitheater in Grand Junction’s Las Colonias Park, 925 Struthers Ave. The service will be livestreamed online at

“Critical fire weather conditions” forecast each day this week could spur the wildfires’ growth across the state’s Western Slope and mountains, according to the .

As of Monday morning, had been issued for most of southwest Colorado, including the Paradox Valley, North Fork Valley, Gunnison Basin and Colorado River Basin, according to the Grand Junction office. The warnings will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Monday, with wind gusts up to 40 mph and humidity as low as 7% expected.

“These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area,” weather service forecasters wrote in a fire weather alert. “Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.”

Red flag warnings were also issued for Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo, Summit and Teller counties, according to the weather service’s Boulder and Pueblo offices. Forecasters said up to 45 mph wind gusts and as low as 7% humidity are expected in those areas.

Jump to: Snyder Mesa fire������Gold Mountain fire������Ferris fire | Willow fire | Aspen Acres fire ����Air quality alerts

Snyder fire in Mesa County and Utah

Colorado’s largest wildfire is burning on nearly 30,000 acres on the Western Slope, near the Utah border, and has killed three firefighters, according to federal fire officials.

The Snyder fire started as four small fires — two in Utah and two on Colorado’s Western Slope. Utah’s Snyder Mesa and Jones fires spread across the Colorado border, merging and consuming the Knowles and Gore fires in Mesa County.

As of Monday, the combined Snyder fire had consumed an estimated 29,353 acres with no containment, according to the . That’s roughly 46 square miles.

As the wildfire spread into Colorado, the flames overtook five federal firefighters responding to the Knowles and Gore fires, , an agency created earlier this year to streamline firefighting and fire reduction across public lands.

The firefighters were caught in a “burnover incident” and deployed their shelters, but the wildfire killed three fire and injured two, . A burnover is when a wildfire overtakes firefighters or their equipment, leaving them no time to escape.

The firefighters who died were identified Monday morning by the U.S. Forest Service as 38-year-old Emily Barker of Michigan, 27-year-old Nick Hutcherson of Arizona and 27-year-old Sydney Watson of Alabama. An investigation has been opened into their deaths, federal officials said.

3 wildland firefighters killed in western Colorado identified

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis for the Snyder fire on Saturday and authorized the use of the National Guard to fight the blaze. The fire was previously called the Snyder Mesa fire.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office asked people to evacuate the potential path of the fire and to turn on irrigation water to saturate the land. The Bureau of Land Management closed public access to lands it manages nearby, including the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.

Pre-evacuation notices were issued on Sunday for residents living in the Glade Park area, the Kingsview subdivision and the Pollock Canyon Estates, according to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. That includes the area south of the Colorado River to BS Road and west of Colorado 340. The sheriff also before the Bureau of Land Management boundary, the Kokopelli Trail Road between Loma and Mack and 16 5/10 Road to Glade Park at Monument Road and Rim Rock Drive, .

The sheriff's office and the American Red Cross are operating a Snyder Mesa fire evacuation center at , 1400 N. Fifth Street.

Gold Mountain fire near Ouray

A wildfire burning near Ouray, a popular Colorado mountain town, multiplied in size on Sunday, consuming more than 7,000 acres, according to state officials.

The Gold Mountain fire sparked Saturday north of Ouray, forcing evacuations. It was first mapped at an acre on Saturday, grew to 572 acres by Sunday morning and had charred 4,217 acres as of that evening, according to the .

As of Monday afternoon, the fire had reached 7,103 acres. That's roughly 11 square miles.

“Extremely steep and rugged terrain” has made fighting the fire difficult, county officials said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration for the wildfire -- which forced evacuations north of Ouray -- on Sunday.

Mandatory evacuations included residents in and near Lake Lenore, Panoramic Heights, Redstone Road and Peck’s Trailer Park, as well as those living between the trailer park and Cedar Hill Cemetery, . Pre-evacuation notices were also issued for residents living on Ouray County Road 17 from the Whispering Pines area to the Black Lake area.

The city of Ouray had not been evacuated as of Sunday evening, but sheriff's officials said residents and visitors and start solidifying evacuation plans.

Evacuated residents can seek shelter at the , 1200 Green Street, according to county officials.

As of Monday morning, U.S. 550 remained closed in both directions between 10th Avenue and Ouray County Road 23 for the fire, according to the .

Ferris fire in San Juan National Forest, near Dolores

Three fires that sparked Saturday in southwestern Colorado's San Juan National Forest have now merged into one, consuming more than 15,000 acres with no containment, according to federal officials.

As of Monday morning, the Ferris, Far Draw and Doe Canyon fires had scorched an estimated 15,888 acres -- nearly 25 square miles -- under the name, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire officials believe lightning sparked all three wildfires in the San Juan National Forest's Glade area near Narraguinnep Canyon, north of Dolores, according to the Forest Service.

Mandatory evacuations were issued Sunday for residents north and east of the wildfires, according to the . The evacuation area was bordered to the north by Disappointment Road, to the south by the Glade Ranch community, to the west by the fire and to the east by Road 30, according to the office.

The U.S. Forest Service also closed the Bradfield Bridge Campground, Forest Service Road 504 to the base of McPhee Dam, Forest Service Road 521 and Forest Service Road 504 “out of an abundance of caution,” .

Dry, hot and windy conditions exacerbated the fires' growth on Saturday and Sunday, and that weather is expected to continue throughout the next several days, San Juan Team Eight Incident Commander Brad Pietruszka said in Sunday's operational briefing.

Willow fire near Leadville

Less than a day after it ignited, the Willow fire burning near the Leadville National Fish Hatchery had consumed roughly 1,259 acres with no containment, according to the Lake County Office of Emergency Management.

Read more about the fire and its evacuations here:

1,200-acre Lake County fire prompts evacuations near Leadville

Aspen Acres fire in Custer County

A wildfire sparked Monday morning in Custer County and raced across nearly 2,500 acres, forcing evacuations near Beulah, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

Read more about the fire here:

Town of Beulah evacuated because of Aspen Acres fire

Air quality alerts

As wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, state health officials have for parts of the mountains and Western Slope.

The newest alert from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will remain in effect until at least 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to the agency.

Smoke could create unhealthy conditions near and downwind of the fires burning in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah, including in Chaffee, Clear Creek, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Gunnison, Grand, Lake, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, San Miguel and Summit counties, according to state health officials.

If the smoke drops visibility to less than 5 miles in an area, it has reached unhealthy levels, according to the agency. Those with heart disease and respiratory illnesses, young children and older adults are more at risk.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

The fire burned three or four buildings on a single, large private property at 7803 Reeder Mesa Road, Grand Junction Fire Department spokesman Dirk Clingman said. The blaze started around 12:40 p.m. and burned 10 acres over the next few hours, he said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The buildings that burned were sheds and other outbuildings, Clingman said. A home on the property was also severely damaged, he said. A photo posted by the fire department early on in the fire showed a black column of smoke reaching into the sky.

Residents within a one-mile radius of 7803 Reeder Mesa Road were ordered to evacuate shortly after the blaze started, according to the fire department. That address is roughly 18 miles southeast of Grand Junction and 33 miles northwest of Delta. Those evacuations were lifted about three hours later as the fire was controlled.

The Mesa County Fire Authority, Central Orchard Mesa Fire, East Orchard Mesa Fire, Palisade Fire Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office’s Wildland Fire Team and the Bureau of Land Management all responded to fight the wildfire, Grand Junction fire officials said.

Grand Junction police officers responded to reports of a man with a knife inside a Dairy Queen at 709 North Ave. at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to a .

When officers arrived, they found a man matching the suspect’s description in the parking lot, sheriff’s officials said. Investigators said the officers shot the man in the parking lot, but the events leading up to the shooting were not specified in the release.

The man, who has not been publicly identified, fled the lot and crashed into several vehicles before stopping near the intersection of North First Street and North Avenue, sheriff’s officials said.

Paramedics took the man to the hospital, where he died, according to the release. One person “with injuries consistent with a knife assault” and another who was injured in one of the crashes were also taken to the hospital.

The suspect will be identified at a later date by the Mesa County Coroner’s Office.

The Grand Junction police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, per department policy, sheriff’s officials said.

Anyone with information about or video of the shooting is asked to contact investigators at 970-244-3266 or Kandyce.Stuck@mesacounty.us.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Player of the Year

Cooper Vais, Jr. RHP/SS, Arvada West

The Texas commit was an unstoppable force for the Class 5A runner-ups, batting .458 with seven homers plus a 0.62 ERA and 113 Ks on the mound.

Coach of the Year

Matt Eades, Pueblo County

In his ninth season, the 2005 Pueblo County graduate guided the Hornets to their first crown with a 4-0 mark the Class 4A state tournament.

Pitchers

Blake Swift, Sr. RHP, Pueblo County

The CHSAA Class 4A Player of the Year and Otero College commit put the Hornets on his back en route to the title with a 1.51 ERA in 15 games.

Hudson Alpert, Sr. RHP, Regis Jesuit

After returning at midseason from elbow surgery, the Vanderbilt commit had a 1.91 ERA in seven games, and also hit .449 for the Class 5A champs.

Ethan Wachsmann, Sr. RHP, Grandview

The Wake Forest commit touched 100 mph this season as opponents hit .159 vs him; threw a no-hitter, and had a 2.10 ERA in 9 games with 66 Ks.

Hunter Vitello, Jr. RHP, Denver South

The DPS standout threw a no-hitter against Ralston Valley in the Class 5A regional opener. He logged 101 strikeouts and just 15 walks, with a 2.17 ERA.

Gunnar Garrison, Sr. RHP, Eaton

The Arizona State commit with a mid-90s heater was a centerpiece of Eaton’s Class 3A Final 4 team, with a 1.62 ERA in 11 games with 116 strikeouts.

Jake Watts, Jr. RHP, Ralston Valley

The Mustangs’ ace and Evansville pledge posted a 2.50 ERA in 8 games, with 70 strikeouts while limiting hitters to a paltry .146 average.

Colten Smith, Jr. RHP, Legend

The BYU commit with a low-90s fastball was critical in Legend’s Class 5A Final 4 run, posting a 3.00 ERA in 10 games and rising up down the stretch.

Mikey Kroll, Jr. RHP, Regis Jesuit

A one-two punch in the Raiders’ rotation behind Alpert, Kroll threw four shutout innings in the Class 5A title game and had a 2.73 ERA in 8 games.

Josh Weaver, Sr. RHP, Fruita Monument

In addition to being a force in the lineup, the Wildcats’ ace and Cowley commit had a 1.52 ERA in 11 games, including 92 Ks to just 11 walks.

Sawyer Tipton, Sr. RHP, Mountain Vista

With a 1.84 ERA in 12 games, Tipton was the Golden Eagles’ unquestionable ace, and the Lehigh commit also racked up 79 strikeouts to 23 walks.

Max Goldberg, Sr. LHP, Cherry Creek

The Boston College commit dominated this spring, with a 1.79 ERA in 10 games, 73 Ks to 21 walks, and held opponents to a .195 average.

Catchers

Cole Teltschik, Sr., Discovery Canyon

The Thunder’s powerful backstop and Missouri State commit led all classifications with 13 homers while hitting .593 with a ridiculous 2.096 OPS.

Brayden Reiner, Sr., Arvada West

A two-way senior pillar for the Class 5A runner-ups, the Newman University commit had a .410 on-base percentage; also was 11-0 with a 0.92 ERA.

Peter Worth, Sr., Northfield

The Washington University in St. Louis commit dominated with a .492 average, 26 RBIs and a 1.428 OPS in a spring that featured a natural cycle.

Walker Blanchard, Sr., Elizabeth

The Scottsdale Community College commit helped the Cardinals to the Class 3A state tournament, hitting .403 with a .494 on-base percentage.

Infielders

Damian Alvarez, Sr. SS, University

CHSAA’s Class 3A Player of the Year and centerpiece of UHS’s title team hit .546 with 26 extra-base hits; McLennan Community College commit.

Luc Gaca Thiele, Sr. 3B, Fossil Ridge

The Columbia commit batted .479 with a .585 on-base percentage and 33 RBIs as part of a dynamic infield duo alongside junior Brady Bradford.

Bret Baldwin, Jr. SS, Ralston Valley

The Washington commit hit .429 with a team-high seven homers while showcasing range, athleticism and arm strength from the middle infield.

Deion Cesario-Scott, Sr. 1B, Regis Jesuit

The Alabama A&M commit was a feared power presence in the Raiders’ lineup, batting .427 with seven homers, a .780 slugging and 1.344 OPS.

Cory Dean Carver, Sr. SS, Montezuma-Cortez

The Navy commit showcased speed, power and a high-contact approach, with a .580 average, seven homers, 21 steals and a .649 on-base percentage.

Matt Hegerle, Sr. SS, Bear Creek

The athletic UC Davis commit was the heartbeat of Bear Creek; he batted .477 with a .575 on-base percentage, 26 steals and a 1.267 OPS.

Chase Massey, Sr. SS, Regis Jesuit

The Continental League Player of the Year and Boston College commit led the Raiders with nine homers; hit .404 with an .830 slugging, 1.317 OPS.

Hunter Howard, Sr. SS, Palisade

The Glendale Community College commit hit .463 with six homers, 30 RBIs and only six Ks; also dominated on the mound with a 1.22 ERA.

Nick Hernandez, Sr. 2B, Pueblo County

The Hornets’ intelligent, dynamic leadoff hitter was the highlight of a deep lineup, hitting .435 with a .547 on-base percentage and 1.123 OPS.

Bryce Jackson, Sr. 1B, Broomfield

The Fort Hayes State commit was a force to be reckoned with in the box, with a team-high .480 average, .570 on-base percentage and six homers.

Outfielders

Zach Mediavilla, Sr., The Classical Academy

TCA’s do-everything speedy superstar batted .527 with seven triples, 25 RBIs, 31 steals and broke the school record for hits in season with 49.

Jackson Crawford, Jr., Mountain Vista

The Golden Eagles’ preeminent power hitter and USC commit blasted seven homers with a .349 average, .476 on-base percentage and a 1.211 OPS.

Dylan Paulson, Jr., Golden

The Demons’ top hitter batted .548 to lead Golden to its sixth straight Class 4A/3A Jeffco League title; had eight homers, 42 RBIs and a .946 slugging.

Silas Meuli, Sr., Legend

The Chandler Gilbert Community College commit was an offensive pillar for the Titans, batting .392 with four homers and a .568 on-base percentage.

Tanner Craytor, Sr., Fairview

The Knights’ slugger and Wofford commit led Class 5A with 11 homers to help Fairview to the Class 5A state tournament; batted .469, 1.660 OPS.

Baylor Schultz, Sr., Ponderosa

Schultz was key to a youth-laden Mustangs team that made the Class 4A Final 4, batting .393 and posting a 1.30 ERA in 12 games.

Tyce Smith, Sr., Cherry Creek

A multi-year cog in the middle of the Cherry Creek lineup, Smith led the Bruins with a .468 average, .602 on-base percentage and 1.279 OPS.

Jacob Olson, Sr., Regis Jesuit

The Oregon commit consistently flashed leather in center field for the Class 5A champs while hitting .388 with six homers, four triples and a .728 slugging.

Beau Friesen, Sr., Arvada West

A breakout star for the Wildcats en route to the Class 5A state title game, the San Diego pledge hit .438 with 44 RBIs and also blasted nine homers.

Utility

Maddox Burnett, Sr. RHP/UTL, Erie

A BYU commit who could hear his name called in the upcoming MLB Draft, Burnett hit .551 and also posted a 1.77 ERA with 105 Ks in 11 games.

Dane Dial, Soph. 3B/RHP, Pine Creek

Dial was key in Pine Creek’s Class 5A Final Four run, batting .400 with a .504 on-base percentage and seven homers; also had a 1.77 ERA in 12 games.

Aaron Jaquez, Sr. RHP/1B/OF, Falcon

The centerpiece on the Class 4A runner-ups was a two-way behemoth; McLennan Community College commit hit .629, and also had a 2.60 ERA.

Tristan Mullis, Jr. INF/OF, Pine Creek

Mullis paced Pine Creek with a .514 average, which included 6 triples, 6 homers, a .581 on-base percentage, .916 slugging and 1.497 OPS.

Andrew Henderson, Sr. 3B/RHP, Grand Junction

The Indiana State commit was the Tigers’ star en route to the Class 4A state tournament; hit .437, and posted a 1.53 ERA in 11 games with 86 Ks.