Wildfire contained at Heil Valley Ranch; Polis hints at Peters pardon; Bill proposed to provide funding to ambulance services

Headlines Thursday, March 5, 2026

  • cover play_arrow

    Wildfire contained at Heil Valley Ranch; Polis hints at Peters pardon; Bill proposed to provide funding to ambulance services KGNU News

 

Wildfire contained at Heil Valley Ranch

Boulder fire crews responded to a vegetation fire in the northwest foothills of Boulder yesterday, in the Heil Valley Ranch Open Space area at Geer Canyon Drive and Lefthand Canyon Drive. The fire is 100% contained as of 8:00 pm yesterday, The Left Hand Fire District posted on Facebook. 

The Left Hand Fire Protection District said in an update last night that the Heil Ranch Fire was mapping at about 7.6 acres, and there were no lost structures or any threat to nearby structures. They said they expected the fire to continue smoldering throughout the night without spreading.

The fire is within the burn scar of the 2020 CalWood fire that scorched over 10,000 acres of land in the foothills. 

Lefthand Fire Protection District Facebook

Boulder County Sheriff Facebook

Boulder County Sheriff Twitter


Polis hints at Peters pardon

Colorado Democrats are criticizing Governor Jared Polis after he hinted on social media Tuesday that he may reduce the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. In the post on X, Polis questioned the difference between Peters’ sentence and that of former Democratic state Senator Sonia Jaquez-Lewis. Both women were convicted of attempting to influence a public servant.

Jaquez Lewis received probation, while Peters was sentenced to nine years behind bars. However, they were both also convicted of other charges. Colorado’s Democratic lawmakers say it’s wrong to compare their crimes and oppose reducing Peters’ sentence. President Donald Trump has called on Polis to pardon her and threatened Colorado with funding cuts if she’s not released.

This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

Bill proposed to provide funding to ambulance services

House Bill 26-1069 is a proposed bill that would provide funding to ambulance services and save the state money in the long run.

The bill would expand the list of services that EMS agencies are allowed to bill to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which administers the state’s Medicaid program, and to insurance companies. 

Democratic state Rep. Katie Stewart, a former EMT, is sponsoring the bill and says funding issues continue to threaten Colorado’s emergency medical services, especially in the state’s rural areas.

Stewart said, “We are already seeing the effects of this lack of funding and this lack of support. The ramifications of not supporting our folks in EMS means that we will not have these workers to show up when you dial 911.”

Ambulance services currently only have to be reimbursed when they transport a patient to an emergency room. Under the proposed bill, they could also be reimbursed for treating someone on-site without transporting them. 

Legislative committees have unanimously approved the bill. It now awaits consideration at the House.

READ MORE

Sen. Hickenlooper votes against Pearce BLM nomination

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted along party lines to advance Steve Pearce’s nomination to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Senator John Hickenlooper voted against advancing his nomination.

The former New Mexico congressman worked for years in the oil and gas industry before his time in office. During his nomination hearing, Pearce was questioned about past statements saying the BLM should sell federal lands to reduce the deficit.

Pearce said that the law prevents large-scale sell-offs of public lands… but refused to elaborate on his personal opinions of public lands sales. His nomination will now go before the full Senate for approval — though no date has been set.

This story was reported by Rocky Mountain Community Radio.

Denver set to transfer 34 young bison to Native tribes

The city and county of Denver will be sending 34 one-year-old bison to American Indian tribes this Friday, March 6. 

The bison are a part of the well-known herd that lives off I-70 near Genesee Park. The city owns two herds of bison including the Genesee herd, with another in Daniels Park. All are descended from the last wild bison to roam North America. 

A private ceremony will be held for Native communities and prominent supporters to celebrate the handoff. The bison will then be transported to reservations from federal, state and local governments and private ranches.

Denver has vowed to continue their donation to American Indian tribes and American Indian through 2030.

READ MORE

 

You can hear daily headlines on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show, with coverage of local and regional public affairs and news with headlines and commentary. Click here to listen to full episodes of the Morning Magazine.

Picture of KGNU News

KGNU News

Search

Now Playing

play_arrow

Live Broadcast

Recent Stories

Upcoming Events

KGNU PARTNERS

Want to help us build a better radio station?

We’re conducting a survey to help us understand how our listeners are using new technology. Please spend 15 minutes to let us know what you think.

Public media moves forward because you listen, watch, share and support. Thank you for being part of this community — and for helping us continue the journey during Public Media Giving Days.