Boulder County Shelters expand hours, capacity, as Artic front comes in
Temporary warming shelters in Boulder County are extending their hours and capacity this weekend in anticipation of a cold front bringing sub-zero temperatures.
Managed by the county and the Boulder Office of Disaster Management, the warming centers are open to anyone in need of shelter to stay warm or spend the night, as stated in a press release.
In Boulder, community members seeking shelter are encouraged to first go to the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless on Broadway. If it reaches full capacity, individuals will receive complimentary transportation to the Boulder East Age Well Center. Additionally, there will be available transportation from downtown Boulder to homeless shelters through two extra buses.
The nonprofit organization Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement in Longmont will provide overnight severe weather sheltering until Wednesday. They are also seeking donations of hats, gloves, coats, and hand warmers.
Additional shelter in Longmont will be accessible tonight and tomorrow at Messiah Lutheran Church and from Sunday through Wednesday at Journey Church.
How high is the risk of frostbite during the weekends hard freeze
Temperatures are expected to drop throughout the weekend, reaching as low as negative 8 degrees. Strong winds are also forecasted, increasing the risk of frostbite starting today.
The bitter cold conditions indicate that the risk of frostbite will persist through the weekend and into the next week.
The National Weather Service recommends covering every part of your body if you need to go outside, drinking plenty of water, and keeping your skin dry.
According to the Center for Disease Control, signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, a white or grayish-yellow skin area, and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy. If you suspect frostbite, avoid hot water or heat in the affected areas and seek medical attention immediately.
Xcel Energy faces nearly 300 lawsuits alleging utility company started Marshall Fire
Around 300 homeowners, local governments, and the retail giant Target have joined a lawsuit against Xcel Energy, for what they say is improperly maintained wiring that caused the Marshall Fire.
The attorneys filing the lawsuit claim that the Marshall Fire had two distinct known points of origin, asserting that these two fires merged to form the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history.
Xcel Energy denies any involvement in the wildfire’s origin, stating that the sheriff’s investigation is flawed, and the company was not given an opportunity to review the findings.
The Marshall Fire swept across Boulder County, Superior, and Louisville on December 30, 2021.
Denver Art Museum workers will form union to combat wage, safety concerns.
Around 250 eligible employees at the Denver Art Museum are making plans to unionize.
Museum officials confirmed yesterday that they received a request for voluntary recognition of a union from workers, potentially bypassing a lengthy and costly election process.
As reported by Westword, many workers express desires for safer workplace conditions, increased transparency from management, and living wages.
The Museum responded publicly, stating, “If unionization is the path they choose, the museum will work within that system. The Denver Art Museum prioritizes its employees and their needs and looks forward to learning more about the specific goals of the proposed unionization.”
Colorado’s new wolves are alive and well, but state officials face transparency concerns about release
The ten wolves released into the wild last month are alive and well. So far the Colorado parks and Wildlife Commission say they have received no reports of wolves harming livestock. The multiyear effort has faced criticism over the lack of transparency.
Colorado’s top wildlife official apologized to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for not providing enough information about the releases that happened mid-December.
Colorado residents vote to reintroduce wolves into the wild in 2020. The announcement that the reintroduction had begun to spark panic in many ranching communities who feared the wolves would threaten livestock.
The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife say the wolf reintroduction plan involves releasing 15 wolves into the wild per year. So far, they have released 10 wolves in the wild.
