Extremely Critical Fire Conditions Alert for Boulder and Jefferson Counties

Headlines Friday, December 19, 2025

Wind and Power Outage Update

The National Weather Service has issued an Extremely Critical Fire Condition warning for the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson Counties today. Strong winds, possibly up to 100 miles per hour, are expected to peak midday. They warn there would be rapid wildfire spread from any new starts.

The Boulder Office of Disaster Management has issued an Unsafe Driving Conditions notice and asked that people stay off the roads, especially in areas West of Broadway and along the foothills.

Xcel Energy has already begun to preemptively shut off power for some customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. They expect more outages as the wind increases throughout the day, with restorations not anticipated until tomorrow night.

In the foothills, there is access to charging for personal devices at the following resource centers: Evergreen Fire Station, GIlpin County School in Black Hawk, Wellspring Catholic Academy in Lakewood, and tomorrow the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs.

All BVSD Schools are closed today. 34 Jeffco Public Schools are closed; go to jeffcopublicschools.org for that list.

Call the Boulder ODM call center at 303-413-7730 for general questions about the wind event; ODM asks that you call 911 for emergencies only.

Links:

Xcel outage map

Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Boulder County

Sign up for emergency alerts from Boulder County

Boulder County public information map

Boulder ODM call center information

National Weather Service alerts

Jeffco Public School closures

 

Jeannette Vizguerra Immigration Hearing Today

Immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra could be released from the Aurora ICE detention facility today as she is slated to go before an immigration judge. A federal judge in Denver ordered immigration officials on Wednesday to allow Vizguerra a bond hearing where they would have to prove she is a flight risk or danger to the community to keep her in detention.

According to the Colorado Sun, Vizguerra’s request for a bond hearing after being detained for over half a year is one of many instances the activist’s team has tried to win her freedom from ICE detention.

Vizguerra was sent to the ICE center in Aurora back in March of this year. Federal authorities planned to deport her to Mexico. Vizguerra’s attorneys won a court ruling that temporarily blocked her deportation until her case could be heard in front of an immigration judge.

READ MORE

 

Three Officers Arrested in Connection of Assault of Man in Wheelchair

Three Denver law enforcement officers were arrested within the last week in connection to the assault of a man in a wheelchair. The incident occurred Oct. 17, when two married off-duty officers, Sergeant Carla Gentempo and Deputy Jason Gentempo arrived at an apartment building where a 17-year-old and a man in a wheelchair were outside.

The couple believed the man to be the owner of a “sexual torture chamber” in his apartment. After their arrival, they proceeded to beat the man as captured by surveillance footage and noted in affidavits.

Jason Gentempo told investigators he believed the man in the wheelchair met the 17-year-old in a chatroom and later showed the teen sexual bondage items at his home, though the man and the teen did not have sex, this again according to his affidavit.

After the incident, the man in the wheelchair, who has had his identity redacted from court records, contacted Denver police officer Henry Soni to report the incident. Soni reviewed surveillance footage of the attack and gave the man a case number, but later never filed a report or submitted the footage for evidence. Soni continued to delete information about the assault in the filing system and proceeded to tell the man he would have to be arrested to pursue action against the two deputies.

Soni has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, evidence tampering and misconduct. In an unrelated incident, Soni was also arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman.

A spokesperson for Denver police told The Denver Post they are still investigating if the man’s actions constitute a crime when invited the teen into his home to show them his sexual bondage equipment. So far he has not been charged.

READ MORE

 

Judge Restores Surprise ICE Detention Center Inspections

A federal judge has blocked an ICE policy that required lawmakers to give seven days’ notice before visiting detention centers. The ruling restores the right of Congress to conduct unannounced inspections immediately.

The Daily Camera reports that the court ruled the policy likely exceeded federal authority, siding with lawmakers who argued the restriction undermined transparency. Advocates say surprise visits are essential to prevent facilities from “cleaning up” before inspectors arrive.

Colorado Representatives Jason Crow and Joe Neguse called the decision a critical victory for government accountability. The injunction will remain in place while the full lawsuit moves forward.

READ MORE

 

Nederland Fire Cleanup Delayed

High winds are spreading ash from the Caribou Village Shopping Center fire site as cleanup efforts hit a stalemate. Scheduled demolition is now on hold while the property owner waits for health department clearance.

State officials denied the permit, citing a need for more thorough asbestos testing before debris can be moved. Residents are being urged to wear N95 masks as 90-mile-per-hour gusts threaten to make the site’s remains airborne.

The property owner warns that bureaucratic “red tape” could leave the hazardous site in limbo for months. Local officials say the town’s water remains safe, but the cleanup cannot proceed without state approval.

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.