Headlines — January 04, 2022

Headlines Jan. 4, 2022

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Marshall Fire Update: Emergency Management Crews Contain Fire and Reopen Parts Of Superior 

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management announced they are re-opening more neighborhoods in Superior affected by the Marshall Fire Residents including Spanish Hills, Downtown Superior, Discovery Park, and areas of Original Town. Residents will need to provide identification at checkpoints in order to enter these soft closure zones. 

Superior Marketplace and businesses on the west side of McCaslin Boulevard will be accessible to employees and contractors only. South 76 Street will remain closed as well as businesses in the area east of McCaslin Boulevard except for Sports Stable and Urgent Care. 

Last week’s devastating fire which burned more than 6,000 acres, is now at 100% containment. According to an update Tuesday, heat still exists within the contained area, including areas among structures. Areas of significant heat have the potential to flare back up and crews are continuing to remove heat in vegetation and around affected structures while preparing for today’s forecasted winds. 

Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said at a news conference Monday he did not have an update on the two people reported missing from the fire, a Superior woman and a man from the Marshall area. Pelle said crews are working at two scenes where a recovery of a body is possible, but the work is very difficult. 

Colorado Division of Insurance Will Host Virtual Town Hall 

The Colorado Division of Insurance will host a virtual town hall Tuesday, starting at 5:30 PM, for individuals impacted by the Boulder County fires. The state’s insurance regulator will provide the latest information regarding coverage and attendees will be able to ask questions.

Registration information is available at doi.colorado.gov or by calling 303-894-7490.

IRS Extends 2021 Tax Filing Deadline For Colorado Wildfire Victims 

The Internal Revenue Service announced Monday that victims of last week’s Boulder County wildfire will have until May 16, 2022 to file taxes. The extension follows the recent disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Affected taxpayers will also have until May 16 to make 2021 IRA contributions. 

The May 16 deadline also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments due on January 18 and April 18 and quarterly payroll and excise tax returns, normally due on January 31 and May 2.  

Boulder Expected To Settle With Man Arrested While Filming Police in 2019

Boulder City Council is expected to approve a settlement this evening between the city and Sammie Lawrence, a Black man arrested in 2019 while filming a police interaction with unhoused individuals. The city charged Lawrence with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. Attorneys for Lawrence say Boulder Police Officer Waylon Lolotai – the officer filmed – violently threw Lawrence to the ground and arrested him, all without probable cause. Lawrence sued the city and Lolotai last March, asserting the city had violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Under the proposed settlement, Boulder will pay Lawrence $95,000 and will provide data regarding how frequent Boulder police officers used force, including drawing weapons, from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021.

Lolotai left the Boulder police department in September 2020 amid an internal investigation on social media posts by a company that he ran that celebrated police violence against civilians. Lolotai also faced many other excessive force allegations, including an investigation during his time with the Denver Sheriff’s Department in which he resigned prior to facing discipline.

Members Of Denver Area King Soopers Union Preauthorize Strike 

Union members of Denver area King Soopers stores preauthorized going on strike Sunday. According to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 labor union, the near-unanimous vote comes amid contract negotiations of the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on January 8th.  

UFCW Local 7 claims the company is circumventing the union by hiring outside workers at higher rates, prohibiting union activity, imposing unfair labor practices, and attempting to bargain directly with workers. 

Close to 58% of the company’s employees are members of UFCW Local 7.

Denver’s Iconic Breakfast King Diner Closes 

The Breakfast King, an iconic 24/7 Denver diner, at the corner of South Santa Fe Drive and Mississippi Avenue, closed for good Monday. 

The Colorado Sun reports longtime server Lori Prien confirmed the closure and said staff received little notice. The restaurant’s accountant also confirmed the closure. Prien said supply and labor shortages were making things difficult for the establishment, which opened in 1975.

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