Headlines — January 10, 2022

Headlines Jan. 10, 2022

Listen:

[Download Audio]

Town Hall Discusses Marshall Fire Recovery

A virtual town hall meeting took place Sunday to help victims of the Marshall Fire. Leaders from the state joined Boulder County legislators, and representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to answer questions about recovery resources and priorities. CBS4 reports that the major questions revolved around figuring out a path to rebuild and getting people into housing. 

Officials said that while FEMA does not guarantee to cover all rebuilding expenses, that insurance does not cover, the federal government makes loans available to help close the gap.

At the meeting, homeowners expressed frustrations over debris removal. Because many burned properties contain toxic chemicals, Boulder County must approve all debris removal plans. The Daily Camera reports that Mayor Pro-tem Mark Lacis said that homeowners who attempt to remove debris are opting out of the county or town doing it. The costs of doing so could be as high as $75,000 per lot.

Those who missed Sunday’ s virtual town hall can watch it online here.  

President Biden Visits Marshall Fire Disaster Area

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden spent about 4 hours on Friday visiting the burn area that devastated Boulder County on December 30. The president walked around Harper Lake in Louisville, hugging families and first responders.

Biden urged people to hang on to one another and that the federal government will help thousands of displaced families.

Rep. Neguse Introduces New Wildfire Legislation

 U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse introduced legislation to prevent wildfires, fund firefighting programs and increase communities’ ability to recover from disasters like the Marshall Fire on Friday. Neguse, a Democrat from Lafayette who represents areas of Superior, Louisville and unincorporated Boulder County, helped to sign into law a $5 billion wildfire recovery prevention bill in November. He said on Friday that we cannot expect communities to bear the burden of recovery on their own.

Colorado Re-instituted Crisis Standards For Emergency Care

As COVID-19 cases surge across the state, Colorado officials have reactivated “crisis standards of care” for emergency medical services.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a release on Friday evening, that EMTs will only take the most severe patients by ambulance to hospitals. They will refer less-urgent patients to other health care services, including urgent cares or non-hospital facilities. The Health Department added if someone is sick or thinks they need emergency care, they should continue to use 9-1-1 and seek care as they would normally.   

Omicron Accounts For 100% Of New Colorado COVID Cases

In Boulder County new COVID-19 cases broke the single day record on Friday as authorities reported 773 positive results, more than 200 above the previous daily record. The Daily Camera reports the Omicron variant accounts for 100 percent of Colorado’s cases.  

Boulder County Jail reported the highest number of infections it has ever had, and is revising its arrest standards to reduce the inmate population.

Judge Rules Those Suing CU Will Remain Anonymous

A federal magistrate judge has ruled that some medical staff and students at the University of Colorado, who are challenging its vaccination policy, will remain anonymous.

Eleven women and 7 men have sued the institution saying that the vaccine requirement by the Anschutz Medical Campus is unconstitutional. The plaintiffs object to the vaccine because of what they believe are fetal cells used in its development. 

Colorado Politics reports that the judge will allow them to remain nameless because of a hostile climate toward those who choose not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

King Soopers Pending Strike

The union representing workers at King Soopers grocery stores announced on Friday that workers will begin a strike Wednesday evening at 5 PM. The union says the chain underpays employees and engages in unfair labor practices. 

On Saturday, King Soopers urged the union to return to the negotiation table with help from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download