Headlines — November 4, 2022

November 4, 2022

Listen:

[Download Audio]

Organizers Of Nederland’s Frozen Dead Guys Cancel Event For 2023

Organizers of the Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland announced this week they are putting the eccentric festival on ice for 2023. Organizers say the festival, which started in 2002, has experienced growing pains and increased budget expenditures in recent years. This year, according to a statement on the festival website, the Town of Nederland refused to work with them again listing a number of concerns. 

In a Facebook post town officials wrote, “There were, however, significant challenges that resulted from FDGD not adhering to the plans submitted, discussed and finalized during technical review committee meetings, ultimately creating confusion, disorganization and safety concerns. These challenge areas included things like communication, mud/snow mitigation plan, parade/event logistics, parking/traffic, safety, security, site plan development, and zero-waste compliance.”

According to the Denver Post, the festival’s co-owner declined to elaborate on the friction between the event’s ownership and the town.  

The annual March festival celebrates Norwegian native Bredo Morstel who died in 1989 and whose family moved his body from Norway and cryogenically froze it under dry ice in a Nederland Tuff Shed. Festival events include a polar plunge, coffin races, and ice sculpting. According to organizers, the 2022 festival drew about 20,000 people. 

Organizers say they will continue to sell merchandise and keep the community informed until a plan is in place for the 2024 festival.

Free-Solo Climber Falls From Second FlatIron

A 48-year-old free-solo-climber experienced injuries after falling roughly more than 80 feet from the Second Flatiron on Tuesday afternoon. 

Two climbers who were nearby were able to reach the injured climber and call 911 for help and direct rescuers to the scene.

Upon rescue, the man responded to questions but was unable to move his body.

Rescuers were able to load the man in a full-body vacuum splint and lower him further down the Second Flatiron to ambulance crews. 

Boulder County Joins Legal Fight Against Crude Oil Train Track

Boulder County is joining several other Colorado Counties in a lawsuit to stop the creation of a train track that would transport crude oil between Utah’s Uinta County and Colorado. The coalition of communities involved in an effort to stop the train say it would heighten wildfire sensitivity and cause significant environmental damage.

The 88 mile Uinta Basin Railway would begin at the Uinta Oil fields and travel through Colorado along I-70. The 110-car train could carry anywhere from 65,000 to 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day through Colorado. The Coalition is stressing the public safety impacts as an adjacent train line could pose a threat to Boulder County. Spokeswoman Gloria Handyside testified that, “We are concerned about the environmental/public safety impacts of numerous trains transporting crude oil through the county and neighboring communities.” Furthermore, counties alongside I-70 have a vested interest in trying to halt the train as the train serves as a tremendous threat to their community. 

Fort Collins Making Utility Bill Assistance Program Permanent 

The Fort Collins City Council unanimously approved making the Income-Qualified Assistance Program permanent Tuesday night. The program, which began as a pilot four years ago, provides a utility discount to low-income residents for electric, water, and wastewater services. As part of the permanent adoption, council members increased the discount from 23% to 25%.

According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, the city’s rate analyst said the cost of natural gas has increased significantly heading into the winter months and because of the surge in rates, the city will encourage citizens who qualify for the program to apply. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download