Headlines – September 21, 2023

Jurors To Hear Prosecutor’s Witnesses In Elijah McClain Case

Defense attorneys presented opening arguments Wednesday in the trial of two Aurora police officers accused of killing Elijah McClain, a young Black man who died in 2019 after being put in a chokehold and injected with an overdose of a sedative by paramedics.

McClain was walking home when police were dispatched to investigate a call about a suspicious looking person. 

Attorneys for defendants Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt said McClain was in a high-crime area, and that the death was the fault of the medics.

The State Prosecutor showed several videos to the jury of McClain struggling to breathe while officers held him down. He said McClain was detained for no reason, and that he often wore a face mask because he often felt cold.

Jurors are expected to hear from the prosecution’s first witnesses today.

Colorado State Senator In Hospital After Bike Crash

The Colorado Senate’s assistant majority leader underwent brain surgery after a bike crash Tuesday.

The Denver Post reports that Colorado State Sen. Faith Winter hit a curb on her bike to avoid a crash with a large truck.

Friends and family posted on Winter’s X account that she was on her way to the Capitol when the accident occurred. Winter, who represents Westminster, is reportedly recovering with a good prognosis. 

Denver Mass Shooting is 500th In U.S.

An attack Saturday night on Market Street in Denver was the 500th mass shooting in the U.S. this year.

The statistic came from the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research organization that updates data about crimes involving firearms.

According to Axios Denver, a woman allegedly opened fire after bouncers twice denied her entry to a bar. Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the woman, and have released her photo.

More Marshall Fire Plaintiffs Filing Lawsuits Against Xcel

Marshall Fire victims have filed yet another lawsuit against Xcel Energy following at least eight others. This time, a group of Louisville neighbors living on or near Eldorado Lane are accusing the utility company of partial responsibility for the fire, and for obstructing the investigation.

According to BizWest, the lawsuit filed on September 15 claims an Xcel workman texted his supervisor minutes after the blaze began, writing, quote, “I think our lines may have started this fire east of El Dorado.”

The Marshall Fire began on Dec. 30 of 2021. After about a year-and-a-half of investigations, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced that the disaster was caused by buried ash at the property of the Twelve Tribes religious group and by sparks from an Xcel power line. Both ignition points were fanned by unusually high winds and dry conditions.

Xcel executives have maintained that they disagree with the findings.

In July, Xcel executives said in a shareholders meeting that the company might not have enough insurance coverage to pay damages if they are found liable for the Marshall Fire.

Moose Attacks Woman Walking Dog In Ward 

In the past nine days, moose have attacked hikers with dogs on two different trails. The moose had calves with them in both situations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife are reminding hikers that moose perceive dogs in the same manner as they see other predators and it is best to leave dogs at home this time of year if hiking in moose territory.

One of the hikers was on the South St. Vrain Trail near Ward in Boulder County.  The other hiker was in a group of two people and three dogs on Crags Trail in Teller County.  Both of the hikers attacked by moose were able to walk from the trail and subsequently receive treatment at a medical facility.  One of the dogs sustained minor injuries.

Denver RTD Maintenance To Disrupt Light Rail Service

Three Denver light rail lines will have disrupted service next week while the Regional Transportation District makes repairs.

From Tuesday, September 26 to Wednesday, October 4, the RTD will shut down the downtown loop and Welton Street routes. The maintenance will affect D and H lines, the L line and will include partial street closures at 14th and California.

For information about service changes and detours, go to rtd-denver.com.

New DIA Service Offers A Helper For A Fee

The Denver International Airport has launched a program to give travelers the option to hire a personal assistant to get through the airport. 

A new program called SkySquad will offer travelers the option of a personal travel assistant from curbside to the gate at the Denver International Airport. The assistant for hire will meet up with travelers to help them with their tickets and baggage. The SkySquad program will also offer an expedited TSA process. 

Travelers can book the service online or in walk-up appointments. However, wheelchair travelers will need to continue to book these services through their airlines. 

Boulder Watershed Student Art Competition Opens

Boulder County K through 12 students are eligible to submit artwork to the second Boulder St. Vrain Watershed Art Contest.

The competition is hosted by the Keep It Clean Partnership, which hopes to encourage the community “to explore their local waterways.”

Participation is free and prizes include art supplies and gift cards. Keep It Clean is also sponsoring related nature journaling and drawing events.

For more information, go to keepitcleanpartnership.org/art.