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08_05_2024amheadlines Greta Kerkhoff
Fire updates
Residents across the Front Range were able to return home over the weekend, after fires that started last week forced them to evacuate.
As of Saturday evening, all evacuations related to the Stone Canyon Fire were lifted, and all roads were reopened. That fire was officially 100% contained yesterday. In total, it burned 1,557 acres in Boulder County and left five homes destroyed.
Meanwhile, some residents impacted by the Alexander Mountain Fire were given the all clear to return home in Larimer County, while others are still under voluntary or mandatory evacuation. Those living East of County Road 27 from Hwy 34 to Masonville, in Pinewood, Glen Haven, and more neighborhoods were allowed to return. Meanwhile, those living in Eden Valley and Bobcat Natural Area were downgraded from mandatory to voluntary evacuations. Those living in Drake to Dam Store along Highway 34 including Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain are still under mandatory evacuations. The fire has burned nearly 10,000 acres, and was 54% contained as of last night.
And finally, over in Jefferson County, two neighborhoods are no longer under mandatory evacuation orders and are back on pre-evacuation after days of intense restrictions related to the Quarry (pronounced Quorry, like “story”) Fire. Those are Deer Creek Mesa and Kuehster. Those with residencies in Sampson, Maxwell, McKinney Ranch, and Murphy Gulch are still prohibited from returning home. Deer Creek Canyon Rd and Valley Rd are still closed.
KGNU will continue to keep you updated as restrictions lower and fires grow more contained.
New bills go into effect Wednesday
More than 200 new laws passed this legislative session will go into effect Wednesday. These laws include large new tax credits, significant changes to the state’s overdose response, event ticket pricing transparency and permanent approval for to-go and delivery alcohol sales, among others.
One new law, House Bill 1045, focuses on improving treatment for substance abuse.
According to the Denver Post, the bill directs the state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to seek federal approval to begin providing Medicaid services for substance use. The treatment is meant specifically for eligible Coloradans in jails or prisons, before they’re released.
The change means that a person receiving opioid addiction treatment in jail or prison can enroll in Medicaid before being released and receive a 30-day supply of treatment medications upon release.
Another law, Senate Bill 58 addresses liability concerns for those with property on route to one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. The law allows property owners to put out signs warning of known hazards, and generally protects them if a hiker is injured on their land.
There’s also House Bill 1378, which puts new requirements in place for ticketed events.
This includes requiring refunds if a show is canceled or if the ticket is counterfeit, and making sure those with tickets are admitted regardless of where they purchased the ticket from.
The law also targets hidden fees, stating that failing to disclose the total cost of a ticket upfront is a deceptive trade practice.
Several gun laws will go into effect as well, including:
Senate bill 3, which gives the Colorado Bureau of Investigation nearly $1.5 million to better pursue illegal gun sales and purchases;
Senate bill 66, which will require credit card companies to create a specific code to apply to gun and ammo sales;
And House bill 1174, which adds some new requirements to the process of obtaining a concealed carry permit in the state. This includes at least eight hours of in-person training, which must include the use of live ammunition.
Denver’s minimum wage set to increase in 2025
Denver employers will have to pay their hourly workers 52 cents more starting next year.
As of January 1, 2025, the city will raise the minimum wage to $18.81 per hour. That’s according to a city press release last Thursday.
This will look a bit different for tipped workers, whose minimum wage will be set at $15.79 per hour if those workers make at least $3.02 in tips per hour.
As the law stands now, employers are required to pay non-tipped workers at least $18.29 per hour. The 52-cent increase is the smallest since at least 2021, according to data through Denver Labor.
$13.5M pledged to help fight bird flu
The fight against bird flu in Weld county continues. Over the past month State officials have issued three quarantine orders to commercial poultry plants.
As of July 25, the CDC had confirmed 10 cases of bird flu in humans across the state – nine of which involved people working around infected poultry.
Last week, Gov. Jared Polis extended a disaster declaration to fight bird flu. The order also expands statewide testing of Grade A dairy facilities, which must meet strict health and safety regulations to manufacture milk.
The declaration transfers $3.5 million in state coffers to help pay for mitigation efforts associated with monitoring the disease.
The CDC is providing another $10 million to protect workers’ health and safety.
According to the Daily Camera, $5 million will go to non profit groups to support outreach and education efforts concerning farmworker health and safety. Another $5 million will be used this fall to offer seasonal flu vaccines to livestock workers.
To avoid infection, people should not handle sick animals or let their pets interact with them. Symptoms of bird flu in humans include pink eye, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. The State Health Department is accepting calls from those who believe they are showing signs of bird flu, at 303-692-2700.
