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MorningMagazine_2024-12-11 Jack Dawson
Boulder PD say fentanyl not involved in fraternity overdose
The Boulder Police Department said at least five college students at the Kappa Sigma fraternity became ill due to “extreme” consumption of alcohol.
The incident was previously thought to be a case of overdoses involving potentially tainted cocaine. Those statements by the Boulder PD were based on evidence found at the scene, including cocaine and used Narcan medication – the overdose-reversal drug.
In an update yesterday, the department said it does not appear fentanyl was involved in the overdoses and that the five sickened college students had “consumed an extreme amount of alcohol and some had consumed drugs, which led them to become violently ill.” They did find cocaine at the scene, which is currently being tested.
Of the five men that were treated at the scene or taken to the hospital over the weekend, one remains hospitalized. That’s according to The Denver Post.
Kappa Sigma is among three “rogue” fraternities that do not belong to any of the established Greek oversight orgs at CU.
Denver Principal no longer employed after investigation
A Denver principal is officially unemployed, after he ignored allegations of a teacher drinking on the job.
Columbian Elementary School Principal Drew Hall is no longer employed with Denver Public Schools (DPS).
Hall was initially placed on administrative leave back in August. That decision came days after Denver7 Investigates released a report with multiple whistleblowers from the school, who said Hall knew about a second-grade teacher that was intoxicated while on the job, and did nothing about it. The teacher was only removed after another teacher reported the incident to Safe2Tell, a resource to safely report incidents anonymously.
Parents were told this week via a letter that DPS’s investigation into Hall was complete, and that he will not be returning.
Columbian is one of seven schools slated for closure at the end of this school year due to declining enrollment. Denver7 Investigates says many parents blame Hall for the closure.
180 cattle missing on western slope
Officials are investigating the disappearance of 180 cattle on the Western Slope.
Several ranchers reported their cattle missing along the Uncompahgre Plateau, southwest of Montrose, yesterday. The Plateau sits at an average of 9,500 feet in elevation and covers 1.5 million acres.
The ranchers typically count the cattle in the winter, after bringing them down the mountain for the season, according to the Montrose County Sheriff, Sgt. Chuck Searcy. It is unknown whether or not thieves are to blame, but the sheriff’s office is in the beginning stages of the investigation.
According to The Colorado Sun, Searcy said he couldn’t think of a time where that many cattle had been stolen or gone missing.
Anyone with information regarding the missing cattle should contact the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office at 970-249-9110.
Billion dollar solution aims to create sustainable water source
Castle Rock is joining a major water project, as part of its efforts to secure more water.
The Platte Valley Water Partnership is a joint effort from Parker Water and The Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District. The goal is to secure long-term water supply for farmers in northeastern Colorado and towns in Douglas County, through diverting water from South Platte near Sterling.
The water would be pulled off and stored in a reservoir. Castle Rock and Parker will utilize their junior water rights, meaning they take low priority and their supply must be curtailed if there is a water shortage.
CBSNews reports that water from the South Platte River is essential for farmers, many of whom have had to resort to using groundwater.
The partnership ensures that water will not be taken from agricultural users in order to benefit municipalities. Phase one will cost $835 million. Parker will contribute the most – $579 million – with lower South Platte and Castle Rock footing the remainder of the bill.
Annually, that will give 9,000 acre-feet of water to Parker, 11,000 to Lower South Platte, and 3,000 to Castle Rock.
Phase one will establish the initial infrastructure for the project, but may not be completed until the year 2040. The entire project will cost roughly $1.2 billion over more than 50 years.
