$33M FOREST HEALTH DEAL TO BE SIGNED
Denver Water, federal and state officials say that on Monday they will sign a $33 million, five-year forest health deal enabling continued tree-thinning and restoration of forests essential for city water supplies.
The agreement builds on work Denver Water initiated in 2010 aimed at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
New restoration and “wildfire fuels reduction” projects will be done on more than 40,000 acres of watershed deemed critical, according to a U.S. Forest Service announcement.
Denver Water manager Jim Lochhead, U.S. Forest Service regional director Brian Ferebee, Colorado State Forest Service director Mike Lester and Natural Resources Conservation Service director Clint Evan were to sign the latest deal Monday in Denver at the History Colorado Center.
The forest health work has involved clearing trees from beetle-ravaged forests where fire and erosion increasingly threaten water supplies.
Man critical after wrongway crash B
commerce city» A man was in critical condition after running his 1990 Toyota Corolla into another vehicle while driving in the wrong direction on U.S. 85 in Commerce City early Sunday. The injured man was driving north in the southbound lanes, when he collided with a Toyota 4Runner, said Cmdr. Charley Schoepflin of the Commerce City police. He is in critical but stable condition. The accident happened about 3 a.m. near 108th Avenue. Four passengers in the 4Runner suffered minor injuries.
CU wants to double its student mental health fee B The University
boulder» of Colorado wants to double its student mental health fee because of an unexpected demand for counseling and psychiatric care.
Students pay a $21.77 per semester and in return receive six counseling or psychiatric care visits at Wardenburg Health Services. Student government leaders proposed the fee in 2015. at the time, Wardenburg leaders estimated students would make 9,400 visits per year.
Students made 15,200 visits during the 2015-16 school year and are on track to make more than 16,000 visits this year. The university has had to hire more counselors.
Two suffer serious injuries in I-25 pileup
B fountain» Two people suffered serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash in Fountain overnight Saturday, according to the State Patrol. A Nissan Altima attempted to drive between a semi-truck and a pickup when it struck the rear tires of both vehicles on southbound Interstate 25 just south of Colorado Springs, said State Patrol spokesman Tim Sutherland. Speeding is suspected in the crash. The passenger and driver in the Altima were hurt and taken to a hospital.
Teen leads officers on car, foot chases
B colorado springs» A 15-year-old boy was arrested Saturday after he allegedly stole a vehicle and led officers on car and foot chases through parts of Colorado Springs, police said. The boy led officers on two short car chases and escaped each time because of high speed or “dangerous driving behavior,” police said.