COUNTY OKs DEAL TO USE AIR TANKER

douglas county» Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $200,000 contract to get access to the world’s largest air tanker for fighting wildfires. The arrangement will allow Douglas County emergency officials to call on a converted Boeing 747-400 owned by Global SuperTanker Services LLC to dump nearly 20,000 gallons of water or retardant on a fire in a single run. The contract is the only one of its type in the United States. The SuperTanker is based in Colorado Springs but will be providing its firefighting services across the globe.

Police investigating deaths as murder-suicide ● Police

erie» confirmed Tuesday that the deaths of a couple and their 4year-old son are being investigated as a domestic violence murder-suicide.

John “JP” Farrar, Elizabeth “Stacy” Farrar and son Ian were found dead Saturday morning in their home at 1973 Gordon Court.

Chief Kim Stewart said police now believe John Farrar stabbed his wife and son to death before fatally shooting himself. Erie police initially did not release any information about the deaths, but did say there were no suspects and no perceived threat to the public. Daily Camera

Two GOP lawmakers ask Trump to leave Colorado monument intact. Two Republican members

of Congress from Colorado are asking the Trump administration not to change the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, one of more than two dozen monuments under review for possible modification.

Sen. Cory Gardner and Rep. Scott Tipton said Tuesday the southwestern Colorado monument preserves thousands of archaeological sites while allowing traditional uses of the land.

Their recommendation is likely to get a close hearing in the GOP administration.

President Donald Trump ordered Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on April 26 to review the monuments, accusing previous presidents of abusing their authority to establish them.

President Bill Clinton designated the Canyons of the Ancients in 2000. It covers 275 square miles and has more than 6,000 known archaeological sites. It’s the only Colorado site under review.

Two children burned in house explosion, flash fire ●

commerce city» Two girls suffered burns in an explosion and flash fire Tuesday at a Commerce City home. The incident happened about 6:15 a.m. in the 6900 block of Weiman Court, according to the South Adams County Fire Department. Both children were taken to a hospital and were in stable condition. An investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire found “moderate” levels of methane gas in the immediate vicinity of the home. Methane gas buildup can occur naturally.

Investigators did not believe there was further risk or danger to other area residents in relation to the incident.