JEFFERSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT GOES TO FOUR-DAY WEEK

Jefferson County government announced Wednesday that most offices will transition to a fourday work week, starting June 1.

The transition is necessary because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a notice posted on the county’s website. The county already was facing budget restrictions because of a Colorado law that limits government spending, forcing cost-saving measures such as releasing inmates from the county jail.

“In these challenging times, we are looking at operations across all county departments for cost savings, greater efficiencies and reductions to achieve a balanced budget in 2021,” Don Davis, the county manager said on the webstie. “We believe there will be a decrease in costs along with an increase in productivity through a four-day business week and are optimistic this change will yield positive results.”

The first day of the closure will be June 5. Most employees will work four 10-hour days. Some county offices may change their hours during the days they are open, and residents should check various websites before visiting, the notice said.

Some offices will not be affected, including the public library system, the sheriff, coroner and courts.

For now, most county offices remain closed and will reopen June 1. Once the offices reopen, county officials ask people to respect physical distancing and to wear masks, the notice said.

Cooler temps helped dampen spread of fire. Cooler temperatures and precipitation have helped stop the spread of a lightning-sparked wildfire on Colorado’s southeastern plains, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said late Monday.

Rain and hail fell on the Cherry Canyon Fire between Sunday and Monday and cooler temperatures and increased humidity limited fire activity on Monday, allowing crews to increase containment to 70%, division spokesperson Caley Fisher said. The fire has burned about 30 square miles of canyon land 10 miles northwest of Kim.

There are few structures that have been threatened but firefighters worked to suppress it to protect grazing land, water and livestock that are vital to the ranching area’s economy.

Another nearby fire has burned 120 acres was fully contained Monday. The cause of the 466 Fire is not known.

Police to test gunshot detection system. Those who live, work or socialize in downtown Denver or the Capitol Hill neighborhood might hear gunfire Wednesday night as the Denver Police Department tests its gunshot detection system.

Police officers will fire weapons between 4-11:30 p.m., according to a police department news release. The gunshot detection system, known as Shot Spotter, uses acoustic sensors to detect when a gun is fired and pinpoints a location for those shots. That data is sent to 911 dispatchers and patrol officers, who can respond more quickly to potentially save victims and find shooters and evidence at the scene.

The live-fire tests calibrate the system. Bullets will be fired into a trap, and there is no danger to the public.