SQUALL LINE CREATES HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS ACROSS COLO.

Thunderstorms that originated in eastern Utah and along the Western Slope formed a squall line that produced damaging winds and power outages across the state Saturday afternoon, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Hanson.

Wind damage was recorded in just about every corner of Colorado, from Durango to Sterling and from Greystone to Springfield. Trees and downed power lines knocked out electricity for thousands in the state, and pea-sized hail was reported in scattered areas, including Peyton, Pueblo and Manitou Springs.

Grand Junction recorded some flooding, but rain generally was not the problem. Trees were blown down by hurricane-force winds in Denver, Durango, Aurora and elsewhere. Shortly before 5 p.m., 95,000 Coloradans were without power.

Peak gusts reached 78 mph just after 4 p.m. in Denver, but Denver International Airport recorded only three-hundredths of an inch of rain.

A gust of 110 mph was recorded about 3 p.m. in Winter Park. Other powerful winds recorded in the state included 86 mph in Buford, 85 mph in Cedar Point, 78 mph at Chatfield Reservoir, 79 mph at Copper Mountain and 78 mph at Barr Lake.

Police arrest man for burglary, unwanted sexual contact.

FORT COLLINS» Police have arrested and charged a 31-year-old man in connection with breaking into a home and allegedly touching a woman.

Luis Partida-perez was charged with unlawful sexual contact and second-degree burglary, according to a news release.

Authorities said the incident occurred about 10 p.m. Thursday. The woman, who was in bed at the time, fought back, causing the suspect to flee on foot. Officers found Partidaperez hiding nearby, according to the news release.

Wildlife officials warn of rattlesnake activity.

BOULDER COUNTY» It’s rattlesnake season on the Front Range: A county open space ranger tweeted that a person was bitten by a rattlesnake recently near the Corral trailhead at Heil Ranch.

“Several rattlesnakes have been seen along many Boulder County trails recently,” the tweet read. “In some cases, the snake will not rattle. Please use caution when going off trail, as they are difficult to see.”

Erin Hartnett, senior ranger for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, advised hikers to stay on the trail. “You might step on one without even seeing it,” Hartnett said.