Latest news with #Arapahoe
CBS News
07-08-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Drought conditions worsen across Colorado as wildfire threat grows
The latest drought monitor shows drought conditions are worsening statewide, and fire danger is on the rise. The most dramatic change this week is in extreme drought, which increased by more than 8%, especially in Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Garfield Counties. Along the Front Range, drought conditions are intensifying as well. Parts of Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas Counties have now shifted from being abnormally dry to experiencing moderate drought. As drought deepens, wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions. The state remains under Red Flag Warnings through Friday, indicating critical fire weather.
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
One of Colorado's biggest fire departments forecasts $500 million shortfall over next decade: "It's a big amount"
South Metro Fire Rescue, which serves nearly 600,000 residents in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, is forecasting a $20 to $30 million shortfall in 2026, followed by yearly budget shortfalls of $50 million a year for the next decade. The fire protection district says state property tax relief measures are forcing them to consider seeking tax increases or reductions in service. "It's a big amount," said Jim Albee, chairman of the board that oversees the nearly 800 member fire department. "Every dollar counts," said Albee who added, "we are going to evaluate every dollar." Albee and the department say their shortfalls are brought about by years of rising costs, inflation, increasing calls for service and new state legislation that reduces property taxes and caps property tax rates. The department derives 80% of its revenue from property taxes, according to Albee. But with 80% of the department's budget going to employee salaries and benefits, the department will likely reflect on its most recent contract, providing firefighters with a 10% salary increase this year, followed by increases the next two years that will bring the three-year salary increases to between 17.5% and 19%. By comparison, the Denver Fire Department agreed in May to a tentative two year contract with the city calling for a 5% increase next year and another 5% increase the following year. Albee said the larger salary increases are to make up for the previous contract, which granted 8% salary increases over three years. To address the looming budget shortfalls, SMFR is considering three scenarios: - Asking district residents to vote to increase their property taxes, something Albee says has not happened in 20 years - Seeking a .5% sales tax within the district which would generate an estimated $50 million for South Metro each year - Cutting services, which might lead to higher response times "We will look at everything," said Albee. He said preliminary surveys conducted by the department have so far indicated district residents are most in favor of the new sales tax, rather than voting to increase their property taxes or see fire service diminished with increased response times. The department has been widely known in the fire service as being "best in class," offering equal or higher salaries than other similar sized departments, and health and wellness benefits that are top tier. SMFR has on staff three strength and conditioning coaches, with the lead strength and conditioning coach earning $111,000 annually. Also on staff are: A chief of human performance who earns $239,000 An athletic trainer who makes $104,000 An e-learning specialist who also makes $104,000 There's also a cognitive performance coach, a health and wellness officer, a physical therapist and a wellness doctor who is paid $250,000 per year. Albee said he considers it "a duty of this department to make sure the people are taken care of as well as possible and we're taking care of first responders as well as they're taking care of us. It's what the market informs us is what's needed and necessary to attract and retain the talent we need to serve our community," said Albee. The South Metro board chairman said overall, these positions essentially are "cost neutral" as they pay for themselves by helping prevent injuries that would equate to lost time, or by helping rehabilitate injured firefighters and get them back to work faster than would otherwise be possible. But cutting benefits is on the table, said Albee, who said all expenses are being evaluated. He said by early August the department will begin making decisions about what direction -- or directions -- it needs to go to address its budget problems.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legend of Rock—a guide to Denver's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
From Bono and Bonnie Raitt to The Beach Boys and The Beatles, world-class performances are part and parcel of the small sandstone outcrop on the edge of Colorado's Rocky Mountain foothills. Set in a red landscape of high-desert and sheer cliffs 15 miles from Denver, the 9,525-capacity Red Rocks Amphitheatre has won Pollstar's award for best outdoor venue so many times that the award was renamed the 'Red Rocks Award'. And while Red Rocks found fame in the 20th century as a music venue, the area's storied past spans millennia. Though nothing can compare to catching a live show, paying a visit to Red Rocks in the daytime offers a whole other experience, with the surrounding Red Rocks Park offering 738 acres of spectacular mountain scenery, ripe for exploring on foot, mountain bike or horse. You can also get a taste of the venue's star power at the Red Rocks Hall of Fame. Here's four reasons to pay a visit to this remarkable destination. The structure of Red Rocks is 300 million years old, and long before recording artists belted out tunes this area was home to the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples. It was the Ute who discovered the area's natural acoustics, and when the amphitheater opened in 1941, the opening event began with a ceremonial Eagle Dance and a Zuni melody. The Native American history in the area runs deep, and a ponderosa pine under which the Ute chiefs hosted tribal councils — the Inspirational Tree — still stands at the foot of Dinosaur Ridge, northeast of Red Rocks. The first major rock concert at Red Rocks was in 1964 by the biggest band in the world: The Beatles. Amazingly, it was the only concert on the Mop Tops' first US tour that didn't sell out, with around 7,000 tickets sold (at $6.60 a pop). The Beatles are just one of the many big names who've graced this stage, including the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Diana Ross and Pearl Jam. When Jimi Hendrix appeared in 1968, ushering in the psychedelic era, he proclaimed, 'that was groovy'. And perhaps the single most famous Red Rocks moment came in a fortuitous way — a combination of rainy weather, a blood-red mist, giant flames bursting from on top of the rocks and U2's Bono waving a white flag in the air as the band belted out Sunday Bloody Sunday. You can find out about all the historic stories and celebrated artists in the Visitor Center, the highlight of which is the Red Rocks Hall of Fame, where performers have been inducted nearly every year since 2003. The space is due to reopen after a renovation in March 2025. Before a show at Red Rocks begins, you can head to the nearby town of Morrison and join locals at restaurants and bars like the Hungry Goat Scratch Kitchen and Wine Bar for steak and fries, or Red Rocks Beer Garden serving freshly made burritos and Colorado-brewed beer. Those in the party mood can make their way to the venue's parking lots for a tailgate, as concert-goers gather two hours ahead of showtime to eat, drink and revel in the atmosphere. You won't find a better car park view than this — with panoramic vistas of the amphitheatre, the distant mountains and the Denver skyline. And when you take your seat for the concert, you get two shows: the live music blasting from the stage and the city lights below, twinkling against lavender and tangerine clouds. Within 738-acre Red Rocks Park, a number of hiking trails weave their way under the shadows of outlandish stone formations. The short Geologic Overlook Trail features a picnic spot and beautiful views, while the longer Red Rocks Trail at the east side of the park — merging into Matthews/Winters Park — forms a six-mile loop with the Dakota Ridge Trail. Although challenging in parts, the trail takes in wide meadows and the park's rust-hued towering monoliths. Its rolling terrain is also accessible to experienced mountain bikers and horse riders. The nearby town of Golden — located near head of the Dakota Ridge trail — has numerous bike rental stores, while Bear Creek Stables in Morrison offers guided rides with panoramic views of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. This paid content article was created for Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
Legend of Rock—a guide to Denver's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
From Bono and Bonnie Raitt to The Beach Boys and The Beatles, world-class performances are part and parcel of the small sandstone outcrop on the edge of Colorado's Rocky Mountain foothills. Set in a red landscape of high-desert and sheer cliffs 15 miles from Denver, the 9,525-capacity Red Rocks Amphitheatre has won Pollstar's award for best outdoor venue so many times that the award was renamed the 'Red Rocks Award'. And while Red Rocks found fame in the 20th century as a music venue, the area's storied past spans millennia. Though nothing can compare to catching a live show, paying a visit to Red Rocks in the daytime offers a whole other experience, with the surrounding Red Rocks Park offering 738 acres of spectacular mountain scenery, ripe for exploring on foot, mountain bike or horse. You can also get a taste of the venue's star power at the Red Rocks Hall of Fame. Here's four reasons to pay a visit to this remarkable destination. Discover history as old as the hills The structure of Red Rocks is 300 million years old, and long before recording artists belted out tunes this area was home to the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples. It was the Ute who discovered the area's natural acoustics, and when the amphitheater opened in 1941, the opening event began with a ceremonial Eagle Dance and a Zuni melody. The Native American history in the area runs deep, and a ponderosa pine under which the Ute chiefs hosted tribal councils — the Inspirational Tree — still stands at the foot of Dinosaur Ridge, northeast of Red Rocks. The venue is known for its acoustic qualities, with the ancient sandstone rocks acting as a natural amplifier. Photograph by EyeEm Mobile GmbH, Getty Learn about the who's who of rock The first major rock concert at Red Rocks was in 1964 by the biggest band in the world: The Beatles. Amazingly, it was the only concert on the Mop Tops' first US tour that didn't sell out, with around 7,000 tickets sold (at $6.60 a pop). The Beatles are just one of the many big names who've graced this stage, including the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Diana Ross and Pearl Jam. When Jimi Hendrix appeared in 1968, ushering in the psychedelic era, he proclaimed, 'that was groovy'. And perhaps the single most famous Red Rocks moment came in a fortuitous way — a combination of rainy weather, a blood-red mist, giant flames bursting from on top of the rocks and U2's Bono waving a white flag in the air as the band belted out Sunday Bloody Sunday. The 9,525 capacity amphitheatre has 70 rows, each hand carved into the hill in the 1930s. Photograph by DENVER ARTS & VENUES You can find out about all the historic stories and celebrated artists in the Visitor Center, the highlight of which is the Red Rocks Hall of Fame, where performers have been inducted nearly every year since 2003. The space is due to reopen after a renovation in March 2025. Experience show night Before a show at Red Rocks begins, you can head to the nearby town of Morrison and join locals at restaurants and bars like the Hungry Goat Scratch Kitchen and Wine Bar for steak and fries, or Red Rocks Beer Garden serving freshly made burritos and Colorado-brewed beer. Those in the party mood can make their way to the venue's parking lots for a tailgate, as concert-goers gather two hours ahead of showtime to eat, drink and revel in the atmosphere. You won't find a better car park view than this — with panoramic vistas of the amphitheatre, the distant mountains and the Denver skyline. And when you take your seat for the concert, you get two shows: the live music blasting from the stage and the city lights below, twinkling against lavender and tangerine clouds. There are five trails to choose from in Red Rocks Park, the longest being the Red Rocks Trail. Photograph by PhotosByTim, Getty Take to the trails Within 738-acre Red Rocks Park, a number of hiking trails weave their way under the shadows of outlandish stone formations. The short Geologic Overlook Trail features a picnic spot and beautiful views, while the longer Red Rocks Trail at the east side of the park — merging into Matthews/Winters Park — forms a six-mile loop with the Dakota Ridge Trail. Although challenging in parts, the trail takes in wide meadows and the park's rust-hued towering monoliths. Its rolling terrain is also accessible to experienced mountain bikers and horse riders. The nearby town of Golden — located near head of the Dakota Ridge trail — has numerous bike rental stores, while Bear Creek Stables in Morrison offers guided rides with panoramic views of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Plan your trip Heathrow operates daily flights to Denver International Airport. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is then a 35-minute drive, with car hire, taxi and private shuttle options available from the airport. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only).
