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CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
911 call centers in Colorado's high country receive false text alerts from iPhones using satellites
Friday afternoons can get relatively busy in Grand County as the weekend crowds roll in. A message came into the dispatch center last Friday via a relatively new method. A text message conveyed via satellite from an iPhone. Someone was trapped by fire in the area around Meadow Creek Reservoir near Tabernash. In Grand County, which has been hit hard by wildfire at times, an alert like that generates a serious response. "It triggered a pretty healthy response," said Grand County Sheriff Brett Shroetlin. "Sheriff's office, emergency medical services, fire department, search and rescue, along with the Forest Service." On their screens, 911 operators get useful information. The phone number, the GPS coordinates, the approximate range of where that phone is in comparison to that, and even battery strength. Call takers tried to reach back out to the phone. But they received no response. "That causes a lot of commotion, causes a lot of our responders to be pulled from the more populous areas of the county and to the remote areas of the county. But we got to respond. We've got to respond until we know it's otherwise," said Shroetlin. Ultimately, first responders found nothing out of the ordinary in the area where the call came from. No fire. No apparent danger. It was a false alarm. Emergency responders in the High Country have received a half dozen or so similar false alarm text alerts. In Boulder County, emergency responders were recently called to the Kelly Dahl Campground near Nederland for a similar issue. Often, the messages say there's fire. Sometimes a lost person. Had that been the call, Sheriff Shroetlin says he could not so easily have concluded there was no danger. A lost person might mean the initiation of a long search. The phone's owner was unaware. "She was still on the trail system somewhere. We didn't locate her that day, but I was able to finally connect with her on the phone. This happened on Friday, and I talked to her on Monday," said Shroetlin. The woman said she had not purposely sent any emergency message. The sheriff said she told him her hiking companion's phone was acting weird and the battery died prematurely. Then, he related, "She said she tried to take a picture with hers, and then her phone died as well. even though she had significant battery strength." The feature allowing access to satellites to send emergency messages was added to iPhones from model 14 forward using IOS 18 or newer, going online last year. Shroetlin talked with an Apple representative this week, who asked a lot of questions about what the phone's user may have been doing with the phone at the time. A message sent by CBS Colorado to an email address at Apple for comment Wednesday was not returned. Word is now spreading among High Country search and rescue groups and law enforcement about the potential of false messaging. It isn't the first time iPhone emergency notifications have caused difficulties with false alarms. In 2022, cell network-based automatic notifications of crash alerts were being triggered at ski areas in Colorado when skiers went down or made sudden stops. Shroetlin likes the idea of phones connecting to satellites to send emergency messages. "The idea is fantastic up here, where we don't have any good cellular service, especially in the far back country." But right now there's a sense of wariness developing about the messages. "When I pull all these resources up to a remote area of the county that that leaves the other areas a lot of times uncovered or certainly under-covered," he said. "We have that connectivity issue up here already. This just adds complexity to it."
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado county approves $400,000 for controversial Zebulon mega sports complex
Douglas County is moving forward on a controversial sports mega complex in Sterling Ranch. On Tuesday, commissioners voted to approve a $410,000 contract for a consultant to begin early plans for the facility. CBS Colorado has previously reported about the original proposal, as well as the need for more youth sports facilities in the growing county. Douglas County has a sales tax that benefits parks, trails and open spaces. The county projects that fund will have $22.7 million in it by the end of the year. In 2025, the county asked residents how they wanted those dollars spent. Results of that survey showed preserving open space was a top priority, while a mega sports complex was polarizing. A third of respondents listed a mega sports complex as their most or second most appealing amenity when presented with six large-scale projects, but another third listed it as their least appealing option. Commissioner Abe Laydon says Zebulon will be a world-class sporting venue, featuring ice rinks, courts for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, a covered baseball dome and open space. "We heard loud and clear through our citizen survey and through, really, all the amazing kids that are involved in youth sports in our community that this is something they're excited about, and we're happy to deliver," Laydon said. While some club teams are looking forward to the facility, others say Zebulon is too far away to serve kids in their community. They say they would rather see community or nonprofit sports facilities built. "I have concerns about the cost of this project," said Eiko Browning in Highlands Ranch. "I have concerns that it is a public-private partnership, and that is not something that is purely for the community good, like a recreation center. This is going to be a private recreational facility for competitive sports, and not all of our kids can benefit from that, and I don't think that we should be using taxpayer dollars to subsidize a private company." "This would be a public amenity, so our legal criteria is to make sure that we're benefiting all citizens," Laydon said. "There's a public interest, and the concept with Zebulon is that it is open and free access to all citizens. Laydon said the complex will also host national club tournaments. Still, questions surround the 500-acre mega sports complex planned for Sterling Ranch. "How is this going to be funded?" former Commissioner Lora Thomas asked during public comment at Tuesday's meeting. "Why is it that we the people are financing a private development?" Browning asked in the county meeting. She was one of several neighbors who voiced their concerns. Zebulon is a public-private partnership. But some community members say it's not what they want their parks and open space tax dollars going to. "I personally do not want my taxpayer money going to fund a private sports complex," Browning said. And it's still unclear how may tax dollars will be allocated for Zebulon. "It could be entirely underwritten by the private sector," Laydon said. "My guess is that it'll be blended and braided with county funds consistent with where our citizens want us to be." Laydon claims Zebulon will bring $1 billion to Douglas County's economy in its first phase, but he couldn't put a number on the project's total cost. "It's too early to say," Laydon said. As commissioners approved more than $400,000 for a consultant to create a design and construction plan, another concern is emerging. At the bottom of that contract, Douglas County Attorney Christopher Pratt asked in an email, "Are they aware of the environmental issues on this site? Should we include the likelihood of having to redesign or make significant modifications due to such concerns and [Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]?" "If there is an environmental concern, it can be mitigated, but that could just really add to the expense of the project," Browning said. The land Zebulon will be built on is a former DuPont dynamite manufacturing site, with a known history of contamination. According to Court documents from a 2003 lawsuit filed by DuPont against the Douglas County Board of Equalization, "The parties agreed that the property had been used for manufacturing explosives, that its soils were contaminated, and that a 1998 compliance order required the property to be cleaned before it could be used for residential or commercial purposes." Douglas County and Sterling Ranch acquired the land in 2023 from the company, then known as Chemours. "When they kick up that dirt and it makes people sick, are we going to know right away?" asked Sudee Floyd, who lives near Zebulon. Brock Smethills, the president of Sterling Ranch Development Company, told CBS Colorado, "The site had been through over 20 years of environmental remediation and received a conditional closure letter from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment." Smethills says some nearby land does need additional environmental remediation, adding, "At this time, it is anticipated that the private sector will be predominantly responsible for further remediation." "We're not taking on any additional environmental mitigation because it already has been done," Laydon said. Douglas County told CBS Colorado, "For a site with known past contamination issues, an environmental assessment will be completed as part of the design phase." The complex still doesn't sit right with some neighbors, who want more answers before Zebulon moves forward. "I'm not against this type of a park," Floyd said. "I'm not for this being hurried." "If, for some reason, we discover that it's not making sense or we're not seeing the right projections, then, we would certainly slow things down," Laydon said. "But based upon reports from the private sector and all of our partners, we're going to take off like a rocket." Laydon says they're still working to identify private sector partners on this project. Laydon expects Zebulon to break ground this fall. "Douglas County evaluated building a large regional sports facility within Wildcat Park in Highlands Ranch prior to the current site location of Zebulon. Highlands Ranch overwhelmingly was against locating a youth sports facility in Wildcat open space in July of 2024 (there was townhall on the topic), and this site was proposed as an alternative. The area where the sports complex is planned to be located is split between County owned land, and land owned by Sterling Ranch affiliates. It is anticipated that a land exchange will be consummated such that the County will own all of the land that includes the sports complex. The ongoing discussions with the County do not entertain a sale of property to the County, but instead a land exchange." "There is a lot of 'misinformation' regarding the site in general. Allow me to explain some historic information and give clarity to the current state of the property. The approximate 1,500 acres between Moore Road and the community of Louviers was all owned by Dupont Chemical. All of that land, except the last 357 acres, had been donated to Douglas County or acquired by Douglas County prior to 2023. Sterling Ranch affiliates acquired the last 357 acres in 2023. The site had been through over twenty years of environmental remediation and received a conditional closure letter from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment prior to our acquisition of the property (see attached). There is an area outside of the footprint of the sports complex and not located upon land that is anticipated to be owned by the County that will need further remediation in order to develop the site for commercial or residential use. In addition, some public roads and infrastructure work will occur in and around the site that needs additional environmental remediation. At this time, it is anticipated that the private sector will be predominantly responsible for further remediation as part of the development that will be adjacent to the sports complex." "Finally, I would like to address equity and fairness for Sterling Ranch, our homeowners, and Roxborough. All of the regional parks that were built in Highlands Ranch were paid for by Douglas County. In addition, since approximately 1998, all of the municipalities in Douglas County (with the exception of Castle Pines and Lone Tree) have received a portion of all County-wide sales taxes as matching funds for them to build parks and acquire open space. The unincorporated areas such as Sterling Ranch and Roxborough have not received any pledge of sales tax revenues, and to date, the County has only allocated $2.5 million to one individual park in this area. In addition, in the latest parks and open space sales tax extension, the municipalities are anticipated to automatically receive over $60 million for parks for their jurisdictions while the unincorporated areas receive nothing (to date, the Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board has spent over $22 million of its own budget on parks, open space and landscaping). For these reasons, it makes sense for Douglas County to locate a world-class amenity like Zebulon adjacent to Sterling Ranch in order to offer our residents and the surrounding area at large recreation opportunities that already exist elsewhere in Douglas County."
CBS News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
CBS Colorado speaks to U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot ahead of Cheyenne Frontier Days performance
After taking a one year break due to airport maintenance, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds are returning to Cheyenne Frontier Days Saturday. The iconic team, known to have some of the most talented pilots in the world, will perform a show in Cheyenne as part of the CFD festivities. Ahead of the performance over F.E. Warren Air Base, the Thunderbirds invited CBS Colorado to watch their arrival and practice over Cheyenne. Then, pilot Ian Lee spoke in front of his F-16 aircraft, numbered three, on the tarmac. "Being a Thunderbird is great," said Lee, a Lt. Colonel. With the call sign of "Bear," Lee said his team often flies at more than 400 miles per hour while completing maneuvers. "The closest we get is about 18 inches apart," Lee said. "That is definitely where we have to have trust in our teammates." While the Thunderbirds do more than 60 shows a year, Cheyenne Frontier Days holds a special place in the history of the team. "This is something we have been doing for an extremely long time.," Lee said. "This was actually the Thunderbirds' first civilian air demonstration we did back in 1953. So it is very exciting to be here, and it is nice to keep that tradition going." Since then, the Thunderbirds have performed at nearly every CFD experience since. In 2024, the team had to skip the tradition due to ongoing runway construction at Cheyenne's airport, which the military shares. Lee said he also, coincidentally, happened to take 2024 off from being with the Thunderbirds. However, like the team, he is back with them in Cheyenne now. Lee said, with the show being July 26, the team plans to spend some of their time in Cheyenne attending the iconic Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. "I think the first rodeo I had ever been to was here back in 2021. It is a lot of fun," Lee said. "It was a lot more fun than I was expecting. So I am a fan." The Thunderbirds have two types of shows they regularly perform, known as high and low altitude shows. In order to perform the show with the most loops, or the high altitude show, clouds must be clear due to safety. If the weather holds out as they hope, the team expects to perform the high altitude show in Cheyenne. However in 2023, they had the same plan. But cloud coverage forced them to change to a low altitude show at the last minute. Lee said, no matter what, the crowd will be given a visually and audibly fun experience. "Especially after we light the afterburners, you can definitely feel that from the ground -- the power of the jets -- which is really great," Lee said.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Colorado golfer Davis Bryant takes his game worldwide on the DP World Tour
Winning the Inspirato Colorado Open last year was a dream come true for Davis Bryant and the $100,000 winner's check wasn't bad either. It gave the former Colorado State University golfer the financial flexibility to try to take his game to a much bigger level. "I played a bunch of mini-tour events last year and got some experience," said Bryant, who lives in Aurora. "I was fortunate to have some good success towards the end of the summer and then just wanted to give myself a chance to play at a higher level." So Bryant bolted to Europe where he fired a final round 62 in qualifying school, finishing third overall and earning his tour card on the DP World Tour. "The 62 with no bogeys, 9 birdies, it was flawless," Bryant recalled. "I still kind of get the chills and smile when I think about that round of golf. It was remarkable." And so began Bryant's worldwide golfing tour. It has taken the 25-year old to Mauritius, South Africa, Qatar, Kenya, India, the UAE, China, Turkey, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. CBS Colorado's Eric Christensen asked Bryant what his favorite country on the tour has been. "Turkey was pretty sweet," Bryant said. "What's the strangest food you've eaten?" Christensen asked. "Anything in China unfortunately was questionable," he replied. "Can you say 'birdie' in any other language?" Christensen asked. "I've learned zero words in any other languages," Bryant said. Christensen caught up with Davis on one of his recent visits back home. He love being back home and does admit to feeling homesick at times. But that doesn't mean he doesn't like life overseas. "I love it over there," Bryant exclaimed. "I love to travel. I loved to travel before I started doing this and every new stamp I get in my passport is fascinating." Understandably, Bryant struggled at first on the DP World Tour but has recently hit his stride. Back-to-back top 10 finishes have him in position to earn his tour card again next year. "Ideally I'd love to do this for the next 2, 3, 4 years and if I have the opportunity and get my game to where I know I can get it to and have the chance to come back and play on the PGA Tour, that would be awesome," said Bryant. "To be able to spend a week in a place and get a glimpse of what life is like with the food and the culture and the people and the language but also compete for a lot of money each week? It's a great opportunity and something I'm grateful for." But for now, Davis is determined to make the most of his time on the DP World Tour. And this week? He'll be defending his Inspirato Colorado Open title. The tournament takes place from July 24-27 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston reflects on homelessness, budget shortfall and future plans
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston sat down with CBS Colorado on Thursday to reflect on his first two years in office and discuss what he would still like to accomplish in the next two years of his first term. Johnston touted his work on homelessness: "There are no encampments in Denver. There are no tents downtown," he said. "We've gotten 5,000 people off the streets. We became the largest American city to end street homelessness for veterans. Those for us are major milestones." At the same time, the mayor acknowledged there is still work to do. "Yes, we still have a couple hundred folks who are left on the streets. They are mostly our highest acuity individuals. They have the most significant mental illness, the most significant addiction. They're not living in communities. They're not living in encampments. They're just wandering around and using, and sometimes passing out. The next phase of the work is really about those individuals and how we help connect them to services to get clean, to get mental health supports and then to get clean and get back up." Johnston is staring down a budget shortfall of $50 million for the rest of 2025 and a $200 million shortfall for 2026. City employees have begun taking furloughs, and city workers are preparing for the potential of layoffs beginning in August. "Our goal is always to avoid any impact on core public services," said Johnston when asked what Denverites can expect with the city facing such a big deficit. "We're going to keep officers on the street. We're going to keep trash getting picked up. We're going to keep our parks and rec centers clean and open." "Do you think it's possible to balance the budget and keep all of those things?" asked CBS Colorado. "We are never going to keep everything, but what we've done with each department is said, 'What are the core public services we have to deliver? And what are the core things we need to deliver city-wide? And what are the things that might have been nice to have 10-15 years ago that might not be so essential to have right now, and how do we find a way to pare those back?'" The mayor also hinted that an announcement regarding the Broncos and potential plans for a new stadium would be coming soon. "I'm hoping in the next few weeks," he said. The Broncos' current contract at Empower Field at Mile High expires following the 2030 season. "Over my dead body will the Broncos leave Denver. I would fire myself." When asked what the next two years look like and what a successful first term would entail Johnston said that housing affordability and cost of living would continue to be a concern, "We want to still keep fighting to make sure that everyone who works in the city can afford to live in the city, so that we don't have school teachers that are saying, 'I'd love to stay in Denver, but I have to move back home to Kansas or Oklahoma because I can afford to live there.' Those are the ones we want to keep fighting for."
