Latest news with #CBSNewsColorado
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Former CBS News Colorado photographer Jerry Curran marks 90th birthday
Jerry Curran, who spent decades as a news photographer in Denver, celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday surrounded by friends, family, and former colleagues from KCNC, now known as CBS News Colorado. "I'd rather be 80," joked Curran. Curran, who grew up near City Park in Denver, attended East High School and then the University of Colorado at Boulder, now lives in Denver's Bear Valley neighborhood. Former CBS News Colorado photographer Jerry Curan poses for a photo at his 90th birthday celebration. Tammy Curran His career in broadcast news began in 1961 after he served in the U.S. Army and returned to Colorado. Curran's 49-year career saw him win an Emmy award and several other honors for his work as a photojournalist. He also served as chief photographer at KCNC. "It was a helluva way to make a living," said Curran. Curran is now a grandfather who still enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Joyce. One of his sons, Mike, followed in Jerry's footsteps and is a journalist in Portland, Oregon. Joining in the birthday celebration were former KCNC helicopter pilot Mike Silva, former anchor Reynelda Muse, former reporter Luann Akin and former photojournalists Doug Whitehead and Sharon Levy. Jerry Curran, center, with former KCNC colleagues, from left to right, Mike Silva, Doug Whitehead, Sharon Levy, Luann Akin, and Reynelda Muse. Tammy Curran Curran recalls two of his favorite stories; one involved working with the late Bob Palmer to profile a Hispanic family. The second report revolved around an organ transplant case. Curran says some of his work in television news "was the highlight of my life."
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Beloved cyclist killed in hit-and-run in CO, reports say. ‘Miss you forever'
A 41-year-old cyclist with a 'vibrant spirit' was killed in a hit-and-run in Colorado, officials and loved ones said. The cyclist was riding in Boulder County just before noon on May 18 when he was struck by a Toyota Highlander, the Colorado State Patrol said in a news release. The county coroner's office identified the cyclist as John Wilkinson. The Toyota Highlander drove off but was found later that day abandoned in a park, troopers said. A 23-year-old man has been charged with failing to notify police of an accident and failing to remain at the scene/give information and/or aid after an accident, according to state troopers, who said more charges are expected. McClatchy News couldn't immediately reach an attorney for the 23-year-old on May 22. In the news release, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said, 'Throughout Colorado, there are far too many cyclists and pedestrians who are tragically injured or killed every year,' adding that 'these cases are a priority in this jurisdiction.' Wilkinson was remembered in news reports and on social media for his passion and dedication. He was 'a cycling machine,' his dad, Bob Wilkinson, told CBS News Colorado, adding that 'he rode hundreds and hundreds of miles a week.' And beyond cycling, 'He just was, he was just a good kid overall. It's a terrible loss to us,' his dad said, according to the outlet. The Colorado bike shop CyclErie — where Wilkinson worked, according to the Daily Camera — wrote on Instagram that 'the loss of John's vibrant spirit is heartbreaking, infuriating, and utterly avoidable.' The shop went on to say, 'There's no silver lining — only grief for a friend who won't join us at work, a brother who won't call back, and a loving partner who won't return from his Sunday ride,' adding that 'we'll miss you forever.'
New York Post
15-05-2025
- New York Post
Illegal migrant, 15, gets probation and must go to school after killing Colorado rehab worker, 24, in high-speed crash
A 15-year-old illegal immigrant who killed a Colorado drug rehab worker in a high-speed crash in a residential neighborhood was given a slap on the wrist by a Democrat prosecutor, endorsed by several prominent party members. The Colombian national juvenile, who cannot be named due to state law, was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for the July 2024 death of Kaitlyn Weaver. Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden offered the teen the plea deal if he admitted guilt in the deadly crash, promised to attend school and not break any more laws, CBS News Colorado reported. 6 Kaitlyn Weaver was killed when a 15-year-old illegal immigrant slammed a speeding Jeep into her car in Aurora, Co., in July 2024. Family Handout The teen was racing his mother's Jeep Cherokee at over 90 mph through a posted 45 mph street when he slammed into Weaver's Volkswagen in Aurora, Colo. Weaver, 24, was 'effectively killed instantly,' her father John Weaver told the outlet. Weaver was speaking with her boyfriend on speaker phone when she stopped at a stop sign, allowing a car to pass before she crossed into the intersection and was T-boned by the teen. 'She didn't even see him coming,' the heartbroken father said. 'That's how fast he was going.' The driver's side of Weaver's car was completely mangled in the crash. 6 The damage left to Weaver's car after the crash with the illegal immigrant. Aurora Police Department 6 Police investigate the crash site as firefighters work to get Weaver out of the car after the crash in July 8, 2024. Aurora Police Department Weaver spent two days in the hospital before her parents took her off life support and donated her organs to others in need. The teen, who was also unlicensed to drive the car, had other kids in the car with him at the time of the deadly crash. He was charged with vehicular homicide. Colorado state law prohibits minors from being publicly identified in criminal court cases. His mom told investigators she planned to move him back to Colombia, but the teen has since filed for asylum in the US, CBS reported. 6 Police released a rendering of the crash showing the path of both the dark colored Jeep and Weaver's silver Volkswagen. Aurora Police Department The teen was processed through juvenile court, with the Weavers expecting a full trial until Padden was elected to office and replaced the former district attorney. 'The DA's office said this would be a 'no plea deal' case, so they were not going to offer anything; any concession,' John Weaver said. 'Why the change? If he had taken a firearm and recklessly just shot it and killed someone, this would be a different case. They would be pushing it completely differently,' he added. 'There's no deterrence.' Kaitlyn Weaver attended the University of Colorado Boulder to study psychology and volunteered with the suicide hotline before working at the drug rehab center in Aurora. 'She was really trying to make a difference in their lives every day,' her dad said. The teen had taken the uninsured Jeep without permission, meaning the boys mother is not responsible for the deadly crash. John Weaver blasted the several policies that allowed the teen to crash into his daughter. 'Immigration and the criminal justice system and all these things landed together one day in Aurora and now I sit here today without a daughter,' he said, fighting back tears. 6 Amy Padden poses with Kamala Harris in a photo shared to Facebook in 2020. Amy Padden/Facebook 6 Amy Padden and Stacey Abrams stand for a picture in a photo from 2022. Amy Padden/Facebook Padden addressed her controversial decision in a comment under a non-related Facebook post, focusing on the danger of speeding, only briefly mentioning the teen's immigration status. 'We acknowledge Kaitlyn Weaver's death was the direct result of a crash caused by an unlicensed teenager driving at nearly twice the posted speed limit. This tragic loss is a powerful reminder that it is not just alcohol or drug impaired driving that takes lives,' Padden wrote. 'Driving at dangerous speeds has deadly consequences too and they are felt by our entire community. Although the driver's age and relevant legal statutes resulted in this case being handled in juvenile court, this should not diminish the severity of the offense.' Padden previously received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (V-I,), Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and has shared photos of herself with Stacey Abrams and Kamala Harris. 'We unequivocally condemn such reckless and unlawful behavior, which had devastating and irreversible results. We assigned Kaitlyn's family a Victim Advocate to assist and guide them throughout the judicial process, and we communicated with them before agreeing to a final disposition in this case. Prior to sentencing, Kaitlin's family members addressed the judge with heartfelt recollections of Kaitlyn and pointed comments directed at the juvenile offender. No legal outcome can truly make up for the profound loss and void Kaitlyn's loved ones will live with permanently,' she added.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado legislature will not vote to overturn Polis's veto of an open records bill
State lawmakers in Colorado have decided not to try to override Gov. Jared Polis's veto of an open records bill. The bill created different rules for open records requests depending on who's requesting them. The rules for journalists would have remained unchanged, but the public would have had to wait longer and pay more for their records. The measure -- Senate Bill 25-077 -- didn't define "journalist," leaving it up to local governments to determine that, which is why the governor said he vetoed it. Republican State Rep. Matt Soper, one of the bill's sponsors, says he understands the concerns about two different sets of rules: "We realized that was clunky, unfair, and really isn't in the spirit of equal justice under the law and so we set aside the veto override and we're clearing the table to bring all the stakeholders back." Local governments requested the bill. They say they're receiving so many open records requests, it's putting a strain on staff and other resources. The Colorado Freedom of Information Center asked Polis to veto the measure because it "creates additional unnecessary barriers for people seeking to gain a better understanding of state and local government activities in Colorado, which is the very purpose of (Colorado Open Records Act)." Polis called the bill and the likely results, had it passed, unfair when he vetoed it. "Essentially, under this bill, speed to access public information is determined by who you are," he said. "A newsperson, a member of the public, and a person seeking financial gain may all request the same information and, under this bill, get access to that information on different timelines. To ensure fairness and confidence in public transparency, all legitimate requests for public transparency under CORA should be treated equally under the law, without preference for some requestors over others." While the new law wouldn't have impacted CBS News Colorado, we did sign on to a letter urging the governor to veto the bill. We don't believe journalists deserve special treatment when it comes to public records.
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Denver's mayor proposes hefty raises for his appointees amidst bleak economic forecasts
Just four days after City of Denver economists and finance personnel warned of recession-like conditions, increasing economic uncertainty, and recommended city leaders keep their budgets flat, CBS News Colorado has learned that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is seeking double-digit raises for a dozen of his appointees, with some of the raises topping 30 to 40%. "We probably should have done this six months ago," conceded Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Johnston, when questioned about the timing of the department-head raises. WASHINGTON, DC- MARCH 5: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing titled "A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors" in Washington, DC on March 5, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images According to information obtained by CBS News Colorado and confirmed by Ewing, the Mayor plans to ask a City Council committee on Tuesday to approve the following raises: Manager of Department of Aviation from $346,975 to 406, 511 or a 17.2% increase ($59,536.00 raise) Manager of Department of Finance from $185,365.82 to $266,162.32 or a 43.6% increase ($80,796.50 raise) City Attorney from $216,061.10 to $ 268,479.12 or a 24.3% increase ($52,418.02 raise) Manager of Department of Transportation and Infrastructure from $195,219.65 to $240,675.85 or a 23.3% increase ($45,456.20 raise) Also racking up large proposed salary bumps, the Managers of Parks and Rec, Department of Safety, General Services and other department heads. Ewing said the mayoral appointees had not received raises since 2022 and needed additional compensation or the city would risk losing them, "We have to bring them up to fair market rate." He said the 12 raises would be funded by savings from other vacant positions in the mayor's office. Ewing went on to say that other city employees receive regular 4% merit raises, but these mayoral appointees have not. For each of the raises, half would be funded out of the 2025 budget dollars, with the other half being funded out of the 2026 budget, according to the mayor's office. On Monday, Denver's top finance administrators warned city council that the next several months will be "very very uncomfortable" and will feel like a recession with soft revenue projections. They said the city was facing "serious economic headwinds," with the city facing flat sales and use tax revenues in 2026.
