Latest news with #highcountry
CBS News
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Crashes involving commercial vehicles become big concern in Colorado, more than 1,200 in six months
Colorado State Patrol says crashes involving commercial trucks are becoming a big concern. According to their data, between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024, there have been 1,270 crashes involving commercial vehicles. In 2025, during the same time period, there were 1,188 crashes involving commercial vehicles. CSP says both the driver and the CMV operators are to blame for this dangerous trend. This comes from a combination of distracted driving, speeding and crossing lanes too fast. A majority of these crashes are reported along I-70. This highway has been ranked the worst highway in the state for these crashes. CSP says if you are traveling through the high country, the weather is often to blame. If you are traveling within city limits, it's a mix of flat and hilly land. Let's break down these statistics even further. CSP says 60% of non-fatal crashes are usually the commercial operator's fault. It's important to remember to always get adequate sleep and never drive more than 11 hours without at least ten hours off. CSP says 66% of fatal crashes involve a regular driver being at fault. One quarter of that 66% is caused by impairment. CSP says drivers need to stop cutting off commercial vehicles and driving in their blind spots. Regardless of the driver, CSP stressed that leaving space between vehicles can prevent all of these crashes. "If the car speeds up to cut in front of a truck, it doesn't give enough distance if traffic decides to suddenly stop," said Captain John Hahn, Commander for Motor Carrier Unit at Colorado State Patrol. "It does not provide enough time or distance to be able to stop before it collides into the back of the vehicle." So far in 2025, authorities say there has been a 6.5% drop in commercial crashes. CSP says the number should be zero since these crashes are always preventable.
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Westbound lanes of I-70 closed in Colorado's high country after crash involving semi
The westbound lanes of I-70 in Colorado's high country were closed Wednesday morning after a crash involving a semi and a box truck. The lanes were closed at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The Colorado State Patrol told CBS Colorado that troopers responded to a crash in the westbound lanes at mile marker 212 at 4:18 a.m. The westbound lanes of I-70 were closed Wednesday morning after a crash involving a semi and a box truck. CDOT The crash involved a semi-trailer and a box truck. One driver was rushed to the hospital by a helicopter ambulance. The other driver claimed no injuries. What caused the crash is being investigated. There was a fuel leak with one of the vehicles. Troopers said it is unclear when the westbound lanes will reopen and that drivers should expect an extended closure. There were miles-long backups leading to the tunnel.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Xcel Energy tests drones for power line inspections in Colorado
Xcel Energy tested drone technology in Colorado with the goal of speeding up restoration times when lines have been deactivated because of fire danger. Xcel Energy tests a drone. CBS The technology is designed for customers in the high country. Xcel told CBS Colorado that it can power up a drone and use it to inspect the lines to determine whether it's safe to turn them back on. "It just allows us to eliminate the mobilization time of getting a lineman or a truck up to the site and allows us to immediately start inspecting as soon as we get notification of an outage," said Zach Roach, UAS Program Manager for Xcel Energy. An Xcel Energy drone. CBS Xcel said the drones would allow crews to restore power 10 to 20 times more quickly than they otherwise would be able to.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Silverthorne Fire Station for Summit Fire and EMS officially opens for growing Colorado community
After years in the making, Summit Fire & EMS has officially opened its newest fire station, bringing critical emergency services closer to the growing Colorado neighborhoods north of Silverthorne. This strategic new location will provide faster response times for neighbors previously relying on the Dillon station as their closest option. That closer location also has potential insurance savings for residents, as well as addressing long-standing concerns about traffic congestion and emergency access. CBS "Having this here eliminates a good mile of that traffic," explains Silverthorne resident Tim Boucher. "So it's really going to help a lot having the vehicles here, having the EMS here, you know, the medical, because there's so many homes around here that really need the medical." The new station, though starting with a small crew, is designed for immediate impact. "Right now, what we're running out of here is a two-person medic unit crew based off of one firefighter, paramedic, one firefighter/EMT," says Battalion Chief Ryan Cole of B Shift for Summit Fire and EMS. "They're still all hazards; they can still respond to any type of call that we would go to." While currently operating with a two-person crew, these highly trained individuals can operate a full fire engine, an ambulance, or a wildland truck -- a crucial asset in the high country. This nimble staffing ensures that even with a smaller initial footprint, the new station can respond effectively to a range of emergencies. Chief Cole notes that while the current call volume doesn't necessitate a full six-person crew, "it is growing that way." The "ribbon cutting" for the new Summit Fire and EMS station featured a fire hose instead of a ribbon. CBS Summit Fire and EMS has said the emphasis on speed and efficiency is intended to bring some peace of mind for the northern Silverthorne neighbors. "From the time the tones drop to the time the wheels are turning, we're looking for a 90 second turnout time," Chief Cole said. "It's being able to get there quickly for the people who are calling for what they're needing, whether that is simply a smoke detector set off by cooking or an actual medical emergency, we want to get there in a timely manner and provide the care that the people are expecting." For residents, they tell CBS Colorado the peace of mind is immeasurable. "Seconds away is a feel good for us older people because you never know what could happen," says Tim Boucher. "And having them here, having these vehicles here, the EMS here is wonderful. It's a big help." CBS Beyond immediate emergency response, the new station also offers a significant financial benefit: potentially lower insurance premiums. With quicker access to emergency services, residents north of Silverthorne can now demonstrate a reduced risk, which should have a positive impact on their insurance costs. This was one of the key factors residents advocated for in accelerating the station's development. As the neighborhoods continue to grow, Summit Fire & EMS anticipates expanding its crews to meet the increasing demand, ensuring the community remains safe and well-protected for years to come.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New Zealand's largest privately run ski field is up for sale
What began as a labour of love in the Canterbury high country almost 50 years ago is up for sale. Eighty-two-year-old Peter Foote is putting his family-owned Mount Dobson ski field on the market. He's told Jesse he'd love to see someone carry on the legacy. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
