Author: reporter

Denver-based Stranahan’s distillery marks its 20th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, the whiskey maker is tracing its roots back to Aspen with a new tasting room and restaurant opening in March in the mountain town. Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge, at 307 S. Mill St., serves alpine-inspired dishes alongside drams and cocktails featuring the distillery’s original spirits. It opens March 9 and given its proximity to Aspen Mountain, head blender Justin Aden expects it will be a popular après ski destination. “My favorite part was seeing all the dogs in the park while drinking whiskey. That was pretty cool,” he said.…

Attorney General Phil Weiser should leave no stone unturned as he works to protect Colorado consumers and employees from the ramifications of a $24.6 billion merger between two of the nation’s largest grocers – Kroger and Albertsons. Weiser began digging in on the issue months before the Federal Trade Commission announced charges that the proposed acquisition is anticompetitive and would harm customers and employees. Weiser’s lawsuit is asking a judge to rule that the merger violates Colorado laws against intentionally undermining competition and to prevent the merger from going forward. We are glad this scrutiny is moving on multiple tracks.…

A Denver County Court manager resigned last year while facing an internal investigation over the misuse of court money, fraud and inappropriate workplace behavior in an incident that some employees now say undermined their confidence in the court’s human resources process. Alice Ehr, a 14-year employee of Denver County Court, resigned from her position as court interpreter administrator after an internal disciplinary investigation found evidence that she spent at least $25,000 of the court’s money to hire contractors to do her job — sometimes on days she worked second jobs, conducted personal business or left work to have sexual encounters,…

Colorado middle and high schools would be required to provide free period products in their restrooms under a bill now in the state legislature, with the legislation’s sponsors equating pads and tampons to essential items students need like nutritious meals and books. The bill’s Democratic sponsors — Rep. Brianna Titone, of Arvada; Rep. Jenny Willford, of Northglenn; Sen. Janet Buckner, of Aurora; and Sen. Faith Winter, of Westminster — said at a Thursday news conference at the state Capitol that a lack of access to period products in schools resulted in absenteeism, health issues and emotional distress for teens who…

One person is dead after being shot by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies Thursday night, the sheriff’s office announced Friday. “Around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy stopped at a vehicle that appeared to be disabled in the northbound lane of Kipling Street right off Interstate 70,” said Jenny Fulton, director of public affairs for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The original deputy called for backup to help the stalled vehicle, and two more deputies arrived at the scene, Fulton said. Interviews are still being conducted to figure out exactly what happened, but the two deputies who arrived as…

Auto insurance premiums are going up nationwide and Colorado’s rates are growing faster than those in many other states. Premiums in the state have shot up an average of 53% over the last decade and Colorado is expected to see the fourth-highest premiums in the country by 2033. Reporter Judith Kohler would like to talk to people who have experienced big increases in their auto insurance premiums and are feeling the strain on their budgets. If you’re interested in sharing your experience for an article, please fill out the information below. Get more business news by signing up for our…

In a high-octane overtime thriller, Andrew Crawford and Tommy Wight refused to let ThunderRidge lose. The Grizzlies topped Continental League rival Rock Canyon, 62-60, in the Class 6A Great 8 on Thursday at the Denver Coliseum. After the Jaguars rallied to force OT, Crawford’s dish to Wight for the game-winning lay-up with five seconds left was the difference. ThunderRidge’s win avenged its 48-44 home loss to Rock Canyon earlier in the season and propelled the four-time state champion Grizzlies back into next weekend’s Final Four. “All game on those high ball screens, I would come off them and have nothing there,”…

A wildfire burning west of Pueblo grew to 96 acres Thursday afternoon but was almost fully contained within four hours, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. The fire was reported at 12:10 p.m. about 14 miles west of the entrance to the Pueblo Reservoir near Colo. 96, said spokesperson Gayle Perez. Multiple agencies responded to the fire and no structures were threatened, the sheriff’s office posted on X. The wildfire burned only grass, brush and trees, and the cause of the fire is unknown. The fire was 95% contained as of 3:40 p.m. and fire crews plan to monitor…

Internet Crimes Against Children investigators arrested Brett Mellott, 33, on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography on Thursday, according to an X post from the Arapahoe Sheriff’s office. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Colorado congresswoman unveils bills to help cities like Denver manage migrant crisis, beef up border security Crime and Public Safety | Pueblo police search for 10-year-old runaway child Crime and Public Safety | Man sentenced to prison for 2022 abduction of two hikers in Fehringer Ranch Park Crime and Public Safety | Wheat Ridge man arrested on charges of assaulting officer at U.S. Capitol…

By DAVID BAUDER (AP Media Writer) NEW YORK (AP) — Three dozen leaders at news organizations around the world have signed a letter expressing solidarity with journalists in Gaza, calling for their safety and freedom to report in the war zone. The letter, released Thursday, was spearheaded by the Committee to Protect Journalists, which said at least 89 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, the vast majority of them Palestinians. Leaders at The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, New Yorker, CNN, NBC News and ABC News have…