Farmers markets are set to open across Colorado in the coming weeks, but local growers are facing a tough season marked by drought, rising fuel and fertilizer costs, and warm weather.

The City Park Farmers Market starts Saturday, May 2, and the Lafayette Farmers Market opens Sunday, May 3. Shoppers may see a different selection of goods than usual for this time of year.

Peter Wanberg, co-owner of the City Park and Lafayette Farmers Markets, noted that the weather has affected what crops are going to be available.

Normally, theres a lot of greens and theres not a huge amount of those really big harvest mid-season crops. Were going to see those come a lot earlier this year, Wanberg said. What happens at the end of the season, or middle of the season, is totally unknown.

At Speedwell Farm and Gardens in Longmont, owner Cody Jurbala grows produce and has seen the effects of the challenging weather firsthand.

80s in March for at least a steady week has triggered all of the trees and some of the flowers to go into reproduction about a month early, Jurbala said.

He noted that while his farm luckily has access to municipal water, it is expensive and not all farms have that option.

Helen Skiba, owner of Artemis Flower Farm, operates on the same property and is also dealing with the dry conditions.

This winter, weve not had any moisture to speak of. So, weve been doing winter watering, which is very unusual and very expensive, Skiba said.

The changing weather timeline can be tough on farmers whose customers expect certain products at certain times.

Our outdoor tulips are now almost finished they're about four to five weeks ahead of schedule, Skiba said. I just am going to have something for Mother's Day, but it's not going to be tulips, which is really unusual We just aren't going to have the kind of volume that we like to have for Mother's Day.

Despite the heat, drought conditions and expensive municipal water creating an uncertain future this year, farmers remain resilient. Skiba and Jurbala both love what they do for a living.

I get to work outside, Skiba said. I get to work with my hands. I get to work with my mind. Im constantly solving problems.

I think its really important to have people that are willing to face the challenges head on with a good attitude and a good heart, Jurbala said.

Wanberg encouraged consumers to go to their local farmers markets to support Colorado farmers who are likely having a difficult year.

Farmers markets are a great place to go to continue supporting people through these crazy conditions, Wanberg said. Go to farmers markets. Get to know your farmers.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Douglass Elementary School is closed Friday due to a water main break, according to an Boulder Valley School District announcement around 6:32 a.m.

The school district said it didn't feel it would be safe for students and staff in the building with no water. All classes and before- and after-school care is canceled Friday, including School Age Care and Lifelong Learning classes.

The water main break happened on Baseline Road, about a quarter mile east of 75th Street where Douglass Elementary is located, the district said.

The City of Lafayette Public Works is working on the water main break, but the school district said there's no estimated time for when the repair will be finished.

Those impacted can find updates here.

An avocado tree warming apparatus catching fire spread to an Erie home on Saturday night, Mountain View Fire Rescue announced Monday.

When the Lafayette Fire Department and Mountain View Fire Rescue crews arrived at the home, the warming apparatus was on fire and had spread to the siding of the home.

The homeowners and the neighbors helped limit the spread of the flames, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue. They started dousing the fire with buckets of water.

Firefighters then finished extinguishing the flames before they reached the interior of the home.

Mountain View Fire Rescue advised plant owners put warm weather flora, like an avocado tree, in a container gardening system that can be rolled into a garage when frigid temperatures move into the area.

The Mountain View Fire Rescue fire marshal has declared the cause of the fire "undetermined" though because he found several possible sources for the fire at the home, including Christmas tree lights, in addition to the avocado tree warming apparatus.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. A new pilot program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is helping older adults stay active, engaged and socially connected during their hospital stays and early results have staff and patients optimistic.

The ACE Unit, short for Acute Care for the Elderly, is the first of its kind at any Intermountain Health hospital. Launched in April 2025, its designed to deliver specialized care to a growing population of older patients, focusing on mobility, nutrition and mental stimulation during recovery.

There was a need for specialization of our unit for geriatrics, so we see that there's this growing population of elderly patients near us and in our hospital, and we needed to identify that population and really meet the needs of that specific demographic, said Clinical Nurse Manager Mary Cisneros. The ultimate goal is to give best in class care to these patients.

The care team conducts daily interdisciplinary rounds to address medical concerns quickly and keep patients and families informed. It gives a chance for the patient and families to ask questions or learn what the plan of care is from each team member, Cisneros said.

In less than a year, the unit has already seen measurable improvements.

We have seen improvement in a reduced length of stay for our patients at the hospital, we've seen significant reduction in readmission rates, Cisneros said. Weve also seen an increase in our mobility rates, so patients are getting up and moving around, which helps reduce functional decline while they're at the hospital weve seen a decrease in our pressure injuries and reduction of fall injury.

For patients like Daniel Cross, the program has made a difference in just days.

I had a stroke. I woke up 10 days ago and I couldn't walk, Cross said. Yesterday, I walked in the corridor, and today, again, I walk in the corridor a lot longer Ill do that every day, twice, six, five times a day, rather than sit here.

Beyond medical staff, volunteers play a key role in the ACE Units success.

Kathy Schulz, who is in her 70s, visits patients daily to offer companionship and mental stimulation sometimes through conversation, sometimes with activities like puzzles.

One of the things that they wanted to promote, in addition to the walking, was stimulation of the brain, Schulz said. I have a knack for sensing when someone needs a little bit of TLC I make a connection with them.

Schulz says her age helps her relate to patients on a personal level.

I understand some of the things that they've gone through, and understand the aches and the pains and things that they experience that a younger individual talking with them wouldn't necessarily know, she said.

Patients have noticed the difference.

One note Schulz received from a patient read: Kindness is a novelty in this world, but it is certainly a shining star at Good Samaritan. Thank you to all the staff.

Cisneros says programs like ACE are addressing the real challenges older adults face in hospitals, including risks of infection, functional decline and delirium.

We need to be proactive in meeting their needs, she said, and really starting to look at our care delivery so that were implementing units like this more widespread.

After piloting the ACE Unit, Intermountain Health hopes to eventually roll it out to every hospital in its system.

There have been two coyote attacks on small dogs reported in the last two days, causing life-threatening injuries, the Lafayette Police Department said Tuesday.

The two attacks happened approximately four miles apart from each other. One dog was attacked in its yard on Shoshone Trail and the other in its yard off Hawk Ridge Road. Both yards back up to open space, according to Lafayette police.

One dog was attacked in the early morning hours, while another was hurt later in the morning, Lafayette police said.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) were notified. Lafayette police pointed dog owners to CPW resources here for how to protect your pets, as well as yourself.

Related coverage:

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. A former Arvada High School English teacher was arrested Monday for allegedly creating and distributing sexually explicit content involving juveniles in hypnotic poses, according to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office.

Patricio Alejandro Illanes, 39, was booked into the Boulder County Jail on several charges, including 40 counts of sexual exploitation of a child creating, distributing, and possessing.

At the time of his arrest, Illanes was an English teacher at Arvada Senior High School. He was immediately placed on leave and later terminated, the sheriffs office said.

Illanes' arrest followed an investigation spanning several months, which was conducted by the countys digital forensics lab and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives began looking into the former teacher in September 2025, after they received multiple CyberTips from Meta regarding an accountlater identified as Illanesallegedly creating and selling sexually explicit content.

The sheriff's office said that a search of Illanes phone uncovered videos of apparent juveniles engaged in sexual acts, shared across encrypted messaging apps and paid pornography platforms.

Investigators say Illanes also filmed juveniles performing scripts in front of a green screen while mimicking a hypnotic state, later editing the footage for sexual purposes. Platforms have since removed the content and deactivated his accounts.

Four outofstate individuals have been identified so far, all confirming they were minors during these recorded hypnotic role-play sessions, which, according to the sheriff's office, led to them removing articles of clothing and performing sexually explicit acts at Illanes instruction.

Investigators said they also found additional hypnosisstyle images that appear to show clothed students in a school setting.

Previous employers and school programs where he had access to youthincluding facilities in Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Erie, Denver, and Arvadahave been notified and cooperated with the investigation.

Below is a list of programs and schools where Illanes was known to have access to students:

2010-2015: City of Longmont Children and Youth Services, Longmont, CO

2013-2025: TGTHR (formerly known as Attention Homes) in Boulder and Longmont, CO

2013-2017: New Meridian Alternative High School (formerly known as Olde Columbine) Longmont, CO

2015-2021: Longmont Library Children and Teens Section, Longmont, CO

2017-2019: Centaurus High School, Lafayette, CO

2019-2020: Mapleton School District (intern), Denver, CO

2019-2023: Erie Middle School, Erie, CO

2019-2023: Erie High School, Erie, CO

2024-2025: Arvada Senior High School, Arvada, CO

Authorities are seeking information from current or former students, coworkers, or anyone with additional details related to the case, and urge potential victims to contact the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where any suspected victimization occurred.

As families gathered at Festival Plaza in Lafayette to celebrate the start of Hanukkah on Sunday night, many said they're leaning on each other to find the strength to celebrate, despite a rise in acts of antisemitism in Colorado and across the world.

Authorities in Australia said two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 38 others.

"I'm still in shock. I think its more like numb," Chany Scheiner, co-director of the Boulder Center for Judaism, said. "There's a lot of uncertainty, and right now it's just show up and be there together. I don't think we have any answers."

Nearly one hundred people showed up for the annual menorah lighting in Old Town Lafayette to celebrate the start of the holiday, sing songs, eat traditional Jewish pastries, and hear messages of hope from community leaders.

Susan and Sol Genauer, who came to town from New Jersey to see their children and grandkids, said they're embracing the opportunity to spend the holiday with family despite the challenges the Jewish community has faced recently.

"You just have to have courage and belief, you know, that things will work out for the best over time," Sol said. "I'm a child of a Holocaust survivor, so I know the horrific stories of all that, but with determination, you live through it, and you look to the future for the better... that's what you hope for."

Data from the Anti-Defamation League shows there were 279 incidents of antisemetism in Colorado last year. In 2023, data shows there were 198 incidents and 71 incidents in 2022.

JEWISHcolorado is also reacting to the targeted shooting in Australia. Senior Director Brandon Rattiner sent Denver7 the following statement:

Mayor of Lyons Hollie Rogin said while this Hanukkah feels painful after the attack in Australia, it's important to continue to lift up community. She is the first Jewish mayor of the Town of Lyons.

"There's no better time to shine our light brighter, to sing our song louder, and to love each other," Rogin said.

Scheiner emphasized that this Hanukkah is about making the world brighter through community connection.

"The only thing that will dispel some of that strong darkness will be when you light a strong candle and you're proud and you're not hiding in your basement," Scheiner said. "And that's somewhat of the message of Hanukkah."

As families lit the menorah together, the symbolism was clear: many candles together burn brighter than one on its own.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. Many Coloradans lose their sense of community as they age and retire from work. A statewide nonprofit is working to change that and help solve a critical shortage of early childhood educators at the same time.

The Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC) trains and supports older adults to work or volunteer in classrooms across Colorado, providing a boost to preschools and child care programs struggling to find staff.

Everybody's siloed, and there's not a lot of intergenerational community, said founder and CEO Lisa Armao. I really wanted to create community. We need just folks working with kids and older adults are the perfect match for that.

ECSC operates at 72 partner sites statewide, ranging from infant nurseries to preschools. Fifteen more early childhood programs are on a waiting list to join.

Accordong to ECSC, 70% of Colorado preschool directors in 2021 reported they spent most of their day in a classroom subbing or helping because there weren't enough hands filling in for teachers, Armao said.

The corps offers free virtual training about 21 hours over 3 weeks for volunteers with optional 15-week college courses for those who want paid teaching positions.

For some participants, the work is about more than filling a need.

I spent 40 years as a commercial photographer, said Chris Shinn, now a paid teacher at Thorne Nature Preschool in Lafayette. I did worry about being isolated as I winded down my photography career. It was very important for me to find something beyond, to find something that I could give back to my community, that was something purposeful in my life.

Shinn said the children make the work rewarding. Theyre so unfiltered, they'll give you love the second you show up. They're very forgiving, he said.

Volunteers say the joy is mutual.

They're hilarious. They're open not a lot of filtering. They're basically pure love, yeah? So what's not to like, said participant Marianne Mansfield. One of the best parts about the whole program? It creates a family.

Others have found the work changes their perspective.

If you're in a program like this, the children are just magic. They just draw you into what they're doing. It takes a lot of focus and concentration, and that's really healthy, said volunteer Jean Stoenner.

Lauren Barth, director of Thorne Nature Preschool, said veterans of the ECSC program bring unique strengths.

One of our volunteers is so wonderful at talking about emotions, and so all of the kiddos have really enjoyed talking to her because they have that connection, Barth said.

The program also addresses a looming concern for Colorado: The state projects a nearly 25% increase in demand for early childhood educators over the next decade, especially in rural areas.

It is a national issue, said Rebecca Vlasin, director of the Division of Early Childhood Workforce at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. This is a job that is incredibly joyful and meaningful, but it's not easy and we know the pay is not what it should be in many communities across Colorado. Folks who are working in early childhood programs are making often not even a living wage.

The state offers tax credits, scholarships and free training, but Vlasin said more work is needed. One promising idea: Pathways for older adults to bring their intergenerational perspectives to classrooms.

For Armao, the payoff is clear.

They are fully, completely visible to these children and to the families and to the staff It just fills you up in a way that you need when you've lost that connection after you've quit what you've done for the last 30 years, she said.

My guarantee is, if you want to do this, I will stick with you through the whole process until you graduate and are placed at a site and happy working or volunteering.

ECSC is looking for volunteers and paid teachers. You can find more information on their website.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) seasonal park ranger, accused of stabbing himself in an "elaborate hoax," worked briefly as a police officer in Lafayette before the police department moved to terminate him.

Callum Heskett is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said he stabbed himself in the abdomen with his pocket knife at Staunton State Park, then created a false story about how he got his injuries. Court documents say Heskett told authorities a man at the park attacked him after the man cursed about "the police." CPW said Heskett was working as a seasonal park ranger.

Denver7 obtained records from the City of Lafayette, showing Heskett briefly worked as an officer for the Lafayette Police Department. Heskett applied to the department in June 2023, according to his employment application Denver7 obtained through a public records request to the City of Lafayette. However, Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor made steps to terminate his employment after Heskett failed to pass field training, according to a termination letter.

New officers typically go through several months of field training after they graduate from a police academy. The hands-on training period happens under the guidance of field training officers.

In the termination notice dated July 3, 2024, Chief Bashor said Heskett's training officers decided he did not demonstrate "sufficient proficiency in critical areas needed to be a police officer." The notice said despite extensive training, guidance and support during orientation and training, the department determined Heskett did not meet the required standards for the field training, evaluation program and the police department's standards of conduct.

The City of Lafayette said the termination notice was rescinded because Heskett resigned in lieu of termination. Heskett's resignation letter shows he resigned from his position on July 3, 2024, which is the same day he received the termination letter from the chief.

Denver7 spoke with Chief Rafael Gutierrez with the Louisville Police Department, a neighboring agency that's similar in size to Lafayette, about why law enforcement agencies may agree to give officers the chance to resign instead of being terminated.

"If there's a resignation in lieu of termination, then typically that kind of flags it as maybe that employer is providing that new officer or that new employee with an opportunity to separate, but not necessarily, like lose their certification, or things of that nature," Louisville Police Chief Gutierrez said.

For Gutierrez, it can be concerning to see a job candidate who has resigned in lieu of termination from a previous department.

"I think anytime that there is somebody separating as a result of a termination, whether it's for performance... or disciplinary action, certainly that does give me pause, and I would want to do some additional investigation into why that would have occurred," Gutierrez said.

For his department, there are many reasons new officers may not pass field training. Gutierrez said it doesn't happen often, but it happens.

"There's a wide variety of criteria that we evaluate a new trainee on when they're coming into our field training program. So it's, you know, certainly their ability to manage calls for service, to do things safely, to handle the call load, to obviously, deliver good customer service," he said.

The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) public database shows an officer named Callum Heskett is still certified as a peace officer in Colorado. A POST certification is given after someone completes at least 558 hours of training through a POST-approved basic academy, passes a POST certification exam and a background check, according to updated 2025 standards.

Denver7 reached out to the City of Lafayette for more information about why the department made the move to terminate Heskett's employment and if his resignation, in lieu of termination, was reported to Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the government office that oversees the certification and training of all peace officers in Colorado.

The City of Lafayette confirmed to Denver7 Heskett worked at the police department from Oct. 2, 2023, to July 2, 2024.

Natalie Miller, a spokesperson for the city, said she could not give any more details about his employment because it is a personnel matter. She said once an officer leaves the department, the police department documents their reason for leaving through the POST electronic portal.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, between 30 and 50 percent of hospitalized adults aged 60 and up are admitted already suffering from some level of malnutrition.

With Colorado's aging population on the rise, the need for nutritional care in healthcare environments is becoming more urgent.

At Intermountain Health Good Samaritan, their approach is challenging the stereotype of bland, uninspired hospital meals.

Regional Executive Chef Joseph Westley and his culinary team are serving up restaurant-quality dishes tailored to help patients heal, inside and out.

Its something you just generally dont hear a hospital talking about, Westley said. We work with dietitians to make sure the entrees were giving you do give you energy, make you feel good, and most importantly taste good and look good.

Chefs at Good Samaritan make almost everything from scratch, controlling sodium levels and eliminating preservatives, while still presenting meals that are visually inviting and flavorful. The result is food that not only meets strict nutrition guidelines, but also entices patients to eat a key to fighting malnutrition.

When youre eating something that tastes good, it helps you feel better, Westley said. Food gives you energy and is part of the medicine and the healing process.

Registered dietitian Candace Johnson agreed. After decades working with older adults, Johnson said 25 to 50 percent of her patients experienced some level of malnutrition.

Hospitals have the challenge of serving quality food because people dont eat well when theyre not feeling well, Johnson said. We know, by science, what older patients need for protein, macronutrients and micronutrients. Our menus are written to meet those levels, but its about making it delicious and visually appealing. You eat with your eyes, how its presented.

Johnson says having executive chefs create palatable, satisfying plates in healthcare settings makes a significant impact on older adults nutrition. We want people to eat to prevent malnutrition. Chefs have a vital role in that.

Chefs can also help dispel myths about nutrition and older adults, Johnson said. There's some myths with elderly nutrition that chefs can overcome. One is salt. [People say] 'you cant use salt,' but a salt makes things taste better. You can use a little salt.

Westleys team focuses on preparing dishes that are nutritious but also tailored for those with unique needs, such as smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes and flavorful, easy-to-swallow butternut squash mash. Menu decisions are made in collaboration with dietitians to ensure each patient receives meals suited to their health requirements.

Were trying to heal you, but also show you that you can have great food and be healed at the same time, Westley said.

As families visit their loved ones, many comment on the quality and variety of fooda testament to the role the culinary experience now plays in recovery. Good meals impact more than just patients.

In hospitals like Intermountain Health Good Samaritan, good food and good health go hand in hand, aiming for a future where older adults receive the nutritionand the pleasureof a meal worth savoring.

The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Denver Police Department are asking for the public's help identifying a woman who is suspected of bank larcenies between July 23 and 24.

The woman is between 20 and 30 years old, according to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers alert.

She allegedly walked into banks and requested to exchange money, and then distracted the teller with what law enforcement calls "deceptive hand movements."

The woman is accused of larceny at multiple banks in Arvada, Denver, Lafayette, Thornton and Westminster.

Anyone with information about who the suspect may be is asked to call the Denver Police Department or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (STOP). Tipsters can remain anonymous and earn up to $2,000 in reward money.

AURORA, Colo. Olde Town Arvada can be a tough place to find a parking spot.

Parking is not just parking; parking is quality of life, driver David Spitz told Denver7 on Monday after nabbing a spot on the street. When you come home from work and you really need to go home, and you're tired and you need to circle the block 100 times and you can't find a place, that's not quality of life.

Spitz is one of many Coloradans frustrated with a new state law, which aims to create more room for affordable housing by banning local governments from enacting or enforcing parking minimums for new multifamily developments.

Olde Towns parking squeeze is mentioned in a lawsuit against the state and Governor Jared Polis, which was filed in Denver District Court in May, brought by Arvada and five other Denver metro home rule cities.

In Colorado, home rule is a governing structure that gives counties and cities more control over local matters. With home rule, local ordinances that address local issues generally supersede state law. However, in matters of statewide concern, state laws may take precedence, according to a report by the Legislative Council Staff.

The cities claim two housing laws House Bill 24-1313 and House Bill 24-1304 and a 2025 executive order violate the Colorado Constitution by stripping local governments of their land-use authority.

On Monday, the mayors of the six cities Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette and Westminster put out an open letter, saying their home rule rights are under attack" and calling Polis executive order threatening to withhold funding from cities that dont comply a bullys tactic.

I think it's really important to protect local control that's enshrined in our state's constitution, said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman in a sit-down interview with Denver7. In talking to some other mayors, they say, Well, I don't think [the new pair of laws] was so bad. But what happens when it's something you think is really bad, but you've already allowed that precedent to happen, in terms of eroding local control?

Coffman said Aurora is very committed to finding affordable housing solutions, pointing to the citys pledge to add more than 500 new affordable housing units each year over three years, in order to receive funding through Proposition 123.

We also like the idea of transit-oriented development, that kind of building density in terms of housing by, you know, in mass transit corridors, particularly by light rail stops by major bus stops, he added. So we are we've been moving in that direction for some time.

But Coffman said the state should let local leaders decide what solutions work best for each community.

The common issue amongst us, amongst the six mayors [who are part of the lawsuit], is the home rule authority, is the ability to make these decisions at the local level, he said. The governor's effectively taking away a voice by the people of this, because he doesn't like some of the decisions that have been made by some local governments."

Denver7 brought those concerns to the governors office, which responded with a statement. It also recently cited a study that shows local zoning restricts housing options and curbs the construction of affordable housing in Colorado.

One of the most common criticisms of those who oppose measures aimed at increasing housing supply is being labeled a NIMBY, which comes from the phrase "Not in my Backyard."

We're certainly not a NIMBY, and I think you have to look at it community by community or city by city, Coffman said. We are doing everything we can to foster affordable housing So we don't disagree with the governor on all these issues, but we fundamentally disagree when it comes to who ought to be making these decisions.

The lawsuit is being led by the City of Greenwood Village. Coffman said Aurora City Attorney Pete Schulte is involved as well, but could not provide an exact number of hours Schulte has spent working on that support.

UPDATE | June 6, 2026 |

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a missing person alert for a 71-year-old man with cognitive impairment in need of medications that he does not have.

Ray Mattson, 71, was last seen walking in a neighborhood off N. 111th St. and Aaraphoe Road in Lafayette. He was wearing blue pants, a dark-colored shirt, a light green hoodie, white tennis shoes and a black backpack.

Mattson has gray hair and hazel eyes, according to the CBI. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. There are concerns for his safety, the CBI said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Lafayette Police Department at 303-441-4444.

Most roads in downtown Boulder reopened Monday morning after the attack on Pearl Street Sunday afternoon.

While business owners along Pearl Street between Broadway and 15th St. have access to their storefronts through alleyways to the north and south of Pearl Street, that does not apply to customers. Any business owner who can't get in via an alleyway can contact Boulder County police dispatch at 303-441-3333 to request a law enforcement escort to enter.

Boulder County government offices on Pearl Street and 13th St. remain closed, including the assessor's office. Real property valuation appeals can be filed in person at the assessor's offices in Lafayette or Longmont, as well as online.

The Boulder County Treasurer's Office, Boulder County Commissioner's Office, Community Planning and Permitting Office, County Administrator Office, Sustainability, Climate Action and Resilience (OSCAR) Office are also closed. All other county buildings were expected to open for regular hours Monday, the Boulder Office of Disaster Management said.

The Boulder County Commissioner's Office said, in part, about the attack Sunday night:

"The Boulder County Commissioners strongly condemn the heinous act of terror carried out today (June 1) on the Boulder County Courthouse lawn. Violence and hatred have no place in our community."

Read the full statement in the post below:

To receive updates on the incident and closures, text "BOCOinfo" to 888777.

There was an emergency shelter established Sunday at the East Boulder Community Center. That closed at 9 p.m. Sunday. Temporary flight restrictions were also put in effect over downtown Boulder 2 miles around 14th and Pearl Streets, 5,000 feet above the ground.

All evacuation orders were lifted Monday morning, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management.

Continuing coverage:

UPDATE | May 6 The Office of the Boulder County Coroner has identified the person who died in this crash as 51-year-old Garett Nelson.

...

One person died in a crash on northbound Highway 287 at Dillon Road around 6:23 a.m. Monday, the Lafayette Police Department said.

The driver of a Nissan pickup truck was heading eastbound through the intersection on a green light, according to Lafayette PD, when the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck heading southbound through the intersection ran a red light. The force of the wreck sent both pickup trucks into a traffic light pole, Lafayette PD said.

The 52-year-old man driving the Nissan pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The 56-year-old man driving the Chevrolet pickup truck was taken to the hospital. Lafayette police do not know the extent of his injuries, according to Sgt. Jeremy Molander with Lafayette PD. No other passengers were in the vehicles.

The wreck is under investigation. No arrests have been made or citations issued, according to Molander, as of 10:11 a.m. Monday.

Lafayette police told morning commuters to expect delays in the area due to the crash investigation, and find an alternative route, if possible.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. A Lafayette man, 23, was arrested Thursday for a dozen counts of alleged sexual exploitation of a child.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said its investigation began after the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information about the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Authorities executed court orders on electronic service providers (ESPs) and identified Christopher Jacob Rockelein, 23, as the suspect. Investigators then executed a search warrant for his apartment in the 1000 block of Delta Drive in Lafayette and seized several electronic devices.

According to the sheriff's office, investigators found several CSAM photos and a video during a forensic analysis of the seized devices. BCSO said the CSAM depicted girls between the ages of 8 and 14.

Investigators also reportedly found chat messages with an internet user claiming to be a 10-year-old girl in another state. According to the sheriff's office, the messages were sexual and "included requests for the purported 10-year-old to send CSAM footage of herself."

Rockelein turned himself in at the Boulder County Jail on Thursday. He was arrested on multiple charges, including:

LAFAYETTE, Colo. Rock Creek Curling in Lafayette is hosting the U.S. Mixed Doubles Olympic Team Trials, giving athletes a chance to secure a spot in the Curling World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

Mimi Stevinson, co-owner of Rock Creek Curling, didnt think shed be hosting such a large event so soon.

Back in 2018, we were literally sitting around the kitchen table saying, How can we build something that will help us grow a sport that we love and do things like this? said Stevinson. We thought it might be a little bit further off, but we were built to host something like this.

Olympic hopefuls and married couple, Clare Moores and Lance Wheeler, have lived in Golden for over 10 years and have seen how the Colorado curling community has boomed after The Denver Curling Center was established in Golden in 2015 and Rock Creek Curling in 2021.

Out of all the teams in the Olympic trials, there's two from Colorado, said Wheeler. The rest are from Minnesota and Wisconsin. So I think that says a lot about Colorado curling and what Rock Creek has brought to the community.

Dean Gemmell, the CEO of USA Curling, believes Rock Creek Curling is a perfect example of what a dedicated curling facility should look like.

This is maybe the nicest curling facility in the country, said Gemmell. The Denver curling community has exploded, and we need to see that in more metros around the country.

Qualifiers for the Olympics have already started, meaning there will soon be more eyes on the sport than ever. Gemmell wants USA Curling to take advantage of the opportunity.

The thing I would tell any community, state, or local government is that a curling club is a great community asset, said Gemmell. It can be used by everybody. It's a sport that's accessible for all ages. What we really want is more people to consider a curling club as part of their recreational offering.

The Mixed Doubles Team Trials go from Feb. 17 through Feb. 23. The winning team will represent the United States in the world championships in April. They will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 Olympic Games, depending on their results.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. Colorado State Patrol is investigating a crash involving a Lafayette police officer who was responding to a separate crash about a mile away.

On Saturday around 6:30 p.m., Colorado State Patrol received a report about a crash involving a Lafayette police officer. When troopers responded, they found the police vehicle a Chevy Silverado and a Toyota Camry at Highway 287 and W. South Boulder Road in Lafayette.

CSP said the officer was en route to a rollover crash at Exempla Circle and Highway 287, a little more than a mile down the road.

According to the investigation, CSP determined that the Lafayette police officer had been driving with lights and sirens on at the time of the crash. It's not yet clear what caused the crash.

The officer was transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Camry also had minor injuries, but declined to go to the hospital, CSP said.

The crash is under investigation by CSP. It is not yet clear if it will issue citations in connection with the crash.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. A Lafayette police officer is accused of "aggressively tailgating" and assaulting a woman in a parking lot before he identified himself to her as the police, according to a recently filed lawsuit.

"There are few things more unnerving than a stranger tailgating you on the road," the beginning of the lawsuit reads. "There is truly nothing more terrifying than that stranger following you into a parking lot, getting out of his car, storming up to you, and physically assaulting you. That was Ms. Martells terrifying reality on November 20, 2024."

On Dec. 18, Kosloski Law, on behalf of Jazzminn Martell, filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Lafayette Police Officer Nathan Cashion had assaulted Martell in a parking lot on the morning of Nov. 20 as the 34-year-old made her way to work, driving south on Colorado Boulevard.

"Jazzminn stated that she passed Nathan on Colorado Blvd but was unsure of her speeds or if there was a double yellow line," according to a Thornton police report provided to Denver7 by Attorney Jason Kosloski. Cashion later reported that Martell had passed him on a double yellow line and he said he believed that she was driving about 80 mph, according to a police report. Her actual speed has not been publicized.

Denver7 spoke with Martell on Saturday afternoon. She remembered passing him and then realizing she was being followed.

As soon as I did pass him, he came up on me pretty close, so I kind of was like, Hey, what's going on?" she told us. "I passed a couple other cars to maybe get away from this gentleman, and he also passed a few other cars and was continuously right behind me.'

Cashion "aggressively tailgated" her, the lawsuit reads, causing her to speed up out of fear and put distance between herself and the stranger. Cashion was not in a marked police vehicle or in uniform, and never turned on emergency lights. He continued to tailgate her, the lawsuit alleges. According to a police report, he said he wanted to get her license plate and make a report, but never contacted police.

Martell turned into a parking lot in Thornton to avoid the defendant, "terrified that if she continued to drive to her job, Defendant would follow her there. She didnt know why she was being aggressively tailgated by a strange man and felt deeply unsafe," the suit reads. According to a police report, the parking lot was at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and E. 136th Avenue.

Cashion followed, and when she stopped her car, he did too.

Martell described the moments that followed afterward as very scary and nerve-racking" in our interview with her Saturday.

She got out of her car to tell him to stop following her. The lawsuit says Martell was not armed or threatening toward the defendant, and did not approach him before the "large, physically fit, trained male police officer" walked "aggressively" toward the "significantly smaller woman," who tried to get back into her car but the defendant reached her first.

"Officer Cashion allegedly responded by grabbing her arm, twisting it behind her back, and forcefully slamming her face-first into her car without any lawful justification," a press release about the lawsuit reads.

Martell yelled for help, and Cashion responded that he was a police officer the first time he had mentioned this, as he was not in uniform and she was being detained, the lawsuit reads. A police report reads that Martell reported he said he "was an off-duty cop." Martell said she explained she had no idea the driver was a police officer stating Cashion had children in the car and was wearing tennis shoes, sweats and a hoodie.

When witnesses began to gather, Cashion let her go.

Trying to get away, Martell ran to the other side of her car and Cashion entered her car through the driver's door, despite not having a warrant to search her car, the lawsuit reads. He found her keys in the car and seized them.

Other police then responded to the scene and took reports from both Cashion and Martell.

As of the time of the lawsuit filing, Cashion remained a certified peace officer with the Lafayette Police Department. In the police report, when he was asked "why he would detain someone not in his jurisdiction for a traffic violation," "he replied that when she got out of her car his training kicked in. Nathan could not offer any other explanation for his action."

Martell expressed her frustration toward Cashions actions, saying, He never called for backup. He never called 911. I mean, what training? What training? What were you going to do after you detained me? You didn't call for nobody.

According to a police report, Cashion said he has three years of experience with the Lafayette Police Department and was not carrying any firearms at the time.

He said Martell was speeding, which the lawsuit argues was not true.

The suit called him an "out-of-control police officer," and alleges multiple claims, including violation of Martell's rights under the Colorado Constitution, false imprisonment, assault, and battery.

"Officer Cashions assault left me physically injured and emotionally devastated," Martell said in a press release about the lawsuit. "Its difficult to put into words what it feels like to have your personal space violated like this. This assault has affected nearly every part of my life from my work to my personal relationships. I want to send a clear message that being a police officer on or off duty does not give anyone the right to intimidate, harm, or violate another persons rights.

Since this incident, Martell said she is fearful while driving.

"I constantly look at my rearview mirror, see if anybody is following me," she said, and hopes these actions are noticed so this will not happen to any other drivers.

Attorney Kosloski said this was not policing, but rather "harassment and needless violence by someone who happened to be a police officer."

Ms. Martell was simply trying to go to work and ended up being attacked by someone who swore an oath to protect her," he continued. "Thats not OK, and it cant go unchecked. Were here to hold him accountable and to try and make sure hes not able to hurt anyone else.

Denver7 reached out to Lafayette Police Department on Saturday morning for comment. They responded that Cashion is on administrative leave due to the criminal investigation.

The full lawsuit is available to read below or here.

LAFAYETTE, Colo For the second time, Centaurus High School students helped a local nonprofit prepare special handmade heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer patients and survivors.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. I received the call on Christmas Eve 2015. I had just gotten married June 2014," said Jen Willard, founder of the nonprofit JWILL Pink Village.

Willard is a breast cancer survivor and 2019 Denver7 Everyday Hero recipient. She and her nonprofit provide heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer patients after they undergo a mastectomy. The pillow can be strapped onto a seatbelt, making it more comfortable on a person's chest.

Students at Centaurus High School in Lafayette stuffed 400 pillows on Thursday. Staff members and parents who survived breast cancer were also in attendance to help stuff the pillows.

Lindsay Plampin is the attendance coordinator for Centaurus High and a breast cancer survivor. Her son, Billy Plampin, is a senior at the high school.

"Around this time last year, I found out I had breast cancer for a second time. The first time, I had a lumpectomy and then radiation, and this time, I had a bilateral mastectomy to get rid of the cancer," said Lindsay, "I'm cancer-free now."

"My mom is my rock. She's always been there for me. To have her be able to say that she's a survivor is just really amazing because it shows her character. She's always been a fighter, and she really beat this one," said Billy.

Senior Austin Bray and his mother, Tiffany Bray, also participated in the stuffing event on Thursday.

"I was diagnosed a little over a year and a half ago. I was diagnosed because I did a self-exam, and I found the lump. Before I went into surgery, these pillows just showed up. I had no idea where they came from. I don't know who sent them to me. It's just, there were angels watching over me," said Tiffany.

"It could be one of my peers' mothers, or it could be somebody I've never met before, it doesn't really matter who it is. The point is that it's helping somebody who went through the same thing my mom did, and she survived. I think it's great for us to be able to pay that forward," said Austin.

The stuffed pillows will be sent to volunteers, who will sew them shut. The final touch on the pillow is a tag with a message of love and support, letting the patients know they are not alone.

Willard hopes her nonprofit will one day go out of business due to a cure. In the meantime, she plans to provide hearts full of support to as many breast cancer patients as possible.

"I'm living my dream, not only living my dream as a survivor because I got a second chance at life, but I'm living my dream to be able to give hopefully hope to others," said Willard.

BOULDER, Colo. The new year will bring new, stricter cell phone restrictions for high school students in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD).

On Tuesday, the school board voted to implement a bell-to-bell ban, which will prohibit the use of phones for the entire school day, including lunch and passing periods.

Superintendent Rob Anderson told Denver7 that this is not a policy intended to punish students for using their phones, but rather it's meant to help them in the long run.

"There's an over-reliance on cell phones and an over-reliance on social media that's harmful to the mental health of our kids. We care about that deeply," Anderson said.

He added that there is already a similar cell phone ban in place for BVSD elementary and middle schools.

"[We want to] make sure that we're creating the right environment, setting the right conditions for students, so they don't have to overly rely on social media and cell phones that they're focusing on face-to-face interactions with their peers, engaging in their lessons in classrooms without distraction," he said.

However, some high school students said they're skeptical about how the new rules will be implemented.

Alison Sittiseri, a student at East High School in Denver, said she heard about the ban at BVSD. While her school is not impacted by a cell phone ban, she said this is a topic she has frequently discussed with her peers.

"I think especially for schools that are larger, it would be hard to implement, especially if you're not taking the phones. And if you are taking the phones, there will definitely be some issues arising over that," Sittiseri said. "I do think students do have a right to have their phones on them in case of any emergencies, because we do know that in this changing time, a lot of communication happens over our cell phones."

Superintendent Anderson said the new policy will go into effect in January.

In the meantime, he said teachers and staff are working on the details and considering what the exceptions will look like.

"Over the course of the next month, we'll be working with our school leaders, and we will be working with teacher leaders to figure out what's the best way to implement this new policy," he said.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in the fall of 2023 found that one-third of teachers of kindergarten through 12th grade classes believe students are distracted by cell phones, and that this is classified as a major problem. About 20% of those teachers called it a minor problem.

About 82% of K-12 teachers in the United States said their school, or the school district, has a cell phone policy of some kind. However, 30% of them said those policies are very or somewhat difficult to enforce.

A study from the research center this fall found that while most Americans 68% agree with banning cell phone use in classrooms, they are less supportive of full-day restrictions. A major reason for the latter is parents wanting to be able to reach their child in an urgent situation or an emergency.

A fire broke out at a storage unit facility off Arapahoe Avenue Monday morning, across the street from Flatirons Golf Course, Boulder Fire Rescue said.

Approximately 14 units were damaged by the fire and another 88 storage units suffered heavy smoke and fire damage, according to firefighters. No one was injured, Boulder Fire Rescue said.

People in the area were asked to avoid Arapahoe Road between 55th Street and Cherryvale Road. Arapahoe reopened just before 7 a.m. Monday.

"You can expect to see our crews on scene for a few more hours while we are waiting for some special equipment to assist with full extinguishment," Boulder Fire Rescue said.

It took more than 9 hours for firefighters to get the fire under control and secure the scene, Boulder Fire Rescue said.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. A motorcyclist died in a crash along US 287 in Boulder County on Tuesday evening.

Alongside Lafayette Fire Rescue, Mountain View Fire Rescue responded to a report of a crash at the intersection of US 287 and Isabelle Road around 6:45 p.m. on Monday evening. Colorado State Patrol, Boulder County's Sheriff's Office, Erie Police Department and Lafayette Police Department also responded to the scene.

When they arrived, crews found that the driver of a Mazda SUV and a motorcyclist had collided. Based on the preliminary information, investigators believe the motorcyclist disregarded a traffic signal and hit the rear door on the driver's side of the SUV. The crash started a fire, which engulfed the car, Mountain View Fire Rescue said.

The driver escaped through the passenger door.

Mountain View Fire Rescue said the motorcyclist died at the scene. He was later identified by the Boulder County Coroner's Office as 40-year-old Henry Anfinson.

The intersection was closed during the investigation.

No other details are immediately available.

A driver hit a child outside Pioneer Elementary School Tuesday morning, the Lafayette Police Department confirmed to Denver7.

Around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Lafayette police got reports that an adult woman was driving eastbound on Baseline Road at N Gough Avenue when she drove through a red light and hit a young boy walking through the crosswalk. The eastbound lane of Baseline Road closed temporarily as a result.

The child got minor injuries, according to Lafayette police. The Lafayette Fire Department took him to a nearby hospital. The driver remained on scene.

Pioneer Elementary School sent out a letter to students' families and school staff following the incident to explain what happened.

"We are glad to report that the child was alert and able to board the ambulance on his own and with his mother's assistance," the school wrote. It appeared he was walking with his mother when he was hit by the car, according to Pioneer Elementary.

The child was in "a designated crosswalk with a crossing guard and a red light activated at the cross walk," the Lafayette Colorado Police Department said in a post on its Facebook page.

The driver told police she did not see any of the above, Deputy Chief Brian Rosipajla relayed to Denver7.

"Sun appears to be a contributing factor in this accident," Rosipajla said.

In the Pioneer Elementary letter to families and staff, the school said the Pioneer Emergency Response Team will provide support to the child hit, other students, adults and staff.

"We know that other students on their way to school likely witnessed the accident or the emergency response. Our counselor and staff will work to support any children who might have witnessed anything. Please let us know if your child needs help," Pioneer Elementary wrote.

The school also sent families "Safe Routes to School" resources offered by the Boulder Valley School District.

A brush fire briefly shut down part of Highway 52 near Lafayette amid critical fire weather conditions that were expected to remain in effect for much of eastern Colorado through Monday evening.

The small grass fire about 300 yards long ignited on the north side of the highway around noon Monday, according to Rick Tillery with Mountain View Fire Rescue.

Multiple crews from the fire agency responded to the scene of the blaze and quickly got it under control. As of 12:20 p.m., crews were performing mop-ups, Tillery said.

But the highway remained closed in both directions from around noon to 1 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning through 6 p.m. Monday for metro Denver and all of eastern Colorado due to high, gusty winds and relatively low humidity.

"Unlike yesterday, strong winds will be widespread today, impacting all areas/elevations and ramping up quickly mid morning. Gusts 40-50 mph will be common, locally 60+ mph in the mtns," the NWS Boulder posted on the social media site X.

"We really need to be careful with anything that could start a spark or a flame outside. So that could be chains dragging on the ground. Sometimes even metal striking and rocks can cause sparks, certainly disposing of cigarette butts properly, we don't want to throw them out of the window of the car as we're driving along the road, that type of thing. And even sometimes shooting guns, things like that can cause some sparks," Jennifer Spark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Boulder, told Denver7 meteorologist Steve Roldn Monday.

After a brief break from the winds Tuesday through Friday, an increasing fire weather threat returns this weekend with near record warmth and more wind possible Saturday.

"We're gonna have to be watchful as we go into the spring months. And that is because the fine fuels, the grasses and things like that... Late February March, we're still pretty dry. We're still pretty brown outside," Stark said.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. A suspect was taken into custody in Lafayette after allegedly taking a woman hostage on Thursday morning.

Just before 5 a.m. on Thursday, officers with the Lafayette Police Department responded to the area of 550 N. 111th Street for a possible hostage situation in a field near townhomes. The 911 caller said her boyfriend was holding her hostage.

When officers arrived, they did not find anybody in the field. However, they identified the victim was inside one of the townhomes and were able to contact her at a front door. Police said she indicated she was in distress and closed the door on the officers.

The police identified the woman and learned the possible suspect in the incident had active warrants for domestic violence offenses. He had a restraining order against the woman, according to police.

The Boulder County SWAT Team also responded to the scene.

Around 9:30 a.m., the suspect was taken into custody. The woman was not harmed, police said.

The suspect has not been identified as of 11 a.m. Thursday.

No other details were available.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. The City of Lafayette has drafted its first-ever Wildlife Plan to address conservation of local wildlife in the city's urban settings, and the public is invited to weigh in.

Throughout 2023, Lafayette Open Space has worked with the ecological consulting firm Biohabitats, Inc. to create this draft out of study results and hundreds of community survey responses. This came after conducting baseline mapping, soil and hydrology assessments, vegetation and wildlife site-surveying, critical connectivity analysis, and an evaluation of management opportunities for current habitat conditions, the city said.

"The purpose of this plan is to address wildlife conservation holistically through the lens of wildlife equity," the city said. "In other words, if you were a fox living near Old Town, what kind of protections would you want to see in place to protect your home and family?"

The plan builds upon many other of Lafayette's management plans and studies. As listed out in the draft, Lafayette Open Space has several goals, including:

About half of the people who responded to community surveys through 2023 said they use open spaces in the city on a daily or weekly basis for activities like walking, biking and birding. They reported loving wildlife sightings, but had a higher interest in mammals and birds compared to other animals. The respondents also expressed their concern with development's impact on wildlife habitat.

Residents of Lafayette are welcome to review the draft and submit their input through Jan. 5 here.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. Lafayette City Councilmember Tonya Briggs has passed away, the city announced Monday. She was 44.

The city said Briggs died suddenly on Saturday in Lafayette.

Briggs was elected to the council for a two-year term in November 2019 and re-elected to a four-year term in 2021. During her tenure, she served as the council liason on the Human Rights Commission, Lafayette Open Space Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Board, and Waste Reduction Advisory Committee, according to the city.

She lived in Boulder County for most of her life and was a "fixture" in Lafayette for more than 14 years, according to Lafayette officials. She, alongside her husband, ran a family plumbing business for roughly 12 years.

Tonya left a lasting impression on our community through her selflessness, determination, and devotion to improving the lives of others. Her contributions will be remembered for years to come, said Mayor JD Mangat in a statement.

Briggs leaves behind her husband, Doug, and their daughters, Bailey, Haddie and Finley.

"Tonya Briggs was a kind, compassionate, and dedicated member of our community. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time," the city said in its release.

Briggs had a passion for animals in the environment. In lieu of donations, the family is asking for donations to Good Life Rescue and Mother Gaia Rescue in Briggs' name.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. September is Suicide Prevention Month, which serves as a chance to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding conversations about suicide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Colorado.

Dave Sluiter teaches graduate classes at the University of Colorado at Boulder. As an engineer, he likes to have answers.

"We want our two plus two to equal four, yes," Sluiter said with a smile. When these extraordinary circumstances are thrust upon you in life, you may not have an answer to the question.

Denver7 met with Sluiter at his apartment in Broomfield, where he has been staying since his Superior home was burned in the Marshall Fire. At one point, Sluiter lived in Superior with his partner, Ann.

She was very bubbly, very happy, smart. Wicked Smart. Scary smart sometimes, which I really appreciated, and very kind. She was a very kind person," Sluiter said about Ann. She sold her place and moved in with me. And it was fantastic, up until that day.

That day was April 24, 2017.

Unbeknownst to me, [Ann] went into a very dark place in her mind," said Sluiter. She was really struggling with self-worth issues. She believed she had financial issues, and her solution was to go out and purchase a gun... She got up one morning and went downstairs, got in her car and shot herself in the head.

There's no good way to describe the emotional toll finding Ann had on Sluiter. He said he self-medicated in the months following her death, and barely left the house.

If you had known Ann, you would have thought there's no possible way. She was a well-respected paralegal at a firm down in Denver, well respected within the legal community. Nobody knew that she had gone to this very dark place," Sluiter explained. I use the word devastating. And you may have heard other people that have been through this use that same word. It doesn't really encapsulate the impact of losing somebody that you love and care about like that... It's sudden, it's unexpected. You go through a whole range of emotions, anger, confusion, depression, sadness, lots of unanswered questions. Why? How? What was the reason?

Sluiter had to work through grief classes and therapy to reach a place where he realized his questions will never be answered. It took him six months to pick up his guitar and start playing music again, which helped him work through his pain.

"What I wanted to do was take my grief and my sorrow and redirect it into something positive. Because I was really going in a very negative direction," said Sluiter. I woke up one morning with this idea about holding a musical event where we could raise money for a boots-on-the-ground mental health organization.

Sluiter decided to host a fundraiser called Live Your Lyrics. The first event was held in September 2017, the same year Ann died.

The fifth Live Your Lyrics fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, September 17, at Nissi's Entertainment Venue & Event Center in Lafayette. Doors will open at noon, and music will be played from 1 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. There will be three bands this year. Sluiter said proceeds from the function will go to Mental Health Partners, serving Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Bring people together for a day of music, hope and joy," Sluiter said about the event. "Also, I want to work to bring down the stigma associated with conversations around suicide.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports warning signs of suicide may be:

Talking about:

Feeling:

Changing behavior, such as:

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, help is available immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached by calling or texting 988 at any time of day. Colorado Crisis Services can also connect individuals with local support and resources, by calling 1-844-493-TALK.

Lafayette City Council is considering an ordinance that would ban any sale of dogs or cats where a profit is made.

The ordinance, which is being drafted, would mean retail stores could not sell dogs or cats. It would also mean breeders could not sell litters of the animals.

The ordinance would not impact animal rescues or shelters, according to city leaders.

A big part of it is the prevention of puppy mills," said Lafayette City Councilor Tonya Briggs. We have this massive overpopulation crisis going on... We need to slow the breeding down drastically, because these animals are either getting euthanized or they're getting sick and living on the streets, and it's just dangerous and it's not safe.

However, those working at Gone Wild Pet & Supply feel the ordinance unfairly targets their shop, saying they are the only retail pet shop in the city.

We've just created a model that we feel like should be the model of all pet stores. You should not have more puppies than you can care for and maintain," said Gone Wild Pet & Supply owner Toni Anderson.

Anderson says she only has two to 10 puppies in the store at a time.

The difference between a puppy mill and a good breeder is the medical care and the process of getting a puppy from here to there," she said.

The owner says her shop does much more than just sell puppies.

Puppies are not my sole income. Puppies are not the foundation of my business. I have grooming, I have boarding, I have retail," Anderson explained. If the councilors would like to come down and sit and look at every one of my breeders, I'd be happy to do that. Nobody has come in here to find out how we do it.

Anderson plans on contacting her lawyer to see how to best proceed with the ordinance being drafted.

If the ordinance passes its first reading near the end of March, the second reading will be at the beginning of April. Under the ordinance, violations would result in fines, but Briggs says the city would rather educate residents and try to get their compliance before resorting to fines.