The Primrose School of Lone Tree was evacuated Wednesday morning after a Cybertruck crashed into the building and caught fire, South Metro Fire Rescue officials said.

The driver of the EV, a grandparent, crashed into the school around 8:30 a.m. and everyone was safely evacuated before crews arrived, according to the City of Lone Tree and officials at a press conference. They said there were 100 people in the building  78 students and 22 staff. None of them were injured.

WATCH: Denver7's Sophia Villalba reports from the scene

Students at the school and daycare range from six weeks to 5 years old.

Two children were passengers in the EV and one of them was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. It's unknown what caused the driver to crash, but the City of Lone Tree said no drugs, alcohol or medical issues are suspected in this case.

Fire officials said the fire only impacted the exterior of the building and did not make it inside, but it's not clear when the school will be able to reopen.

"Between our fire marshal's office, our hazardous materials team, and then other external contractors they'll work to evaluate if there was any sort of contaminants within the school that would prevent them from being able to reoccupy," Matthew Assell, spokesperson for South Metro Fire Rescue, said.

He said lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles "make everything more complicated," posing a greater risk to people and making fires more dangerous and harder to fight.

"The smoke coming from those lithium ion batteries produces pretty extreme toxins that honestly still aren't fully understood how they affect people," Assell told Denver7's Sophia Villalba. "So one of our biggest concerns when we get on scene is getting everyone away from that structure as fast as we can."

There's currently no word on how the crash happened.

The fire also prompted closures on Teddy Lane, according to the City of Lone Tree.

South Metro Fire Rescue officials said the car has been pulled away from the building and a fire blanket has been put over it as a "precautionary measure" to prevent it from catching fire again.

Watch the full press conference

It's not yet clear when the daycare will reopen.

LONE TREE, Colo. Lindsay Mallon, nursing director of perioperative services at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, was recently recognized with the DAISY Award for leader of the Year.

Watch our feature story on Lindsay by Denver7's Ethan Carlson in the video below.

Mallon oversees the departments that support the operating room, from pre-admission testing through recovery, and works with surgeons, their offices and nursing staff on surgical cases.

Healthcare is a huge team sport and, specifically in surgery, it operates very similarly to a sports team, and thats always been a good area for me to lead into, Mallon said.

Kristen Fiddes, chief nursing officer at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, said Mallons approach to leadership sets the tone for the entire department.

This department obviously loves working for her. They love coming to work for her every single day, Fiddes said. She listens, I think, is No. 1. Her nurses know they can come to her for anything, and shes going to listen to them, and shes going to do what she can to reduce any barriers to her work.

That quality matters in a job that can be stressful. Mallon said maintaining a calm presence is a priority.

I have had great mentors in the nursing world that have really taught me how to lead and think clearly and be calm and meet the staff where they are and learn how to coach them, Mallon said. What I tell the nurses is, 'We want you to come to work and be your best self, that you can be your best self outside of work.'

The state of Colorado has also taken steps to address nursing workforce needs, with recent legislation that invests more money into nursing schools and streamlines nurse training programs.

I think the difference between 2022 and now is we definitely are seeing more nurses graduate from nursing school and entering the profession, which is fantastic, Fiddes said.

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the members of the family of Patrick Barnes, who died of complications of an auto-immune disease.

Its kind of the Super Bowl of nursing, is what we call it, Mallon said. Im just really honored to receive it.

The recipient receives a sculpture called The Healers Touch, representing the bond between nurses and their patients. The sculpture is hand-carved by a Shona artist from Zimbabwe, and work at the DAISY Foundation supports communities in that country.

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.

LONE TREE, Colo. Long-time and newer residents of Lone Tree say the city's rapid growth comes with both benefits and drawbacks, as Mayor Marissa Harmon delivered her State of the City address Thursday touting the community's momentum.

David Gow moved to Lone Tree in 2021 after leaving Denver in search of something different.

"We sold our house in the city, and the city was changing quite a bit, and we wanted to get back to the suburbs," Gow said.

Brad Houston has called Lone Tree home since the '80s and says the appeal has always been clear.

"The houses aren't overpriced. You have some room in between your neighbors. You get a little bit of land," Houston said.

The city's growth is hard to miss. Gow remembers a very different Lone Tree.

"I used to drive my Jeep up on the bluffs and sit up there and watch the thunderstorms and drive down the dirt roads," Gow recalled.

For Houston, the growth has brought convenience.

"The growth makes the place more convenient to get to, so you don't have to drive as far. I've got everything right here that I want," Houston explained.

On Thursday, Harmon delivered her State of the City address, highlighting the community's progress and what lies ahead.

"We are powered for what's next, and I certainly feel that we have so many destinations around the city that are just taking shape, whether it's ground breakings or ribbon cuttings, we continue to build great momentum on some exciting things to come," Harmon detailed.

During the address, Harmon shared that the city's 2026 total revenue is more than $86 million well short of expenses at more than $138 million but the city says it is confident in its long-term vision.

"We are committed to being as business friendly as possible while creating different housing opportunities and making sure that we are also the safest city," Harmon said.

Harmon said the planning behind the growth extends well beyond 2026.

"The reason I'm mayor is truly to make a positive impact for the next generation. Lone Tree is truly a space where all ages and opportunities at every stage can come here and thrive," Harmon said.

Both Houston and Gow said they see positives in the city's direction, but also have some concerns.

"They could use a modest amount of growth. But, you know, some of the developments that seem to be coming are multiple condo units or apartment units," Gow said.

Houston also shared a concern.

"The sad part is it chases away a lot of the wildlife. We still get, you know, wildlife here in the area we've got bears, coyotes, deer, foxes," Houston said.

LONE TREE, Colo. As South Suburban Parks and Recreation considers significant renovations to Sweetwater Park in Lone Tree, there is some pushback with what those changes could look like.

For the last few months, officials have been asking the public for thoughts on how to update the 32-acre park, which has been open since 1987, along the Willow Creek Regional Trail. Friday is the deadline for public comment.

WATCH: Denver7's Tyler Melito spent the day in Lone Tree talking with community members about possible changes to Sweetwater Park

Denver7's Tyler Melito spent the day Friday learning more about what could be in store for the parks future and why some frequent visitors say the park is perfect the way it is.

Melissa Reese-Thacker, director of Planning for South Suburban Parks and Rec, said the intention is to make the park more user-friendly.

"We have the opportunity to look at the park as a comprehensive whole, and that's where we're coming to the community saying, 'This park's been here since 1987, is it time to make some significant renovations to the park?'" Reese-Thacker explained.

Upgrades could include improvements to the playground, shade areas, and natural trails.

One other major change would be adding parking.

That was an option that some community members have zeroed in on.

Take for example this post on Nextdoor, where user J.L. wrote, in part, on April 18: "While we support needed improvements like a restroom and updated playground, we do NOT support adding a parking lot. A better solution is to use and designate the existing parking spaces already near the park. Our goal is to protect Sweetwater Park as the natural, peaceful space it is todaynot turn it into a high-traffic destination."

All three concepts presented to the public include at least 30 designated parking spaces.

"This is a community park. It's not a neighborhood park. It does serve a larger area. We're serving Lone Tree residents and incorporated Douglas County residents and beyond," Reese-Thacker detailed.

Reese-Thacker emphasized that the natural environment remains a priority.

"It was never the intent to come in and scrape the land, make a flat, playable park. We're not looking to build a sports complex here. That's just not realistic," Reese-Thacker said. "We have corridors that are used for wildlife that we're assessing. We have natural vegetation, some that's in a better condition than other areas, and so how do we bring the vegetation back into a more natural state."

Resident Mike Carter told Denver7 that he has depended on Sweetwater Park as his escape for roughly 30 years.

"I come here to get away. I like how it's far enough away that I don't feel like I'm on top of people, but it's also close enough to my house that I get here in two, three minutes," Carter said.

It is a place that holds a very special place in his heart.

"I remember walking through here when I was going over to the library down the street, spending my summers, you know, walking through the creek and having to run over this creek when the water was too high, being worried I was gonna fall into it, you know, as a little kid," Carter said.

Carter is opposed to the addition of a parking lot, saying it would also take away from wildlife.

"I live maybe about 5-10 minutes away. I still see coyotes, I still see wildlife which I don't enjoy seeing around the neighborhood with my dog or with little kids. But there's still the beauty to it that if we build a parking lot, this is where they're living at night," Carter detailed. "This is where they're coming to stay. That is just going to mess up with this environment even more, which we've already taken so much from them with us, building homes for us."

LAKEWOOD, Colo. Three metroarea cities are now wrestling with how to meet Colorados new housing requirements after voter backlash and stalled policy discussions left each of them out of compliance.

In Lakewood, a few weeks after the results of a special election put the city out of compliance, there is not yet a clear path forward.

Voters approved to repeal pro-density changes that were part of the city's newly adopted and updated zoning code that included certain elements required by state law.

"There's going to be a lot of work that needs to go back into that to make sure that we're identifying something that does fit the needs of those residents. What that's going to look like? We don't know," said Lakewood Mayor Wendi Strom.

She said the updated zoning code included more than 100 hours of work, research and public input over the course of several months.

"We are out of compliance with regards to the parking required in transit areas. We also have some shifts that need to be made to get into compliance, as far as the state requirements, for accessory dwelling units," Strom said.

She said any new code would also need density changes and an update to how many unrelated adults can live in one home to be compliant with law.

This challenge is not unique to Lakewood.

In Littleton, City Council there had just begun discussing the state requirements and what density increases might look like in their community, before tabling it after citizen pushback.

"We didn't want to make some policy changes that we felt like the whole community, or a portion of the community, didn't understand, and so that's why we paused that then," Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter told Denver7 back in August of 2025.

Watch Danielle Kreutter's report in the player below:

At that time, citizens had begun campaigning for a charter amendment that would essentially freeze Littleton's zoning code as is.

Schlachter expressed concerns over the possible impact ahead of the election.

"If this charter amendment were to pass, we would be out of compliance with state law, and then we would have ramifications."

In the end, Littleton voters chose to freeze their code in their charter, and Littleton is currently out of compliance with state law as well.

Recently, the Mayor of Lone Tree has also spoken against the state housing requirements. Mayor Marissa Harmon told Denver7, "Any other municipality, large or small throughout the state, should also have the ability to decide what's best for their city and their future."

It's not clear how or if the state requirements will even be enforced. Denver7 reached out to Governor Jared Polis' office for a comment on the growing number of communities whose residents are pushing back against density requirements.

A spokesperson released the following statement:

Lakewood's mayor said she is optimistic that changes can be made to address the housing crisis in a way that residents can support them and that get the city back in line with state law. However, it is not clear how or when that may happen.

"We know that we have community members that want smaller spaces that fit budgets that are not for, you know, a $600,000 home," said Strom. "One of the things that makes me the most optimistic though, out of this, is the community outreach from several that have said, 'we want to be part of the solution.'"

LONE TREE, Colo. The City of Lone Tree is calling out the state legislature for passing laws that narrow local control, specifically in areas pertaining to zoning, occupancy limits, and land use.

In a recent post on the city's website, officials stated the state is passing laws in "areas traditionally governed at the local level."

Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon telling Denver7's Tyler Melito recent state laws are eroding the city's Home Rule Charter. The charter, passed by residents in 1998, acts as the city's constitution and gives the city the power to manage its own affairs.

"We know our residents best. We know our city best, and so do all the other mayors. And making sure that we can make the best decisions for what's best for our city and our residents will remain of utmost importance," Harmon said.

Harmon said new state laws make it easier for a developer to build on a vacant plot of land without getting council approval.

"Our public comment period could be completely omitted from the process, which is a large concern. The other thing is, what if we don't want multi-family housing on that corner. For cities, we rely on sales tax, and sales tax is generated through commercial properties," Harmon said.

Watch Tyler Melito's report in the player below:

Harmon and the city council are prepared to execute their rights under the Home Rule Charter. This means they may pass ordinances to overrule state law and give control back to the city.

"Any other municipality, large or small throughout the state, should also have the ability to decide what's best for their city and their future," Harmon said.

I took Harmon's concerns to Douglas County's representative in the state house, Max Brooks, who also serves as a Castle Rock councilmember.

"I think that we ought to be working, every single legislator ought to be working hand in glove with their local elected officials," Brooks said.

Brooks said he understands where Harmon and Lone Tree officials are coming from. While he would not vote for legislation hindering local control, Brooks said other lawmakers are looking at it from a different lens.

"For some communities, some where the legislators are coming out of those local communities where they will not pass anything that has to do with, say, zoning or trying to work towards an affordable housing solution. They feel it has to be done at the state level," Brooks said.

Thousands of residents across the Front Range may miss out on life-saving emergency alerts because they have not registered for new county notification systems.

Multiple Colorado counties moved off the old Code Red system after a cyberattack last year. Officials said previous registrations did not carry over to the new platforms, leaving many residents unknowingly disconnected.

Watch: Thousands missing emergency alerts after Arapahoe, Douglas system changes

In Douglas County, officials said 120,000 people were signed up under the old system. Only about 23,000 are enrolled in the new one.

"One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that when those counties made that transition, if you were previously signed up, that sign up is no longer. Essentially, you're no longer registered," Matthew Assell, South Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson, said.

Douglas County officials said they have been trying to get the word out online and on social media since making the switch to DougCoAlert several months ago, but people simply havent noticed.

"They might not even necessarily know that Code Red went down and it's kind of one of those things, like, once you sign up, it's you never really have to think about it again," Taylor Davis, division chief of support services for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, said. "I'm just hoping that the more we talk about it, the more people will start to realize how important it is.

Arapahoe County made the switch to ArapAlert around the same time as Douglas County.

The new systems offer more comprehensive features, including detailed personal profiles and specific area alerts, unlike the limited Code Red system.

Low signups are especially concerning when county leaders think about the residents in the rural parts of Douglas and Arapahoe counties.

"Out on the eastern plains, you're going to see wildfires. The sooner people can get notified of that, that that is occurring somewhere in their area, the sooner they can take action, especially with the way the winds can get going out in that area," Cathy Raley, executive director of the Arapahoe County 911 Authority, said.

"Our concern is that we might have some sort of catastrophic event this summer, and we're not going to be able to get that word out to the community in time," Assell added.

It's not just fires, according to county leaders the notifications are essential in keeping residents safe during shelter-in-place orders, severe weather or even boil water notices.

Arapahoe County resident Don Krueger told Denver7 he signed up for the county's emergency alert notifications a while ago.

"I haven't done it in a long time," Krueger said.

After learning about the system changes, Krueger said he plans to register for the new ArapAlert system.

Just with what's coming up, the drought that we're in right now, and wildfire season is coming up, the more we can get messages out to people, the better, said Raley. We're very, really wanting to the people to know we want them to be safe. We want to take care of everybody who is in Arapahoe County.

If you live or work in Arapahoe County, you can sign up for ArapAlerts here.

If you live or work in Douglas County, you can sign up for DougCoAlert here.

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.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. - Denver7 has been covering the ups and downs of communities within the Douglas County School District as older schools have been consolidated and new schools have begun construction.

Now, Denver7's Danielle Kreutter follows up as the district seeks input on new school boundaries.

"We're very big, so we have pockets," Superintendent Erin Kane said. "We have pockets of growth and we have pockets of decline. But the pockets aren't next to each other."

In less than a year, the district decided to consolidate six schools into three.

"People moved into their homes 25, 30 years ago and put all of their little kids through our school systems, and we built all these schools. Those people stayed in their homes, so now we do not have anywhere near as many young children in those communities, as we had 20 years ago," she said.

Meanwhile, the new schools, one in Lone Tree and a second in Sterling Ranch, aim to be a good fit for the growing communities there.

"When you look at Sterling Ranch, it's already 20% built out. So we're seeing families with kids moving into those neighborhoods," Kane said.

Right now the district is collecting public input on potential boundaries for the two new schools.

The preferred boundary for the elementary school in Lone Tree is here:

The preferred boundary for the elementary school in Sterling Ranch is below:

The final proposals are set to go before the school board as soon as May or June.

Denver7's Danielle Kreutter asked if there were concerns that the problem might repeat 20 years from now, forcing the district to consolidate again.

"We've thought of that. We've designed our new elementaries to hold about 700 to 750 [students], so when they do dwindle in enrollment in 20 years, they'll 'dwindle' to 400 or 450 which is still a thriving school," said Kane.

The new schools are set to open in the fall of 2027.

The City of Lone Tree is proposing changes to its zoning code as a possible solution to wildfire risk concerns.

City leaders said the community raised these concerns as Lone Tree worked to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan last June. Now, city leaders are working to take it one step further by adopting the states Wildfire Resiliency Code. It aims to reduce the risk of wildfire to people and property, and it could mean some changes to homeowners.

Impacted landowners should have received a letter detailing a proposed zoning amendment to add a Wildland Urban Interface District to the citys official zoning map, essentially identifying areas of wildfire risk.

"So the purpose of the letter is to inform impacted landowners about a proposed zoning amendment that staff is taking before city council for consideration. Because it is a proposed zoning amendment to the adopted zoning map for the city of Lone Tree, we are required to notice landowners that might be impacted by that. And so that was really the intent behind the letter is just to inform landowners about the process and about the code proposal," Roshana Floyd, the planning manager, said.

What that means for homeowners who received this letter is potential new regulations. Floyd calls it an "if/then" scenario.

a property is mapped within a risk area,

homeowners may have some structural hardening requirements to meet if they are looking to make improvements to their home.

"There are a number of different thresholds within the code that clarify what those triggers are. So this is not a retroactive code across all properties. It's not a scenario of well, as soon as you're mapped, you have to make amendments to your home. It's really a scenario of you may have been mapped within this jurisdiction within this risk area, and if so, should you choose to move forward with a select list of renovations or improvements to your home, then you may need to look at very specific site and structural hardening requirements," Floyd said.

She said the community has already raised concerns about the cost of needed supplies, for example, a new roof.

"I think that's another thing that the city analyzed very heavily to really analyze cost, because we are very tight into affordability as well for our homeowners. And a majority of the structural hardening requirements that are included in this code, most of our homes already meet that, because Lone Tree has architectural design standards and a very high quality of design already," Floyd said.

As for what this all means for home insurance rates, Floyd directed Denver7 to a 2023 Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies study through the Division of Insurance.

It says it's reasonable to expect homes with the highest level of wildfire risk to face insurance availability issues. However, it also says the attention to these mitigation measures should be used as a way to reduce any potential insurance losses, not increase them.

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.

At least one person is dead following a multi-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 25 in Lone Tree on Sunday morning.

The northbound lanes of I-25 at Lincoln Avenue were closed for several hours, but reopened around 10 a.m.

The city of Lone Tree posted the closure on X at 4:30 a.m.

It was unknown how many vehicles were involved in the crash or how many people were injured.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is assisting Lone Tree with the crash. They asked drivers to avoid the area and plan alternate routes.

The fast-moving brush fire in Lone Tree is now under control, South Metro Fire Rescue officials said in a post. Crews are mopping up and checking for hot spots.

The 20-acre fire burned near South Peoria Street and Ridgegate Parkway in Lone Tree, according to officials. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. South Metro Fire said firefighters got the call for the fire around 3:20 p.m. and were on scene within six minutes.

No structures were threatened, but Westbound Ridgegate Parkway was closed to traffic near Meridian Village Parkway, officials said. One lane for westbound traffic was reopened, officials said around 4:45 p.m.

The fire comes during a week of record-high temperatures and as red flag warnings are in effect throughout the state, with officials warning that any spark can start a fire. Follow along with more fire and weather updates in our weather blog here.

Frann Beg, who lives about a half mile from where the fire burned, said he's concerned about the high temperatures and dry conditions.

"Especially since it's March, and we just broke records. And then if this is going to start now, imagine when May and June come when it is fire season. So, it's going to be a big concern for all of us neighbors," said Beg.

South Metro Fire said on red flag warning days, brush trucks will follow fire engines to every call in case they need to respond to a fire. Jenn Abraham, a Public Information Officer with South Metro Fire, said power lines in the area of the fire were also a concern while crews knocked down the flames.

"It absolutely adds to a threat. Power lines, obviously, electricity, is going to add any kind of concern. Right now, it's under investigation, the cause of it, so we are unaware what caused this fire," said Abraham.

Douglas County Schools broke ground Wednesday on Elementary School 50 in Lone Tree's RidgeGate Development, addressing the needs of a rapidly growing area on the east side of Interstate 25.

The new school is set to open next fall, serving 750 students in grades pre-K through 5th grade.

Wes Olis, a father of two young boys, has been watching the development unfold around his neighborhood.

"The construction, the school, everything that's coming up herethis is the side to be on now," Olis said.

For families like his, the new school addresses the current gap in neighborhood amenities.

The school construction became possible after voters passed a bond in 2024 that allowed the district to build two new schools, with Elementary School 50 being one of them.

Superintendent Erin Kane explained that the growth in Lone Tree contrasts with enrollment trends in other parts of Douglas County.

"We have the right number of schools... in all the wrong places," Kane said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

That challenge led the Douglas County School Board to vote last April to consolidate six Highlands Ranch elementary schools into three, addressing declining enrollment in that aging part of the county.

But back in Lone Tree, Kane said Elementary School 50 represents the district's solution for growing areas experiencing the opposite problem.

"We can avoid having kids on buses for long periods of times to go to other communities," Kane said.

For families in the RidgeGate development, the school means convenience and connection to their neighborhood.

"Having something locally, having something close, now the bus stop doesn't have to be where you pick them up from, it's actually where they go home to," Olis said.

LONE TREE, Colo. After a contentious homerule campaign that led to some heated debate and ultimately a failed special election effort in June, Douglas County leaders are facing fresh backlash for removing general public comment from their meetings.

Since then, some residents like Emily Suyat from Parker say theyve lost trust in the county commissioners.

After [the] home rule [campaign], [County Commissioners Board Chair] George Teal said the Stop Home Rule effort was funded by the Chinese Communist Party, she recalled. He did that with zero evidence.

Douglas County has turned off comments on its Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts and has now made a change to the public comment procedure during commissioners business meetings.

Residents can still give public comment on predetermined agenda topics, but general public comment has been removed from the agenda.

The county is instead prioritizing feedback for commissioners through direct, non-public outlets like phone, email, scheduled in-person meetings, and events like town halls.

Tuesdays meeting was the first with general public comment officially off the agenda. Suyat says previously it was on the agenda, but was cut at the end of recent meetings due to a lack of time.

I think they're afraid of being held accountable, Suyat told Denver7 on Wednesday, adding that she has tried to email commissioners to start a conversation but did not hear back. I think they're afraid of questions. I think they're afraid of being challenged.

I think there's value in having public accountability, she added. That's how we get, that's how we arrive at good solutions, is by having a dialogue. And it is by having the public contribute and say, Oh, I want to jump off of her comment. I think this.

Denver7 reached out to county commissioners for an interview Wednesday.

A Douglas County spokesperson said Teal wants to speak about the change on camera, but cant this week because of a death in the family.

The county sent Denver7 a lengthy statement, explaining the decision is meant to keep meetings focused and accessible, prevent intimidation and turning meetings into a spectacle, and prioritizing real voices, real issues, real outcomes."

Suyat believes there are better ways to turn down the temperature on political discourse.

I would say not allowing public comment makes things worse, because people don't feel heard, she said. And when they don't feel heard, they're going to take, they're going to be upset and angry.

The commissioners next business meeting is set for Feb. 10.

Jack's Modern Steakhouse is closed after a fire Thursday night, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.

The restaurant only opened just over a week ago on Thursday, January 15, according to the company's social media. The business started out on Pearl Street in Denver known to fans as "Jack's on Pearl."

The newest location was built on site of the former Mimis Caf on Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree.

The fire at Jack's Lone Tree location was reported around 9:45 p.m. Thursday, and South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) found a small fire burning inside a wall. SMFR said it got the fire under control around 11:15 p.m. Thursday.

No one was injured, but SMFR said it had to conduct extensive overhaul to confirm no embers had spread. The SMFR Fire Marshal's Office determined the fire was an accident.

SMFR said Jack's is expected to remain closed for an extended period of time for repairs.

Four Colorado Lottery Powerball players won big this holiday season, in addition to the person in Arkansas who won the $1.82 billion Powerball drawing on Christmas Eve.

Three of those Colorado players were here in Southern Colorado.

The tickets were sold at the following locations;

In Douglas County, one winner went home with a $100,000 ticket, sold at the 7 Eleven in Lone Tree, Colorado.

LONE TREE, Colo. - A group of young teens was caught on camera holding up traffic, doing stunts, and speeding around Park Meadows Mall on October 4. It's a scene becoming more common across the Denver metro area as electric motorcycles and e-bikes become more popular with teens.

"In recent months, there's been a significant uptick in juveniles riding where they shouldn't be riding, riding recklessly, riding through traffic and creating unsafe conditions for everybody on the road, not just themselves," said Lt. Joe Deland with Lone Tree Police Department.

Back in October, in Louisville, a 15-year-old riding an electric motorcycle at night was hit by a car while on the roads without headlights, a driver's license, or registration. Officers in this case acknowledge that many younger riders and parents do not know what is legal and where these types of vehicles are permitted.

Aurora Police tell Denver7 that this type of behavior is becoming a growing problem among middle school-aged children, particularly in District 3. City leaders recently passed a new ordinance that fines parents if their child is caught on the road on an unpermitted bike.

In Denver, the use of motocross bikes/dirt bikes is illegal in the city and county. Anyone using those on roads, sidewalks, or parks could be cited and fined.

Lone Tree police say issues can arise when teens get their hands on Class 3 e-bikes or electric motorcycles.

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are the most commonly seen. They have pedals and are assisted by a battery. The maximum speed is 20 mph. There are no age restrictions for riders, and they are allowed on some trails and in bike lanes.

"A Class 3 cannot be ridden on trails or sidewalks. Class 3s have to be ridden in bike lanes. You have to wear a helmet, and you have to be 16 years of age to ride a Class 3," said Lt. Deland.

The fact that the bike can go up to 28 mph comes with the added restrictions.

Electric motorcycles can be ridden on the road as long as they are registered with the State of Colorado and the operator has a driver's license.

"The problem is parents not understanding the class systems, and they're buying their children these very high-performance bikes that are capable of high speeds, which can cause a safety concern to everybody on the road," said Lt. Deland.

Electric motorcycles are not allowed on trails or sidewalks.

"I'll leave it to the parents to make that decision based on all the information they can gather. But some bikes are appropriate for kids under 16 that do go only a certain amount of speed, which is 20 miles an hour," said Lt. Deland.

Police departments that Denver7 spoke to are encouraging parents to do their homework before doing any holiday shopping for their younger teenage kids.

It is against Colorado State law to operate a Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle on any street, highway, or path if the operator is under 16 years old.

Online, there are plenty of Class 3 and e-motorcycles for sale, with descriptions specifically targeting teens. Some even say the product is for "Age 13+" users, so it's important for parents to know what they're buying.

"I would encourage parents to do their due diligence. Retailers may or may not understand what the rules and regulations are in Colorado, so it's going to be incumbent upon the parents to do their own research," said Lt. Deland.

"What are key descriptions that parents should look out for to note, 'This is probably not what I wanted to get?" asked Denver7 Reporter Danielle Kreutter.

"They need to look for maximum speed. How much of the battery will assist in the speed of the bike itself? So they want to ensure that it's not more than 20 miles an hour," said Lt. Deland.

At this point, Lone Tree police won't be issuing tickets for the violations.

"Our goal is to educate the public to hopefully avoid something terrible from happening. We do not want a tragedy to occur on our roads," he said. However, they may consider ticketing the kids and maybe even the parents in the future if the problem continues.

For more resources on determining which type of bike is allowed where, click here.

One person was killed in a single-car crash on northbound Interstate 25 at RidgeGate Parkway Tuesday morning, according to the Lone Tree Police Department.

A woman and child were inside the vehicle at the time of the wreck. The woman driving was the one killed. There were no injuries to the child who was a passenger.

The northbound Interstate 25 exit to RidgeGate Parkway closed as a result of the crash, slowing traffic from Castle Rock and Castle Pines. The delay reached nearly an hour by 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Only two lanes of the highway were open past the crash blocking the right lane with heavy first responder presence.

Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber advised drivers to expect delays for the rest of the morning. Use Crowfoot Valley Road to get into Parker Road, if you're in Castle Rock, Luber said. You can use Monarch Boulevard getting in through Castle Pines, or use Santa Fe Drive, according to Luber.

The section of roadway has since reopened. The Lone Tree Police Department said the crash is under investigation.

LONE TREE, Colo. Before Burnham Yard was officially named the new home of the Denver Broncos stadium, there was a lot of chatter and speculation over where it could have gone.

To find one of those "almost" locations, one could take the E Line and get off at the stop that takes you seemingly to nothingalso known as the Lone Tree City Center.

The 440-acre parcel is currently sitting vacant.

"What we're really looking for is the opportunity to build up to 10 million square feet of commercial space, potentially 6,000-8,000 new residents, and, of course, a very vibrant economy supporting it," said Jeff Holwell, director of economic development & public affairs with the City of Lone Tree.

The city said the parcel is about the size of Lower Downtown Denver, from Ball Arena to Coors Field.

"This is the last major parcel for commercial development," Holwell said.

It may not look like much on the surface, but beneath the surface, all the infrastructure like water and power is already in place, making it shovel-ready. Right next door is an RTD stop waiting to be used.

"What was so great about the Broncos is that it actually perfectly fit our vision that we had for this property since this property was annexed in 2000," said Holwell, "It just seemed like an interesting fit, and we showed them why it might be a good location for their new stadium."

As we know now, it wasn't meant to be.

"We will always be Broncos fans, of course, and championing them, hopefully to a really successful, long season ahead. But most importantly, I wanted to extend my gratitude to the Broncos leadership and their organization for considering this site," said Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon.

Harmon added that the buzz may have helped lead to what could be the future of the City Center property.

"Having the Denver Broncos consider this site as their potential future use has really been a catalyst for other developers to reach out with some really exciting ideas on what the future of the Downtown City Center could be," she added. "We are excited to be able to share more when we can."

The land is privately owned; however, the owner and city have agreed on a specific vision, laid out in the Lone Tree City Center Subarea Plan.

Read through the entire plan below:

"The whole opportunity at this station is a grand development of mixed-use product, including office, residential, hospitality, entertainment, potentially a world headquarters of a business," said Holwell.

He said the city is hopeful that, within the next five years, the future of that property will begin to take shape.

LONE TREE, Colo. The large, empty lot off Ridgegate Parkway and S. Havana Street might not look like much now, but the community of Lone Tree has been dreaming about its potential for more than two decades.

Starting in spring 2026, it will begin its transformation into High Note Regional Park.

Communities in Douglas County have been experiencing rapid growth. According to the latest available data, housing permits have been trending upward for the last several years.

While there is a lot of change around the county and Lone Tree, one fundamental thing has stayed the same- the community's love for parks and open space.

So much so that at a time when neighboring communities are facing cuts to their parks and recreation departments, Douglas County residents are about to see their investment in parks finally pay off.

"In 2022, the voters of Douglas County, by 88% agreed to tax themselves. A sales tax and a use tax, in order to facilitate the building of these new parks," said Douglas County Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle.

There are several projects now on deck thanks to what the county describes as a "once-in-a-generation" investment.

$7.4 million in taxpayer dollars from that ballot measure is going to High Note Regional Park, in addition to city dollars, grants and a partnership with South Suburban Parks and Recreation.

The park will have sports fields, a splash pad, two playgrounds, walking paths and large community swings.

"We're really happy to see just time and time again that our community wants to invest in assets like this," said Lone Tree Assistant City Manager Austin Good.

Crews will break ground in the spring of 2026, with a goal of having the park fully open in early fall 2027.

LONE TREE, Colo. Lone Tree police have made an arrest after discovering a 57-year-old woman deceased in her apartment last week.

The Lone Tree Police Department identified the suspect as Troy Marcus Reynolds, Jr., 33. He is accused of killing Kathleen Mayo.

He is under investigation on charges of first-degree murder, burglary, animal cruelty, menacing, and tampering with physical evidence, police said.

This case began on Sept. 4 around 11:55 a.m., when officers with the police department went to Mayo's apartment at 10400 Park Meadows Drive for a welfare check. That's when they found Mayo's body.

Authorities have not disclosed her cause, manner or time of death. They did note in their original press release that she had worked part-time as a driver for Uber and Lyft.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office and the FBI helped with the investigation, which led to Raynolds' arrest.

No other details are available because the investigation is ongoing.

Anybody who has information about the suspect or the victim is asked to call the police department's tip line at 720-509-1160.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. After receiving community feedback in Douglas County, commissioners announced "once-in-a-generation investments" in parks and recreation across the county.

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners made the announcement on Tuesday. It marks the most significant investment in parks and open space in the county's history, said Commissioner Abe Laydon.

This is not just funding; it is a generational commitment to our people and our land," Laydon continued. "From neighborhood playgrounds to the transformational Zebulon complex, these investments will shape the daily lives of families, athletes, and adventurers for decades to come. We are building not just parks, but monuments to quality of life, health, and community. The choices we make today will echo for generations and Douglas County is choosing to lead, boldly, into a future where our parks and open spaces stand as a living legacy of who we are and what we believe.

Millions of dollars will go toward projects in Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock, as well as the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex in northwest Douglas County.

The construction of these new sports fields and facilities is supported by the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund, which is a 0.17% sales and use tax that was approved by county voters in 1994 to preserve parks, trails and open spaces in the community. The fund is broken up so each aspect of it parks, historic resources, open space, etc. is awarded a specific percentage of the overall total. In 2022, more than 87% of county voters approved to extend the sales tax, according to the county. It is expected to generate $330 million over 15 years.

Douglas County asked residents to take a survey in 2024 so officials could gain a better understanding of the community's priorities with this fund. Thousands partook in it. Those results were presented to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners in September 2024.

You can go through the extensive findings from the study in the PDF below.

After combing through the survey results, the board identified the community's top priorities:

On Tuesday, the board announced that three of the above parks will be awarded a $7.5 million investment each: High Note Regional Park will get two new multipurpose fields; Salisbury Park will get new softball and baseball fields, soccer fields and other facilities; and funds will support a new fieldhouse at Gold Crown.

Denver7 reached out to the county to ask if the fund will support Zebulon.

"Zebulon will likely receive funding, but were working with designers/engineers/partners on a final cost to know how much," said Caroline Frizell, director of communication and public affairs for Douglas County.

Denver7's Claire Lavezzorio, who regularly reports on Douglas County news, learned more about Zebulon earlier this year, and heard concerns from residents about the project's location and amenities. Some residents mentioned how far it is from parts of the community and others wondered why it didn't include pools for competitive swimming.

We also asked about Wildcat Regional Park, the lone amenity left off the priority list.

"Wildcat will be coming up within the next month," Frizell explained, noting that it is actually an open space, despite its name. "There may be funding from the Open Space portion of the fund."

A community celebration is planned for 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 2. A location has not yet been announced.

LONE TREE, Colo. Police in Lone Tree are investigating a homicide after officers found the body of a 57-year-old woman inside her apartment.

The deceased woman, identified as Kathleen Mayo, was found inside her unit at 10400 Park Meadows Drive just before noon Thursday after officers were dispatched to the address over concerns about her welfare.

Authorities have not disclosed the cause or time of death.

In a statement released Monday, police noted that Mayo had worked part-time as a driver for Uber and Lyft, though they did not indicate how this was relevant to the investigation.

However, Melissa Gallegos, the communications director for the City of Lone Tree, told Denver7 that they are seeking information from anyone who may have met her during her part-time work.

Lone Tree police are encouraging the public to call their tip line at 720-509-1160 with any information about Mayo or this case.

LONE TREE, Colo. The Colorado State Patrol released an aerial video on Friday that shows a motorcycle traveling at 142 mph in a 65-mph construction zone on northbound Interstate 25 between Larkspur and Castle Rock.

The motorcyclist, identified as Matthew Galek, 27, was arrested by troopers following a traffic stop Thursday afternoon in Lone Tree.

Galaek was booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges of speeding 142 mph in a 65 mph zone, reckless driving and failure to present insurance.

The video released Friday was captured from a CSP aircraft and reportedly shows Galek weaving through heavy traffic and crossing solid white lines before being stopped, according to a CSP news release.

State Patrol officials emphasized the extreme danger of excessive speeds on a motorcycle, which they said is a leading cause of fatal crashes.

This type of reckless driving is extremely dangerous not only for the rider but for every motorist sharing the roadway, said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a news release. Motorcycle riders have little protection in the event of a crash, and speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes across Colorado. Even at normal, highway speeds, a single mistake can mean tragedy for the rider and everyone around them.

LONE TREE, Colo. One person died on Interstate 25 in Lone Tree on Tuesday after a tire from a vehicle in the northbound lanes became loose and crashed into a driver headed south, authorities said on Wednesday morning.

Officers with the Lone Tree Police Department first responded to a report about the crash on I-25 at 3:15 p.m. The crash had happened in the southbound lanes just north of RidgeGate Parkway.

Based on their investigation, they determined that a driver headed south had been struck by a tire that came off a vehicle in the northbound lanes. The driver who lost the tires pulled over to the shoulder and stayed at the scene.

The driver in the southbound lanes died of their injuries, police said. That person has not yet been identified.

It is not yet clear if anybody will be charged in connection with this crash.

Drivers were asked to find alternate routes, including during rush hour, on Tuesday, the city posted on social media.

At 6:12 p.m., all lanes reopened on I-25.

No other details were immediately available as of publishing time.

LONE TREE, Colo. One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 25, north of RidgeGate Parkway in Lone Tree on Tuesday, according to city officials.

Drivers were asked to find alternate routes, including during rush hour, on Tuesday, the city posted on social media.

In an update posted at 6:12 p.m., the city said one person was killed in the incident.

A road closure was in place for several hours but has since been lifted.

LONE TREE, Colo. A Colorado man is accused of impersonating a police officer and using his tricked-out vehicle to weave through traffic on Interstate 25.

According to the Lone Tree Police Department, Terry Pendleton, 58, reportedly equipped his vehicle with "police-like lights and siren features." His black 2021 Ford Explorer was allegedly equipped with red and blue lights, and it also reportedly featured an "audible siren and a public address system."

Pendleton is accused of using his vehicle's lights to maneuver through traffic on I-25.

Lone Tree PD said Pendleton has never been employed in law enforcement. He was booked into the Douglas County Jail for one charge of impersonating a police officer.

Investigators believe there may be other incidents involving Pendleton. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Detective John Hastings at 720-509-1190.

LONE TREE, Colo. Two suspected shoplifters arrested in Lone Tree last month are facing a combined 23 charges, police said in a news release Wednesday.

Officers responded to a shopping center on Quebec Street on June 1 at around 3:45 p.m. to reports of a suspicious vehicle. At the scene, police were able to determine the vehicle had been stolen and that two suspects attempting to shoplift were associated with the stolen vehicle, according to the release.

The male suspect tried to escape, but both suspects were arrested and taken to the Douglas County Jail, police said.

Both are now facing a combined 23 charges, including possession and distribution of fentanyl, possession of stolen IDs, theft, conspiracy, and multiple warrants, the release states.

The male suspect had six fugitive warrants, police said, adding the number of warrants was high enough that local bounty hunters were on scene to apprehend the suspect as well.

One person died after reports of driving a car off a ramp onto light rail tracks, according to South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR).

It happened shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday in Lone Tree near the C-470 and I-25 interchange.

The car was stuck between the light rail train and wall, according to SMFR. Crews are working to move the train in order to also move the car that's pinned. A light rail train operator and one passenger were on the train at the time of the crash. Neither have any injuries, SMFR said.

Drivers can go south and turn around at Lincoln Avenue, as access from eastbound C-470 and northbound I-25 remains closed, Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber said.

RTD shuttle buses will replace more than 15 trips Tuesday because of the crash investigation, according to RTD. No E-line trains will run between Evans and RidgeGate, Luber reported.

No R-line trains will run between Peoria and RidgeGate  that means all Denver Tech Center (DTC) stations will not see trains and riders will have to use a bus instead, Luber said.

The Lone Tree Police Department and Colorado State Police have taken over the investigation. They were on scene with flashlights inspecting the wall where the car is pinned and taking pictures, Denver7 observed, reporting live from the site of the crash.

LONE TREE, Colo. A 25% tariff on global aluminum and steel is now in effect as President Trump's march toward a potentially destructive trade war continues, despite warnings from economist that the move could backfire.

In anticipation of the imposed tariff on aluminum and steel goods, Carl Koelbel, a Lonetree developer building an affordable housing complex, chose to try and get ahead of the price increase of certain products.

"We started preparing for it and asking our contractors to buy the materials as soon as they can," Koebel said. "We asked our contractor to go out and purchase the 100 water heaters for this building so that we wouldn't be impacted by a price increase later."

Koebel told Denver7 water heaters weren't the only item he chose to buy ahead of the imposed tariffs. Items like plumbing fixtures and other appliances were also on that list, and don't come without extra incurred costs.

"Now, unfortunately, buying those products sooner is not cost-free for us. We have to pay for storage," he said. "We have to pay for them up front, which means we have more interest on our construction loan associated with the purchase. So even if the tariffs would not to be implemented, we would already have incurred costs trying to mitigate their effect," he added.

Koebel isn't the only local business owner dealing with such additional costs.

Bart Watson, the President and CEO of the Brewers Association, local brewers in Colorado will also potentially have similar headaches.

"I think the biggest concern is just around pricing," Watson said. "Pretty much everything that goes into making beer has gotten more expensive the last few years, so this is something that's added on top of all the inflation we've seen in the last few years, and it's gonna create a difficult choice for brewers. Do they eat that and see their margins go down, or do they pass it on to customers and risk loss sales?" Watson questioned.

In Colorado, where breweries have become a staple, Watson believes local brewers will incur additional costs.

"They're going to have to look at their margins and whether they can absorb this or not, but we do anticipate it would lead to some price increase overall, as some brewers pass that cost on to customers," Watson said.

Meantime, officials at the World Trade Center Denver said they're fielding calls from business owners concerned about imposed tariffs.

"It's a huge concern for a lot of businesses, especially those that are using multiple components into their finished good," said Karen Gerwitz, the president and CEO of the World Trade Center Denver.

Gerwitz added she's also concerned for businesses operating out of Colorado that work directly with aluminum products.

"It is a huge deal," she said. "Ball Corporation makes a lot of aluminum products, aluminum bottles, aluminum cups. They're really known for their aluminum, so Ball Corporation will certainly be affected."

For those like Koebel, pushing along and trying to make the best of the situation while also working on completing the affordable housing project is what he's focused on.

"We really would love a robust onshore manufacturing industry," he said. "We would love to see it get there. The interim pain associated with it is acute for us, and we think it's only get worse."

LONE TREE, Colo. A Highlands Ranch woman was arrested on Thursday morning following a crash that killed a 77-year-old pedestrian in Lone Tree on the morning of Feb. 26.

Just before 6:15 a.m. that day, officers with the Lone Tree Police Department responded to a fatal crash involving a pedestrian at Lone Tree Parkway and Lincoln Avenue, the police department said. They determined that a driver had been headed eastbound on Lincoln Avenue while the pedestrian was walking in a crosswalk on the west side of the intersection.

First responders began providing medical care for the 77-year-old, who was transported to a hospital and later died.

The driver was identified as Samantha Rudy, 32, of Highlands Ranch, police said.

The intersection was closed during the investigation.

Rudy faces charges of careless driving (resulting in death) and careless driving (vulnerable road user). She turned herself into the Douglas County Justice Center on Thursday morning after an arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday.

Anybody with information on this crash is asked to call Det. Corporal Weil at 720-509-1137.