PARKER, Colo. Fifteen days before the start of Pride Month, people in Douglas County held the 2026 edition of Douglas County Pride on Sunday.

The event was canceled in 2025 due to a leadership change, making it difficult to hold.

DougCo Pride isn't unfamiliar with obstacles.

In 2023, protesters interrupted a drag performance during the festival, wearing T-Shirts that read "Stand to Protect Children."

Attendees at Sunday's event say it meant a lot to see the festival return better than ever despite all it's been through.

"There's no reason to fear what's different if you realize that we're not that different," Kris Kidwell said.

For some, like Laura Jamison and Rob Brill, Sunday was their first DougCo Pride.

"We're actually here supporting our son, who is gay and part of the community, and I think it's really important, especially in Douglas County, to show support for the LGBTQIA community," Jamison said.

"Just show up, not be afraid to show up," Brill said about the importance of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. "The worst thing you can do is just hide and worry. It's go out, be you, show people that may not understand that you're not here to hurt anyone."

Watch Tyler Melito's report in the player below:

Kidwell and his husband Joshua LeConey have been attending DougCo Pride for years.

"When I was in high school, it was unheard of to even come out of the closet, and then that sort of started to change in the 90s, and now I can openly discuss my husband in front of people, and it doesn't even raise an eyebrow," Kidwell detailed.

"It's become a regular part of everybody's life to some degree, so we don't have to come out," LeConey added. "We've just been able to be out now, and that's probably one of the biggest changes."

Even younger attendees like Lorenzo Luciano and Emit Kupzyk say it is powerful to see how much support there is for the LGBTQ+ community, even though they say there is so much hate in the world.

"It gives me more faith in humanity," Kupzyk said.

"Yeah, same with the faith, humanity, we're all just kind of chilling here," Luciano described.

Eli Brill and CJ Bennett say that despite the hatred some may have toward the LGBTQ+ community, it isn't going to stop them from loving who they want to love.

"We really don't mean any harm, and we just want to exist with people without having to be afraid of what we do or what we wear constantly, and how we act, and who we love," Brill said.

"We're not a sin, and that we're part of an actual community," said Bennett. "It's not just a bunch of mumbo jumbo; we're an actual community. Even if you're straight and you're not a part of our community, we will still welcome you."

PARKER, Colo. Are puppy adoptions down? It's a question Colorado Puppy Rescue says they have been asking themselves more and more over the last year.

"Typically [people] adopt anywhere from I would say 80-90% of any of the dogs that are available that weekend," Brittany Krumholz said.

Krumholz is the Executive Director for Colorado Puppy Rescue.

During an adoption event Saturday, 26 of the 43 dogs available found their forever home, Krumholz shared with Denver7's Tyler Melito.

According to a Shelter Animals Count report, "In the first half of 2025, about 1.9 million dogs and cats were adopted nationwide a slight 1% decrease compared to the same period in 2024."

But unfortunately, Krumholz said they have seen more and more dogs being sent back to the rescue.

Watch Tyler Melito's report in the player below:

"I think there's just a lot of people are having housing issues combining households," Krumholz said. "There's a lot of dogs that we adopted out previously, you know, five, six, seven, years ago, where people are asking to return their dogs because, you know, their housing situation has changed, and they cannot have them anymore."

As has been the case for a lot of things, the price of pet ownership has skyrocketed.

A 2025 report by the Wall Street Journal found one-time costs for a pet range from $1,100 to $4,400. This includes adoption fees, vaccines and training.

Annual costs for food, supplies, grooming and boarding can cost upward of $5,000 depending on the quality of product.

"I don't care what your financial situation is this is a drastic thing to take on, and you can do it feasibly, but it, you know, it takes leg work," Krumholz said.

And because of the cost, Krumholz says they have made changes to the adoption process.

"We've altered our adoption application a little bit to include some of the standard costs, because I don't think people necessarily would understand, if you don't have a dog, that a quality bag of dog food is" $80 to $100, Krumholz said.

Despite the challenges, some families are still adding to their homes.

Jackson and Maisy Maruschak went to Colorado Puppy Rescue on Saturday to find a sibling for their first dog, Walt.

"You can't put a price on happiness. I mean, look at that cute little face," Jackson Maruschak said of their newest four legged family member, Winnie.

Krumholz noted that despite the current economic hurdles, the local community remains supportive.

"We are extremely fortunate for to be surrounded by the people of Colorado. Our adoptions are night and day between other states," Krumholz said. Colorado was second in the nation for adopting from shelters, with 11.31 adoptions per 1,000 people, according to a 2023 report based on data from Shelter Animals Count.

A group of kids in Parker will soon be competing on a world stage after building a presentation brick by brickLEGO bricks, that is.

The second, third and fourth graders will be competing at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge at the FIRST Championship in Houston, which runs April 29 to May 2. The event bills itself as the largest K-12 robotics event in the world.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Denver area students prepare for FIRST LEGO League Competition in Texas

The team of students, who are part of an after-school robotics and coding program at Wize Computing Academy, are celebrating the special opportunity.

Its the teams third straight year going to the competition. Denver7 also caught up with the team before their competition last year.

When we just got the email that we were going to the World's Fair, we like partied all night, fourth grade student and team mentor Madhav Somani said. Teams from all over the world come to compete, and out of like, lots of teams, Colorado chose us to go.

This year, the team chose a dinosaur theme. Their LEGO robot dinosaurs include sensors, motors and gears. Coding from their own tablets, the students can make their dinosaurs move or make noise.

We have to show coding, core values, which are teamwork, innovation, impact, inclusion, fun, discovery, said Somani, who has been a team member the last couple of years before becoming a team mentor this year.

I think personally, it's more fun because you can help, and I really like to help others, he said.

Now these students are ready to see that help and hard work pay off.

PARKER, Colo. The Parker Police Department is encouraging residents to obey the rules of the road by taking community listening to a new level.

"We're very much into community policing here at the Parker Police Department," Patrol Officer Chad Barker said.

WATCH: How an interactive map is helping Parker police address problem areas for dangerous driving

One way the department says it is ensuring the city's streets are safe from reckless behavior behind the wheel is giving residents the ability to share their concerns.

"We have an interactive map now that they can view online," Barker said. "It only takes, like, a minute or so. They can just type in places of concerns and then we'll get it back on our end, and we can send out, you know, patrol officer or our traffic unit, and they can go run enforcement in those areas."

And Barker says the efforts of the department are working.

"As time goes by, those kind of hot spots will pop up again, but when we're there, and then the next couple months afterwards, we do see a decrease," he said. "That's what we're trying to do, ultimately, just decrease the level of concerns in that area."

Just recently, an area that has been a spot of concern has been in the neighborhoods around Motsenbocker Road.

Shaun and Melissa Pottberg have lived in a neighborhood near Motsenbocker Road for six years and have two young children.

They say between Motsenbocker and the nearby Todd Drive, there have been a number of incidents of reckless driving.

"We definitely have seen speeding in Parker, especially right behind us here on Todd," Shaun told Denver7's Tyler Melito. "I think some people like to use it as kind of a drag race strip, especially at night."

They say it can be nerve-racking as parents when people do not drive with caution through neighborhoods especially in the nearby school zones.

"We have had some issues with people with the school not obeying the laws and not stopping for school buses," Melissa said.

Barker says every officer looks for different things when monitoring drivers, but the department is not trying to "trap" drivers and catch them in the act of breaking the law.

He said he likes to make sure his cruiser is visible when on patrol.

"I like to set up in front of speed limit sign so people know, 'Oh, like, let me check to see my speed,' and then they can see the speed limit sign and understand what speed to go at," Barker said.

In 2025, the Parker Police Department made roughly 8,800 traffic stops, a 37% increase from 2024. Barker said part of that comes from consistently returning to areas previously considered problem spots.

"I'm looking for about 10 miles or over, give or take for a stop. So you get, like a black sedan there, it's going about 40 so pretty close," Barker said while demonstrating how his radar detector works.

"See how most people are slowing down here? That's kind of what my goal is."

And while not every traffic stop ends in a driver getting a ticket, Barker says the mindset of "going with the flow of traffic" isn't a strong one.

"I guess kind of my best analogy to that would be... let's say your friend is doing something wrong, and you then do what your friend did, and you say, 'Oh, well, my friend's doing that, so I get to do that. Why am I in trouble?' Kind of same thing with traffic, right? Just because one person is doing it doesn't make it right and okay for everyone else to do it," Barker said.

Shaun and Melissa Pottberg said they have noticed an increase in officers patrolling the area and watching for people speeding and driving dangerously. While they are grateful, they still want people to remember safety.

"If your kids were out playing, would you want somebody to be speeding around your children?" Melissa 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.

A former Parker police sergeant who resigned amid an investigation in February was arrested Friday on unlawful sexual conduct and official misconduct charges.

The charges against former Sgt. Troy Brienzo, 31, stem from alleged incidents involving two adult victims, according to a Monday press release from the Parker Police Department. The incidents allegedly occurred during ride-alongs, according to the indictment obtained by Denver7.

He's been charged with two counts of felony unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer, one count of misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact and four counts of misdemeanor official misconduct, according to the release.

Brienzo was put on administrative leave Jan. 7 after the department learned of an alleged incident and an outside law enforcement agency began conducting an investigation, an earlier release said. Brienzo resigned Feb. 13, according to the release.

In the first incident described in the indictment, Brienzo allegedly brought up sexual topics repeatedly on a ride-along and asked the person on the ride-along if it would ruin their relationship if he asked if they wanted to pull over to the side of the road and have sex in the back of his cop car.

The victim told him they would say no because he was an advisor in a mentor position, according to the indictment.

The victim told investigators he also asked about their age range for sexual partners. When they answered, he allegedly said they should consider older partners, according to the court filing.

He also allegedly asked for a nude photo and later groped the person during a pat-down at the station that night, which is inconsistent with a routine pat down search, according to the indictment.

It is not clear from the redacted indictment what program Brienzo and the person on the ride-along were a part of, nor is the person's gender.

In the other incident alleged in the document, Brienzo and someone he had an intimate relationship with had sex in his cop car during a ride-along.

Under Parker Police Department Policy, sexual misconduct is any sexual activity while on-duty or stemming from official duty," the document said.

"We recognize the seriousness of these charges and remain committed to transparency, accountability and maintaining the trust of the Parker community," the Monday release from Parker Police said. "As this is now an active criminal case, no further details will be released at this time."

He is set to appear in court April 13.

The Town of Parker is considering an artificial intelligence camera system in O'Brien Park to combat vandalism.

Just off of Mainstreet, the park is a popular spot for families, especially on a sunny afternoon.

"I know my kids love coming here," said Daniel Auwerda, a father of three.

Meanwhile, town leaders say the park has also become popular for the wrong reasons. In a two-year stretch, Denver7 learned vandals caused $18,000 worth of damage in 28 different incidents, according to town officials.

Damage included a shopping cart perched 18 feet in the air, damaged restrooms and multiple acts of graffiti on the nearby light rail station.

There is currently a single camera in the middle of the parking lot, but the town said it has not been effective. They are hoping the AI system is a better solution.

The proposed AI camera system through Nureal.ai artificial intelligence would analyze park activity in real-time and could send abnormal activity directly to law enforcement.

"AI... most of what I see of it I hate," Auwerda said. "So if we can actually use it to be productive and protect our assets, yeah I think it's great."

Another parkgoer said they thought the system would be "a good investment."

The town is looking to land a nearly $260,000 grant to pay for the project, which could expand to other places in the future.

In a town council meeting earlier this month, Parkers deputy parks director said these cameras would not record video.

Still, there are questions about privacy and security regarding the new technology.

"Does a third party have any sort of access to it?" one town council member asked.

Nevertheless, some families are hopeful the system will provide extra protection at one of their favorite places.

"Whatever it takes to protect it and at a cost effective solution too, right?" Auwerda said.

Small town charm with a big city feel that is how many describe Parker, a Douglas County town about 20 miles southeast of Denver.

With a population of about 72,000, Parker is known for its historic Main Street, locally owned shops and rapid growth that is changing the landscape.

As part of Denver7 Your Voice, we sat down with people who live, work and play in Parker to find out what matters most to them.

"I ended up coming to Parker for Parker Days, and I just fell in love with it. It was so cute, I just had a really good feeling about it, said Brandi Santangelo, a high school teacher who moved to the town about two and a half years ago. "I love the schools. The kids here that I teach are amazing just sweet, kind, bright kids."

Patricia "Parker Patti" Kane said family and community were what drew her here.

"I chose Parker because, really, its a small town with a big heart," she said.

Emma Mays went to middle and high school in Parker and returned after college.

"Its a place to live. It has pros. It has cons. Some days the cons feel a lot bigger than the pros," she said.

Mayor Joshua Rivero said the town has been deliberate in planning its growth.

"Were definitely growing, but were growing smart and were growing slower than most communities," he said, saying the town is almost completely built out. "We're done. We're not going to grow anymore. What we see going on by the reservoir, that's it. Parker will be built out. So, now our 2050 master plan, our comprehensive plan, is being written, and that is about regrowth. That is about maybe that old strip mall become something new. What does that look like?"

Mike Aragoncillo, owner of Thrive Kickboxing in Parker, sees opportunity in expansion.

"Im excited about the growth. Theres a lot of new things developing, new housing neighborhoods, new apartments, new retail spaces," he said.

Others said the growth also has challenges.

"Its growing a lot, lots of traffic," said Malcolm Schneider, a Parker resident, construction worker and painting business owner.

"At five oclock, you can really take a long time to get off of C-470 or I-25 and make it into Parker," said Daniel Clem, co-owner of Convict Coffee Company.

Kane said some wonder about the direction growth is taking.

"How do we grow Parker without destroying the small town feel? People would say, how many nail salons and car washes can you have in Parker?" she said.

Affordability came up in almost every conversation.

"Everythings just expensive. Its all so expensive," Schneider said. "Thats my biggest thing, making good money so that me and my family could eat."

Mays said finding work has been difficult.

"Its been hard for me to find a job," she said. "Sometimes it feels like you have to know somebody, and I just don't know the right people, and then you get lost in a sea of applications."

Santangelo has lived that struggle.

"I think affordability is important, and I just know that because I lived it, and I know what thats like, that struggle to have to work multiple jobs," she said.

Mayor Rivero said state laws are limiting housing options.

"We need more housing choices. Those housing choices need to be owner-occupied condominiums. Unfortunately, with current state law, that is an incredible challenge," he said.

Some here say community connections are their favorite part of living in Parker.

"What am I excited about? Mainly, my businesses. The country, still to this day, is the best country to start a new business. You dont have to pay any mafia or the government and pay them off, which is whats going on in Russia right now," said Eugene Miroshnikoff, who immigrated from Russia 20 years ago and now runs two businesses.

Rivero, who owns Fika Coffee House in addition to his mayoral duties, said the town rallies around small business.

"When my business was first opened, we were burglarized. The town stepped up and they just give you a big hug, and I cannot think of a better place to have a small business than Parker," he said.

Politics also came up in conversation.

"Its just that Douglas County generally is really well known for being a deeply red place. Lauren Boebert is our representative, and she says really hateful things about a lot of people, and when you know that so many of your neighbors voted for that, its hard to reconcile that with the community that you go out and live in every day," Mays said.

Santangelo also spoke on political differences.

"I just feel like sometimes in Colorado, if you dont think the same way, then people kind of shun you for thinking differently," she said.

Kane described a different kind of division.

"Im on the board of my HOA, and its a large HOA, and theres a lot of differences and people arent listening well to each other," she said.

When asked about news coverage, Mays said she'd like some more good news.

"I wish sometimes that there was more of an effort to show the positive, like substantially positive things, not just like fluff pieces of like a squirrel goes water skiing."

Clem said he looks for uplifting stories.

"Im always looking for people that are choosing to make a difference in their community, especially against odds," he said.

"This type of news I love. So what you guys are doing here is awesome," Aragoncillo said.

Kane said she also looks for stories that show the good in others.

"How kind people are," she said. "Go to the Parker Task Force food bank. There is a good-hearted community here."

Denver7 | Your Voice

A Parker Police sergeant has resigned while under investigation, the department announced Thursday.

Troy Brienzo was put on administrative leave Jan. 7 after the department "learned of an alleged incident," and an outside law enforcement agency began conducting an investigation, the release said. Brienzo resigned Feb. 13, according to the release.

The announcement did not share any details about the incident and did not say what agency was conducting the investigation. This is a developing story, and Denver7 is working to learn more.

"I want to be clear: the allegations run counter to this department's mission and values and tarnish the very badge we wear," Parker Chief of Police Jim Tsurapas said in a statement included in the announcement. "This matter is being taken seriously and is under active investigation. It will continue through the appropriate processes to ensure transparency, accountability and to maintain the communitys trust.

The proposed annexation of an 800-acre property called "Crowsnest" on Parker's southern border has sparked concerns from neighboring Douglas County communities who worry about the impact of a massive development project.

The property along Crowfoot Valley Road could soon become part of Castle Pines, despite its proximity to Parker.

A developer, VT Crowfoot Valley Landco, LLC., is proposing a master-planned community with thousands of homes, apartments and retail on the site.

Irene Bonham, who lives nearby, expressed concerns about the burden the development could place on Parker's infrastructure and resources.

"A lot of that infrastructure immediately will fall on the burden of Parker, and that feels, as a Parker resident, a little bit unfair," Bonham said.

Beyond infrastructure concerns, Bonham said she's worried about the project's size and potential disruption to local wildlife.

"It's not that we're opposed to development, we just want it to be done in a smart way with the community," Bonham said.

Castle Pines resident Barrett Rothe told Denver7 the proposed annexation doesn't make any sense for him and his neighbors.

"So you would be driving south in Parker, and you would see a welcome to Castle Pines sign. And that's ridiculous," Rothe said.

Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray also voiced concerns about the development in a letter to Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman this week.

"I write to express substantial concerns with the proposed development along Crowfoot Valley Road," Gray wrote, citing his primary concern "that this proposed development will generate substantial traffic seeking I-25 access."

Read the full letter from Castle Rock's Mayor here:

In response to the concerns, Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman told Denver7 the city will consider all comments.

Parker's mayor, Joshua Rivero, has also raised questions about the project and the impact on nearby residents.

Castle Pines City Council will hold a hearing Feb. 24 to determine whether the property is eligible for annexation.

Meanwhile, residents want their voices heard in the process and are calling for careful consideration of the development's impact on surrounding communities.

"What are the challenges that are going to happen with infrastructure, with wildfire mitigation, with water like, what is that going to look like for this community?," said Bonham.

A creative choice to feature a Pride flag in Shrek the Musical at Parkers PACE Center has ignited controversy, prompting complaints, sponsor backlash and a public stand by the cast.

In its third week of shows at the Parker Arts-managed PACE Center venue in Parker, "Shrek the Musical" is a hit, especially for director Kelly McAllister.

People love it. It is an awesome, awesome show, he exclaimed.

As the director, McAllister puts his own unique, creative spin on the show, such as incorporating the Pride flag into one of the musical numbers.

I felt like I was doing something that I could be proud of and that we could all feel proud of, and we did, McAllister said. Theres a musical number called 'Freak Flag,' where all the fairy tale creatures who have been kicked out of their homes by Lord Farquaad are deciding they've had enough of being dispossessed and treated like garbage. And they stand up for themselves. It's time for standing tall, basically."

So in the show, they're waving flags, and I thought it appropriate to have them wear wave Pride flags, because Pride flags are a flag of inclusion and also representative of an oppressed community where a lot of people are shoved aside, threatened, having hard times," he added.

McAllister said opening night was one of the most exciting nights of the year for him, but it was quickly overshadowed.

After opening weekend, I was contacted by the PACE Center, which answers to the town of Parker, saying that there were a lot of complaints about the Pride flag, more than usual, he remembered. On top of that, the show's sponsor was threatening to pull out their sponsorship for our show, and they asked me if I could find some way to change that part of the show, because specifically, it was the Pride flags that people were complaining about more than anything else, which was distressing."

McAllister said the cast and crew did consider other options, such as flying flags from other communities alongside the Pride flag or just flying flags of different colors.

When asked what exactly the staff said to him and his team, McAllister said, The wording was, 'we're losing ticket sales. Our sponsor is going to pull.' And I've been in the theater long enough, and I've been alive long enough to understand subtext when someone's saying something, what it means."

Despite the strong suggestion to remove the Pride flag from the show, the cast and crew decided that wasnt an option for them.

In a video taken by McAllister, on January 23, the second week of shows, a cast member, whom he identified as Bekah-Lynn Broas, who plays the character GIngy, speaks to the audience before the musical number that includes the flag.

In her speech, she is heard saying, We respectfully, as a cast and peacefully and with fire in our eyes protest this request, and this is our protest, and we resist this."

The controversy surrounding the flag has prompted Lutheran High School, a regular sponsor of Parker Arts, to withdraw its sponsorship of the PACE Centers production of "Shrek," stating that the musical's content "does not align with its mission and values."

A parent sent Denver7 the following communications from Lutheran High School. The full message reads:

McAllisters company, Sasquatch Productions, which he co-owns, is the producer of the show in association with Parker Arts. He told Denver7 that hes worried about his future partnership with the PACE Center after this show.

The night that Bekah spoke, my partner, August, texted me and said, 'Looks like Sasquatch is done here.' I think he's right, and that hurts, McAllister said. I like making a living just as much as the next person, but I know it's right. I know it's right, and I think that's important."

Showings for "Shrek the Musical" at the PACE Center run through February 8. McAllister said the flag will remain a part of the musical.

We are flying our flag. We are flying it high. We're flying it proud every night, and it's glorious," he said.

Parker Arts released a statement on social media saying the town did not demand or require that any part of the show be removed or modified. We recognize that not every show or event is going to appeal to every person, or that every person is going to agree with the messages of a specific performer or program."

Denver7 did reach out to the Town of Parker for an updated statement, but they said they had no additional comment. Denver7 also reached out to Lutheran High School for comment and has not heard back.

At least 13 gas stations across the Denver metro area received contaminated unleaded fuel from a third-party supplier and it is likely that number of impacted stations will increase, said Colorados Department of Labor and Employment in a news briefing Friday.

A delivery from a supplier of regular unleaded fuel to select retailers in the Denver metro was contaminated with diesel fuel. The division became aware of this through consumer complaints, said Cher Haavind, Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)

As of Friday afternoon, the CDLE has received just over 200 complaints.

Haavind said consumers have reported various engine issues.

Could be that an engine just completely stopped working or performing or just gradually stalled out.

Haavind said reports first came into the CDLE on Thursday and an inspector took a sample at a Denver metro gas station and was able to identify through visual inspection that in fact it was a diesel contamination and that is because of the color of the fuel.

Castle Pines resident MeiLon Dizmang said her husband filled up at the King Soopers gas station on Lagae Rd. on Thursday morning around 7 AM, only to have his truck stall shortly after.

He was driving into work down the highway, got about 15 miles away, and that's when it started to slow down. And he was trying to accelerate, she said, it just became really sluggish and then completely died.

A few miles south in Castle Rock, Marie Gorman had a nearly identical experience.

I got gas about a quarter till 10 in the morning, and filled up my tank. It was about empty, and I drove it about, I would say, about 10 miles to my next appointment, she recalled, when I came back from that appointment, I started my car, and it just shook a lot, and then it died.

Both took their vehicles to dealerships, where they quickly discovered they weren't alone multiple drivers were dealing with stalled vehicles after filling up at certain gas stations.

While the CDLE at this point believes the fuel contamination is contained to Denver metro gas stations, the Division of Oil and Public Safety alerted 3,000 gas station owners across the state notifying them that we are aware of the contamination and outlining the steps to date, added Haavind.

Inspectors have been out collecting further samples to determine the scope of the contamination.

I think the common question right now is where did all this fuel go what locations were working with Sinclair, the origin of this fuel, to get that list published, said Zach Hope, Manager of the Petroleum Storage Tank Program in Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS). Look forward to more details on that and their investigation into what happened to cause this fuel mix-up at their terminal location.

If drivers suspect they purchased contaminated fuel they are urged to first reach out to the gas station.

For consumers, if you purchased regular unleaded gasoline in Colorado after Wednesday afternoon it would be wise to determine where you bought that especially if youre having any engine or car-related issues get in touch with that point-of-sale at the gas station. That gas station will be the place consumers go to seek claims for the damages, added Hope.

He said that is the established process for consumers to handle a claim around a fuel quality concern.

I talked to my insurance company today. They will have to go to the dealership and do their own fuel testing. They said that could take up to three weeks for them to get there to do that, said Gorman.

Denver7 reached out to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association and asked if those affected by the gas mix up should file a claim with their insurance company.

They told us insurance might pay for a tow, but insurance doesnt cover mechanical issues.

I just hope that these big companies are, you know, paying attention to us consumers that you know, don't have the funds to pay off our cars or to get these cars fixed, added Gorman.

While 200 consumer reports have been received, the scope of the contamination is still unclear and Haavind added: Somewhere between 24 and 36 hours from now we believe all the contamination at the fuel pumps should be remediated.

Phil Long Ford of Denver told Denver7 that customers are bringing vehicles into its service department with the contaminated fuel. Service director Stephen Martindale warned drivers to avoid using their car if they think they got contaminated fuel and have the vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic.

While King Soopers is the only company so far to return Denver7's request for comment, it is suspected other gas stations were also impacted. The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety verified it started receiving complaints about "bad gas" on Thursday, January 8, from King Soopers, Costco and Murphy Express locations.

The division took a sample from a Costco gas station at River Pointe in Sheridan, which confirmed the contamination there.

"This is an issue for several fuel retailers, so I hope you are reaching out to them as well," King Soopers said in a statement to Denver7. "As soon as we became aware of the issue, we took immediate action by shutting down the impacted fuel lines and dispatching teams to perform thorough diagnostics."

The company said customers who believe they may have been impacted should contact the King Soopers where they filled up for assistance. King Soopers identified the following locations as contaminated:

The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said preliminary investigation shows regular, unleaded gas contaminated with diesel fuel was distributed to gas stations across the Denver metro area between 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, and 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 8.

The division sourced it back to fuel loaded from the HF Sinclair terminal in Henderson, Colorado.

"The Division will continue to work with station owners to test fuel samples and identify impacted retailers. Station owners are working quickly to stop sales of the contaminated gasoline and have it replaced with the right fuel," the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said in a statement.

The above list of impacted gas stations only includes King Soopers locations and Hope said it was expected that Sinclair would soon release a full list of stations suspected of having contaminated fuel.

I think the number is greater than 19, said Hope.

The OPS released the below timeline Friday.

Customers who were impacted can submit a complaint to the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety online here or call 303-866-4967 if they want state assistance.

A natural gas leak was reported in the Parker area Friday morning, according to South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR).

Anyone near Bayou Gulch Road and Highway 83 may smell a rotten egg odor.

The Franktown Fire Protection District and utility crews are working to stop the leak, according to SMFR.

Crews ask Coloradans only call 911 if you can smell gas inside your own home and believe you may be in immediate danger.

One person is dead and another person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash east of Kiowa Monday morning, according to Colorado State Patrol (CSP).

Around 6:36 a.m. Monday, the driver of a 1993 Dodge pickup truck was going westbound on Highway 86 when it veered off onto the right shoulder of the road, CSP said. The driver overcorrected, traveling into the eastbound lane and striking the driver's side of a 2022 Ford SUV.

The driver of the Dodge pickup, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was a 45-year-old man. He died at the scene of the crash.

The driver of the Ford SUV, a 68-year-old woman, who was buckled, was taken to a hospital in Parker with serious injuries, according to CSP.

Troopers said they found drugs inside the Dodge. However, CSP noted it is not yet known whether the driver was actually under the influence at the time of the crash.

Highway 86 is expected to be closed until around noon. The last CSP update at 9:59 a.m. cited continuing investigation and clean-up.

The identity of the deceased has not been released.

UPDATE | MAY 5, 2026 David Kats was sentenced on May 5, 2026 to 36 years in the Department of Corrections.

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CASTLE ROCK, Colo.  A Parker man has been convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting several women he met on dating apps over nearly 10 years, the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office announced on Wednesday.

The jury found David Kats, 56, guilty of 17 counts related to the crimes. At least 12 of those counts were for sexual assault.

The four victims testified they lost consciousness after drinking beverages served by Kats and later discovered they had been sexually assaulted. Police found substances at Kats home believed to be used to incapacitate victims.

Prosecutors said the women discovered one another through posts on the Are We Dating the Same Guy Facebook group. After connecting, they compared their experiences and, shortly thereafter, contacted the Parker Police Department, which led to the investigation.

Nicholle Shupe told Denver7 she made the post in the Facebook group.

My question was, if you were with this person, is there ever a time you recall waking up the next morning and not remembering what happened?" Shupe said. "I made the post because I think I was figuring out what he had done to me and my mission, I guess is what you would call it all along has just been to stop him from doing to others what he did to me.

That post immediately captured the attention of Sherry Salazar, who recounted a time when Kats brought her a bottle of wine. According to Salazar, she did not remember anything after drinking some of the wine.

If that Facebook, if that group was not there, it would still keep going and going. So, she was really brave and very brave, so I always thank her for that," Salazar said about Shupe.

The two survivors consider the guilty verdict to be a miracle, and could not thank the jury enough for their time during the trial.

"I can't even explain it. I feel justified," Shupe said about Kats' conviction. We're coming forward because we want other women to feel like they can do the same thing, and it's not an easy thing to do.

The announcement from the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office said that "during the trial, Kats claimed the sexual encounters were consensual and denied any wrongdoing, despite several text messages from the victims confronting him and expressing concern they had been drugged."

Kats will be sentenced April 23 and faces anywhere from life in prison to probation as punishment.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. A defendant accused of stabbing three people including the back of a 7-year-old's head in Douglas County earlier this year has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

Luke Barkhaus, 32, pleaded not guilty on Friday morning to all eight felonies filed against him, which include two counts of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, three counts of felony menacing and child abuse.

Barkhaus was arrested on the morning of Jan. 28 in Aurora.

Two days prior, officers with the Parker Police Department responded to a restaurant after receiving a report that a person had stabbed an employee and fled. About an hour later, another Parker business called police and reported a stabbing by a suspect that matched the description from the first case. The suspect had fled from that scene as well, and police could not immediately locate him. One of the victims from these two incidents though police did not say which was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

While looking at surveillance footage from the second incident, police watched the suspect get into a car and were able to read its license plate number.

Parker detectives worked with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to search the suspect, and they tracked him to Aurora. He was taken into custody two days after the stabbings and brought to the Douglas County Jail. His bond was initially set at $100,000 but was increased to $1 million.

The day after his arrest, Denver7 learned that Barkhaus was also suspected of stabbing a 7-year-old in the back of the head at a local Walmart. It's not clear when this happened in relation to the two other stabbings. The child was expected to be OK, Denver7 learned.

Barkhaus is next due in court on Jan. 9, 2026. His trial is currently slotted for April 6-9, 2026.

UPDATE | Nov. 15, 2025 Marina Ortiz-Abollaneda, 43, been removed to Peru after requesting a voluntary deportation, ICE has confirmed to Denver7 Investigates.

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PARKER, Colo. Members of a school community in Parker are reeling after a 5th-grade teacher was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday.

Denver7 Investigates was given a copy of a letter sent to parents of students at Global Village Academy in Parker, alerting them that Marina Ortiz and her family were detained by ICE agents "while she was completing a routine appointment related to her immigration case."

Arturo Vazquez, an immigration attorney, told Denver7 Investigates that detaining illegal immigrants during appointments with ICE is becoming more common.

"It's kind of like a self-reporting tool, but recently it's been used to literally detain people," said Vazquez. "It's not that everyone who's going to check in is getting detained, but it's more for recent arrivals or people who have some kind of history, whether it's criminal history or immigration history."

The letter from Global Village Academy Principal Stacy Bush states that Ortiz has permission to be in the United States and work authorization. However, work authorization does not necessarily prevent someone in the country illegally from being deported.

In a statement to Denver7 Investigates, an ICE spokesperson confirmed that Ortiz was detained on Friday, Oct. 24, and she will remain in custody pending an investigation.

According to Bush, Ortiz and her family were transferred to a family immigration detention facility in Texas. Colorado does not have any immigration facilities meant to house families.

"We are currently working closely with our legal team and outside immigration attorneys to understand if and how we might be able to help facilitate their return to Colorado," Bush wrote in her letter to parents.

Susan Meek, a board of education director for the Douglas County School District, said she is "deeply shocked and profoundly saddened" by Ortiz's detainment.

"When someone who contributes to our shared mission of educating children is suddenly taken away, it sends a chilling message to the many families in our district who live each day with fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability," Meek wrote in a statement.

A verified GoFundMe in support of Ortiz's legal fees has almost reached its $10,000 goal.

PARKER, Colo.  Police in Parker shot and killed a 32-year-old gas station clerk after they said he pointed a gun at officers who were investigating reports of gunshots on Monday night.

No officers were injured.

It happened around 10:20 p.m. at the T Square gas station at 17050 E. Mainstreet.

According to the Parker Police Department, officers responding to reports of gunshots arrived at the gas station and found shell casings and live rounds in the stores parking lot.

Police said a gas station employee, initially claiming to be a witness, became agitated and repeatedly brandished a gun in his waistband when officers made contact.

The department said officers made numerous attempts, pleading with the suspect to de-escalate the situation and surrender.

However, despite their attempts to de-escalate, the 32-year-old suspect pointed the weapon at them, prompting officers to fire, according to Parker police.

After the shooting, the suspect was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries. His name has not been released.

The 23rd Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting. Six officers are on administrative leave per department policy.

This marks the departments first officer-involved shooting since 2017.

PARKER, Colo. As part of our 7 Days To Help End Hunger campaign, Denver7 is highlighting a growing problem in Colorado: "suburban poverty."

The Food Bank of the Rockies is battling an increase in demand due to the high cost of living and reduced federal support. Denver7 is stepping up to help our neighbors facing food insecurity with our 7 Days to Help End Hunger campaign.

Denver7 is teaming up with Food Bank of the Rockies and CommonSpirit to take action on this issue and we need your help. From Sept. 22-28, this week-long campaign will raise crucial funds to address food insecurity in our state.

Click here and select 7 Days to Help End Hunger to donate today.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2019 and 2022, the number of people living below the poverty line increased by 1.5 million nationwide. Of that figure, 60 percent lived in the suburbs, challenging the perception that these areas are immune to hardship.

At SECOR Cares, a Parker-based food pantry, staff and volunteers are witnessing firsthand the changing face of hunger in their community.

For the past two years, Ive been coming to food pantries to get by, said Bernadette Tannahill, who provides for her seven grandchildren at home. Food stamps only stretch so far, especially when you get the teenagers. They can eat.

Tannahill isnt alone. The pantry draws people from all backgrounds, some making sacrifices to keep their families fed.

Oh yeah, Ive had my lights cut off because Id rather have the food," Tannahill said. "Have the water shut off, you know, but as long as they can eat."

Debbie Blair, program manager at SECOR Cares, said shes heard humbling stories from people who thought they'd never need help from a food pantry.

Ive heard people say, 'Im eating less or Im skipping meals to ensure that my children have food to eat,' Blair said. A lot of people think its a very affluent area, but there are people still in great need here.

Blair described the rise in suburban poverty, noting that even those with full-time jobs, homes, and cars sometimes find themselves turning to food pantries for assistance.

We have people that come in and volunteer, and we have people that are financial donors, and we also have people in the same neighborhood that need to come in for food, Blair said.

Smaller pantries like SECOR Cares rely on support from organizations such as Food Bank of the Rockies, which adjusts its operations to meet the needs of local communities.

They know whats happening in the community and can really respond best to those needs, said Ashley Newell, director of community building and food services for Food Bank of the Rockies.

The food banks statistics reveal a troubling trend. Two years ago, one in 11 people in the region required help putting food on the table. Now that figure is one in eight and the situation isnt improving.

Were seeing an increase, even in the suburban areas, where folks that are teachers, nurses are still needing to come and receive services, Newell said. Hunger is everywhere. Its not something that you can easily move away from. Its something that is affecting all communities in different ways.

For those who may be hesitant to seek help, Tannahill offered this advice: Regardless of what anybody says, feed your family first.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Denver7 will be holding a call center in order to collect donations toward ending hunger. To donate, simply call 303-777-7492 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. You can also use the form at the bottom of this article.

7 Days to Help End Hunger is sponsored by CommonSpirit.

You can donate to our 7 Days to Help End Hunger campaign using the secure form below. Select "7 Days to Help End Hunger" from the drop-down menu.

PARKER, Colo. A 27-year-old suspect was arrested within hours of a deadly shooting near a Parker skate park Tuesday evening, the police department announced.

The department said it responded to a "shots fired" call near South Twenty Mile Road and East Longs Way, near the Railbender SkatePark, around 6:35 p.m.

Witnesses told officers that two vehicles were stopped alongside each other when "a disagreement ensued." They then heard multiple gunshots, and one of the vehicles took off.

Parker police officers arrived and found a deceased male near his vehicle. The department did not provide a description or age of the male.

The Douglas County Coroner's Office will release the male's identity at a later time.

Using witness descriptions and Flock Safety license plate readers, investigators learned the license plate number of the vehicle involved in the incident, according to Parker police. That license plate number was then shared with neighboring law enforcement agencies.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office spotted the vehicle and detained the suspect later identified as 27-year-old Matthew Littlefield in connection with the shooting. Littlefield was arrested for suspicion of second-degree murder.

Parker PD said its investigation is ongoing. Investigators are asking anyone who may have surveillance video or photos of the incident to contact Detective B. Wilson at bwilson@parkerco.gov or by phone at 303-805-6561.

ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. A 49-year-old Parker man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a bizarre and violent 2024 gun attack on a longtime friend.

An Elbert County district judge sentenced Richard Szabelski on Friday after he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as a crime of violence in connection with the July 2024 incident.

The attack followed a Red Rocks concert where the friend allegedly made an inappropriate gesture toward Szabelskis wife.

Prosecutors said an armed Szabelski showed up at the friends house in rural Elbert County later that night and fired at least one round into the air.

Moments later, the friend confronted Szabelski outside the home where the 49-year-old attempted to shoot the friend, but the gun jammed.

Szabelski then physically assaulted the friend and said he was lucky and fled, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office.

This was not just an act of violence- it was a betrayal, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson in a news release. The victim and his family were shocked and deeply traumatized by the defendants actions, especially because he was someone they had trusted for years.

Toxicology reports confirmed Szabelski was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

Shooting at people while drunk and high gets you locked up here in the 23rd Judicial District, said District Attorney George Brauchler in a news release.

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.

As Colorado responds to new rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) surrounding access to COVID-19 vaccines, Denver7 is getting guidance from a doctor on who needs the shot.

Dr. Christopher Post, the medical director at AdventHealth Parker, said the virus is not as dangerous as it once was because of growing immunity. However, he recommends high-risk groups, including those over the age of 60 and people prone to severe illness, to still get a COVID-19 vaccine this year.

"As time has gone on, I almost guarantee everybody has had COVID at least once or been exposed to it. So everybody's got a little bit of immunity," Dr. Post said. "And there's definitely those folks, again, the high risk folks and that are still getting sick from it and getting hospitalized. It's not to the extent anywhere near as it was in you know, 2019, 2020, but still, definitely some sick folks coming in with it."

He said high-risk groups include people 60 years and older, plus those with underlying health conditions like lung disease, asthma, COPD and diabetes. Dr. Post said people with weakened immune systems, including HIV patients, chemotherapy patients and people taking medications for chronic conditions, should also get a COVID vaccine.

As for when to get the shot, Dr. Post said he recommends anytime of the year because COVID-19 has become a year-round virus.

"COVID, over the last couple of years, has just been a year-round kind of thing, a little bit more prevalent in the winter. The flu shot, they always recommend getting in October, November, just to sort of hit that high flu season. The COVID vaccines you can get any time of year because there's really no huge spike," Dr. Post said.

On Friday, the Colorado Board of Pharmacy will meet for an emergency session to decide on proposed rules to allow all Coloradans ages 6 months and older to receive COVID-19 vaccines directly at a pharmacy without a separate doctors appointment or prescription. The move comes after the FDA changed rules surrounding COVID-19 vaccines, which limit the shots to high-risk groups and force others to get a prescription.

Denver7 reached out to several pharmacies to ask how they are following regulatory changes when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine access. Ethan Slavin, a spokesperson for CVS, said in a statement its pharmacies will ensure COVID-19 vaccinations are available "as soon as possible" at all Colorado CVS Pharmacy locations.

Heather Halpape, a spokesperson for Albertsons, said Safeway pharmacies across Colorado will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines without the need for a prescription starting Friday, September 5. She said the shot is in stock and available for those 12 years and older.

UPDATE | Nov. 13, 2025 Aaron Thomas Carrado has been sentenced to 76 years to life in the Department of Corrections.

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CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A 51-year-old man who was the owner of the Strength in Christ Athletes gym in Parker and Centennial has been convicted of multiple counts of sexually assaulting young athletes.

A jury convicted Aaron Thomas Carrado on 12 charges, which included six counts of sexual assault on a child (by a person in a position of trust and as a pattern of abuse) and other related charges, the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office said.

At the time of crimes, Carrado owned and worked as a trainer at the Strength in Christ Athletes gym in Parker. Two athletes he coached testified during his trial about how he had sexually assaulted them at the gym and other locations several times between 2019 and 2022. The victims were 15 and 16 years old at the time.

"The defendant was entrusted to train Olympic-level high school athletes," explained Chief Deputy District Attorney Danielle Jaramillo. "Instead, he violated and betrayed them. These courageous survivors have shown that no title, no position, and no power can shield a predator from justice."

The investigation into this case began when Carrado's ex-wife contacted authorities after she found "disturbing notes and social media messages" that he had sent to the two teenagers, the district attorney's office said. Once the investigation was underway, Carrado fled to Montana. He was arrested there.

"After using his position as a personal trainer and his fake claims of Christianity to victimize these trusting victims all while married with children this gutless, faithless predator fled the state," District Attorney George Brauchler said. "But he could not outrun justice."

Carrado pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him. His trial began earlier this month.

"As long as there are courageous victims willing to stand up to those who prey upon them, we will continue to work relentlessly to send those sexually deviant predators to prison for as long as possible," Brauchler said.

Carrado's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13. He faces a sentence of eight years to life in prison.

Lighting can add ambiance to your backyard during the evening hours, and a Colorado landscaping expert said installing it doesn't have to break your budget.

Denver7 met with landscaping expert Matt Akabane, with Hughes Landscaping and a member of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, to talk about what kind of options are out there for lightning up your landscape.

Akabane explained landscape lightning can be inexpensive and fairly easy to do. Clients can use solar lightning, which is easy and the least expensive option for landscapes. He said it takes minutes to install solar lightning, depending on how many lights you want in your yard.

Low voltage LED lightning is popular as it's brighter and has a bigger impact on the look of the landscaping, he explained.

Akabane said up-lightning on trees and pathway lighting around driveways and walkways can bring your landscape to life at night!

Akabane explained the great thing about lighting is you can spend whatever your budget allows. In a small backyard, expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500. With medium to large landscapes, he said budget for in the ballpark of $4,000.

PARKER, Colo. Police investigating a former Colorado youth soccer coach for child sex assault said Tuesday they suspect he may have additional victims.

Juan Carlos Hernandez, 40, was arrested Friday on four counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust pattern of abuse, and two counts of aggravated incest.

Hernandez was a coach at Fusion Soccer Inc, which was doing business as Rapids Youth Soccer at the time of his arrest, according to a news release from the police department.

We are sharing this with the community after learning new information through a continuing investigation, a spokesperson with the Parker Police Department said Tuesday, adding the police department was sharing a photo of Hernandez in the hope that additional victims would come forward.

In a letter to families Tuesday, Aaron Nagel, the executive director of the Rapids Youth Soccer program, said the organization was "to share news about a serious matter involving one of our South coaches..."

Nagel said in a letter the allegations against Hernandez "occurred years before he joined our organization and are unrelated to our youth soccer community."

If anyone has information about crimes possibly committed by Hernandez, or if Hernandez may have victimized your child, you are asked to please contact Detective D. Cashman at dcashman@parkerco.gov or 303-805-6523.

PARKER, Colo. An 18-year-old died after she fell from a moving vehicle at EchoPark Stadium in Parker on Thursday.

According to the Parker Police Department, a juvenile driver was behind the wheel at the time of the incident. No further details were released.

Parker PD said its investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to determine whether any charges will be filed.

The department also said it is aware of videos and pictures of the incident circulating on social media, and investigators are "committed to gathering the facts before any decisions related to charges are made."

Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to contact Detective L. Mattern at lmattern@parkerco.gov or by phone at 303-805-6592.

We're in the dog days of summer, and it may be time to get into the backyard and tackle some outdoor projects.

Denver7 met with landscaping expert Matt Akabane, with Hughes Landscaping and a member of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, to talk about potential summer project ideas.

Akabane said planting shade trees is a great idea because by this time of the year, you know where you need them! He recommended planting the trees with a good soil conditioner and watering them throughout the summer and fall. Winter watering is also essential for new trees, as one foot of snow is equal to about one inch of water.

Hardscape projects, such as installing patios or walkways, are other options for this time of the year, Akabane said. You can do pavers, flagstone, or concrete additions or create new destination points in your backyard, he explained.

Akabane suggested another hardscape project idea: installing retaining walls in your yard to enhance the look and space of your landscape.

Finally, he suggested installing a fire pit in your backyard, and said it's fairly easy to do. It creates another amazing outdoor space for your family to enjoy during these beautiful summer nights.

Akabane said buying a prefabricated propane fire pit offers a convenient and safe way to enjoy a fire outdoors without the hassle of wood-burning fires. He also mentioned another option is a natural gas fire pit, although that would require a licensed gas professional to install it and a bigger budget.

We're in the middle of the scorching hot summer season but you can keep your landscape looking lush with a little tender, love, care and fertilizer!

Denver7 met with landscaping expert Matt Akabane, with Hughes Landscaping and a member of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, to talk about when, where and how to fertilize your lawns and gardens.

Akabane said fertilizing your yard in the summer is a great way to keep it looking beautiful. With the warmer temperatures, your landscape will still grow and flourish with fertilizer. In fact, Akabane recommended fertilizing quarterly throughout the year. Healthy trees and plants will grow and bloom better and increase root growth especially in newer landscapes, he said.

So what type of fertilizers should you use? Akabane said fertilizers that are 14-14-14 can be used on trees and shrubs for high nitrogen and roots. He explained you can use a perennial and annual fertilizer on those types of plants to keep them blooming. And he suggested an organic based fertilizer for vegetables and herbs because they are edibles.

Akabane said if you want to keep your grass green and lush to use with a weed and feed fertilizer. He recommended fertilizing in the early morning or late evening hours, and not during the heat of the day. This could cause nitrogen from the fertilizer to actually burn your grass. Most importantly, water your lawn really well after fertilizing, he said.

PARKER, Colo. As the national organ transplant waiting list exceeds 100,000 patients, one Parker resident is spreading hope for those in need of a life-saving transplant.

Maria Ulibarri, a hair stylist with a passion for transforming hair and lives, found herself in desperate need of a liver transplant after battling a debilitating autoimmune disease.

In 2018, Ulibarri was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, a disease that attacks the liver. For years the disease was manageable, but her health deteriorated significantly, leading her to an emergency room visit in 2024 that changed her life.

I said, I just want to go home and get some rest, and two days later, I was in the hospital in a coma for three weeks, Ulibarri recalled. One of my doctors said to my ex-husband, She probably won't make it five or ten minutes of his surgery because she's so sick.

During this time, her close friend and long-time client, Kimberle Selby Pounds, stood by her side.

She would hold my hand 'til like, two in the morning, and we would talk, because she knew how scared I was, Ulibarri said.

After weeks of uncertainty, Ulibarri received a second chance at life with a liver transplant in April 2024.

Its the most amazing, beautiful thing you could ever do. Its like giving another person a second chance at life, she expressed. The donors organs saved not just Ulibarri, but also two other lives that day.

In the aftermath of her transplant, Ulibarri has made it her mission to honor organ donors and raise awareness for those still waiting. This year, she will participate in the Donor Dash, a 5K run/walk event dedicated to supporting the organ donation community.

I have a team name. Its called Maria Styling Striders. I want to give back to the community, she said.

Ulibarri remains grateful for the support she received during her hospital stay from her family, friends, and especially her clients who came every day to offer comfort and nourishment.

The community was just so amazing. Its just incredible; you cant get better than that, she said.

In addition to her own experience, Ulibarri emphasized the importance of organ donation: I think the most amazing thing that anyone could do is to donate organs to save another person's life. That person actually saved three people's lives that day.

Dr. Hunter Moore, a transplant surgeon at AdventHealth Porter, dispelled myths surrounding organ donation, saying that all patients receive equal care regardless of their donor status.

Everyone works the same, regardless of your organ donation status. No one even looks at [organ donation status] when they're resuscitating you for a really bad trauma or a stroke or a heart attack, he stated.

Ulibarri's journey has transformed her perspective on life.

God whispered in my ear. He said, I had to end your old life to give you a new one.' And it's the best life ever, she said.

The Donor Dash is scheduled for July 20 at Washington Park in Denver. For more information, visit www.donoralliance.org.