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    <title>North Metro Denver</title>
    <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/north-metro</link>
    <description>North Metro Denver</description>
    <copyright>Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.</copyright>
    <lastBuildDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 21:02:11 GMT</lastBuildDate>
    <atom:link href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/north-metro.rss" type="application/rss+xml" rel="self" />
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      <title>'Increased smoke and flaring' visible at Suncor as refinery restarts after outage</title>
      <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/commerce-city/increased-smoke-and-flaring-visible-at-suncor-as-refinery-restarts-after-outage</link>
      <description>"Increased smoke and flaring" may be visible at the Suncor refinery in Commerce City as staff restart operations following a power outage, the company said Monday afternoon.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 21:02:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>Stephanie Butzer</author>
      <guid>https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/commerce-city/increased-smoke-and-flaring-visible-at-suncor-as-refinery-restarts-after-outage</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<html lang="en">    <head>        <meta charset="utf-8">        <meta property="op:markup_version" content="v1.0">                    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/commerce-city/increased-smoke-and-flaring-visible-at-suncor-as-refinery-restarts-after-outage">                <meta property="fb:article_style" content="default">    </head>            <p>DENVER  "Increased smoke and flaring" may be visible at the Suncor refinery in Commerce City as staff restart operations following a power outage, the company said Monday afternoon.</p><p>A <a href="https://member.everbridge.net/892807736722583/notif" target="_blank">notification</a>, which was issued at 1:05 p.m., reads, "No action by the public is required."</p><p>A third-party electrical power issue knocked out the power at Suncor in Commerce City.</p><p>"There will be increased flaring while we work to restart our operations, which may include increased noise and visible smoke," the company said. "Flaring is an important safety measure and environmental control tool that keeps our facilities running safely."</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/46/de/3e159ffa447ea5e2f766ba66ff78/unknown.jpeg"></figure><p>It said that a community air monitoring network did not detect any air levels about "above acute health reference guidelines during this event."</p><p>On May 8, Suncor also warned about a similar situation, writing in an alert "Due to continuing startup activities following maintenance work, increased smoke and flaring may be visible at Commerce City operations."</p>This is a developing story and will be updated.    </html>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Man killed by police in Arvada incident that prompted shelter-in-place, per police</title>
      <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/arvada-police-issue-shelter-in-place-in-the-area-of-willow-green-townhomes-sheridan-closed-in-area</link>
      <description>A man was killed by police Saturday during an incident that prompted a shelter in place for residents in the area of Willow Green Townhomes in Arvada.</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 16:08:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>Kaylee Harter</author>
      <guid>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/arvada-police-issue-shelter-in-place-in-the-area-of-willow-green-townhomes-sheridan-closed-in-area</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<html lang="en">    <head>        <meta charset="utf-8">        <meta property="op:markup_version" content="v1.0">                    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/arvada-police-issue-shelter-in-place-in-the-area-of-willow-green-townhomes-sheridan-closed-in-area">                <meta property="fb:article_style" content="default">    </head>            <p>A man was killed by police Saturday during an incident that prompted a shelter-in-place for residents in the area of Willow Green Townhomes in Arvada, according to an announcement from police.</p><p>Police first responded to the apartment at 6989 Sheridan Blvd. around 7 a.m. after a domestic disturbance report involving an assault, according an Arvada PD release.</p><p>"Initial information indicated multiple individuals, including children, were inside the unit and that firearms were present," officials said in the release.</p><p>Police entered the apartment after seeing "evidence of a physical disturbance." In the apartment, they had found two women and a child who were safely taken out of the apartment, officials said. The release said officers were told there were two men still inside who were believed to be armed.</p><p>Police said they saw an armed man exit through a window and onto the roof before going back inside. The man came out on the roof again and retrieved a gun, when a Westminster officer shot him. Westminster PD had been called to the scene earlier when Arvada PD requested additional resources.</p><p>"Due to the unknown situation inside the apartment and potential danger, emergency medical personnel were unable to immediately access him," the release said. "A drone was used to monitor the suspect, who showed no signs of life."</p><p>The Jefferson County Regional SWAT Team searched the apartment and didn't find anyone else, and the man on the roof was confirmed to be dead around 11 a.m. There were two guns on the roof with him and another in the apartment, according to police.</p><p>Arvada PD detectives are investigating the initially reported assault, and the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the police shooting.</p><p>Residents in the area of Willow Green Townhomes in Arvada near 70th Avenue and Sheridan were instructed to shelter in place Saturday morning while police said they were responding to a "barricaded suspect." The shelter in place was lifted a little after noon, and Sheridan reopened after being closed between 72nd and 69th avenues.</p>    </html>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Westminster looking to fill every pothole in the city during Pothole Palooza</title>
      <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/westminster-looking-to-fill-every-pothole-in-the-city-during-pothole-palooza</link>
      <description>The City of Westminster is asking residents to help locate and report road damage during its third annual Pothole Palooza.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:21:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>Ethan Carlson</author>
      <guid>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/westminster-looking-to-fill-every-pothole-in-the-city-during-pothole-palooza</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<html lang="en">    <head>        <meta charset="utf-8">        <meta property="op:markup_version" content="v1.0">                    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/westminster-looking-to-fill-every-pothole-in-the-city-during-pothole-palooza">                <meta property="fb:article_style" content="default">    </head>            <p>The City of Westminster is asking residents to help locate and report road damage during its third annual Pothole Palooza.</p><p>Street operations superintendent Brock Hufford is overseeing the event, relying on the watchful eyes of the people who live in the city to track down potholes before they become bigger issues.</p> <b>Watch the full story in the video player below.</b> Westminster looking to fill every pothole in the city during Pothole Palooza<p>If you left a pothole alone, its going to keep growing and getting bigger and larger and cause more problems, Hufford said. Our goal is to get all the potholes filled so we're caught up for the season to where we can put our efforts towards milling, paving streets, and other road maintenance that needs to happen.</p><p>Westminster City Councilor Jack Johnson said the four-day pothole purge aims to save money by tackling the road damage from last winter all at once.</p><p>We have bulk purchased the materials to fill all the potholes, so theyre saving in bulk purchasing, Johnson said.</p><p>He also said a major goal of the event is to urge the residents of Westminster to report any and all potholes they come across.</p><p>We get the calls here and there, especially if its in front of your driveway, but there are plenty of roads that people drive where they dont even think about reporting it to the city, Johnson said.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/1a/97/c0efb33b4d19b8489e0c15e30ab4/jack-johnson.jpg"></figure><p>Residents have until Thursday, April 30 at 2 p.m. to report any potholes. Requests can be submitted online at <a href="https://www.westminsterco.gov/accesswestminster" target="_blank">Access Westminster</a> or through the Access Westminster app for <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/access-westminster/id6740338154" target="_blank">iPhone</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.westminsterco.seeclickfix&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank">Android</a>. Every resident who reports a pothole will be nominated for a drawing to receive a personalized street sign from the City of Westminster.</p><p>The citys goal is to fix potholes within 24 hours of being notified, long after Pothole Palooza ends.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/0f/90/7a664d0e4e05aa89e1c8ba836381/brock-hufford.jpg"></figure><p>Its one of the most rewarding things about being on council, Johnson said. People say where its I have a pothole or I have a leak, or whatever it is as a city and as a council, were able to just immediately respond to their needs.</p><p><b>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.</b></p>    </html>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Brighton City Council votes to demolish century-old historic landmark despite community pushback</title>
      <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/brighton/brighton-city-council-votes-to-demolish-century-old-historical-landmark-despite-community-pushback</link>
      <description>Brighton City Council voted 7-2 to move forward with plans to demolish the former town hall building, but left the door open to entertain ideas for development until demolition happens.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:21:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>Maggie Bryan</author>
      <guid>https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/brighton/brighton-city-council-votes-to-demolish-century-old-historical-landmark-despite-community-pushback</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<html lang="en">    <head>        <meta charset="utf-8">        <meta property="op:markup_version" content="v1.0">                    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/brighton/brighton-city-council-votes-to-demolish-century-old-historical-landmark-despite-community-pushback">                <meta property="fb:article_style" content="default">    </head>            <p>Brighton City Council voted Tuesday night to move forward with the demolition of the old town hall building, citing nearly $2 million in renovation costs, despite strong pushback from neighbors fighting to save the century-old landmark.</p><p>The building on Bush Street first served as the Brighton Town Hall, then later became the public library, and most recently was used as a senior center from 1976 to 2012.</p> <b>Watch the full story in the video player below.</b> Brighton to demolish historical landmark despite neighbor pushback<p>The building was designated as a historic landmark in 2014, but has sat vacant for the past 14 years.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/fb/38/b2d430a9446ca46889541cdec55f/old-photo-4.jpg"></figure><p>Brighton resident Gail McGaugh, who lives across the street from the historic landmark, said she has been going door to door to garner support from neighbors to keep the building standing.</p><p>"A woman across the street went here as a child to the library with her sisters. Another guy up the street had the first house here, and he remembers when it was city hall. There's so many people that feel so passionate, they're in love with this building," McGaugh said.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/63/ac/6438e11e47a5a1246735c0d804b6/gail-two-shot-image.jpg"></figure><p>The City of Brighton's Budget and Innovation Department said because of financial and safety reasons, the city can longer preserve the building. The department said the building has been subject to environmental and health hazards, like asbestos, significant deterioration, and multiple break ins since it became vacant.</p><p>The city said a 2025 historic structure assessment estimated the cost to rehabilitate the building into office or non-profit space would cost $1,987,124, which does not include ongoing maintenance costs.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/e8/07/ae7490fe4a7cae9c92d300311192/screenshot-2026-04-21-at-8-58-45-pm.png"></figure><p>In February, Brighton's Historic Preservation Commission denied the city's application to demolish the building after determining the application did not meet its criteria as a structural hazard. The city appealed the denial, which pushed the final decision into the hands of Brighton City Council on Tuesday night.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/8a/79/22b9d79a400f8a4516a75da97f99/screenshot-2026-04-21-at-9-10-17-pm.png"></figure><p>Council members voted 7-2 to approve the appeal and move forward with plans to demolish the building after discussing concerns about the cost of improvements and the lack of interest in the building over the past 14 years.</p><figure> <img src="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/bd/d5/8affc8aa4dd2a0ad1463053bfc48/damages-2.png"></figure><p>"Nothing has happened since 2014 because nobody wants this building. There's nothing to do with this building," Brighton City Council member Tom Green, who represents Ward 1, said. "I think there's better uses for our city dollars. We've got a rec center, we've got a museum, we've got historic city hall, we've got a library, and we have a wonderful senior center. I just don't see the need to preserve this building."</p><p>"We haven't found a good use for this facility. And when I look at the list of potential uses, we've invested in the other buildings for those uses," Brightont Mayor Pro Tem Peter Padilla, who represents Ward 4, said.</p><p>Council members said they are still open to hearing ideas from companies or nonprofits who may be interested in taking over the building before demolition happens.</p><p>Sonja Brown, the vice president of the nonprofit Brighton Cultural Arts Connection, said while the organization does not have the financial means to transform the building, it is looking for ways to support its survival.</p><p>"It'd be great to have all different people connecting. So whether that's not for profits connecting in the building, if that means, you know, children in here, classroom space for arts, or if it's like a museum, or somebody had mentioned a bed and breakfast," Brown said.</p><p>"So many people want our history to stay. The fabric of their life is tied to this building as part of the thread of who they are," McGaugh said. "So when the city does not recognize that we want this for the community it really sends a poor message from our elected officials."</p><p>Brighton's Budget and Innovation Department said from March 2023 to May 2025, city staff engaged in discussions with five groups from Brighton and the Denver metro area about the potential to sell the building. The city said those talks fell through because of the cost to rehabilitate and operate the building.</p>    </html>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Uber driver charged with sexual assault; Arvada Police ask additional victims to come forward</title>
      <link>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/uber-driver-charged-with-sexual-assault-arvada-police-ask-additional-victims-to-come-forward</link>
      <description>Police believe there could be additional victims. Javier Delgado-Cordoba has been driving for Uber for a year and has completed more than a thousand rides, according to police.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:21:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>Kaylee Harter</author>
      <guid>https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/uber-driver-charged-with-sexual-assault-arvada-police-ask-additional-victims-to-come-forward</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<html lang="en">    <head>        <meta charset="utf-8">        <meta property="op:markup_version" content="v1.0">                    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/uber-driver-charged-with-sexual-assault-arvada-police-ask-additional-victims-to-come-forward">                <meta property="fb:article_style" content="default">    </head>            <p>An Uber driver has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and driving her to a business in another city.</p><p>Javier Delgado-Cordoba, 29, turned himself in to the Jefferson County Jail on Monday on a sexual assault warrant that stemmed from an incident reported in late January, Arvada Police officials said. He is being charged with three counts of sexual assault, a spokesperson for the First Judicial District said.</p><p>Police believe there could still be additional victims.</p><p>Delgado-Cordoba has been driving for Uber for a year and has completed more than a thousand rides, according to police.</p><p>"We recognize that these types of crimes are deeply personal and difficult to report, said Arvada Chief of Police Ed Brady. Our goal in sharing this information is to ensure that anyone who may have been affected knows they are not alone and that support and resources are available.</p><p>Police say Delgado-Cordoba picked the woman and her boyfriend up from a Denver-area bar for an Uber ride to a residence in Arvada. Delgado-Cordoba is accused of getting into the back seat with the woman after the boyfriend got out of the car at the residence to unlock the door. As the boyfriend came back to the car, Delgado-Cordoba allegedly drove away with the woman still in the car and dropped her off at a business in Thornton, according an Arvada Police spokesperson.</p><p>She later sought medical care and a forensic exam, police said.</p><p>Detectives identified Delgado-Cordoba through information associated with his Uber profile, social media and DNA evidence, according to the release from Arvada PD.</p><p>Police are asking anyone else who believes they may be a victim of Delgado-Cordoba to contact the Arvada PD tip line at (720) 898-7171 and reference case AR26001904, or to contact their local law enforcement agency.</p><p>According to police, the ride was provided by a driver using the name Javier in a light colored 2023 Kia K5 sedan with the license plate 642RDGZ26, but Delgado-Cordoba may have also used other cars while working as a rideshare driver.</p><p>On Monday, a federal jury found Uber liable in the second of more than 3,000 pending sexual assault and misconduct lawsuits, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/business/uber-sexual-assault-verdict-bellwether.html">the New York Times reported</a>.</p><p>Last year, <a href="https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/gov-jared-polis-vetoes-ride-share-safety-bill-arguing-legislation-included-concerning-provisions">Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a bill </a>that would have required regular background checks of rideshare drivers and would have banned drivers convicted of certain crimes from working for companies like Uber and Lyft, calling the regulations "unworkable," but directed his administration to work with sponsors of the bill to improve rideshare safety. The state's Public Utilities Commission<a href="https://www.denver7.com/follow-up/rideshare-regulations-back-on-the-table-in-colorado-as-agencies-ask-for-community-feedback"> is currently working on</a> new rules aimed at cracking down on "imposter drivers."</p>Denver7 has requested additional information and will update this story if additional information becomes available. Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Arvada Police filed the warrant, and the DA's office filed the three charges.     </html>]]></content:encoded>
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