Consumer Protection

Kasel Associates Industries, subject of smell complaints, recalls more pet treats

Back in December, we told you about a group of neighbors in RiNo who have been raising a stink over what they say are "putrid" smells coming from a pet treat factory called Kasel Associates Industries. The same month that the factory's owner sued the neighbors for harassment, batches of his products ... More >>

Reader: Should we outlaw everything that could kill you if swallowed?

Yesterday, our Sam Levin wrote about Zen Magnets, a company being targeted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission despite there being no history of anyone being injured by any of its products. The post brought this response from a reader who sees the action as a step too far.

Federal agency targets Denver magnet company with no history of injury

In the wake of the mass shooting in Aurora a month ago, gun-control advocates in Colorado and across the country have upped the ante in pushing for stricter policies. And at the same time, some people in Denver are wondering why the federal government is trying to shut down a local business that sel ... More >>

Fraud complaints: Colorado is number one again, Greeley tops metro areas

The Federal Trade Commission released its 2011 list of consumer complaints, and Colorado topped the charts for a second consecutive year, with the most reported per-capita consumer fraud complaints in the nation. Greeley -- ranked No. 1 for large U.S. metro areas -- joined Colorado Springs, Boulder ... More >>

Martha Stewart glass table explodes, and not for the first time (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Martha Stewart.​Martha Stewart drew blood on Father's Day. Or at least a glass patio tables marketed under the Martha Stewart Living brand did. According to Arvada's Nancy Passarella, she and her family were sitting down for a meal when the table shattered for no particular reason -- and they ... More >>

Colorado's No. 1 in fraud complaints: Greeley, Boulder, Fort Collins & CO Springs in top 15

​Statistics compiled by the Federal Trade Commission show that Colorado had the highest per-capita rate of consumer fraud complaints in the nation last year. According to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network report for 2010, Greeley, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs all ranked among t ... More >>

Top 10 consumer complaints in Colorado in 2010 and early 2011

​The Colorado Attorney General's Office has compiled its list of the top 10 complaints it received in 2010 -- an unhappy roster broken down generically and specifically. In both cases, gripes about rebates hold the top spot. But when it comes to businesses by name, the outfit that prompted the ... More >>

What week is it? A breakdown of everything you could be celebrating, January 3-9

We're still unclear on why the caged bird sings.​The Christmas-New Year's stretch is over. The presents are opened, the fruitcakes eaten and the splurged-on "holiday cognac" consumed in a flurry of inappropriately commingled bodily fluids and chemically repressed despair, leaving you spent, ex ... More >>

Toss your cookies (if they're from Melissa & Doug)

Cookies and sprinkles and barium, oh my!​This Melissa & Doug wooden slice and bake cookie set seemed like the perfect gift for that toddler with baker aspirations. Unfortunately, among the painted-on sprinkles and icing, Health Canada discovered an unwanted ingredient: barium. Excessive amoun ... More >>

Total Recall: Slim Fast is the latest yank from the FDA

Slim-Fast. Now with harmful micro-organisms​As an ongoing public service, we would like to draw your attention to another FDA food recall. (As we reported here last week, the FDA recently recalled nearly 111,000 pounds of frozen beef steak fritter.) Why? Because any opportunity to explore the ... More >>

Swift beef recall: Beware of tainted "Butt Ball Tip"

Yesterday, Greeley's own JBS Swift Beef Co. recalled over 41,000 pounds of meat contaminated with O157:H7 E.coli bacteria, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The stuff went out on April 21 to enterprises in Colorado and a dozen other states rangin ... More >>

Ca-toff-strophe for Enstrom's

After my recent blog about fast-casual chains in Colorado, someone posted an odd comment that didn't really pertain to what I had written about. The gist of it was that Enstrom's candy company had produced mass batches of faulty candy unbeknownst to her friend, who'd shipped ten boxes as presents, a ... More >>

Top 5 assholes I'd like to throw my shoes at

Like so many others around the world, I was awed by the spectacle of President Bush ducking to avoid a pair of shoes hucked by Iraqi TV journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi at a news conference yesterday. Apparently, flashing footwear at someone is one of the worst insults a person can give in Arab cultur ... More >>

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions

Baby Bargains Dishes Dirt

Alan and Denise Fields are on a mission to warn new parents about the baby/industrial complex.

Xbox 360: Come on Down!

To Your Health

Jay Reinan and John Gordy win big against Mariner Health Care.

Peter Knobel, Phone Home

Interesting developments in a developer's background.

Q: Are They Old Men?

A: Almost -- but Devo's audience is getting younger.

Hamrick

Songs That Make No Sense (Noise Buffet Records)

Fat Chance

An electronic gizmo that promises six-pack abs short-circuits.

Viva Las Villa!

Builder Paul Lambert's dream house is the hit of the show homes, but homebuyers and creditors are raining on his parade.

Best Next Job for Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio

Qwest customer-service rep

Best Cheap Appliances

Sears Outlet Store

Best Cheap Computers

Surplus Computer Store

Eat Your Words

Essay contests seem like a fun way to sell a business. But sometimes, everyone's a loser.

High and Dry

Spanish-speaking workers are dishing dirt on a local landscape company.

Best New Consumer Service

Colorado Consumer Line

Girls just want to have fun.

Women's selling circles are an old tradition.

Best unretirement

Vic Cionetti

Best unexpected performance by a city administrator

Veggo Larsen

Liars on the Line

While US West delayed service for months, the company stockpiled millions.

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control

When the housing boom hit Longmont, city inspectors missed a few steps.

Stretching the Limits

Limo companies ride out a debate over longer vehicles, safety and lost tax revenues.

It's About the Law

Rebecca Rivera went to John Elway AutoNation looking for a fair deal, but she's still spinning her wheels.

Did the Earth Move for You, Too?

Homeowners, builders and legislators are heaving over the Front Range's swelling soils problem.

Off Limits

The Poison Pill

An internet venture goes bust, leaving some of Colorado's biggest business names with a major headache.

Take It for a Ride!

Who keeps an eye on Colorado's car dealers? The dealers themselves.

The Big Queasy

The junk-food guinea pigs of Grand Junction have had some strange gut reactions to olestra.

Footing the Bill

How lobbyist Pancho Hays gave the boot to tenant-rights legislation.

Adding Insult to Injury

Pulling the plug on attorney advertising could get somebody sued -- including the State of Colorado

THE PROMISED LAND

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCHETTE, TWO DEVELOPERS GET DOWN AND DIRTY.

THROW AWAY THE KEY

AND THROW AWAY THE LIMON PRISON'S LOCKS, WHILE YOU'RE AT IT.