Emergency Services

Marijuana legislative update: Dispensary tax deductions and more

Yesterday we told you about HB 1114, the THC DUI bill, which is headed to the floor of the House, where it could come up for approval as early as this week before being sent off to the Senate. While that and the pending legislation surrounding Amendment 64 are hot topics, a few lesser-known marijua ... More >>

Michael Brown, ex-FEMA head, has advice, criticism for Obama about Hurricane Sandy

Colorado is not facing any danger from Hurricane Sandy, but the effects of the storm can still be felt here, with the Obama and Romney camps canceling scheduled rallies. Today, we decided to check in with a local expert on natural disasters who also has a perspective on potential political ramificat ... More >>

Good Versus Good

Scarlet Ranch swingers club, now Squirrel Creek Lodge, serves oysters and rescues animals

Fire bans in Boulder and Golden as Lower North Fork Fire blazes out of control

The Lower North Fork Fire has already resulted in two fatalities and remains uncontained at this writing -- and the conditions that have fueled it are clearly not lost on officials in other communities. Below, see information about newly announced fire bans in Boulder and Golden, as well as a releas ... More >>

OMG! Operation Mountain Guardian, terrorist attack response drill, to take place tomorrow

​ Fake terrorists will attack the Denver metro area tomorrow in what will be the largest emergency response exercise these parts have ever seen. Called Operation Mountain Guardian -- or OMG, for short -- it will include imaginary disasters at four locations: Park Meadows Mall, Smedley Elementa ... More >>

For 9/11 play The Guys, too much time has passed

William Nelson, fire protection chief, busted for impersonating peace officer, DUI, pot in truck

Times-Call​As fire protection chief for Hygiene, William Nelson is called upon to ensure the safety and well-being of people in his community. But on Saturday night, at least one local allegedly needed protection from him. Nelson, 57, has been arrested on a potpourri of charges, including imp ... More >>

Lefthand Canyon fire's 622 acres are 80 percent contained, human-caused (VIDEOS)

Videos below.​Given how wet our Marches tend to be, we don't expect conditions dry enough to create fire danger -- but there's concern aplenty in Lefthand Canyon, where a blaze has consumed approximately 622 acres and caused evacuations of 223 homes. At this point, with the flames 80 percent c ... More >>

Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Mardi Gras and chili cook-offs

​This week in food kicks off with a Fat Tuesday bang and continues with plenty of food and drink to coax you out of your Lenten sacrifices. Here's a taste of what's ahead:

Gourmet food truck camouflage escapes notice of city regulators: Kenny Be's Fotochop Friday

Lunchtime Emergency Unit looks like typical search and rescue vehicle. ​ Camouflaged as an emergency response vehicle, the gourmet food truck pictured above is able to move and park freely throughout the city without being hassled by Denver code enforcement officers. With rolling panels pulled ... More >>

Dome wildfire: Update about evacuation order, progress in fighting Boulder blaze (PHOTOS)

Photo by Boyd FletcherDome fire near Boulder.​Update: City of Boulder officials have announced that the evacuation order for many residents put in place due to the Dome fire will be lifted at 10 a.m. today -- a very good sign.

Noodles & Company raises $10,000 for fire departments that battled Fourmile blaze

Noodles & Company fundraiser benefits Boulder area fire departments​The Fourmile Canyon fire inspired Boulder's restaurant community to rally in support of those affected by the blaze, feeding firefighters and evacuated homeowners for free and throwing impromptu benefits to support organizatio ... More >>

Robert John Burns Jr. busted for stealing drugs, gear from local fire stations

Robert John Burns Jr. had some inside dope about firefighters.​"That Fireman Who Wants Your Drugs May Not Be a Fireman," published back in February, noted that drugs had been stolen from ambulances at two Westminster fire stations, along with uniforms. Similar burglaries were reported at anoth ... More >>

Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Hour of Power to Easter brunches

A Flickr photo.​On tap this week: everything from classes on seasonal soups and breads to a pie contest to the wrap-up of 151 Days of Tequila to Easter brunches galore. Here's a taste of this town's culinary offerings: Monday, March 29: Interstate Kitchen & Bar, 901 West 10th Avenue, is off ... More >>

Ride in the bucket truck, drink Fire Chief Ale at Rock Bottom fundraiser

​Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery's locations across the country are holding their annual fundraiser this week to raise money for fire departments and related charities. Although the Louisville-based chain typically allows each of its restaurants to brew their own beers, all of them used the ... More >>

Mile High Murder, No. 22: Death of Robert "Bobby" Grau in Englewood alley now considered a homicide

Robert "Bobby" Grau. On Wednesday, the Englewood Police Department revealed that a body had been found in an alley near the intersection of East Oxford Avenue and South Lincoln Street, an area captured in a graphic embedded after the jump (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger M ... More >>

Possible homicide in Englewood alley near East Oxford and South Lincoln

View Larger Map This just in from the Englewood Police Department: An investigation is ongoing into the death of a man found in an alley near the intersection of East Oxford Avenue and South Lincoln Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View La ... More >>

Denver Health pledges to fix response times by adding paramedics

Talk about a change in bedside manner. In a presentation to members of City Council Wednesday, hospital administrators from Denver Health publicly acknowledged for the first time that their ambulance response times are not meeting national standards. The admissions, however subtle, came as the t ... More >>

Denver ambulances using wrong response time standard, says Denver Auditor

Delayed Emergency Response

Minutes can make the difference between life and death — but does Denver Health know how to tell time?

John Ashton, Take Two

Quilting Time

The Late, Late Election Results

Too Many Fire Chiefs

Evergreen Fire/Rescue is burning money — and residents’ patience.

Burning Hot

Afterburn

Twelve hundred miles from Black Rock City, Apogaea keeps the home fires burning.

Homage to Heroes

Touching tribute launches new arts center

Off Limits

Ready for takeoff

Best Fundraising Gimmick

2001 Denver Metro Firefighter Calendar

One More Time Around

Tired of traveling in circles, Boulder residents head straight for the voters.

A Plague on All Your Houses

Denver readies itself for a bio-bomb — but is the federal program behind this exercise a dud?

Radio Stars

The world may be in the hands of a bunch of hams on New Year's Eve.

Burning Issue

Firefighters in Denver's "money belt" enlist Broncos to help oust their governing board.

Magma Force

The Lure of the Siren

Vince Cissell focuses on staying alive in the much-changed ambulance industry.

Letters

FIREMEN, SAVE MY DEPARTMENT!

DENVER'S PARAMEDICS TRY--AND FAIL--TO BAIL OUT OF THE CITY'S HEALTH AGENCY.