In 2023, people in Boulder County made about 6,000 reports of child abuse, 300 of which were substantiated, or about 4.4 children out of every 1,000, according to the county Department of Housing and Human Services. “Although that might not sound like a huge number, that is a really big number,” said Gina Earles, Blue Sky Bridge executive director. “And, of course, those are just the ones that are reported.” In 2014, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office saw 280 cases of child abuse filed, according to its records. In 2023, the office recorded 310 cases. “Our belief is it is because we ..read more

Firestone officials Wednesday approved an emergency ordinance to impose residency restrictions on registered sex offenders. Prior to the newly elected members of the Firestone Board of Trustees being sworn in on Wednesday, the outgoing board unanimously approved the emergency ordinance as its last order of business. The ordinance, which took effect immediately, makes it unlawful for any sex offender to reside with another sex offender within the town unless they are related as parent and child, as siblings or by marriage. Regardless of the familial relationship, no more than two sex offenders ..read more

From college courses to technology internships, the third annual St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Career and Job Fair on Friday showed students what’s possible in their professional development. The fair was held at two different locations in Longmont: the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools, and the Career Elevation and Technology Center. Both locations featured booths manned by local and regional industry representatives, who networked with students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “It was really exciting to see a lot of people actually show up right away or early,” said Lynne Eckart, industry certi ..read more

The Weld County District Michael Rourke said Thursday that Officer Christopher Glenn was justified in discharging his firearm during a shooting after an armed robbery at a Circle K on March 18, according to a press release from his office. The 19th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team investigated the officer-involved shooting and gave its results to the district attorney’s office, according to the release. Because of pending litigation against Kovacs, the district attorney’s office is not releasing additional information about the incident, according to the release. Longmont poli ..read more

A new adventure-themed hotel in Estes Park has added a restaurant offering Mexican-American flavors and a tequila and mezcal bar program. Casa Colina — Spanish for “house on a hill,” a nod to the natural landscape on which the restaurant is built — was launched March 14 at Trailborn Rocky Mountains, a 40-unit hotel at 130 Stanley Ave. that opened in December after its owners renovated the Twin Owls Motor Lodge with help from Los Angeles-based architecture firm Electric Bowery. They also have purchased and are renovating the Estes Village Inn, 1040 Big Thompson Ave. (east U.S. Highway 34) and w ..read more

Colorado hasn’t wasted any time in rebuilding its running back room. On Friday, the Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders got a verbal commitment from Miami-Ohio transfer Rashad Amos. A 1,000-yard rusher for the RedHawks last year, Amos had originally committed to Mississippi State about two weeks ago. He decommitted on Thursday, however, and is visiting Boulder this weekend. CU, which will conclude spring football with Saturday’s spring game, went into the offseason with four scholarship running backs. In the past eight days, however, three of them left the team to put their names into the t ..read more

Dear Amy: I have a neighbor who was previously convicted of a sexual offense involving a “child.” He served time in jail. I don’t know the exact circumstances, but I do understand that the term “child” may include a person as young as an infant and as old as a teenager. The sexual offender is married with two young children. I know that he and his wife want to keep his history private. However, the other neighbors around where I live are not aware of the situation and their kids play and interact with the sexual offender’s family. Do I need to inform the unknowing neighbors about his status as ..read more

A man has been arrested and accused of raping a woman and choking her in a Longmont home Thursday morning. Lucas Amundson, 33, is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, sexual assault, first-degree burglary, third-degree assault and two violations of protection orders. Amundson is currently in custody and is set for his hearing on advisement today. He has not been set a bond yet. Lucas Amundson (Courtesy of Boulder County Sheriff’s Office) According to an affidavit, at 7:18 a.m. Thursday, Longmont police were dispatched to a report of sexual assault. After conta ..read more

LONGMONT Monday • 3:30 p.m. Police contacted a man in the 1500 block of Linden Street. They arrested the man on an outstanding warrant. Wednesday • 7:06 a.m. Officers responded to a theft in the 200 block of East Mountain View Avenue. Thursday • 10:11 a.m. Longmont police investigated an auto theft in the 700 block of Glenarbor Circle. They have no investigative leads or suspect information at this time. • 12:10 p.m. Officers received a report of criminal trespass, theft and identity theft in the 1300 block of Lefthand Drive. They have no suspects. • 4:10 p.m. Police conducted a traffic stop i ..read more

Choosing a bottle of wine can be a stressful task. Especially when that wine is meant for someone else. If you’re daunted by trying to decide what wine to bring to a party, the perfect bottle for a hard-to-please mother-in-law or something to entice a prospective paramour, consider some tried-and-tested tips from Chicago wine experts. Surefire party hits When selecting a wine to bring to a party, Chasity Cooper, a communications strategist and wine and culture writer, turns to trusted favorites. “Pinot noir from Oregon always delivers,” says Cooper, who recently published the “Wine Convo Gener ..read more