Local News

Toting American flags, full fire gear and, in some instances, extra weights, approximately 2,000 men, women and children climbed the stairs of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

Up, around and down nine times they went.

Their trek Monday was a symbolic one, meant to mimic the 110 flights climbed by first responders during the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. Many climbers wore an ID badge of a New York firefighter who died on 9/11, and the significance of the event didn’t go unnoticed by organizers, climbers or spectators.

Charges have been filed against a Denver man accused of causing an Aug. 28 crash on U.S. 285 that killed a 53-year-old motorcyclist.  

Ian Fitzgerald O’Connor, 32, is facing felony charges of leaving the scene with death, vehicular homicide and reckless vehicular homicide, as well as a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and several traffic infractions, including reckless driving, no proof of insurance, fictitious plates and more. The charges were filed by the Jeffco DA's office.

A motions hearing has been continued for a man accused of robbing several South Jeffco banks.

Gary Mark Crider, 50, was arrested in early January in connection with robberies at three South Jeffco banks, as well as at banks in Louisville and Westminster between Dec. 9 and Jan 6. He pleaded not guilty to felony charges of aggravated robbery during an April arraignment.

According to the arrest affidavit, Crider is a suspect in the following robberies:

• At a Bank of the West in the 800 block of East South Boulder Road in Louisville on Dec. 9.

Kathie Smith’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she felt the small chrysalis shake in her hands.

“Oh my goodness,” she said with excitement. “Thank you for letting me have that experience.”

The Littleton resident has been a volunteer with the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms for about two years, but last week was her first time holding a chrysalis at Chatfield’s annual butterfly exhibit.