Headlines October 16, 2020
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Second-Degree Murder Charges for Security Guard Who Shot Demonstrator in Denver
The Denver District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that the security guard who shot a participant in a “Patriot Rally” in downtown Denver last weekend will face a charge of second-degree murder.
If convicted, 30-year-old Matthew Robert Dolloff could face up to 48 years in prison. The Denver Post reports that Dolloff was working as an unlicensed security guard for journalists at Denver television station 9News when he shot Lee Keltner. Video footage from the incident shows Keltner spraying mace at Dolloff and the 9News producer he was guarding.
Dolloff’s attorney has said he acted in self-defense.
No Late Fees for Renters Through End of 2020
On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis announced an executive order banning late fees for Colorado renters through the end of the year. Earlier this year the governor created the Special Eviction Prevention Task Force to address the housing instability crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
The group recently released recommendations, one of which was for the governor to make a state-wide eviction moratorium. Polis nixed that recommendation, instead ordering the ban on late fees through the end of the year.
Six weeks ago the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ordered a nationwide eviction moratorium that applied to nearly all renters.
The task force recommended that Polis should change the CDC order, making a Colorado-specific eviction moratorium that exceeds the federal one.
The task force also recommended that Polis should set limits on late fees imposed by landlords on tenants behind on payment. The regulation currently allows landlords to set their own late fee schedules.
At the next legislative session in January, Democrats will likely try to permanently limit late fees.
Cameron Peak Fire Now Largest in State History
The Cameron Peak fire west of Fort Collins is now the largest fire in Colorado history burning more than 167,000 acres. The fire is 56% contained.
Windy conditions Wednesday led to the fire burning an additional 28,000 acres by Thursday morning.
Rocky Mountain National Park announced additional closures in park in Thursday but some evacuation orders were lifted by the Larimer County sheriff on Thursday.
The fire ignited on August 13 on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake.
Windy conditions again in the forecast for today and tomorrow which could lead to more fire growth, there is a red flag warning in effect for today and Saturday due to high fire danger.
