Monday, December 23, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 2009, Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days in jail for the “Balloon Boy” hoax after falsely claiming that his 6-year-old son had floated away in a helium balloon. The boy was later found safe at home, and the stunt was revealed as a bid for a reality TV show.

Christmas and Hanukkah are only a few days away, and The Colorado Flyover will be adjusting its coverage a bit so that our team members can spend time with their families. Beginning Christmas Day, we’ll publish shorter editions until the weekend and resume on Monday with our regular publication.

Today's sponsor is the Voice of the Martyrs, who are helping provide aid to Christians in hostile territories.

Gov. Polis Grants Clemency to 26

Gov. Jared Polis granted clemency to 26 individuals on Friday, including 22 pardons and four sentence commutations.

Among the commutations were two men convicted of murder in the 1990s who will now be eligible for parole in 2033.

A 154-year sentence for sexual assault, attempted murder, motor vehicle theft, robbery, and assault was also commuted, allowing parole eligibility in 2028.

Since taking office in 2019, Polis has issued clemency annually. Last year, he pardoned 21 people and commuted the sentences of seven others.

Over 150 Evacuated from Winter Park Gondola

Winter Park Ski Patrol safely evacuated 150-175 skiers and snowboarders from the resort’s gondola on Saturday after a mechanical malfunction halted the lift.

Using ropes and ladders, rescuers brought guests to the ground over the course of a six-hour operation.

A Winter Park spokesperson confirmed the issue involved a cracked metal piece on a lift tower, with investigations underway.

The Gondola, a high-capacity lift capable of carrying 3,600 skiers per hour, halted automatically when the malfunction occurred. Watch a video of one of the rescues.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car

Holiday travel across the state is projected to be particularly busy this year.

Traffic analysis forecasts significant congestion on Interstate 25 between Fort Collins and Denver, with peak congestion on Sunday, Dec. 29, around 1 p.m. Travel times could increase by 67%, taking approximately 91 minutes.

To minimize delays, drivers are encouraged to travel early, ideally before 11 a.m. Here are the best and worst times to travel by car.

Nearly 811,000 passengers are expected at Denver International Airport (DIA) between Dec. 19 and 29. The busiest times will be between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world’s most hostile and restricted nations.

His mission? To meet the courageous men and women who have faced persecution for their unwavering faith in Christ. Todd has traveled far and wide to hear their powerful stories firsthand and to bring their voices to the world, sharing their extraordinary testimonies of faith and resilience.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ Denver: Prosecutors won’t file charges over leaked voting machine passwords, saying no evidence shows the leak was intended to influence election outcomes. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: DNA evidence has linked a coyote killed by wildlife officials to a Thanksgiving attack on a child, prompting safety warnings about feeding wildlife. (See Details)

➤ Golden: A man was sentenced to three years for stealing body parts from a mausoleum at Crown Hill Cemetery. The remains of a person who died in 1919 were restored. (See Photos)

➤ Fort Collins: A baby Jesus figurine stolen from an Old Town nativity scene was anonymously returned to a fire station along with an apology note. No charges will be pursued. (See Photo)

➤ Colorado Springs: Three people, including two children, were rescued after falling through the ice at Quail Lake. A bystander’s quick actions prevented a tragedy. (More)

➤ Denver: Starbucks baristas protested Saturday amid a growing nationwide union movement, demanding better wages and conditions. Starbucks reported minimal disruptions to operations. (Watch Report)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Friday night, powered by Cale Makar's stellar play and Nathan MacKinnon's league-leading 40th assist. (More)

➤ Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter thrilled fans with an off-the-backboard alley-oop before being honored at the Colorado Buffaloes’ final send-off for the Alamo Bowl. (See Video)

➤ Broncos coach Sean Payton criticized TV broadcasts for exposing call sheets after cameras revealed game notes during Denver's loss to the Chargers last week. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA

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➤ Party City filed for bankruptcy on Saturday, impacting 850 locations nationwide, including nine stores across the state. All locations will close by February. (See Details)

➤ Denver-based Yampa Sandwich Co. plans to expand, adding up to 40 Southwestern U.S. locations over the next few years. (More)

➤ Plans to replace the historic El Rancho restaurant in Evergreen with a QuikTrip gas station are facing backlash as locals rally to preserve the 1948 landmark. (See Details)

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Flying together with our sponsor

Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world’s most hostile and restricted nations.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ Colorado Buffaloes superfan Peggy Coppom, 100, struck the Heisman pose with Travis Hunter’s trophy on Saturday, with Coach Deion Sanders fulfilling his promise to send her to a bowl game. (See Photo)

➤ Netflix announced ELWAY, a new documentary on Broncos legend John Elway, produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions. The release date remains undisclosed. (More)

➤ Cake Mix Christmas Cookies were Colorado's most-searched Christmas cookie recipe, according to Google Trends. (See Details)

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