Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1909, a train collision near Dotsero in Eagle County claimed the lives of 20 people.

In today’s Top Stories, we’re covering the closure of the iconic Johnson’s Corner Restaurant and Bakery in northern Colorado. We’re curious—have you ever had one of their cinnamon rolls? Share your memories with us by replying to this email!

If you have confusing medical bills or have been denied a claim, it helps to have someone advocate for you. Today's sponsor, Healthlock, is here to do that for you.

Nine Charged in Aurora Kidnapping

Nine people have been charged on Monday in connection with a kidnapping and assault at The Edge at Lowry apartment complex in Aurora.

On Friday, a judge ordered the closure of the apartment complex due to "an immediate threat to public safety" from gang-related violence.

The victims—a husband and wife—were reportedly targeted in retaliation after the wife recorded a fight at the complex a month earlier. According to police, the couple was bound, beaten, and robbed before being rescued.

Authorities have linked the suspects to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The charges include second-degree kidnapping, assault, and robbery.

Johnson’s Corner Closes After Decades

The iconic Johnson’s Corner Restaurant and Bakery in northern Colorado has closed.

A sign on the door announced that the restaurant had permanently closed and would soon be replaced by the chain restaurant Black Bear Diner.

Known for its giant red-letter sign and famous cinnamon rolls, the restaurant has been a beloved stop along Interstate 25 since the 1950s.

Purchased by TravelCenters of America a decade ago, Johnson's Corner faced increased competition following the opening of a Buc-ee’s travel center just three miles away.

While the restaurant doors are now shut, the adjoining gas station and mini-mart remain open.

Gray Wolves Arrive Amid Secrecy

Gray wolves from British Columbia have officially arrived in Colorado, but their exact release locations remain undisclosed, fueling tensions among ranchers, outfitters, and wildlife officials regarding the program.

Members of the Colorado Wolf Tracker Facebook Group have used flight tracking and on-the-ground observations to speculate about where the wolves might be released, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has not confirmed any details.

Ranchers argue that the secrecy hampers their ability to prepare for the predators' arrival. Meanwhile, CPW has denied releasing wolves in Garfield County, though Eagle and Pitkin counties are reportedly under consideration.

The secrecy echoes earlier reintroduction efforts in 2023, which drew criticism over poor communication and subsequent livestock losses.

Flying together with our sponsor

Medical Claim Denials and Overbilling Cost Americans $325 Billion Every Year—Here's How You Can Make Sure You're Not Overpaying

Can you really trust your medical bills? We would all like to think our doctor is doing a good job—and charging us fairly for it.

But recent statistics have revealed that more than 50% of all medical bills contain an error… which contributes to wasting consumers over $325 billion every year!

However, that has all changed thanks to HealthLock—a service designed to protect Americans from the expensive, potentially life-changing mistakes and fraud that are flooding our chaotic medical system.

HealthLock has existed as a private service for high-net-worth individuals for over a decade. After optimizing their technology, they recently opened their doors to the public—and now Americans across the country can finally take advantage of the advanced protection and peace of mind they offer.

➤ Statewide: Colorado snowpack is 95% of average for January, despite sparse December snow and near-record warmth. Key water basins, including the Colorado River, face strain from prolonged drought. (See Details)

➤ Denver: The City Council has approved expanding needle exchange programs citywide, removing site limits and school proximity rules. The ordinance awaits Mayor Johnston’s signature. (More)

➤ El Paso County: A national data breach has affected three school districts and compromised student and parent data, such as contact details and grades. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: Food and Drug Administration inspectors uncovered dozens of health violations at Taylor Farms after a deadly E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald’s. (See Details)

➤ Arapahoe County: A mountain lion was sighted near Greenwood Village. Officials urged residents to report sightings for safe relocation. (More)

➤ Boulder: The Marshall Mesa underground coal fire mitigation has been completed. Crews removed 180,000 cubic yards of material to address smoldering mine risks. (More)

➤ Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has reportedly discussed Dallas' head coaching role with owner Jerry Jones following Mike McCarthy's departure. (More)

➤ The Denver Broncos hold the No. 20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after ending their playoff drought with their best season in a decade. (More)

➤ Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is set to interview for head coach roles with the Raiders and Jets. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Impress your dinner guests with the Wine Wand. The Wand purifies any wine in minutes. Finally, enjoy wine without the nasty side effects. (See It Here)

➤ JBS USA Food Co. in Greeley has agreed to pay $4 million to assist those impacted by illegal child labor after investigations revealed third-party contractors employed minors in hazardous roles at the company's facilities. (More)

➤ The annual 10-kilometer road race BOLDERBoulder 2024 generated $23 million in economic impact, with 87,000 attendees contributing through hotels, dining, and activities, Visit Boulder reports. (More)

➤ Denver’s Skiptown is a membership-based dog park and bar that has attracted more than 1,000 members since opening in October, offering off-leash play, grooming, boarding, and a full-service bar. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Clear Your Mind… Fall Asleep 2.5x Faster! Dodow is a light metronome scientifically designed to block out overactive thought patterns and quickly lull you into a deep peaceful sleep. Over 1 million former insomniacs now sleep peacefully with Dodow—are you next?

Flying together with our sponsor

What Does HealthLock Do?

HealthLock helps you fight back against the chaos in our medical system. It’s designed to give you peace of mind about your medical billing and private information, and it’s been highly successful so far.

Here are just a few of the reasons why so many people are signing up for HealthLock:

Automatic Claim Review
Bill Negotiation and Fighting Denials
Privacy Protection
Fraud Remediation
Easy Dashboard

HealthLock Is A Must-Have For Families And Anyone Who Regularly Pays Medical Bills!

➤ Colorado taxpayers can start filing state taxes in late January or early February, with exact dates to be confirmed by Jan. 23. TABOR refunds for 2025 are expected to be between $177 and $565, depending on adjusted gross income. (More Info)

➤ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village has unveiled its 2025 concert lineup, including Styx, Keith Urban, and Chicago, with more acts to be added. (More)

➤ Three Colorado train routes, including Winter Park Express and Cascade Canyon Train, rank among the nation’s best for scenic winter travel, USA Today reports. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Naturally Improve Your Breathing. AirPhysio is a patented, award-winning device that uses Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) to naturally improve your breathing. After using AirPhysio once, you’ll see why 250,000+ people describe it as “life-changing”. (See It Here)