Spilling The Beans

A woman rafting on the Cache la Poudre River west of Fort Collins died Thursday after the raft hit a bridge pylon, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency dispatchers first received calls at 12:55 p.m. about an empty commercial raft on the river near Greyrock Trailhead off of Colorado 14, sheriff’s officials said in a news release Friday.

Willow Crossing by Sun Communities What: Grand Opening of Willow Crossing by Sun Communities, affordably priced 2-and-4-bed single-family homes with resort-style amenities included such as pool, clubhouse, sport courts and community fire pit. Where: 1300 Whitetail Ave., Fort Lupton. From I-76 north of Denver, take U. S. 85 north toward Brighton, continue 14 miles to Fort Lupton exit (First St.).

A man incarcerated in Denver’s Downtown Detention Center died after being found unresponsive in his housing unit just after midnight Friday, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Inmate dies in custody at Denver detention center after medical emergency Crime and Public Safety | Denver police refused Auraria’s request to clear encampment a 2nd time; chief says “no legal way” to do so Crime and Public Safety | Denver jail deputy arrested in Jefferson County for assault, domestic violence Crime and Public Safety | Denver’s understaffed sheriff’s department will bump deputy pay over $100K with new contract The man, whom the department did not identify, was discovered non-responsive at 12:30 a.m.

The winding, sometimes-precarious state highway Colorado 82 over Independence Pass opened for the season just before noon Friday. Related Articles Colorado News | Colorado governor signs law banning firearms in certain places. Here’s what’s covered. Colorado News | No ballot measure to fund Front Range passenger rail this year Colorado News | Woman dies after Poudre Canyon rafting crash near Fort Collins Colorado News | Man incarcerated in Denver jail dies after being found non-responsive in cell, sheriff’s department says Colorado News | Two injured, E-470 reopens near DIA after four-vehicle crash Crews finished avalanche mitigation on the 12,095-foot pass connecting Twin Lakes and Aspen over the Continental Divide, according to a post on X by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The 30-mile stretch of roadway offers plenty of hiking, camping, breathtaking views and even a ghost town. Independence Pass usually closes for the season in early November and reopens around Memorial Day. The highway’s narrow, winding roads and steep grades mean oversize and overweight vehicles, including any over 35 feet, are banned from using the pass. Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.

Two people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving two tractor trailers on E-470 near Denver International Airport that closed the highway in both directions for several hours on Friday. One northbound lane was still closed near 88th Avenue as of 4 p.m. and drivers should expect delays and seek alternate routes, officials said in a post on X.

Colorado’s summer ozone season officially began Friday, bringing a string of days when smog blankets the Front Range and people may experience trouble breathing. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sends daily air quality notifications via email to those who register at colorado.gov/airquality/request_alerts.aspx during ozone season. Subscribers receive emails so they can know whether or not ozone pollution levels are above federal air quality standards. The department also posts daily air quality reports on its website at colorado.gov/airquality. The summer ozone season runs from May 31 to Aug.