Latest news with #CBSColorado
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Colorado's RTD shares improvement plan designed to regain trust in riders
The Regional Transportation District, also known as RTD, is sharing its plans to improve services. CBS Colorado's First Alert Traffic Tracker Reporter Brian Sherrod interviewed RTD's Board Chair Julien Bouquet one-on-one to learn more about these improvements. In the first six months of 2025, RTD said it has upgraded security, improved light rails and shuttles, and is always working to get passengers to their destinations on time. CBS Colorado's First Alert Traffic Tracker Reporter Brian Sherrod interviewed RTD's Board Chair Julien Bouquet. CBS Bouquet says their job is not done yet. These are just small improvements to get the community to trust their services. This comes after months of slow zones causing delays with services, constant cancellations involving maintenance and riders feeling the services are not safe enough. To improve safety and security, RTD's new Police Chief Steve Martingano says it starts with making their officers more present. The agency currently has 88 sworn officers. Their budget will allow the hiring of 150 by the end of 2025. RTD police officers on patrol. CBS Broken and damaged rails have been replaced and are expected to last 30 years. All shuttles have live cameras so police can always see what's happening. Also, availabilities with services have improved. The agency announced in May that they received 27,000 more service hours to provide shuttles and light rails more frequently. For a lot of riders, public transportation is their only option to travel, so these services are essential. "Without public transit, you don't have the option for the single moms to go and pick up their child from school," said Bouquet. "Without public transit, you don't have the option for the senior to go to the market. Without public transit, you don't have the option for someone to support themselves and go to their work." CBS The agency's next plan is to add security cameras on all of their light rails. They are also finding new places to add transit services and listening to the community more to build that trust.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Huzzah! The Colorado Renaissance Festival returns for 2025 season
An annual Colorado tradition that takes us back in time kicks off this weekend. The Colorado Renaissance Festival near Larkspur has opened for the 2025 season. With a costumed cast, the festival is a chance to get a taste of life in a 16th century European village. The outdoor event recreates the historical setting with costumed performers, live entertainment, craft vendors, and themed food and drinks, along with games and rides. Special events for children include costume contests, royal quests, pirate treasure hunts and more. Guests are encouraged to join in the fun, vendors offer clothing and accessories for peasants, pixies, pirates and peers of the realm alike. Craftsmen offer armor, jewelry, leatherwork, artwork and more inspired by medieval Europe. Each weekend highlights a special theme with unique offerings. Those include: June 14-15: Magical Fantasy Weekend June 21-22: Ale and Art Festival (also Military Appreciation Weekend) June 28-29: Celtic Weekend July 5-6: Children's Weekend July 12-13: Pirate Invasion Weekend July 19-20: Wine and Revelry Weekend July 26-27: Renaissance Romance and Masquerade Weekend Aug. 2-3: Time Travelers Weekend and Final Huzzah The ren faire is open every weekend now through August 3. CBS Colorado is a proud sponsor of the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
LIVE Where YOU Live Contest
CBS Colorado is taking the First Alert Weather Tracker all across Colorado this summer, including your neighborhood. Enter our contest and tell us what makes your community unique for a chance to win: - A visit from a First Alert Weather Team member to your very own front yard (where they will deliver the weather live on air!) - An ice cream social for up to 50 people! This contest ends on June 20.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
This Colorado Town Denied Permit for 'No Kings' Day Protest
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials in Parker, Colorado, denied a permit for a planned "No Kings" anti-Trump rally after the organizer was told it conflicted with the town's annual Parker Days festival, according to a report from local television station CBS Colorado. The rally, scheduled for June 14, was one of hundreds set across the United States to protest authoritarianism and coincide with President Trump's birthday, the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, and Flag Day. Organizer Carolyn Williamson told the outlet that the decision infringed on her right to free speech after her request for a permit was denied due to the proximity of the large Parker Days festivities. Parker sits just over 20 miles southeast of Denver. It is a part of Douglas County where all but one state legislature seat went to Republicans last November, according to a report from Colorado Community Media. Newsweek reached out to the Town of Parker for comment via email Tuesday. Why It Matters This dispute highlights ongoing national tensions over the balance between public safety and First Amendment rights—a perennial issue during politically charged events. The situation in Parker raises questions about how local governments manage competing interests when citizens seek to demonstrate near major community activities. The case is especially relevant to Americans concerned with free expression protections, given the frequency of political rallies and public protests during election years. What To Know Williamson, a Parker resident, organized the local "No Kings" rally—drawing around 400 prospective participants, according to CBS Colorado. She has trained for de-escalation, worked with local police, and planned for safety. However, Parker officials informed her that gatherings of more than 100 people required a permit, which would not be issued during the town's largest annual event, Parker Days, held only a half mile away. A demonstrator holds an upside-down American flag during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration at Metro Hall, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. A demonstrator holds an upside-down American flag during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration at Metro Hall, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. AP Photo/Jon Cherry The Town of Parker's official statement said that ensuring the safety of both events was not feasible, citing limited police and emergency resources during Parker Days. "The Town has an obligation to balance First Amendment rights with the safety needs of residents, and due to resource constraints during this major festival, permits for additional gatherings could not be granted at this time," the statement given to the local station said. Williamson said she believed the town's refusal to issue a permit restricted her constitutional rights. She noted that after the permit was denied, Parker's town attorney and police chief clarified that even smaller-scale gatherings would not be allowed during the festival timeframe. Philip Chen, associate professor of political science at the University of Denver, explained the government can restrict time, place, and manner of assembly, but these constraints must be content-neutral. The American Civil Liberties Union said that typically, permits for sidewalk or street demonstrations are not required unless an event obstructs traffic. Despite the setback, Williamson stated she would move forward by staging a street-by-street protest along Parker Road between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on June 14, aiming to avoid direct disruption of the Parker Days. Parallel events are also scheduled in Castle Rock, Littleton, and Denver. What People Are Saying Carolyn Williamson, Organizer, told CBS Colorado: "Civil disobedience doesn't always align conveniently with current events" Town of Parker said in its official statement: "The Town has an obligation to balance individual's First Amendment rights with the safety needs of its residents, explaining it could not adequately ensure safety for the rally during Parker Days due to resource constraints. They offered to collaborate on rescheduling the rally." Philip Chen, Associate Professor, University of Denver, told CBS Colorado: "While the government can restrict the time, place, and manner of speech, it must remain content neutral." What Happens Next The "No Kings" protest in Parker is expected to proceed in an alternative format on June 14 along Parker Road, with organizers and town officials monitoring for potential disruptions. Additional rallies are scheduled in other parts of the Denver metropolitan area for the same day, as well as across the country.
CBS News
06-06-2025
- CBS News
Blind Colorado woman attacked by other passenger while riding RTD bus in Denver
A Colorado woman who is blind and her seeing-eye dog were assaulted last month on a Regional Transportation District bus twice by the same woman. The suspect is still wanted by police. For the victim, Angela Stewart, being visually impaired has never stopped her in her tracks. CBS Colorado's Gabriela Vidal interviews Angela Stewart. She walks with her seeing-eye dog Dixie in the image. CBS "I've had low vision my entire life. I have a very rare eye condition that makes my retinas didn't form all the way," said Stewart. "That took my vision from like maybe 25% to 15%." Nearly every day after work in Denver, she walks along 16th Street with her German Shepard guide, Dixie, leading her to their RTD stop she takes to Union Station. "I don't let my disability or issues define who I am, so I'm going to take the bus because that's what I have to do," said Stewart. It's a route, however, that has now become a reminder of the one time she could not see danger coming. "I got on the shuttle like I always do, and there was a woman screaming on the bus at the bus driver," said Stewart. "My problem is, she's screaming and yelling and carrying on and I can't hear the bus stops." Stewart says she yelled back at the woman to be quiet, and admittedly may have replied to the woman in a negative way when she threatened to beat her up. "She came up the bus and she punched me in the face, and then she punched me again and she pushed me in the back of the bus," said Stewart. Video shared by RTD captured the whole altercation, which happened on May 29 after 4:25 p.m. Stewart is seen trying to defend herself as the female suspect punches Stewart and pulls her by the hair until other passengers tried to remove the suspect from the bus. RTD "I was just in shock that she actually came over and hit me," said Stewart. Moments later, the same suspect got back on the bus to pick up a red object on the ground near Stewart's legs, grabs Stewart by the face and shoves her against the bus seats before getting away. RTD "Maybe I shouldn't have said what I said, but I didn't deserve to get beaten like that," said Stewart. Stewart sustained bruises on her face and body from the attack. "I'm not going to let a situation like this intimidate me. I'm not going to live in fear because somebody hit me," said Stewart. RTD tells CBS Colorado the incident is still under investigation. DPD says anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. "I can't fight back, except for this way," said Stewart, "Except for pressing charges and letting the police and the law do what they need to do." For now, Stewart is remaining a little bit more vigilant every time she and Dixie get on the bus. "I couldn't see her, but I could hear her. I could hear her voice, so if she gets on the bus all I can do is listen; listen for it and see if she's on there." Stewart hopes anyone who rides public transportation does their best to be careful to avoid something like this from happening. "Just be aware of where you are, and be aware that if somebody is yelling and carrying on, they might be violent," said Stewart. "Don't engage them."
