Friday, March 13, 2026

Windstorm, St. Patrick’s Day, and Airport Music

High winds with 80 to 100 mph gusts prompted a slew of closures, triggered power outages, and fueled fire weather concerns across the Front Range Thursday.
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Top Stories

Article Icon 1Wind Impacts Roads, Schools, Power

High winds with 80 to 100 mph gusts prompted a slew of closures, triggered power outages, and fueled fire weather concerns across the Front Range Thursday.

Several roads were closed, including both directions of Interstate 25 from Fort Collins to the Wyoming state line, as well as a stretch of eastbound Interstate 70 near Lookout Mountain, where a toppled semi-truck blocked traffic. Four Boulder County mountain schools canceled classes for the day.

By midmorning, nearly 20,000 customers were without power, with several downed and low-hanging power lines in the foothills west of Boulder. Around noon, a two-alarm grass fire broke out near northwest Fort Collins, briefly prompting mandatory evacuations.

Winds are expected to ease today, but gusts tomorrow may reach 35 to 50 mph, with dry air and highs in the 70s—more critical fire weather—before a cold front moves in late Saturday.

Article Icon 1Spring Travel Rush, Shutdown Overlap

Denver International Airport (DIA) expects more than 1.3 million people to pass through security from March 11-29, with the busiest days expected to be today; Sunday, March 15; Friday, March 20; and Sunday, March 22.

Meanwhile, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees at the airport continue to work without pay as a partial government shutdown nears its one-month mark.

The shutdown may lengthen security lines during the travel surge. During last year's 43-day shutdown, many TSA employees called out of work, and about 1,100 resigned.

DIA is urging travelers to arrive at least two hours before departure. The airport is also seeking grocery store and gas gift card donations to support unpaid TSA employees.

Article Icon 1Colorado Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is next Tuesday, March 17, and several celebrations across the state will take place this weekend. See a list here.

The Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade, billed as the largest west of the Mississippi, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. It boasts more than 10,000 marchers and 200 entrants, including pipe bands, step dancers, and equestrians.

In Boulder, you can stop by the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, which leaves plenty of time for a puppy parade and costume contest, also in town. Fort Collins, meanwhile, is hosting its first parade for the holiday since 2019, ending a yearslong hiatus.

Leadville, a town with deep ties to Irish culture, is holding its parade on Tuesday, capping several days of events ranging from leprechaun treasure hunts to a winter mountain bike race.

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Around Colorado

Statewide: Next week is expected to bring some of the highest March temperatures on record, with 80-degree highs possible across the Front Range and 90-degree highs possible on the southeast plains. (See Details)

Centennial: An 11-year-old boy is in custody and facing first-degree murder charges in the death of his 5-year-old brother. Further details in the case haven't been released. (More)

Eagle County: ICE agents accused of leaving ace of spades cards, historically linked to intimidation, in the vehicles of detainees have been removed from the field amid an investigation, according to a top official's court testimony. (More)

Denver: A safety committee postponed a vote on a proposed contract with Axon Enterprise, a tech firm that would replace Flock Safety as the city's operator of license plate-reading cameras. (More)

Littleton: A semi-truck crashed into a car Tuesday and pinned it against a gas station, crushing the vehicle and causing part of a wall to collapse. The car's occupant has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. (More)

Moffat County: Two suspects accused of stealing a vehicle in Oregon and going on a cross-country crime spree were taken into custody by local deputies on Tuesday. (More)

Breckenridge: An out-of-state skier died Wednesday after crashing in steep terrain at Breckenridge Ski Resort, authorities said. (More)


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Colorado Sports

Sean Payton announced the Denver Broncos' 2026 coaching staff, including three new offensive quality control coaches: Kyle Kempt, JD Johnson, and former NFL receiver Willie Snead IV. (More)

World Champion heptathlete Anna Hall was named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year after winning the heptathlon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, becoming the first American to claim the world title since 1993. (More)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen helped Italy beat Team USA 8-6 in the World Baseball Classic earlier this week, throwing nearly five scoreless innings. (More)

Denver Broncos fullback Adam Prentice signed a one-year deal to stay with the team after starting last season. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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Colorado Business

Xcel Energy's residential customer rates could rise 20% to 30% by 2027 and 55% by 2029 compared with 2024 levels, according to a new report by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. (See Report)

Skier visits at Vail Resorts' North American destinations this season have fallen 11.9% amid what CEO Rob Katz called a "worst-case weather scenario." (See Details)

A historic Paonia orchard has been placed in a conservation easement, permanently limiting subdivision and development on the land. (More)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: "This Time, You're the Collateral." A recession isn't just likely... It's inevitable. The cracks in the system aren't just cracks anymore.

  • Debt levels are at historic highs.
  • Consumer savings are drained.
  • Wall Street is on edge.
  • Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.
One wrong move and the whole thing could snap. That's why thousands of Americans are turning to physical gold and silver. Your FREE Gold & Silver Kit from the top precious metals company, Goldco, reveals why gold is often a safe haven during recessions and the truth about inflation. Get your Free Guide today.
Et Cetera

Denver International Airport released the lineup for this summer's Concerts on the Fly, a series of outdoor concerts held at the airport from Aug. 2 to Sept. 6. (See Details)

The Red Bull Soapbox Race, a homemade gravity-powered racing challenge, will return to Denver this June for the first time since 2008. Applications are open until April 12. (See Details)

Volunteers in Evergreen, including four from the sheriff's office, plan to shave their heads at a St. Patrick's Day event to raise money for childhood cancer research. (More)

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The Poll

How will you be celebrating St. Patrick's Day?

  1. Wearing green
  2. Enjoying Irish food/drinks
  3. Watching a parade
  4. Hoping for extra luck
  5. I'm not celebrating

Yesterday's Results:

Would you try the ranch milkshake?

  1. No: 59%
  2. Maybe: 21%
  3. Yes: 20%
Colorado Trivia

Where does Paonia get its name?

Show me the answer

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