Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF AUGUST 22, 2024
VOLUME 41 | ISSUE 3
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Quarry Fire Seniors keep Olympic fire burning in Lakewood expected to Two local independent smolder for at living homes battled it out for the gold least a month Local firefighters say the blaze started in a “nightmare” location and had “the best outcome” possible BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While the Quarry Fire is 100% contained, Conifer firefighters expect it to burn for at least another month. The ongoing wildland fire poses no threat to any structures or other hazards. “It’s contained and controlled with lines all the way around so there’s no more forward progression,” said Elk Creek Fire Chief Jacob Ware. “The area in which it’s burning is very rugged; there’s not a safe way to get firefighters up there. Right now, it’s just burning up fuel.” The nearly 600-acre Quarry Fire started July 30 in Deer Creek Canyon and was pronounced 100% contained on Aug. 7. Wildfires burn as long as they have fuel and oxygen, and the rugged foothills provide plenty of fuel. Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw said there are decades of accumulated duff — SEE QUARRY FIRE, P9
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Though the closing ceremony already wrapped up the 2024 Paris Olympics, locals in Lakewood are not ready for the competitive fire to go out. Two independent living homes in the city — The Courtyard at Lakewood and Lakewood Estates — have been clashing in recent weeks with their own makeshift Olympic Games. It’s the first year the two groups put their skills to the test, but the trend is growing around the Denver area. It began on July 24 with bean bag baseball (a sort of cross between cornhole and ski ball), and Team Courtyard took that one on its home turf. Then the ring toss event happened at Lakewood Estates on July 31, where Team Estates struck back with a win to tie the games 1-1. SEE OLYMPICS, P2
Residents of The Courtyard at Lakewood and Lakewood Estates battled it out in their own Olympics from July 24 to Aug. 14. Games included a ring toss, bean bag baseball and water cup PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW pong.
NOTES ON COOPERATION
Colorado AMP aims to bring student musicians together P16
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