A power outage around noon on Friday at the Suncor plant in Commerce City triggered an automatic shutdown during which dark smoke was released from the plant.
Adams County Sheriff, South Adams County Fire Department, Commerce City Police, the Denver Fire Department, and other agencies assisted in the situation. Power was restored around 2:30 p.m.
There are no reports of injuries. Interstate 270 was closed in both directions briefly but has reopened. As of 3:30 p.m. Friday, Brighton Boulevard between 56th and 60th avenues remains closed due to the outage, according to 9NEWS.
Both the Adams County and Commerce City Emergency Management departments are monitoring the situation, and air sampling tests are underway to determine what chemicals were released.
Xcel Energy released a statement saying, "At 12:02 p.m. MDT today, Xcel Energy experienced a momentary outage on a transmission line to a substation serving the Suncor Energy refinery in Commerce City. The cause of the outage is under investigation. Suncor is the only customer served from the substation; no other Xcel Energy customers were affected. The refinery currently has power available, but the momentary outage impacted Suncor's operations. We are working with the refinery to safely stabilize operations, but would direct further questions to Suncor ([email protected])."
Flags lowered to half staff on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 — Flags shall remain lowered to half-staff, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Flags should be at half-staff for the entire day today, as proclaimed by President Trump.
This order stacks on the Dec. 1, 2018, order for President George H.W. Bush. Flags should remain lowered through Dec. 30, 2018.
Gov. Hickenlooper Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Former President George H.W. Bush
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide immediately for 30 days to honor former President George H.W. Bush and as ordered by President Trump. The former president died on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at the age of 94.
“President Bush lived each day with courage,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “He never flinched from a tough decision, and every day as President brought honor and dignity to the office and the country. He left a lasting legacy on the importance of civility in politics.”
Homes for Hope Open in Adams County
Newly renovated homes to provide emergency foster care for children
Today Homes for Hope officially opened to provide emergency foster care for children in Adams County ages 0-18 for up to 30 days while alternative kinship home, foster home, or return to parent(s) options are explored. Two single-family homes have been renovated and will be utilized as part of this short-term placement program to improve foster and kinship care in Adams County.
Adams County Celebrates National Adoption Day
Projects 130 adoptions will finalized in 2018
Today, 14 children in Adams County welcomed a new start on National Adoption Day. A special celebration took place at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton. The Board of County Commissioners, Human Services Department, and the 17th Judicial District hosted the adoptive families. Adams County projects a total of 130 adoptions will be finalized by the end of the year.
Leaf and Pumpkin Recycling Event on Nov. 17
Adams County is partnering with the City of Westminster on a leaf and pumpkin recycling event on Saturday, Nov. 17, 8 a.m. to noon, at the fire training tower at 3851 Elk Drive in Westminster. All Adams County residents are welcome to bring old pumpkins and bagged leaves for free disposal. Contact [email protected] or 303.658.2201 with questions.
Adams County Commissioners Award $5.9 Million in Open Space Grants
Today, the Adams County Board of Commissioners awarded $5.9 million in open space grants for 20 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for this grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2018 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999.
The Open Space Advisory Board reviewed 20 grant applications this grant cycle, recommending the Board of County Commissioners to approve full funding for all of the applications. Today, 20 project grants were awarded totaling $5,953,384.50.
Commissioners End Temporary Moratorium
Adams County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution ending a temporary moratorium on local oil and gas permit applications in unincorporated Adams County. The temporary moratorium was approved on October 30.
In the original resolution, Commissioners stated they would revisit the issue of this temporary moratorium after the November 2018 election.
During public hearing this morning (11/13/2018), the Board voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution to end the temporary moratorium.
Gov. Hickenlooper Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Thousand Oaks Shooting
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide until sunset on Nov. 10, 2018, in honor of the victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting, and as proclaimed by President Donald Trump.
Commissioners Approve Temporary Moratorium on Oil and Gas Development
The Adams County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution adopting a temporary moratorium on local oil and gas permit applications. The moratorium is effective immediately and will remain in place through Nov. 30, 2018 for all oil and gas permit applications in unincorporated Adams County.
(Updated) Gov. Hickenlooper Orders Colorado Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 — Gov. John Hickenlooper has updated yesterday’s order to lower flags following the Presidential proclamation. Gov. Hickenlooper has ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings, until sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, to honor the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, and as proclaimed by President Donald Trump.
