🌱 Artist Raise $ + Deadly Year On CO Roads + CO Coal Mine Closing

Happy Thursday Lakewood! Brad K. Evans here with a brand-new edition of the Lakewood Daily.

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Friday's weather: Clouds breaking; not as cold. High: 42 Low: 27.

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Here are the five top stories today in Lakewood:

1. 2021 was the most deadly year on Colorado's roads since 2002: Preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation indicates that 672 people died on Colorado roads in 2021, the most since 2002. As final numbers come in, that number is expected to grow to over 700 fatalities for the year. (CPR)
2. Tattoo artists across the state raise funds for victims of shooting spree. Doing good with Ink. From Delta to Denver, more than 12 tattoo shops from around the state participated in the "United In Art" event last Sunday. All of the money raised will go to the Colorado Healing Fund, which has committed to getting funds into the hands of the victims' families. (CBS4)
3. Can Rocky Flats, the former nuclear weapons plant, be a good neighbor? Unlike the factory fires at Rocky Flats decades ago, wildfires would pose no danger of plutonium spread. Many would rather not see the area open to the public at all. (Westword)
4. Colorado will play key role in federal plans to fight wildfires. Wildfire risks in the West are nearing crisis proportions, and the Biden administration is now calling for swift action to protect people and communities in Colorado and beyond. (Yahoo)
5. Lakewood man gets life in prison for strangling girlfriend to death. A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of his girlfriend in 2020. (FOX31)

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The Environment:

• Colorado town grapples with its future as coal mine is set to close. The coal plant in Craig, CO is closing, along with the mine that feeds it. With nearly 115 employees at the Craig Station, along with all of the mine workers, will lose their jobs over the next decade. (AP)

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Coming up in Lakewood:

• Rockstar Connect Networking Event: On The Border Mexican Grill, Golden. (5-7 p.m.)
• How to Play Dungeons & Dragons Beginner Class: At Geek Out Cafe. (6-8 p.m.)
• Is real estate investing right for me? At Denver Online Zoom. (6-9 p.m.)
• NA Meeting: 2025 Kipling Street. (7:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• New owners of Casa Bonita are paying employees to perform community service during renovation. While Casa Bonita remains closed for renovations, the iconic restaurant and entertainment venue in Lakewood is keeping its workers busy. Since last November, several dozen employees have been paid to serve the community across the Denver metro area. (CBS4)
• It's time to make your camping reservations at Rocky Mountain National Park for the summer. Before you know it, summer will be here, and for many, summer is synonymous with camping. Rocky Mountain National Park now has a reservation system in place that allows visitors to book camping spots up to six months in advance. (Patch)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Sordid Lifes - Play written by Del Shores - Presented by Wheat Ridge Theatre Co (Jan. 21)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (Jan. 22)
• Dakota Ridge High School Soccer Indoor Clinic/Tournament. Session 2 (Jan. 23)
• Real Estate Investment Hour (Jan. 25)
• Add your event

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Loving the Lakewood Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business featured in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at lakewoodpatch@gmail.com

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door today. I'll see you first thing Friday morning for another installment of the Lakewood Daily! — Brad K. Evans