Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Wednesday, Nov 18.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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Extreme risk level added to Colorado's COVID-19 dial
Gov. Jared Polis announced Colorado is adding a new level to the state's COVID-19 Dial.
Colorado Gov. Jared Pols said that 10 to 15 Colorado counties will move to Level Red: Severe Risk on the state's updated COVID-19 dial, the highest risk level before stay-at-home orders are implemented, beginning Friday:
- Adams
- Arapahoe
- Boulder
- Broomfield
- Clear Creek
- Denver
- Douglas
- Jefferson
- La Plata
- Logan
- Mesa
- Morgan
- Routt
- Summit
- Washington
The new status dial now includes Level Purple, extreme risk, and is the most restrictive level on the dial. The updated dial will be effective on Friday, Nov. 20.
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Gov. Polis plans to call a special legislative session on COVID-19 relief
Gov. Jared Polis announcing Tuesday he will call the Colorado Legislature into a special session to focus on COVID-relief. Legislators say they have about $200 million to use to help businesses and families.
Gov. Polis said he would like to focus on the following:
- a small business relief package for places like restaurants and bars with direct aid and tax relief.
- housing and rental assistance to avoid eviction and foreclosure.
- support of child care providers
- expanding broadband access for online learning
Gov. Polis added they are sending another letter to the federal government urging Congress to take up a federal relief package.
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Making alternative plans for Thanksgiving
With so many counties moving to even higher restrictions just before Thanksgiving, it becomes even more important to consider your options for hosting an evetn.
It's a challenge many of us didn't expect to face, planning Thanksgiving during a deadly pandemic. News5 spoke with a family taking extra steps to make it a safe day for the family and with health experts who share some things you may want to consider as you plan your Turkey Day in 2020.
Dining outside, separate tables, video chats, wearing masks, or maybe no Thanksgiving meal at all. It's all on the table right now as people try to decide what's safe and what's best for them this holiday season.
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Pueblo Police say shooting Tuesday was gang-related
Pueblo Police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Tuesday. Officers were called out to 29th and Hart near the Pueblo Mall for a man found dead inside a vehicle.
Police said this was a gang-related crime and multiple suspects have been detained. When they are formally charged they will be identified.
If you have any information about this incident, please call Detective Fillmore at (719) 553-2509.
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Your latest First Alert 5 Weather forecast
We're looking at a Weather Alert Day across southern Colorado due to high fire danger with strong daytime winds, very low humidity, and dry and crunchy fuels like grasses and shrubbery. The downslope flow that brings out fire danger also warms us up into the 70s in Colorado Springs and right near 80 in Pueblo. We'll start with sunshine but cloud cover will likely flow through the region at times today and tonight. We'll stay mild and breezy tonight with lows in the 40s.
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