Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Friday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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Gov. Jared Polis statewide mask mandate now in effect
A statewide mask mandate is now in effect as of midnight that will require masks in all public spaces for those 10 years and older. Gov. Jared Polis signed this executive order in an effort to combat the rising rate of COVID-19 cases in Colorado. During a briefing Thursday, he said the state has a choice between more mask-wearing or hurting the economy, which would mean shutting down businesses again as the state did at the beginning of the pandemic.
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How will police enforce mask mandate in Colorado?
Many Coloradans are questioning how law enforcement agencies can enforce the governor's statewide mask mandate. News5 reached out to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Springs Police Department and Pueblo Police Department about the new executive order. While some agencies are still figuring out how to enforce it, others have already taken a stance.
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Hotter today with most thunderstorms staying in, around the mountains
We're replacing thunderstorms with HEAT across most of the plains today! Drier air will make it feel a bit more comfortable out there, but it'll allow us to warm quickly into the 90s and even a few triple digits across the lower elevations. There will be scattered storms in the mountains today, but there still could be a few showers and storms that move into the I-25 corridor at the end of the day.
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Additions and improvements nearing completion at Red Rocks Open Space
Some major upgrade work is nearing completion at Red Rocks Open Space in Colorado Springs. It is necessary to ensure the future of the increasingly popular spot for outdoor activities. The park has added parking lots to multiple entrances and its trails have been redesigned or reconstructed to provide a better experience for visitors.
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Aurora council committee pushes forward with Elijah McClain independent investigation
The Aurora City Council’s Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Committee voted unanimously Thursday to forward a resolution calling for an independent investigation into Elijah McClain’s death to the full council for it to hear next week. The three-member independent investigation team will have at least three consultants and will be led by Jonathan Smith of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in Washington, D.C.
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