CBS Denver

Officials Warn Of Tightened Security At Super Bowl

mreal197 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:00:30 -0600

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pack lightly, Super Bowl fans.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano joined NFL and other officials in warning that security for Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium would be significantly heightened — a common precaution for such sports events since the 2001 terrorist attacks — though Napolitano cautioned there have been no credible threats involving the Super Bowl as of Wednesday.

That means metal detectors and pat-downs by security guards will be part of the routine before Sunday night’s kickoff between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, a game expected to draw about 67,000 people. Fans were told to leave camcorders, beach balls and other things behind. No vuvuzelas or other noisemakers.

The officials released the do-not-bring list to fans, knowing entry into the stadium beginning four and a half hours before kickoff could be slowed by the rigorous screening that will include X-rays and other inspections of bags officials cautioned should be no larger than a small purse.

Banned items include umbrellas, strollers, laser lights and pointers, along with coolers, bottles, cans and various electronic devices. Fans found with any of the items may return them to their vehicles or have them seized, authorities said.

Private aircraft, including blimps, also will be barred Sunday from flying near the stadium during the game.

Napolitano said some 8,000 workers and volunteers have undergone security training and 3,000 private security workers have been hired to complement thousands of Indianapolis police officers and firefighters that will be on overtime and at full staff on game day.

Vigorous security already has been evident for days around downtown Indianapolis, with bomb-sniffing dogs scrutinizing city buses. Napolitano said all cargo to the stadium was being checked for contraband or explosives.

Jeffrey Miller, the NFL’s security chief, and Napolitano asked everyone to be vigilant, touting an initiative launched last year during the Super Bowl in Dallas called, “If You See Something, Say Something.” That effort drew 110 texts from fans on game day about fan conduct and various, unspecified safety issues, Miller said.

“We have seen time and time again that the public itself is some of our best preventers,” Napolitano said.

Frank Straub, Indianapolis’ public-safety chief, said Motorola has helped quell issues with police radios since reports surfaced last week that officers in the Super Bowl Village — a fanfest area near the stadium — were unable to communicate with each other. Straub blamed part of the problem on “all kinds of interference out there” from electronic equipment used by various media outlets.

The problem “is kind of old news at this point,” Straub said.

Taking Big Steps For Your Health With The 2012 Fight For Air Stair Climb in Denver

cbsexaminer — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:42:18 -0600

Participants in the Fight for Air Climb (credit: CBS)

2012 Fight For Air Climb

Sunday, February 26, 2012
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fighting for air is a daily struggle for some and to commemorate this feat, the American Lung Association hosts the annual Fight For Air Climb. Hosted across the nation in notable skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, Colorado’s Fight For Air Climb makes for a tough assent in the Mile High City.

The 2012 Fight For Air Stair Climb is taking place at Republic Plaza and is the 7^th climb in Denver benefiting the American Lung Association in Colorado, or ALAC. Participants climb the 56 floors of Denver’s tallest building at Republic Plaza—a whopping 714 feet above the already lofty skyline. While friendly competition is encouraged, some climb for personal goals, team races or in honor of loved ones battling with lung disease.

The views in Denver are prize enough for climbers who reach the summit. However, games, food and activities will be provided in the lobby after the harrowing climb. Participants can register for the annual event for $35 and are required to make a minimum $65 pledge. Host to more than 2,000 climbers last year, the huffing and puffing was followed by smiles for the cause and a climb well done. This year’s goal is almost $480,000—a challenge in and of itself that the ALAC is eager to accomplish.

There are a few ways to participate in this annual climb. You can start a team, join a team, or join as an individual. You can even volunteer if you don’t have calves of steel, but still want to participate. A post-event celebration will be held on April 14, 2012.

Discount codes, the opportunity to give an additional gift and your fundraising goal quotes can be found on each of the online registration pages. Climb for a cause and bring awareness to asthma, second hand smoke, lung cancer and emphysema. In the Mile High City, the American Lung Association in Colorado is taking one step at a time. To join the climb, visit www.lungusa.org for more information.

Train for the 56-floor climb at these great Denver-area workout spots.

Hours: May – September: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. October – April: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Price: Free

With 69 rows of bench seating to scale and descend, Red Rocks Amphitheater is a prime location to train for a stair-climb. Not to mention that you are starting your climb at a whopping 6,400 feet above sea level.

Mon-Fri: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Price: Non-member guest fee is $20

Enhance your lung capacity while swimming in the Forza’s salt-water pool,or gain valuable climbing strength on their climbing wall. Forza also has stairs built to replicate the stairs at Red Rocks Amphitheater, for when going out and training in the cold weather is just not an option.

Hours: Mon & Wed: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tue & Thurs: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri: 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Closed Sun
Price: Day-pass $5; Click here for membership fees

A Denver Parks and Recreation rec center, the 20th Street Gym is an economical location for your fitness training. With three-month rates sometimes set under $30 for local residents, and yearly packages just shy of $200, the 20th Street Gym along with other Denver-area rec centers are a great bet for the frugal fitness buff.

Chad is an avid globetrotter and brings the best of travel secrets and expert insights to his readership. A Denver-based travel writer and photographer, Chad’s travels have taken him to five of the seven continents in a passionate love affair with the world of travel and the outdoors. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

Limon Residents Stuck In The Middle Of A Storm

jnmcrae — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:39:22 -0600

LIMON, Colo. (CBS4)- Limon is not so much buried by snow as consumed by it.

“It’s been horrible. Just going down the highway about 35 miles an hour I’m in a skid,” said trucker Terry Reeder.

Hundreds of truckers are stuck, trapped by the winter storm that is hitting the Eastern Plains as it blows east.

On Thursday the storm forced drivers off the road. Strong winds coupled with snow made for dicey travel plans.

Interstate 70 was closed Friday morning in both directions from Airpark Road to Limon and the westbound closure extended all the way to Burlington. I-70 eastbound reopened from Limon to Kansas Friday evening.

“I pulled in about 9:30, 10 o’clock last night. The roadways were pretty covered in snow. It was hard to travel,” said trucker Taz Talavera.

Limon is almost a ghost town with roads closed in nearly every direction.

If there is an emergency, ambulances could struggle to respond. Those emergency vehicles cover a 50-mile radius.

“It’s very hard for ambulances to travel over those kinds of roads,” said ambulance driver Kayla Jaquis. “They are not essentially equipped to run a foot of snow on the road so we always have the risk of getting stuck.”

“It is what it is. You can’t change Mother Nature so you just kind of roll with the punches,” said Talavera.