Editor’s note: Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com for the past week.
1. More information released on Colorado trail runner who choked mountain lion to death after attack
In a story of heroic proportions, a Colorado trail runner who was attacked from behind by a mountain lion ended up killing the beast with his bare hands. State wildlife officials said the man in his 30s pummeled the young cat with a rock, wrestled it to the ground and ultimately choked the animal to death with his hands, arms and feet. He then hiked to his car and drove himself to the hospital. Wildlife officers searched the trail where the runner told them his fight with the mountain lion took place, and found the dead mountain lion within feet of possessions the victim had asked officers to look for. The lion’s appearance and wounds matched the runner’s description completely
“He should never have to buy another beer in his life,” said Rebecca Ferrell, spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
2. Power outages across Summit County; elementary schools closed
Summit County experienced widespread power outages on Friday due to a major gas leak in the region, causing the elementary schools to close for the day and ski areas to delay openings and run on limited operations. The periodic outages effected about 17,600 customers in the Summit County area. Power was restored in the early afternoon.
3. Atop Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin opens highest restaurant in U.S.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area recently opened the highest restaurant in North America, il Rifugio. The European-style bistro at 12,456 feet elevation can only be reached via chairlifts so anyone who eats there will inevitably have to ski or ride back down to the base. The restaurant is open seven days a week and thee menu includes hearty meat and cheese charcuterie plates, signature soups, salads and flatbreads, along with espresso drinks and desserts.
4. I-70 in Glenwood Canyon closed ‘most of the day’ due to overnight rockslide
Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon was closed in both directions last week because of an overnight rockslide just west of Grizzly Creek. Vail resident Bob Dorf was feeling lucky after he walked away from a wreck in the same area with only a cut finger and a broken fingernail after plowing into a rock that had fallen from the canyon wall earlier. It turned out to be a preview of the early-morning rockslide that closed I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. CDOT crews worked at clearing the rockslide before sunup Tuesday, sending some boulders over the side and into the valley below where they could cause no more trouble. The rest were being handled with cranes by midday Tuesday.
5. Colorado releases new report on health effects of marijuana
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment recently released a new study: “Monitoring Health Concerns Related to Marijuana in Colorado: 2018.” The report, mandated every two years in the Colorado Revised Statutes, helps to provide insights into marijuana usage patterns among Coloradans, emerging research into the drug’s effects and data surrounding recorded health effects associated the substance. While the report revealed that usage rates among adults continue to rise, adolescent use remained steady. The report still notes serious concerns regarding marijuana in homes with children, and the data also suggests an education and age discrepancy between women using marijuana during pregnancy. As part of the report, the health effects of marijuana use were reviewed, noting the effects marijuana use can have on adults, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and adolescents.