Dan Daru
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Zero time Emmy award winner for Fox 31 News and Channel 2 News in Denver. My favorite libation? The one in my hand.
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Articles by Dan Daru
Endangered butterfly finding more places to call home
ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Butterflies may be free, unless you're a monarch butterfly, that is. The winged little creature is on the endangered species list, according to Vanessa Williams with the National Wildlife Federation. "Populations have declined and at this point now almost ninety percent since the 1990s, which is massive," Williams said. She said that it's due in part to changes in climate, habitat loss, and the use of pesticides.
Colorado trooper found career in law enforcement through hockey
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) — Of all the things that would inspire someone to enter law enforcement, hockey would seem to be a stretch. "I played travel hockey in my teenage years and that kind of sent me all over the state and the common thing I saw was the Colorado State Patrol on the roadways," Ashley Hokenstad said. There was just something about the way the CSP carried themselves, and Ashley Hokenstad wanted in. "I decided to go for it," Hokenstad said. That she did. It was CSP or bust.
Colorado trooper found career in law enforcement through hockey Original
(Cody White) Posted: Oct 30, 2026 / 04:36 PM MDT Updated: Oct 30, 2026 / 04:36 PM MDT CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) — Of all the things that would inspire someone to enter law enforcement, hockey would seem to be a stretch. “I played travel hockey in my teenage years and that kind of sent me all over the state and the common thing I saw was the Colorado State Patrol on the roadways,” Ashley Hokenstad said.
Endangered butterfly finding more places to call home Original
(National Wildlife Federation) Posted: Oct 30, 2026 / 04:11 PM MDT Updated: Oct 30, 2026 / 04:11 PM MDT ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Butterflies may be free, unless you’re a monarch butterfly, that is. The winged little creature is on the endangered species list, according to Vanessa Williams with the National Wildlife Federation. “Populations have declined and at this point now almost ninety percent since the 1990s, which is massive,” Williams said.
Douglas County tour through petrified forest transports you back millions of years Original
A chunk of petrified wood along the Petrified Forest tour at Cherokee Ranch in Douglas County (KDVR) Posted: Oct 23, 2026 / 10:33 AM MDT Updated: Oct 23, 2026 / 10:33 AM MDT SEDALIA (KDVR) — The Cherokee Ranch in Douglas County is abundant in history, both man-made and nature-made. Tour guides provide a guided hike in the forest, the petrified forest, that is.
Hidden gem campsites just a click away
PARK COUNTY (KDVR) — Looking for a campsite? Better look ahead and book one now for next year; that is... good luck. “Almost fifty percent of campers every year are reporting overcrowding. A lack of privacy or just a really hard time booking campsites," Micha Rosenoer from Hipcamp said. Let not your heart be troubled, gentle camper; help is only a click away. Welcome to Hipcamp.
”Hidden gem” campsites just a click away Original
Posted: Oct 15, 2026 / 06:43 PM MDT Updated: Oct 15, 2026 / 06:43 PM MDT PARK COUNTY (KDVR) — Looking for a campsite? Better look ahead and book one now for next year; that is… good luck. “Almost fifty percent of campers every year are reporting overcrowding. A lack of privacy or just a really hard time booking campsites,” Micha Rosenoer from Hipcamp said. Let not your heart be troubled, gentle camper; help is only a click away. Welcome to Hipcamp.
Horse rescue mission: save equine from the slaughterhouse Original
Terolyn Allen kissing one of her rescued horses in Elizabeth, Colorado. (KDVR) Posted: Oct 10, 2026 / 03:03 PM MDT Updated: Oct 10, 2026 / 03:04 PM MDT ELIZABETH, Colo. (KDVR) — Man’s best friend? Dog. A horse’s best friend? That could easily be Teri Allen. She founded the Terolyn Horse Rescue in Elizabeth. “We knew we had to step up and do something to help, so that’s how we got started with Terolyn Horse Rescue,” Allen said.
Plains Conservation Center conserving Colorado plains
(Cody White) Posted: Oct 1, 2026 / 03:09 PM MDT Updated: Oct 1, 2026 / 03:09 PM MDT AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) – From pavement to dirt to prairie in a matter of moments, all the way back in time. “The Plains Conservation Center was traditionally the ancestral homeland of the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Lakota and Kiowa people,” Fendi Despres, Plains Conservation Center natural resource specialist, said. It was homesteaded in the 1890s.
Hazmat duty keeps job interesting for Colorado State Patrol trooper Original
Posted: Sep 30, 2026 / 05:39 PM MDT Updated: Sep 30, 2026 / 05:50 PM MDT GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — Colorado State Patrol Master Sgt. Robert Madden told FOX31 that law enforcement was not his first choice for a career. “For years I had been attempting to get on with local fire departments,” Madden said. “I was unable to make it to the next level of testing. One day, I mentioned law enforcement and my wife was there.
Castle Rock family loses home, dog in fire
Posted: Sep 28, 2026 / 12:54 PM MDT Updated: Sep 28, 2026 / 12:54 PM MDT CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) – The Schuch family was looking forward to the holidays this year in their new home in Castle Rock. “It’s beautiful, it’s full of life and families and pride,” said Becca Schuch. Bill, Becca and 14-year-old son Bo were still unpacking boxes when a fire happened while the Schuchs were at Bo’s football game against Regis High School. The landlord called Bill.
Castle Rock family loses home, dog in fire
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) - The Schuch family was looking forward to the holidays this year in their new home in Castle Rock. “It’s beautiful, it’s full of life and families and pride," said Becca Schuch. Bill, Becca and 14-year-old son Bo were still unpacking boxes when a fire happened while the Schuchs were at Bo's football game against Regis High School.
A former Denver airport now offers a home to Colorado wildlife
Posted: Sep 24, 2026 / 05:14 PM MDT Updated: Sep 24, 2026 / 06:12 PM MDT DENVER (KDVR) — Back in the day, a different kind of bird flew at the Bluff Lake Nature Center. Nowadays, it is all natural. “Originally, it was an irrigation ditch in the 1880s, and then it was part of the Stapleton [International] Airport for many years, and in the 1990s, that’s when it was turned into the nature center,” said Rachel Hutchens, executive director for the Bluff Lake Nature Center.
A former Denver airport now offers a home to Colorado wildlife
DENVER (KDVR) -- Back in the day, a different kind of bird flew at the Bluff Lake Nature Center. Nowadays, it is all natural. “Originally, it was an irrigation ditch in the 1880s, and then it was part of the Stapleton [International] Airport for many years, and in the 1990s, that's when it was turned into the nature center," said Rachel Hutchens, executive director for the Bluff Lake Nature Center.
Mountain biking is all downhill for Denver firefighter and his son
Posted: Sep 19, 2026 / 05:14 PM MDT Updated: Sep 20, 2026 / 02:26 PM MDT IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Father-and-son mountain bikers Rick and Cruz Jaramillo love making memories on the mountain, and this week was no different, except this time, they went up in style. “We’ve always done a lot of this kind of cool stuff, and we’ve been dying to come up and check this out since we saw it open. Dying to get up and do some downhill. Man, it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Rick said. “I’m pumped,” added Cruz.
Mountain biking is all downhill for Denver firefighter and his son
Posted: Sep 19, 2026 / 05:14 PM MDT Updated: Sep 19, 2026 / 05:21 PM MDT IDAHO SPRINGS (KDVR) – Father-and-son mountain bikers Rick and Cruz Jaramillo love making memories on the mountain, and this week was no different, except this time, they went up in style. “We’ve always done a lot of this kind of cool stuff, and we’ve been dying to come up and check this out since we saw it open. Dying to get up and do some downhill. Man, it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Rick said. “I’m pumped,” added Cruz.
Veteran climbs Longs Peak with a little help from new friends
BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A U.S. Army veteran was about to climb Longs Peak by himself when a local veterans group heard about his plans and joined the mission. Paul Schwindler is comfortable in the outdoors and said he was born in the woods. “I’ve been in the woods since before I went to kindergarten. My mom used to put a whistle on me when I went out in the forest,” said Schwindler. As a young man, Schwindler spent some more time in the outdoors in the United States Army.
Veteran climbs Longs Peak with a little help from new friends
Posted: Sep 3, 2026 / 07:52 AM MDT Updated: Sep 3, 2026 / 07:54 AM MDT BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A U.S. Army veteran was about to climb Longs Peak by himself when a local veterans group heard about his plans and joined the mission. Paul Schwindler is comfortable in the outdoors and said he was born in the woods. “I’ve been in the woods since before I went to kindergarten. My mom used to put a whistle on me when I went out in the forest,” said Schwindler.
Veteran climbs Longs Peak with a little help from new friends
BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A U.S. Army veteran was about to climb Longs Peak by himself when a local veterans group heard about his plans and joined the mission. Paul Schwindler is comfortable in the outdoors and said he was born in the woods. Barry Morphew placed on house arrest after alleged Denver hit-and-run "I've been in the woods since before I went to kindergarten. My mom used to put a whistle on me when I went out in the forest," said Schwindler.
Officer of the Month: Police officer gets letter of thanks from recipient of traffic ticket Original
(KDVR) Posted: Sep 1, 2026 / 04:18 PM MDT Updated: Sep 1, 2026 / 04:18 PM MDT SHERIDAN, Colo. (KDVR) – 29-year-old Sheridan Police Officer Brian Ramirez was born in Puerto Rico, and his mom was a colonel in the United States Army. “She got stationed at Ft. Carson and retired there, so I kind of moved with her,” Ramirez said. Her service inspired him to be a police officer.
Munching goats help keep planes flying
Posted: Aug 28, 2026 / 08:29 AM MDT Updated: Aug 28, 2026 / 08:29 AM MDT CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KDVR) — The goat — it’s been a go-to for mankind for thousands of years. “For their milk, cheese and then obviously the meat as well to provide for people’s families,” said Jordan Sarazen, owner of Goat Bros. Turns out there is yet another use for the ground-munching mammal; it’s always munching ground. A full-grown goat can eat up to 4% of its body weight every day.
Neighborhood residents looking to save community garden by purchasing the land
Posted: Aug 23, 2026 / 10:00 AM MDT Updated: Aug 23, 2026 / 10:00 AM MDT DENVER (KDVR) – It’s lush, vibrant and green. But soon it could all be gone. For over 30 years, urban gardeners in the Baker neighborhood have been growing corn, flowers, fruits and vegetables. But the number one crop grown here—community. “It’s all about growing the produce and connecting to your neighbors and having a good time,” Denver Urban Gardens volunteer Ryan McCann said.
Neighborhood residents looking to save community garden by purchasing the land
Neighborhood residents looking to save community garden by purchasing the land Sun, August 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT DENVER (KDVR) - It's lush, vibrant and green. But soon it could all be gone. For over 30 years, urban gardeners in the Baker neighborhood have been growing corn, flowers, fruits and vegetables. But the number one crop grown here—community. "It's all about growing the produce and connecting to your neighbors and having a good time," Denver Urban Gardens volunteer Ryan McCann said.
Mighty Argo Cable Car: A lifting experience
Posted: Aug 13, 2026 / 09:07 PM MDT Updated: Aug 13, 2026 / 09:07 PM MDT IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) – In 2018, Mary Jane Loevlie got the idea over a glass of red wine. “I thought, ‘oh, it’s directly adjacent to my property to get up here, I wonder if we could build a gondola.’ That was the first idea. We started calling people; at first they said ‘that can’t be done, Mary Jane, you can’t do that,'” Mighty Argo Cable Car founder/owner Mary Jane Loevlie said.
Parker Police Officer feels at home in community
Parker Police Officer feels at home in community Sat, August 1, 2026 at 4:29 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Parker Police Officer feels at home in community PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) – If there was anybody born to serve the community, it's Parker Police Department School Resource Officer Michael Iranfar. "The best part of the job is just like today interacting with the community," Officer Iranfar said.
Parker Police Officer feels at home in community
Posted: Aug 1, 2026 / 10:29 AM MDT Updated: Aug 1, 2026 / 10:29 AM MDT PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) – If there was anybody born to serve the community, it’s Parker Police Department School Resource Officer Michael Iranfar. “The best part of the job is just like today interacting with the community,” Officer Iranfar said. When school is in officer Iranfar spends his days at Legend high school. In the summer he is where he loves to be, in the community.
Historic Colorado town synonymous with popular beer
Posted: Jul 27, 2026 / 02:26 PM MDT Updated: Jul 27, 2026 / 02:27 PM MDT GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — In 1873, a Prussian immigrant came to Golden, Colorado, not for the views, the people or even the gold. He came for the water, pure Rocky Mountain spring water. His name? Adolf Joseph Coors. “He was a serious man as most Germans tend to be when it comes to their business,” said Heidi Harris, Coors archivist.
Historic Colorado town synonymous with popular beer
Historic Colorado town synonymous with popular beer Mon, July 27, 2026 at 8:26 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — In 1873, a Prussian immigrant came to Golden, Colorado, not for the views, the people or even the gold. He came for the water, pure Rocky Mountain spring water. His name? Adolph Joseph Coors. "He was a serious man as most Germans tend to be when it comes to their business," said Heidi Harris, Coors archivist.
Face on the Barroom Floor a national attraction in Colorado
Posted: Jul 19, 2026 / 02:39 PM MDT Updated: Jul 19, 2026 / 02:39 PM MDT CENTRAL CITY, Colo. (KDVR) – The Teller house in Central City has been a destination location for tourists for many years, for the western history, the façade and the face. Founded in 1859 Central City was the home to nearly six thousand residents. The Teller House was opened in 1872. At the time it was the finest hotel in Colorado.
Face on the Barroom Floor a national attraction in Colorado
Posted: Jul 18, 2026 / 11:22 AM MDT Updated: Jul 18, 2026 / 11:35 AM MDT CENTRAL CITY, Colo. (KDVR) – The Teller house in Central City has been a destination location for tourists for many years, for the western history, the façade and the face. Founded in 1859 Central City was the home to nearly six thousand residents. The Teller House was opened in 1872. At the time it was the finest hotel in Colorado.
Castle in the forest draws thousands to its history
Posted: Jul 9, 2026 / 12:26 PM MDT Updated: Jul 9, 2026 / 12:26 PM MDT SEDALIA, Colo. (KDVR) — Charles and Alice Johnson came to Colorado in the late 1800s looking for gold. “I don’t think he was successful,” said Jan Abbott, Cherokee Castle tour guide. Not looking for gold, maybe, but the Johnsons were pretty shrewd when it came to buying land, which is now known as the famous Cherokee Castle and Ranch. They designed and built a romanticized version of a 1450s Scottish castle.
Experience the Wild West at Burlington’s living history museum
Old Town Burlington Museum in Burlington, Colorado. (Credit: KDVR) Posted: Jul 9, 2026 / 12:26 PM MDT Updated: Jul 9, 2026 / 12:26 PM MDT BURLINGTON, Colo. (KDVR) — Before the highways and skyways were moving folks out west, it was the train that led the way. Towns grew like weeds along the railroad tracks, like Burlington in 1888. The 38,000 folks who call Burlington home thought their history was worth preserving. In 1986, the town within a town opened its doors.
Edgewater Patrol Sergeant Brandon Challis: Support the Shield’s Officer of the Month Original
Posted: Jul 1, 2026 / 07:50 PM MDT Updated: Jul 1, 2026 / 07:51 PM MDT EDGEWATER (KDVR) – Patrol Sergeant Brandon Challis has been working the streets for the Edgewater Police Department for 14 years now, and loves it. “I didn’t want to go to a larger agency like Denver or anything like that because I wanted to be in a smaller agency where I wasn’t just viewed like a number,” Challis said. Edgewater sits on the west side of Sloan’s Lake, is about one square mile and is home to about 5,000 people.
Edgewater Patrol Sergeant Brandon Challis: Support the Shield’s Officer of the Month
Thu, July 2, 2026 at 1:50 AM UTC EDGEWATER (KDVR) – Patrol Sergeant Brandon Challis has been working the streets for the Edgewater Police Department for 14 years now, and loves it. "I didn't want to go to a larger agency like Denver or anything like that because I wanted to be in a smaller agency where I wasn't just viewed like a number," Challis said. Edgewater sits on the west side of Sloan's Lake, is about one square mile and is home to about 5,000 people.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife history released in book
(KDVR) Posted: Jun 18, 2026 / 10:02 AM MDT Updated: Jun 18, 2026 / 10:36 AM MDT AURORA (KDVR) — Every state park in Colorado has its own unique history, and now all that history is in one place. The history of Colorado state parks can be discovered in the new book, “At Home in Nature.” “You can read it cover to cover, or you can look at all the beautiful pictures in there,” said Margaret Taylor, a CPW program manager.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife history released in book
Dan Daru Thu, June 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM UTC 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. AURORA (KDVR) — Every state park in Colorado has its own unique history, and now all that history is in one place. The history of Colorado state parks can be discovered in the new book, "At Home in Nature." "You can read it cover to cover, or you can look at all the beautiful pictures in there," said Margaret Taylor, a CPW program manager.
The highest elevation rodeo in the country is in Colorado Original
Posted: Jun 12, 2026 / 04:57 PM MDT Updated: Jun 12, 2026 / 05:15 PM MDT ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) — Sitting right at 7,522 feet above sea level and sharing the limelight with elk and the Stanley Hotel is what folks around these parts call the Rooftop Rodeo. For 98 years, top cowboys and cowgirls have come to Estes Park, to the town once known as the horse capital of the country. Horse capital of the country? How did that happen?
Pinball playing police detective finds pleasure in the paddles Original
Posted: Jun 1, 2026 / 02:49 PM MDT Updated: Jun 1, 2026 / 02:49 PM MDT ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Brian Wonderly loves to play pinball; he’s been doing it for years. Wonderly is also a detective for the Arvada Police Department. “A friend of mine moved out here first in Arvada and was talking up the area, and so they were hiring,” said Wonderly. He got the job, and now he is a detective. “I kind of knew I would always end up as a detective.
This iconic western shirt was created by a historic Colorado family
Posted: May 28, 2026 / 02:43 PM MDT Updated: May 28, 2026 / 02:43 PM MDT DENVER (KDVR) — When three generations of Coloradans continue a western tradition, bucking the odds and staying in the saddle, well, they become a part of the state’s history. Rockmount Ranch Wear is a small, unassuming little shop sandwiched in on Wazee Street that perhaps time has overlooked. But its history is bursting at the seams. They were western before western was cool. It all began with a man named Jack A.
Rocky Mountain National Park a historic Colorado resource
Posted: May 18, 2026 / 10:09 AM MDT Updated: May 18, 2026 / 10:13 AM MDT ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) — It’s the largest national park in the state, and some say the most famous. But how and why did it start? “It’s an amazing place that’s been around for a lot of years,” said Kyle Patterson, Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman. Actually, it’s been around for darn near forever. But it’s been called the Rocky Mountain National Park since 1915.
Historic Colorado hotel caters to guests and ghosts
Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo. (Photo: KDVR) Posted: May 6, 2026 / 06:11 PM MDT Updated: May 6, 2026 / 06:17 PM MDT ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) — When American inventor Freelan Oscar visited the Estes Valley in 1903, he was amazed at how good he felt. He had tuberculosis, so he thought, why not just build a beautiful grand hotel? Freelan’s last name? Stanley. “They started in 1907 and completed in 1909.
Historic Colorado hotel caters to guests and ghosts
ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) — When American inventor Freelan Oscar visited the Estes Valley in 1903, he was amazed at how good he felt. He had tuberculosis, so he thought, why not just build a beautiful grand hotel? Freelan’s last name? Stanley. “They started in 1907 and completed in 1909. A year later, the lodge was built because the men weren’t allowed to stay inside the same hotel as single women and married couples,” said Christian Henny, general manager of The Stanley Hotel.
Colorado 150: Buffalo Bill Cody forever connected to state’s history Original
Posted: Apr 30, 2026 / 10:38 PM MDT Updated: Apr 30, 2026 / 10:38 PM MDT GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) – His name was Buffalo Bill, and he is forever connected to Colorado. “William Frederick Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, becomes famous for being a showman. He gets the name Buffalo Bill because he hunts bison for the Kansas Pacific Railroad to feed the railroad workers,” said Jacqui Conley from the Buffalo Bill Museum. Cody has been an American national figure since 1869.
Lone Tree police detective a ‘Jane of all trades’
Meagan Chapman is a detective with the Lone Tree Police Department. (KDVR) Posted: Apr 30, 2026 / 09:26 AM MDT Updated: Apr 30, 2026 / 09:26 AM MDT LONE TREE, Colo. (KDVR) — Meagan Chapman thought about becoming a police officer in her home town of Pueblo, Colorado. “What I wanted to do was to be involved in my community. Where I first became an officer was in Pueblo Colorado and being able to serve your hometown, your home community that is very rewarding,” Chapman said.
Four Mile Park: A stroll through Colorado history Original
Posted: Apr 17, 2026 / 08:42 PM MDT Updated: Apr 17, 2026 / 08:43 PM MDT DENVER (KDVR) — In 1859, the Brantner Brothers, Samuel and Joel, built their home as a base for their gold prospecting ventures in nearby Cherry Creek. “According to the Horse Creek Treaty, they (Branter Brothers) could not build here. They were supposed to just travel through and build elsewhere, but seeing the Cherry Creek they decided just to set up shop.
How Red Rocks became one of the most popular venues around the world Original
Posted: Apr 9, 2026 / 01:26 PM MDT Updated: Apr 9, 2026 / 05:53 PM MDT MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — Below the blue Colorado sky is a whole lot of red — Red Rocks Amphitheater, that is. The open-air venue is just about the perfect place to see and hear a show. One would think it is man-made, but it’s not, just man-enhanced.
250 million-year-old amphitheater ranked top venue in the world
Posted: Apr 9, 2026 / 01:26 PM MDT Updated: Apr 9, 2026 / 01:26 PM MDT MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — Below the blue Colorado sky is a whole lot of red — Red Rocks Amphitheater, that is. The open-air venue is just about the perfect place to see and hear a show. One would think it is man-made, but it’s not, just man-enhanced.
The Colorado town with a history of beer, brothels and bouillon
Posted: Apr 5, 2026 / 12:10 PM MDT Updated: Apr 5, 2026 / 12:31 PM MDT GOLDEN (KDVR) — You don’t have to know how to play five card draw to dive into the history of Golden Colorado. Just spend a little time with historian Chris Albrecht who owns Golden History Tours, he sure looks the part wearing the clothes of an 1800’s miner. “Golden really is living history. There are a lot of places still around town, a lot of buildings that are here from the time we were part of the gold rush,” said Albrecht.
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