• Midnight unions for gay couples as Colorado law takes effect

    Marc Piscotty / Getty Images

    Anthony Aragon (L) and David Westman, both of Denver, Colorado, become one of the first same-sex couples to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building on May 1, 2013 in Denver, Colo.

    By Alexandra Tilsley, The Associated Press

    The first gay couple granted a civil union in Colorado said their vows before hundreds of people early Wednesday morning at a downtown Denver municipal building, where eager couples and members of the public gathered to celebrate the first legal unions.

    Marc Piscotty / Getty Images

    Anna Simon of Denver, Colorado shows off the ticket that allowed her to be first in line to be issued a Civil Union license at the midnight ceremony.

    The new law legalizing civil unions took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and both Denver and Boulder began issuing licenses immediately. 

    Fran and Anna Simon were the first to receive a civil union certificate. Wearing the white wedding dresses they wore at their commitment ceremony seven years ago and joined by their five-year-old son Jeremy, Fran and Anna received their license from a clerk at 12:02 a.m., following an expectant countdown to midnight led by other couples. Minutes later they were joined in a ceremony officiated by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.  Continue reading...

    Marc Piscotty / Getty Images

    People queue for a chance to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building on May 1, 2013 in Denver, Colo.

    Marc Piscotty / Getty Images

    Anna (R) and Fran Simon, both of Denver, Colo., become the first same-sex couple to be issued a Civil Union license at the midnight ceremony.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Fran (L) and Anna Simon kiss just after midnight after being the first to get a civil union in a ceremony performed by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (R) in Denver May 1, 2013.

    Related:
    13 key moments in the Supreme Court argument over gay marriage

    Supreme Court likely to advance gay marriage but stop short of sweeping ruling

  • Spring baseball game uncovered from 8 inches of snow

    Jack Dempsey / AP

    New York Mets' Jonathon Niese throws in the snow before the start of a baseball doubleheader between the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies on April 16 in Denver.

    Jack Dempsey / AP

    Coors Field grounds crew and stadium employees shovel snow before the start of a baseball doubleheader between the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies on April 16 in Denver.

    By Pat Graham, AP Sports Writer

    Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort is among the grounds crew shoveling snow in the hope his team will squeeze in a doubleheader against the New York Mets on Tuesday.

    Nearly an hour before first pitch at 3:10 p.m. EDT, the crew had hauled off a majority of the eight inches of snow that covered the outfield grass. There were still mounds stacked up in front of the dugouts. Continue reading.

    Jack Dempsey / AP

    Dan O'Dowd, Executive Vice President, Chief Baseball Officer/General Manager and Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, right, survey the snow while shoveling before the start of a baseball doubleheader between the New York Mets and the Colorado Rockies on April 16 in Denver.

    Slideshow: Signs of Spring

    Stephanie Pilick / AP

    Warming weather and longer days bring out the first signs of Spring.

    Launch slideshow

     

  • The presidential debate stand-ins: Gonzales and Mohamed

    Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

    Dia Mohamed, right, a stand-in for President Barack Obama, and Zach Gonzales, a stand-in for Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, both students at the University of Denver, shake hands during the start of a rehearsal for the first presidential debate to be held at Magness Arena at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, October 2, 2012.

    Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

    Dia Mohamed, right, a stand-in for President Barack Obama, and Zach Gonzales, a stand-in for Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, both students at the University of Denver, participate in a rehearsal for the first presidential debate to be held at Magness Arena at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, October 2, 2012.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    University student Dia Mohamed (2nd L) is given a newspaper to read as he stands in for President Barack Obama during rehearsal for the first presidential debate in the Ritchie Center at the University of Denver, Oct. 2, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

    By Phaedra Singelis, NBC News

    Mitt Romney and Barack Obama will square off on Wednesday night for the first of three presidential debates. Today, their stand-ins, two students from the University of Denver, took the stage so the set could be tested before the big night. 

    Story: Weakness for both candidates heading into the debates

    Story: 40 percent say debates will be important

    Story: Romney plays down debate expectations

    Slideshow: On the campaign trail

    Reuters, Getty Images

    In the final push in the 2012 presidential election, candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama make their last appeals to voters.

    Launch slideshow

  • Denver teenager decides to undergo surgery to reduce her weight

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Jazmine Raygoza, 18, a teen bariatric surgery patient, grimaces in the hot sun in the backyard of her home in Denver, April 21, 2012. Jazmine weighed 219 lbs on this day.After trying multiple diets and exercise, Jazmine, 17, decided on the Lap-Band treatment with the encouragement of her mother, who recently had a gastric bypass herself.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Jazmine Raygoza, starts to wake up in the hands of anesthesiologist Andrea Grilli , back, as Surgical First Assistant Tony Covello finishes up Raygoza's gastric banding operation at Rose Medical Center in Denver, June 20, 2011.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Jazmine Raygoza works out at the Sound Mind and Body fitness center at John F. Kennedy high school in Denver. Raygoza started a workout club with friends at the school. She was 223 lbs on this day, Feb. 16, 2012.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Jazmine Raygoza dances at her high school prom with her friend Mario Garcia in Denver April 28, 2012.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    Jazmine Raygoza adjusts her cap before her high school graduation in Denver May 19, 2012.

    Rick Wilking / Reuters

    A combination picture shows Jazmine Raygoza posing in her backyard June 18, 2011, left, and again on Sept. 16, 2012 in Denver. Raygoza lost 87 pounds since having a lap-band placed on June 21, 2011.

     

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Sign up for the NBCNews.com Photos Newsletter

  • Jason Reed / Reuters

    This combination photo shows a worker preparing to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff, left, after lowering the flag, center, and the flag at half-staff on top of the White House on July 20, 2012 after a masked gunman killed 12 people at a midnight showing of the new "Batman" movie in a suburb of Denver.

    White House remembers aurora shooting victims

    .

  • Colorado wildfire continues to rage near Denver

    Joe Amon / The Denver Post

    A home completely burned during the Lower North Fork Wildfire near Denver Colo. on March 27.

    By Jon Sweeney, NBC News

    The Colorado wildfire raging in the foothills and canyons near Denver has killed two people, destroyed more than 23 homes, and has caused the evacuation of 900 residences. 

    The area of pines and grassland is mountainous and sparsely populated, dotted with hamlets and the occasional expensive home. It's about 25 miles southwest of Denver at an altitude that ranges from 7,000 to 8,200 feet.

    According to reports, the blaze could have been ignited by embers from a controlled-burn operation.

    Related Links:

    --Msnbc.com wire services contributed to this post.

    A wind-driven fire may force as many as 20,000 people to evacuate a mountain community 45 minutes outside of Denver. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.

    •Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

  • Occupy protesters march through downtown Denver

    By Robert Hood

    I’m deeply conflicted when I look at the Occupy protesters.

    The part of me that bought into “the system” all those years ago wants to tell the demonstrators to quiet down. It’s the part of me that feels justifiably selfish. It’s the part of me that’s been chipping away at a mortgage, saving for college, and trying to squirrel something away in my 401k. It’s the part of me that’s quick to anger when I hear people complain about having to go through the “difficult years.” I never say it, but I always think, “Yeah! We all go through those times. It will get better!” It’s also that hopeful part of me that still wants to believe that hard work creates opportunity, and opportunity eventually allows each of us to build a better life if we don’t give up.

    However, as the Occupy protests grow, I have to admit that some of what the demonstrators are saying is beginning to connect with another part of me. It’s the part of me that is scared about my kids’ futures. It’s the part of me that sees closed businesses in my town and foreclosed houses in my neighborhood. It’s the part of me that worries that America somehow slipped off the tracks during my watch.

    What do you think? Will Occupy Wall Street demonstrations bring significant political and economic change, or will things settle down once winter sets in?

    All photos by John Moore / Getty Images

    Protesters march through downtown Denver on Nov. 5, 2011. Hundreds of demonstrators marched in a peaceful protest, denouncing the Federal Reserve and urging customers to close their accounts with large banks and deposit their funds into local credit unions.

    (Left) Occupy protesters dance on an American flag, Nov. 5, 2011 in Denver, Colo.
    (Right) A restaurant patron watches Occupy protesters march by on Saturday.

    AP reports

    Protesters marched in cities across the United States on Saturday in support of Occupy Wall Street, with a focus on asking bank customers to move their money to credit unions.

    One of the biggest protests was in Denver, where about 1,500 people marched to a new site with police escort, denverpost.com reported. The move to Skyline Park was done so that the protest could not interfere with a larger Veterans Day march, the Post reported. Read more...

    Bank customers tired of mounting fees have organized a 'Bank Transfer Day' to pull out their money from major financial institutions. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.

    Related stories

  • Homeless veterans 'stand down' at VA event

    By Rich Shulman

    Photographer John Moore chose to document the struggles of American veterans by attending the annual Department of Veterans Affairs "Stand Down" event in Denver.  Moore's work is featured regularly in the blog; one recent post was "Iraq war veteran deals with effects of PTSD, brain trauma"

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. Army veteran and unemployed carpenter Steven Wise (R), receives a dental checkup at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado. A week ahead of Veterans Day, more than 500 homeless veterans were expected to attend the event, where they received free clothing, medical care, employment assistance and were able to see a judge to resolve legal issues, among other services. Organizers say the homeless veterans population has surged in recent years with the high national unemployment rate. Stand Down is a military term that means a temporary stop of offensive military action.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. military veterans stand in line to receive free services at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. military veterans stand in freezing temperatures to receive free clothing and medical care during a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. military veterans salute the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. Air Force veteran Steven Turachak checks his repaired glasses at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    A judge hears a homeless veteran's case at a makeshift Denver city and county court set up at a veterans "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless Iraq War veteran Patrick Dewitt waits in line to receive free services at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. Navy veteran Wayne Hamilton looks for his size while collecting free clothing at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Homeless U.S. military veterans eat a free lunch at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3 in Denver, Colorado.

     

  • Denver again hit by heavy snow - and it's heading east

    By Rich Shulman

    Here we go again. At least Colorado knows how to handle it.

    Full story.

    Mark Leffingwell / Reuters

    Gene Varra uses his snow blower to clear the sidewalks in his neighborhood and get some exercise after last night's snow storm in Louisville, Colorado November 2.

     

    Ed Andrieski / AP

    Molly Kobus and her dog Mowgli play in the snow in City Park in Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 2. As much as 11 inches of snow fell in areas of the state as a winter storm passed through the area.

    Mark Leffingwell / Reuters

    Jimmy Spindler (L) and Brian Hair cross the snow-covered pedestrian bridge over Foothills Parkway, as they look for a place to build a snowboard ramp, after last night's snow storm in Boulder, Colorado November 2.

    More than 1 million homes are still without power in the Northeast, while Colorado is expecting the second snowstorm in one week. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

  • Protesters, police clash in Denver

    AP reports:

    DENVER — The simmering tension near the Colorado Capitol escalated dramatically Saturday with more than a dozen arrests and authorities firing rounds of pellets filled with pepper spray at supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

    The clash came as Occupy Wall Street protesters and state officials in Tennessee squared off for a third consecutive night, even though a local judge has refused to jail demonstrators who have been arrested.

    In Denver, officers in riot gear moved late in the day into a park where protesters were attempting to establish an encampment, hauling off demonstrators just hours after a standoff at the Capitol steps degenerated into a fight that ended in a cloud of Mace and pepper spray.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Policemen in riot gear scuffle with protesters at the "Occupy Denver" camp on October 29 in Denver, Colorado. Following a march by protesters, police tried to tear down some newly-erected tents at the encampment and and a melee ensued.


    John Moore / Getty Images

    A protester's face is cleaned after he was pepper-sprayed by police at the "Occupy Denver" camp on October 29 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    A policeman in riot gear arrests a protester at the "Occupy Denver" camp on October 29, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Riot police face off with demonstrators at the "Occupy Denver" camp on October 29 in Denver, Colorado.

     

  • John Moore / Getty Images

    A man sits covered against the cold and snow at the "Occupy Denver" protest camp on October 26 in Denver, Colorado. Some 25 protesters slept at the camp overnight as a winter snow storm moved in, and several demonstrators have been taken to the hospital for hypothermia. Despite the severe weather, protesters have vowed to continue their demonstration, now more than a month old. The heavy snowstorm hit Denver and the Rockies' front range after record high temperatures in the 80's earlier in the week.

    Occupy Denver protesters endure season's first snow storm

    By Rich Shulman

    Pundits have been wondering what would happen to the Occupy Wall Street movement when the weather turned cold.

    Latest developments in the Occupy global protests.

    Previous PhotoBlog posts on the Occupy protests.

    Previous PhotoBlog post on the Colorado storm.

  • 87,000 without power after Colorado snowstorm

    By Jonathan Woods, msnbc.com

    Colorado got a harsh introduction to winter overnight as 10 inches of heavy, wet snow snapped limbs and knocked out power to 87,000 people.

    Snow falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour blanketed areas near Denver on the Front Range and Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service and Xcel Energy.

    V. Richard Haro / Fort Collins Coloradoan via AP

    Joe Reyes ducks under a tree that fell on his car follwing a snow storm in Fort Collins, Colo., on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011.

    Mark Fox / Summit Daily News via AP

    Snow continues to fall as Bevan Frost walks through Frisco, Colo., on his way to skiing backcountry on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Up to 2 feet of snow was forecast for parts of Colorado's mountains.

    Paul Aiken / The Daily Camera via AP

    Mitch Buthod of the Boulder Forestry Dept. clears large limbs in Boulder, Colo., on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

    Read more on the impacts of the storm in our full story. DenverPost.com also has a good slideshow of photos from the storm.

Older posts