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The GazetteDecember 23, 2014 | updated 12 years ago
Colin Hower, from Maryland, makes a splash as he flies into the air after navigating the course at Monarch Mountain's annual Kayaks on Snow event on the final ski weekend of the season Saturday, April 12, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)
A gallery of the Gazette photo staff’s favorite photos of 2014.
Colin Hower, from Maryland, makes a splash as he flies into the air after navigating the course at Monarch Mountain’s annual Kayaks on Snow event on the final ski weekend of the season Saturday, April 12, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Broncos cornerback Tony Carter breaks up a pass intended for New England wide receiver Matthew Slater in the first quarter of the AFC Championship game Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Connor, 3, and Kylina Duckett, 6, smile in awe and touch the face of their dad, Dennis Duckett, during the homecoming ceremony for 149 Fort Carson Soldiers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at the Special Events Center on Fort Carson on Monday, October 20, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Mello Memories therapeutic miniature horse D’Lyte sports a pair of children’s sneakers before working with Amy Verkamp, 16, who has cerebral palsy, and her occupational therapist at the Black Forest based non-profit Wednesday, September 24, 2014. It’s always the oddities that make this job exciting. Each assignment provides a host of exuberant subjects, interesting places and crazy situations that make photos pop. But even when I heard that someone was going to put shoes on a miniature horse, I never expected that this is what they meant. But I never have a problem being wrong when it leads to a photo as great as this dressed up mare.Professional Bull Rider Luis Blanco hits the ground hard after falling off his bull Bad Grandma during the PBR tour stop at the Broadmoor World Arena Friday, May 2, 2014. The event will run through Sunday. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)A lunar eclipse dips down behind the Wheeler Town Clock in Manitou Springs, Colo. early Wednesday, October 8, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Katie Baylett, 9, grasps onto a folded flag as heavy snow falls after a Veterans Day memorial service for her father, retired Special Forces soldier Randall Baylett, 45, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Memorial Park Veterans Memorial. Baylett, who passed on Friday, November 7, retired from the Army after 22 years and multiple deployments including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Drum major Tristan Peterson of Rampart High School leads his band in a warm up before the Colorado Bandmasters Association State Championships 4A Finals at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, October 25, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette The best situations are often the ones that surprise me, the ones that trump my preconceived expectations and catch me off guard. It is finding a genuine moment outside of the sometimes panicked shooting to get something, anything and everything that is a true challenge. It is also the most rewarding. It was this light, this band’s formation and this drum major that surprised me. When that genuine moment presents itself, panic dissipates and I can relish the opportunity to work the situation as long as I’d like. (STACIE SCOTT)Members of the Air Force Academy Class of 2018 formed a giant pushup chain in an attempt Friday, July 11, 2014 to break the Guinness World Record for the largest chain push-up. Unoficially 918 Basic Cadets completed three pushups in the attempt. Guinness will examine photos and video to decide in coming months if the Basics broke the previous record of 138 people set in 2012. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Air Academy’s Keenan Kaltenbacher is the Gazette’s Peak Performer of the Year for boys tennis. Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)About 90 soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division returned from Afghanistan Tuesday, January 21, 2014 to a homecoming ceremony at Fort Carson after a seven month deployment. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)X Games competitor Heath Frisby flies off a jump on Tejon Street during a snowmobile demonstration at the Downtown Olympic Celebration Friday, February 7, 2014. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Michael Pfaff, 6, second from right, and Gabriel Pfaff, 3, right, watch as their parents, Spc. Jonathan Pfaff and Tara Pfaff kiss for a photo after Jonathan returned home from Afghanistan with about 150 soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at the Fort Carson Special Events Center. The 4th BCT is the last Fort Carson unit deployed in Afghanistan and will be completely out of theater by December of this year. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Paul Wilcheski retrieves his boots from the motor home he was staying in at the Lake George Cabins and RV Park Monday June 9, 2014. A tornado severely damaged six of the seven motor homes at the park Sunday morning including the one Wilcheski was staying in with two friends from Detroit, in the area for two weeks to fish. This is one of my favorite photos that I shot in Lake George in 2014. A tornado in the mountains of Colorado is a very rare occurance. Tow trucks had just righted this big camper, and the men who were staying in it while they fished in the area, were getting their possessions out of the rubble. I peaked through a hole at one end of the camper and captured this moment. Everyone in the park who had damage was doing their best to stay stoic but they were all stunned. One more example how Mother Nature can change the course of lives in a matter of seconds, and how people persevere. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Keith Zinko carries the ball down the field as other members of the Peak Polocrosse team chase him during practice at Remmington Ranch Saturday, June 21, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)AFA band performs for a group of people before the Air Force Academy and Nicholls State football game at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, August 30, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Workers on the roof of the raw water storage tank of the Southern Delivery System water treatment plant get in the last minutes of work on Monday July 14, 2014, before an afternoon thuderstorm sends them inside. The plant is located on Marksheffel Rd. between state highways 24 and 94 in eastern Colorado Springs. It will will treat raw water delivered via pipeline to Colorado Springs from Pueblo Reservoir. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Fountain-Fort Carson football player Drue Harris is this week’s Peak Performer. The running back helped propel the Trojans to a win in Friday’s home playoff game against Westminster by a score of 35-6 with 3 touchdowns. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Fort Carson Soldiers walk the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail passing through America the Beautiful Park on their way to the Marian House. More than 500 Fort Carson Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, marched from Dorchester Park to the Marian House to deliver clothing, canned goods and toys to families in need on Friday, December 12, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Vista Ridge track and field team members run sprints during practice Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at the D-49 high school. Monday was the first day of practice for high school spring sports in the area. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Air Academy players hold their trophy and celebrate their 2-0 win after the Air Academy and The Classical Academy Class 4A State Soccer Championship at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Amira Elboualaye, 3, stands on her father, Mohamad’s chest while playing in the Julie Penrose Fountain in America the Beautiful Park Monday, June 30, 2014. They were cooling off as the high temperatures hovered around ninety degrees in the area. The fountain is free and open to the public Daily, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be cooler temperatures in the region for the next two days with highs only in the mid-seventies. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)David Zwyer, 5, from Denver, looks up at a ceiling covered in icicles at the Breckenridge Ice Castle Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Builders created the castle out of nearly five million gallons of water that was frozen into icicles and hand-placed to create the structure. The Ice Castle is expected to stay open until late March. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Stormy Wing flies off the back of “Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack” in the championship round of the Professional Bull Riders Rumble in the Rockies Sunday, May 4, 2014. Renato Nunes of Brazil won the event that will return to the Broadmoor World Arena in 2015. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)A flock of hundreds of sandhill cranes fly in front of Blanca Peak as they head to the fields to sleep for the night Wednesday, March 5, 2014. More than 20,000 Rocky Mountain sandhill cranes make a two-month winter stop in the San Luis Valley during their migration North to Idaho and Canada. Monte Vista plans to celebrate the annual arrival of the four-foot tall guests with the 31st Monte Vista Crane Festival this weekend, which features tours, talks and activities. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)A slurry bomber makes a drop on the Eight Mile fire Friday, June 27, 2014. The fire, which has grown to 700 acres, is burning north of Canon City, Colo. After half a day of sitting a mile away from this fire, watching plane after plane and helicopter after helicopter drop water and retardant on the smoky hills north of Canon City, I decided I needed to try to get closer. To my surprise, a dirt road next to the hills on fire was open and mostly abandoned. It was surreal watching the planes move through their choreographed dance of spotting, dropping and refilling, with the sun slowly setting beside them. This plane was the biggest working this fire and the the blue sky, red retardant and black hills really stood out in stark contrast to each other, bringing a bit of beauty to the disaster. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Bareback rider Lane Morrow flies off his horse during the 74th Annual Pikes Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Penrose Events Center. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Mallori Rouse paints a mural on the side of The Mezzanine, a performance venue, located on 20 North Tejon Street, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. Rouse and her husband, Douglas Rouse, an internationally-known mural artist, work under the business name Rouse 66. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Sadie the Boston Terrier waits behind the yellow line to exit the bus with her owner, Cheryl Sagstetter, at a special bus training exercise for Go Team Therapy Dogs Saturday, March 29, 2014. Twenty-six therapy teams worked with Mountain Metropolitan Transit to help their dogs get accustomed to boarding, exiting and riding on the busses. Recently, the Go Team Therapy Dogs helped comfort victims and first responders from the Waldo and Black Forest fires. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Waldo Waldo 5K participants start their run along the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail at America the Beautiful Park on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Attendees of the All People’s Breakfast celebrate Martin Luther King Day with reflection and son at Colorado College’s Cornerstone Arts Center Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Veronica Morin, Manitou Springs high school swimmer, set two pool records (100 fly, 100 back) on Thursday. Dec. 15, 2014 Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Cody Carney, 8, is dragged a little after being thrown form a sheep during Mutton Bustin’ competition Saturday, July 12, 2014, at the Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. While there was great action in the big arena at the rodeo, this event held in a little tent in the parking lot was a blast to watch. I learned a new sports term, too, since the announcer kept using the term “Sheep Shock.” It’s a good description of the dazed look on a little kids face after falling off a sprinting sheep. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)John Stumbo is the last man up the Manitou Incline Monday morning, Aug. 18, 2014. The popular incline is under going repairs and will be closed until Dec. 1. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette. (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Lewis-Palmer senior Zach Mullins flys above the pool during a dive against Cheyenne Mountain at Monument Hill Country Club Thursday, April 24, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Brian Giulieri, right, celebrates after Colorado Avalanche right wing PA Parenteau scored the game tying goal in the final minutes of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to send it into overtime at the Pepsi Center Saturday, April 26, 2014. The Avalanche won the game 4-3. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Members of the Coronado and D-11 Robotics Team 2996, Cougars Gone Wired, cheer on their team at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology )Robotics Colorado Regional Competition at Denver University’s Magness Arena, Saturday, April 5, 2014. The team’s alliance ended the event in second place with local team, Rocky Mountain Robotics, composed of D-20 schools. Coronado will move on to The FIRST Championship April 23-26 in St. Louis, after winning the Utah Regional and Utah Chairman’s Award in March. This is one of my favorite photos of 2014. I love the expressions and the excitement of the kids cheering on their robot that was on the field winning a match. Robotic team members are quite often reserved, quiet and smart. It’s great to see them in a competitive element, cheering and basking in the energy. Take one team and multiply that by 50, it makes for one loud, proud group of FIRST students. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Cassandra Cantu shields her seven-week-old puppy “Kamala” from the snow as she walks with friends in the Bear Creek Dog Park Sunday, May 11, 2014. Snow is expected to continue in the Pikes region overnight Sunday. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Fountain-Fort Carson’s Jaysean Skrine, right, edges out Cherokee Trail’s Brandon Singleton by .02 seconds to win the 5A 4×200 meter relay with a time of 1:26.21. Students from across the state competed in the second day of events at the Colorado Track and Field State Championships at Jefferson County Stadium in Denver, Colo. Friday, May 16, 2014. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)A Fort Carson soldier waits in line to be checked out after picking out Christmas gifts for his children at a Christmas gift giveaway organized and funded by the non-profit Mountain Post Santa’s Workshop on Fort Carson Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. Charlotte Merriam, the volunteer-ran organization’s president, said she and others shopped all year during toy sales to accumulate enough toys, books and games for children of military families of Fort Carson that are in need during the holiday season. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Sand Creek running back Daniel Quin is pictured at Palmer Park on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Tourists travese the obstacles at the largest aerial adventure park west of the Mississippi at Captain Zipline’s Canyon Aerial Course Thursday, May 22, 2014. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)First graders from Rockrimmon Elementary School form a “bucket brigade” of mulch while volunteering Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the Flying W Ranch. 60 first graders from the school spread the mulch as part of post-fire watershed rehabilitation in an area burned during the Waldo Canyon Fire. Flying W Ranch Foundation executive director Aarom WInter said volunteers usually have to be 15 years old but he made an exception for the first graders. “Many of these kids were evacuated during the Waldo Canyon Fire so we wanted them to be here,” he said. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Peak performer Eric Hamer, cross country state champion from Palmer Ridge, is pictured at Bear Creek Regional Park on Monday, October 27, 2014. Photo gallery at gazettedev.gazette.com. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa ducks under a microphone cord as he avoids reporter’s questions on his way to speak to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Centennial Hall. A campaign is underway to recall Maketa, who has been accused of having sexual affairs with subordinates and removing oversight of the department’s budget. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Cupcakes from Mya Bella for the 2014 Dining Guide Cover. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)J.P. Thornsley, 12, carries the American flag in the barrel of his 20-gauge shotgun as he leads about 250 gun rights advocates in an open carry demonstration in the Westcliffe, Colo. Independence Day parade Friday, July 4, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Fountain-Fort Carson’s Rashawn Benford screams in pain as Gateway’s Deyaun Trueblood dislocates Benford’s shoulder during the 5A, 152 pound Colorado Wrestling State Championship finals Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Pepsi Center. Benford finished the match but lost the championship 9-3. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Fans hang over the railing as Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning signs autographs after the Summer Scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Friday, August 1, 2014. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Medals were presented to eleven members of the Colorado Springs Police Department for acts of valor at the 29th annual Medal of Valor Luncheon at the Broadmoor Monday Nov. 17, 2014. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)A teddy bear, placed on Pfc. Keith Williams’ boots by his mother, Debbie Tuttle, rests on the memorial display for Williams and Ssg. Benjamin Prange who were killed in Afghanistan when their vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device. Fort Carson held a memorial service for the fallen soldiers from the 1-12 Infantry Battalion Friday, August 15, 2014 at Provider Chapel. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Karen Fiori, from New Britain, Connecticut, wipes tears from her son’s face, Michael Fiori, a Lieutenant in the US Coast Guard, as they get emotional after honoring their husband and father, Deputy Chief David Fiori, before the 28th annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service at Memorial Park on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette I appreciated the intimacy of this vulnerable moment between a mother and son. It can be difficult to photograph and later approach people when they are grieving, however Karen and Michael Fiori seemed touched to share their emotions with me. I walked away from this memorial service feeling uplifted and grateful. (STACIE SCOTT)Air Academy junior Katie Rainsberger won the St. Vrain Invitational cross country meet last week in 18:01, 50 seconds better than the second-place finisher. She is this week’s Peak Performer. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette. (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Leona Rogers (left) and Stacey Nowlin show their marriage license after they were married at Pueblo County Courthouse at 215 W. 10th St. in Pueblo Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. The couple came to register their car and overheard the news they could legally marry, so they did. They have been together for four years. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)D.J. Michaels is the afternoon deejay at the new radio station Tailgate 98.5 FM. Michaels says the catch phrase is “party music for party people.” The studio is located at 5050 Edison Rd. Carol Lawrence, The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Jason Feld, food resource manager for Care and Share, helps unload donated pumpkins to a trailer parked at the Care and Share facility, 2605 Preamble Point Monday Nov. 3, 2014. The pumpkins will be given to Heritage Belle Farms in Calhan to feed their pigs. Drop-offs for the Pigs for Pumpkins recycle program will be accepting pumpkins, carved or not, through Nov. 9 at between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Children attending the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region Before and After School Program release balloons in honor of Martin Luther King Day Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. They also made peace signs and wrote down a dream they have about their own futures. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Children attending the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region Before and After School Program release balloons in honor of Martin Luther King Day Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. They also made peace signs and wrote down a dream they have about their own futures. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Veronica Morin, Manitou Springs’ high school swimmer, set two pool records (100 fly, 100 back) on Thursday. She’s this week’s Peak Performer. Dec. 15, 2014 Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Syndee Peterson helps a Fort Carson soldier shop for his three children at a Christmas gift giveaway organized and funded by the non-profit Mountain Post Santa’s Workshop on Fort Carson Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. Charlotte Merriam, the volunteer-ran organization’s president, said she and others shopped all year during toy sales to accumulate enough toys, books and games for children of military families of Fort Carson in need during the holiday season. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE)Madison Guerin, 11, a gymnast from High Country Gymnastics Academy, performs during the 4th Annual Chick-fil-A Patriots’ Festival at Mountain Shadows Park on Saturday, September 13, 2014. The festival serves as a patriotic display and recognition of local heroes and community members that have risen from the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fires devastation. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Edmond Ladouceur, an organist and choir director at the Air Force Academy for 28 years, practices on the refurbished organ, the largest in the city, at First United Methodist Church Wednesday, October 8, 2014 before his performance next Wednesday at 12 p.m. Starting Monday, October 13, the church is hosting organ performances all week long, ending with an Organ Re-dedication Service and Recital featuring the church’s principal organist Dr. Joseph Galema. (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Nicholls defensive back Josh Dewey tackles AFA running back Paco Solano as he scores a touch down during the Air Force Academy and Nicholls State football game at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, August 30, 2014. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Basic cadets Christopher Botica, left, from Romania and Carter Wilson from Michigan help their Cobra Squadron put up one of their tents in Jacks Valley Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Air Force Academy. More than 1,200 basic cadets led by their cadet cadre will spend eleven days doing various drills, and team building exercises. Carol Lawrence/The Gazette (CAROL LAWRENCE,THE GAZETTE)Sweden’s Jesper Tjader takes part in ski slopestyle training Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at Rosa Kutor Extreme Park. Olympic competition opens on the slopestyle course Thursday with the men’s and women’s snowboard slopestyle. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Fireworks explode over Fisht Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Cauldron Friday night, February 7, 2014, at the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Canada’s Sarah Reid on the track for her second qualifying run for Womens’ Skeleton Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Reid is in 8th place after Thursday’s two qualifying runs. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Olympic Champion Ted Ligety, left, leads a procession away from the podium area following the flower ceremony for the Men’s Giant Slalom Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. I’m still pinching myself because I can’t believe I was given the opportunity to cover my 8th Olympic Games on assignment for The Gazette. The Russians put on a great show and I was lucky to have a front row seat for a some great Olympic drama. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Children are surrounded but swirling papers during a tribute to Russian Literature during the Closing Ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games Sunday, February 23, 2014. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)US snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg is hoisted by Norway’s Staale Sandbech after Kotsenburg won the Gold Medal Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the first ever Olympic Snowboard Slopestyle competition. Kotsenburg’s medal is the first to be handed out at the Sochi Olympic Games. Sandbech took the Silver Medal. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Opening Ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games Friday, February 7, 2014. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Opening Ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games Friday, February 7, 2014. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Sweden’s Sven Thorgren vaults a giant Russian nesting doll on the snowboard slopestyle course, Thursday, February 6, 2014, on the opening day of competition at the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Slopestyle is one of several new sports seeing their debut at the Sochi Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Justine Dufour-Lapointe, right, and her sister, Chloe Dufour-Lapointe celebrate together after taking Gold and Silver respecively at the Olympic Ladies’ Moguls event Saturday, February 8, 2014t at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)USA’s Bode MIller takes a jump on the Olympic men’s downhill Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)USA’s Bradley Wilson exited the Olympic Men’s Moguls competition after this crash in the finals Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Teammate Patrick Deneen was the highest placing American, finishing 6th. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Iourl Podladtchikov of Switzerland, left, hugs his parents, Yurii and Valentina Podladtchikov after winning the Olympic Mens’ Snowboard Halfpipe competition Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic celebrates her Gold Medal finish in Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)USA Ice Dancers Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani during their Free Skate Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Russia’s Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soldviev during their Ice Dancing Free Skate Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Halfpipe skiers navigated snow, rain and fog during the Men’s Ski Halfpipe competition Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Canada’s Justin Dorey placed 12th. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)US Players Anne Schleper, left, and Michelle Picard react as Canada players celebrate their 3-2 win in overtime in the Gold Medal game Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)US players watch the Canadian flag raised above the US flag after Canada defeated the USA 3-2 in overtime in the Gold Medal game Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Mikaela Shiffrin from Eagle-Vail, Colorado, celebrates on the podium after winning the Gold Medal in the Ladies’ Slalom event Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Qualifying runs for the Four Man Bobsled event were held February 22, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)The USA-1 bobsled fell from third to fourth place on their second qualifying run for the Four Man Bobsled event Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)The USA-1 bosled team looks on as the Russia-1 team takes the podium as Gold Medalists in the Four Man Bobsled event Sunday, February 23, 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Games. The US team took the Bronze Medal. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)One of the first customers of recreational marijuana in El Paso County makes his choices at Maggie’s Farm in Manitou Springs. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Ballerinas watch while waiting to go onstage for The Nutcracker. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A very cool place to have a birthday party, in the hot tub in the outfield on the opening day of the Sky Sox baseball season. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Getting spruced up by Mom before the auction at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A skier trudges across a snowy field after a big Spring storm on top of Pikes Peak. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett) (JERILEE BENNETT)The top placers in the State Swimming Championships do a group selfie after their stand on the podium. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Cadets toss their hats as the Thunderbirds fly over the United States Air Force Academy graduation. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)The SWAT team practices their skills in a church parking lot in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A little downtown for swimmers and mascots at the State Swimming Championships in Ft. Collins. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A red and black balloon inflates during the Colorado Balloon Classic on Labor Day Weekend. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A woman at a home in Cascade finds her boots in a house that was flooded during torrential rains. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)The U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge rides through a roundabout in front of the Broadmoor Hotel. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A fire breathing parade participant thrills the crowds at the Emma Crawford Coffin Races parade the weekend before Halloween. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)An Emma Crawford coffin races fan watches the parade. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Residents of an apartment complex west of Memorial Park run outside to see a balloon flying over during the Colorado Balloon Classic on Labor Day Weekend. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Friends of two Senior Palmer Ridge students mourn at the side of the road where they lost their lives. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Long lines of hockey fans waited to pose with the Stanley Cup. A fan is reflected in the cup when she gives a kiss to the legendary trophy. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)The last wave of balloons inflate for flight at the Colorado Balloon Classic on Labor Day Weekend. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)A child looks up in wonder at the lighting of the Trees of Life at the Pioneers Museum. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)The students at the Colorado School for The Deaf and The Blind had a balloon launch in honor of their 140th anniversary. A vision-impaired student studies his balloon by feel before launching it. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)An orangutan at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is happy to take his medicine from one of the zookeepers. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Quail Lake and other area lakes are routinely stocked with trout. An officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife releases the fish from his truck in the Spring. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Broncos fans take to the streets after winning the AFC championship and heading to the Super Bowl (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Broncos running back Montee Ball dives for the end zone during a game against the Indianapolis Colts. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Broncos Chris Clark exits the field as confetti for the Seahawks falls on the field after losing the Super Bowl. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)Stars appear to swirl in the sky in this three-hour-long multiple exposure at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park near Calhan, Colorado October 22, 2014. With the camera on a tripod, a total of 24 exposures, each 8 minutes long, were taken over a three hour period on a clear, moonless night. The photos were then combined into one image. During some of the exposures a household flashlight was used to “paint” the rock formations with light. As the earth rotates, Polaris, the North Star, remains fixed in place as other stars appear to spin around it. Each individual exposure was ISO 250, f5.6 for 8 minutes. The El Paso County park that contains the Paint Mines is open daily and is free and open to the public. It offers unique, fragile formations and gulches in various hues of clay. See Thursday’s Out There section for a list of several things to do outdoors this weekend when temperatures are expected to be near 80 degrees. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Colten Moore competes in the snowmobile freestyle finals Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014 during the first day of the X Games Aspen 2014 at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo. Moore and his brother, Caleb Moore, both crashed in the event last year. Caleb died a week later from his injuries. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK)Snowboarder Kaitlyn Farrington takes a photo with fans after her second run during the women’s snowboard superpipe Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, during the third day of the X Games Aspen 2014 at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen. Farrington took the bronze. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK)Former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath leaves the field after tossing the coin in the coin toss between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, before the start of Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Seattle defeated Denver 43-8 Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014,to win Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Juliann Doessel plays the part of Classy Lassie Sunday, April 13, 2014, during the Eenie Weenie Bikinis Contest at Copper Mountain as part of the resort’s Sunsation celebration. Sunsation continues next weekend April 19-20 and features a 5k color run on Saturday and an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Children sprint toward the hidden eggs Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the start of Chapel of Our Savior Episcopal Church’s annual Easter egg hunt at the Colorado Springs church. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)(The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)An Air Force Academy glider performs in the sky above the crowd Tuesday, May 27, 2014, during the class of 2014’s Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy’s Stillman Parade Field. The 2014 Graduation Commencement ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Falcon Stadium with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden giving the graduation address. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Broncos safety Mike Adams, center, and his teammates celebrate with the AFC Championship trophy after defeating the Patriots 26-16 Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK)Pueblo South’s Chase Federico reacts after putting past the cup on the 14th green Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, during the Southern 4A Regional golf tournament at Eisenhower Golf Course on the Air Force Academy. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Fifth-grader Benicio Rocha carries a soldier’s backback Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, during a walk-a-thon at Howbert Elementary School in Colorado Springs. The walk-a-thon, sponsored by the school’s PTA, was a community event to raise money for the school and to raise awareness of childhood obesity. Soldiers from Fort Carson walked with the students, parents and staff while cheerleaders from Coronado and Colorado Springs firefighters from station three cheered them on. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Scotty James scores an 87.50 to place third in the men’s snowboarding superpipe competition Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Dew Tour Mountain Championships in Breckenridge, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Pine Creek linebacker JoJo Domann dives into the end zone to score on a fumble recovery at the end of the second quarter against Longmont in the 4A State Football Championship Saturday, Nov. 28, 2014, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. The Eagles led 31-0 at half. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)A kayaker sails over a waterfall on the Oh Be Joyful Creek outside Crested Butte Sunday, June 8, 2014, as heavy snowmelt has the creek flowing near capacity. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force football team runs onto the field before the start of the Falcons’ game against Boise State Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at Falcon Stadium on the Air Force Academy, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Burke surprises his five daughters Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Old Chicago on Powers Blvd. after coming home three month early from his deployment in Bahrain. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Spc. Melissa Evalle, left, and Spc. Gabriel Torres battle the wind and dirt as a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk flies lower so they can attach a load of supplies to the bird Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, during training down range at Fort Carson. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Tracy Thelen rides to a victory in the women’s race Wednesday, June 18, 2014, during the second race of the Ascent Cycling Series at Bear Creek Regional Park. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)A helicopter drops a load of soil Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, as repairs continue on the Manitou Springs Incline. The popular trail was closed in August for repairs and is expected to be reopen in late November or December. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Brandon Oliver, 18, of Colorado Springs cools off with a jump into one of the ponds in Red Rocks Canyon Open Space Tuesday, July 22, 2014. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Tubers float the Yampa River into Steamboat Springs Thursday, July 31, 2014. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Ofri Peleg, 8, hits the tetherball while playing with Amir Bachar, 9, left, and Ben MeiDin, 8, Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at the JCC Ranch Camp for Jewish children in Elbert, Colo. Peleg and Bachar live in Israel while MeiDin was born in Israel and lives in the United States. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Amanda Neufeld, second from left, teaches a wall yoga class to Kelly Obeginski, left, Tammy Pierce and Jeremy Pierce Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at the Yoga Studio Satya in Colorado Springs. Nuefeld opened her studio near Woodman and North Academy Blvd. in April. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The breakaway lead by Laurent Didier of Trek Factory Racing races through Garden of the Gods on the first lap Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, during stage 4 of the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Lily Curtis, 7, left, and her sister Laurel Curtis, 5, check out books in the little library outside the home of their neighbors, Jesse and Frank Djonbalaj Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Republican challenger Bob Beauprez, left, modiator Don Ward of KKTV and Gov. John Hickelooper watch the coin toss Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, before the fifth Gubernatorial debate in the Gallogly Events Center on the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Beauprez won the coin toss as the quarter landed heads up. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)
