someone trying to commit credit card fraud. that is when they approached his car and when he was shot. aurora police are providing an investigation. the man accused of hitting and killing a cadet and injuring a state patrol trooper during a chase last may pleaded not guilty to charges against him today. christopher creepers was driving close to 90 miles an hour while trying to get away from police. they said he hit and killed a cadet and injured trooper rushing, he pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and attempted murder-- murder and attempted murder charges, he accelerator. if convicted he could face life in prison without parole. an east high student who sparked a gun scare last month was back at school today for a hearing to determine whether he was bile expelled.

he is attempted to rob another student holding a bb gun. the december 3 incident led to a massive police response. his attorney wants to return to class and graduate. hancock's office is looking for a pitch, and if you believe it, taxpayers won't pay. maya rodriguez explains who will pay. >> estimated 800 people in denver considered chronically homeless, on the streets for more than 3 years, in and out of jail, emergency rooms, and detox centers. >> this is a population that is a very heavy user of the criminal justice system. and the social safety net for some. >> that costs the city estimated $7 million a year. >> this population cost taxpayers a lot of money. >> now the mayor's administration says a new plan could help the city save the money. >> we will use investor funding.

bond program. it is not really a bond. here is how it works. the city would sign a 5-year contract with an investment group. that group will put up more than $8 million for denver to target 250 of the toughest homeless cases. if the homeless people in the program stay out of jail and more than 20% off the streets in permanent housing, investors see a return on their money. >> there won't be a cost to denver taxpayers because we will use the savings in the criminal justice system, fewer nights in jail, fewer days in detox, fewer emergency room visits. we will use that savings to repay investors. >> i think there are a lot of unanswered questions. >> during a committee meeting, flin expressed concerns about how the success of the program would be calculateed and monitored. >> i think it is essential that we have an independent evaluator, such as the city auditor taking a look at whether

say we are saving. >> supporters admit it is not perfect. >> this won't solve denver's homeless program. >> they say it would be a first of its kind in the country and a start for those who need it. maya rodriguez, 9 news. >> city council will vote on this later this month. next month kerry kennedy releases it, the former treasurer is thought to be a candidate for governor in 2018. k-9 units across colorado, including here, are evolving, training dogs to tackle more than bombs and drugs. jessica oh gives us a look and why the program is different from any other. >> amped up to be at work. >> alert, in control, when necessary, vicious. the dogs that make it on the police force with highly specialized, and training them

>> it is 40 hours a week we do training, every day we come to work it is what we do all shift long. >> police teach them to find exclusives or narcotics but the department... >> all are dual purpose. >> dogs spend extra months undergoing apprehension training, allowing them to be utilized in every-day situations. >> a force multiplying for the department and those work in the street. you can ask me, can i sniff out not a problem. you need me to help you track down a bad guy? absolutely. i can do that too. >> you trust me, jessica? >> the handler showed us in a scary way what the k-9s are typically taught to do when taking down a suspect. attack. aurora's k-9 unit is the only in the region that does not teach the tactic. trainers teach dog the bark and hold, k-9's alert where a suspect is without attacking.

scene. >> more than 50 people surrendered because of 2015 because a police dog was 5 ended with attacks. training may be a lot of work but police say the payoff is work it. >> it makes officers working, it makes their jobs safer. >> there are 7 k-9s on the aurora police department and in a few months all will complete dual training and the program continues to receive support from the community, residents raised money to purchase 6 bullet proofs for the department k-9's which cost $6,000. tonight, president obama plans a different approach for his final state of the union address, the president told his staff it is pointless to push new initiatives with congress and the nation so divided. the president will focus on the challenges facing americans, and "what we all need to do

nikki haley will give the republican response, nbc's coverage begins 7:00 on 9 news. john hickenlooper will give his state of the state address, we have already seen some public battling over state spending. republicans say the governor's budget relies on a sort of accountic gimmick that would violate the state constitution. hickenlooper and fellow democrats say it is legal. the governor wants to reclassify a fee paid by hospitals to get around the taxpayer bill of rights instead of cutting state programs or issuing bigger refunds to taxpayers. brandon rittiman asked about the political battle over his plan. >> the republicans will push back and say you are on a quest for revenue, shouldn't we be on a quest for modest spending? you are trying to bridge a philosophical gap, aren't you ? >> we have been more modest, look at-- compare us to our neighboring states, compare to

tennessee i think we are commonly compared to. look at their state spending compared to our state spending, we are as tight a budget as anybody, as anybody. >> that sounded like an invitation to a fact check. the tax policy center and kaiser family foundation track state spending per person. both list colorado in the lower half of states on spending but several neighboring states as well as tennessee do spend less per person than colorado's government does. doctors are seeing more cases of flu across the country. however, a relatively small amount of cases so far in colorado. 2 states are reporting widespread flu, maryland and north carolina and some states are actually seeing an increase in cases right now. colorado is seeing 52 flu patients hospitalized since the flu season began in october. that is low, especially if you compare it to last year's season where there were more than 500

this year influenza a is hitting most. they are along the front range. dr. john torres says there is time to get the flu shot if you haven't gotten one, get it now. the record powerball jackpot continues to grow, today it jumpd to $1.5 billion. lump sum pay out is $930 million. it is keeping gas stations and stores busy, especially christy's liquor store in dinosaur, colorado. the store is 2 miles from the utah border. utah doesn't sell them so thousands are crossing the border for their chance at a big pay day. the co-owner said he sold $48,000 in tickets between thursday and sunday, 22,000 tickets for a town of 339 people. >> a road trip. >> it is. high school students turned

competition and are looking for a bigger state. a hotel project breaks ground.

following years of delays and legal fights, construction on the gaylord rockies hotel and convention center began today. builders prepareed for the start of vertical construction on the massive $800 million resort. political fights, financial trouble delaying the project the past 5 years, developers hope to have it open by thanksgiving 2018. the full in 1 app, 5 students at rock canyon high school developed this homework planner app.

and will see where the product can go. it helps students manage school and organize their homework, one student explains why they chose project. >> you have-- something that we noticed around our school, rock canyon, we found a lot of people really wanted this sort of idea, something that they could have all of their school resources all together and something that would allow them to use it a little better than going to all these separate websites. >> the app is for parents and students. the students are now competing for the national award. if they win, they get $15,000 for the school stem program and help from mit developers to implement the app, for more how to vote, go to 9news.com. ruby hill rail yard opens as of today. skiers and snowboarders can enjoy it, this is video after the city started making snow

they are hoping to have ruby hill open, 5:00 to 11:00, they shut off the lights at 9:00. without saying a word, broncos mascot made a lot of children smiles, signing autographs, doling out high-five's. >> just a bronco fan, when he was sad, he was coming he got so excited and we haven't seen him smile all day. >> miles is a repeat visitors. some kids remember him from the last visit to the hospital. some children have been there that long, but encouraging to know that guy comes to share some smiles. >> he just doesn't walk in. >> no, makes an entrance. without question. 2 of the steelers biggest stars could be sitting the bench with injuries sunday against the broncos.

hello there, meteorologist yard. did you see it? if you missed it, the sunset was spectacular, color in the sky tonight, pink, purple, and orange.

many of you sharing pictures. we so appreciate that. we have had just a lovely day here, minus the wind along the front range. foothills mid 40s in the city. little above average. wind blustery in bertha pass, 285 is closed between fairplay and cunosia pass and right in the area there, because of icy conditions due to the winds, so do keep that in mind for the next couple hours. and as we check our current conditions, 28 at dia, wind s north at 6, but calm in the 9 back yard outside the studio, still 40 degrees. we are tracking a system that will bring a little snow later in the week but there is not a lot of snow for our state, we expect 7 inches, we are half that number but it could change. a weather system moving on shore on the pacific northwest prompted a high wind warning, the area in purple. winter weather advisory, the area in blue. nothing for colorado yet.

midwest and northeast with chill advisories in chicago and cincinnati and heavy snow in the northeast. high pressure bringing colorado and the southwest a beautiful day tomorrow. warmest day of the week with winds picking out of the southwest pushing temperatures above average and lower 50s but that cold air is lurking just to the north of us, the jet will bring arctic air into bismarck, indianapolis, and chicago with highs mid 20s and lower 30s. we have a weak front that comes in the afternoon, really more of a wind shift than anything else, more thursday into friday we have a chance for flurries, a second weather system coming in friday into saturday, and third sunday, kind of an active pattern but fast-moving systems that bring a little snow to the northern and central mountains and probably not enough for advisories. areas in and around gunnison will be 20-25 below. leadville, about - 7. 10 in frisco, 12 greeley, below 16 in pueblo, highs above average for january, enjoy, because we start a cooling trend after tomorrow.

and a little light snow to round out the week. in the denver metro area, fair skies, light winds in the city but gusty west of town. i expect them to decrease tonight. 21 to 45 low 50s by early afternoon but just for a short time and then we have changes. thursday, a few flurries are possible overnight into friday. no accumulation at this point but colder weather into the weekend. saturday, a few flurries for the broncos game with temperatures upper 30s when the guys take the field. hopefully they will come off the field with a big win, and a temperature of 26 degrees. hish everybody, pittsburgh steelers quarterback ben roethlisberger won't be much of a deep threat against the broncos sunday. he might not be able to reach the line of scrimmage. roethlisberger kinfirmed he suffered-- confirmed he had an ac spring and torn ligaments in

playoff victory over the bengals but he plans to play in denver this weekend. >> ben had the chance, we will manage him day to day and probably a partial participant and get run game ready to go and we will increase his activity as the week goes. >> so, who is your favorite rockies outfielder? him, yeah, he is good. and, might be traded real soon. that is true whether you said gonzalez, blackman, or dickerson. rock signed herardo to $27 million contract today, starting lineup money which can only mean wub of the other-- 1 of the other 3 will be dealt soon. arvada community helping a wrestler body slam an opponent. taylor explains. >> for someone trying to blake through the ceiling.

you give them to the opportunity. >> kohl rr is a runner and-- cole is a runner and wrestler. >> he practices, runs, sweats and bleeds with them. >> on the night of his first varsity match, the gym was maxed out. >> how does it make you feel tonight to wrestle in front of a packed house? >> i think, great. >> on this night, hundreds in the bulldog community met the needs of cole, who has down syndrome, to help him make a break through. >> philosophy of the athletic department has not to put the ceiling on any kid. we throw them right in. when they leave our building, they will get thrown into the world. >> it doesn't always mean winning. >> i will win, it is just for fun.

res. >> he made more funs? -- progress. are they good friends? >> yeah. >> yeah. >> his work on the floor will approaches. >> nice story, we are going to play drew's clues. clue number 1, he led alabama to a victory over clemson in the national football championship game last night. number 2, he hates the bass but tolerates it because grumpy coach is bad for recruiting and he likes having the best players. clue number 3, although they both pronounce their last names the same way, he and the weather lady at 9 news are not related. the answer is crimson tide head coach nick sabin. >> he is cool, right?

>> i don't like nick. ducky. his name is big al. i don't have a nick, but i brought big al out. >> that is probably okay. >> tonight. >> nice and clean.

oil below $30 a barrel, 72% drop from the 2014 high. tech and health care stocks to

kim and i are so excited about spring training, right around the corner. >> isn't exactly baseball weather. >> we might, not exactly baseball weather. little snow thursday into friday, few flurries sunday. is that a good forecast for the guys sunday? >> don't get too excited about spring training, might not be there.

the era has ended. >> david bowie's ex-wife in tears and new details about the terminal cancer bout. >> kept it secret. >> he's not with us no more. >> late night honors and growing