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CO AG Weiser announces joining of California's lawsuit.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, in a press release yesterday, announced that he is joining attorneys general from 20 other states supporting California's request for a court to block President Donald Trump’s deployment of California's National Guard. The White House announced that Trump was deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles this week after clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit claims that Trump's deployment of the troops is "unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic". States involved in the lawsuit include Washington, Delaware, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin and Kansas.

CPW officials confirm new wolf pups born.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have confirmed yesterday that they have seen new wolf pups born this year after monitoring multiple den sites for the past several weeks. four den sites in all are being monitored. The number of new pups has not been made publicly available. No other details were made available yesterday about the new wolf pups. Female wolves give birth to four to six pups on average. The female then spends most of her time with the pups while her mate brings her food. Pups may start exploring outside the den a month or so after birth. Pups then will move with their mother out of the den a few months after birth, or in late June or July. After that, the pups start to travel with the adults. About half the pups born in the spring will make it into next year.

CSP announces sobriety checkpoints this month.

The Colorado State Patrol has announced that it will conduct a pair of sobriety checkpoints this month with the checkpoint locations chosen based on the history of DUI crashes and arrests. Troopers will be looking for signs that a driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, including certain prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs that the agency says could interfere with driving. Drivers caught driving impaired and placed under arrest can expect possible jail time, fines, DUI classes, fees and other expenses that can exceed $13,000. The two checkpoints will be as follows: in Alamosa County at 1315 17th street in Alamosa tomorrow, June 14th, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm. And, in Douglas County on E-470, toll plaza A, on June 20 and 21st, from 9pm to 2am.

Huerfano County Commissioners vote to approve non-sanctuary county resolution.

Huerfano County Commissioners this week voted unanimously to approve a resolution stating that it is not a sanctuary county. The resolution says that Huerfano County cannot afford sudden, unplanned and uninvited migration of any kind. Commissioners and county staff authored the new resolution after a news article listed Huerfano County as a sanctuary county. The resolution says that Huerfano County must prioritize its citizens first and foremost.

Human remains discovered near Trinidad lake identified.

Human remains that were discovered last month near Trinidad lake have been identified as Edward "Eddy" Santillanes. According to the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, Santillanes was reported missing on February 5th from his home near the lake. Hikers discovered his body in a wooded area on May 24th. Santillanes was last seen on County Road 20.8 on February 3rd. He left behind his phone and wallet. Foul play is not considered a factor in his death. No further information was made available.

June 12th 2025

CSP announces decrease in distracted driving in Colorado.

In the first five months of 2025, The Colorado State Patrol has responded to 1,161 crashes involving inattentive driving, a 19% decrease from the 1,432 crashes that took place during the same time period last year. Five months after implementing the new hands-free law in Colorado, preliminary data shows that traffic deaths are down 11% from this time last year. Since January, there have been 217 fatalities on Colorado roads. The data follows the trend of declining traffic fatalities observed in Colorado since a peak in 2022. Distracted driving remains the third leading cause of traffic crashes in Colorado. CDOT urges all drivers to acquire hands-free accessories such as dashboard mounts and car speakerphone systems to comply with the new law.

State of Colorado offering financial break for seniors and veterans in the state.

The State of Colorado is offering a financial break for seniors and veterans in the state by assisting qualified candidates in paying their property taxes. A property tax exemption is available for the following residents: senior citizens, veterans with a disability, surviving spouses of gold star veterans, and surviving spouses of senior citizens or veterans with a disability who were granted the exemption in the past. New this year are veterans who do not have a 100% disability, but who have been recognized as unemployable by veterans affairs are now eligible to apply. As long as the state budget allows, 50% of the first $200,000 of the property value is tax-exempt. In order to apply for the program, you must own your home. To apply for the program, go to dpt.colorado.gov. Under "exemptions", go to the "access senior citizens and veterans exemption information link, then fill out the application. Application deadline is July 1st.

SLV Board of County Commissioners met to discuss new jail.

The San Luis Valley Board of County Commissioners met to discuss the feasibility of building a jail to meet the needs of the entire valley on Monday morning. Only three counties have detention center currently, including Alamosa, Conejos and Rio Grande. the idea was born out of the need for Rio Grande County to upgrade its jail. Some resource sharing currently exists between Alamosa and Rio Grande counties and Rio Grande county takes in prisoners from Saguache and Mineral counties. Conejos has its own jail, and Costilla transports its prisoners to Archuleta county. The meeting ended with a plan for the sheriff's to get together to take a closer look at how resources can best and most efficiently be shared.

Former TSC wrestling coach wanted by Trinidad authorities.

John Lewis, 31, a former Trinidad State College men's and women's wrestling coach, is wanted by Trinidad authorities for allegedly tampering with a witness or victim, criminal extortion, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing alcohol to minors. Lewis is alleged to have invited a number of students to his home in Trinidad for a house- packing session on January 31st of this year. Lewis allegedly invited as many as 20 students ranging in age from 17 to 20 and offered to provide pizza, wings and drinks for their help. Marijuana was also allegedly provided. Lewis also allegedly reduced student's scholarship funds if they reported his inappropriate behavior or did not do what he wanted. Lewis took a coaching job in Missouri earlier this year, and is expected to be arrested there.

Alamosa Detention Center Inmate dies at Hospital.

A female inmate being held in the Alamosa County Detention Center died on June 5th. According to the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office, a female inmate from the Alamosa County Jail was transported to San Luis Valley Health on June 5th about 1:02pm, after reporting medical issues. Following arrival at the hospital, the woman suffered a critical medical event. Hospital staff immediately initiated life-saving measures, however, the woman was pronounced dead at 2:26pm. No further information was provided. The incident remains under investigation.

June 11th 2025

CO US Senator Bennet introduces lead exposure bill.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, along with Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia, has introduced a new bill to reduce exposure to lead in old water pipes. What is being called the flow act will help cities and public water utilities issue tax-exempt bonds to help pay for removing and replacing both public and private lead service lines. A 2024 statewide study showed that 23 Colorado cities have about 20,000 aging lead water delivery pipes that could taint drinking water. Bennet and Justice say that privately owned pipes serving residences have been slower to remove and replace lines than public utility lines due to the cost of replacing the lead service lines. The legislation is based on Denver water, a public utility that finances the removal of all public and private lead service lines within its service area by issuing tax-exempt bonds at no cost to its customers.

CO Gov Polis facing criticism over ICE directive.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is facing criticism for a directive he issued to state employees late last month that orders them to cooperate with an administrative subpoena from federal immigration authorities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (or ICE) is looking for personal information about Coloradans who had sponsored and agreed to care for undocumented immigrant children. A lawsuit filed last week accuses the Governor of violating state laws that are meant to protect the privacy of undocumented immigrants. State Senator Julie Gonzales, who sponsored the immigrant privacy bills that Polis signed, said the Governor had broken the trust of Colorado's civil servants and the immigrant community. Gonzales said she didn't know how Polis could continue to lead the state's Democratic Party or the state itself. Lawyers for Polis say he won't comply with the ICE subpoena until at least June 23rd. The lawsuit asks the judge to block Polis from forcing state employees to produce the information ICE has requested.

Pueblo County man airlifted to Hospital following ATV crash.

A 35-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries following an ATV crash in a remote location in Pueblo County yesterday. According to the Pueblo County sheriff's office, the crash took place on the southern end of the Pueblo Motorsports Park property, located between the City of Pueblo and Pueblo West. It took rescuers some time to reach the man due to the remote location where the crash occurred. Once rescuers reached him, they were able to transport him to a waiting helicopter. The man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The man was not identified.

CO State Land Board commission to consider ownership transfer.

This week, the Colorado State Land Board commission will consider a direct ownership transfer of 45,000 acres of state-owned public lands to the forest service and bureau of land management. The land surrounds the La Jara Reservoir in Conejos County. The U.S. Forest Service will acquire the western 21,800 acres while the Bureau of Land Management will acquire the eastern 21,700 acres. The remaining acreage will come under the control of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Altogether, the two federal agencies will pay Colorado $43.5 million to gain management of the public lands that lead into the La Jara Reservoir.

Pueblo man identified in burning car incident.

The man who was found dead in a burning car south of Pueblo on May 26th has been identified as 47-year-old Shawn John Solano of Pueblo. The Pueblo County Coroner made the announcement yesterday. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, a report was received on May 26th regarding a car fully engulfed in flames along the frontage road parallel to Interstate 25 near mile marker 92, just after 1am. The Pueblo Fire Department responded to and extinguished the fire, later finding a body inside the vehicle the CBI has taken over the investigation into Solano's death.

June 10th 2025

CO AG Weiser announces joining of lawsuit against ATF.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is joining 15 other states in suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives over its plans to redistribute thousands of seized machine gun conversion devices to communities across the United States. The ATF's plans involve forced reset triggers, which increase the firing rate of semiautomatic weapons, allowing them to function like machine guns. The multi-state litigation is aiming to prevent the redistribution. Weiser's office says that in recent years, machine gun conversion devices such as FRT's have often been used in violent crimes and mass shootings across the nation. Weiser is joining the Attorneys General of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

CO State Senate Minority Leader announces resignation.

Colorado State Senator Paul Lundeen announced yesterday that he is resigning from The Colorado Senate and from his position as Senate Minority Leader. Lundeen, who represented El Paso County, served seven sessions in the state legislature and has served as Minority Leader since 2022. He also served four sessions in the Colorado House and four years on the Colorado State Board of education. Lundeen's office says that he is resigning to "pursue new opportunities as leader of a national effort to promote personal freedom, economic opportunity and common-sense conservative values". Senate Republicans issued a statement saying they are "grateful for his many years of dedicated public service... We wish him well and are excited to see him succeed in his next endeavor". The Republican caucus will elect the next Minority Leader Thursday evening.

Las Animas County Emergency manager issues warning statement.

Following the cancellation of the Apogaea Festival last weekend near Trinidad, Las Animas County Emergency manger Joe Richards is warning the public about being drugged without knowing it. Several people attending the festival were "gifted" fentanyl and another noticed a capsule in their water bottle that tested positive for fentanyl. Richards says that in today's world, you need to know where you are, what you're doing and where your children are. Know where you put your water bottle, your wallet, your purse, because there are bad people out there and you just never know when they might take advantage of your inattention. Be aware of your situation, and when there's a problem, say something.

CDPHE announces more positive measles cases.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed two more measles cases, one in Colorado Springs and one in Aurora. The Colorado Springs case involves a child under 5 who recently traveled with family to Ontario, Canada, where there is an ongoing measles outbreak. The child had only had one dose of the MMR vaccine. The Aurora case involves an unvaccinated adult who was at Denver International Airport on May 13th. If you think you might be infected, monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days following your possible exposure.

US Fish and Wildlife Service announces planned burns.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service will burn slash piles of natural materials on the Alamosa, Baca and Monte Vista national wildlife refuges this summer in an effort to clean up woody debris left over from dead trees, fallen tree limbs and brush. The slash piles will be burned only as weather conditions allow. Burns will take place this month, during July, August and September. Limited smoke will be visible to local residents, towns and highways during the day and may last for a few days following burning operations. For more information, call 719-589-4021, extension 1008.

June 9th 2025

CO US Senator Hickenlooper calls for fired NWS & NOAA workers to be reinstated.

Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper on Friday demanded that the Trump administration "fully reinstate all fired employees" at the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hundreds of employees from the NWS and NOAA were laid off in late February to cut federal spending. The layoffs garnered backlash from leaders from around the country. The weather service is reportedly reinstating 126 positions for the upcoming storm season. Hickenlooper says, however, that the effort "falls short of what's needed to keep Colorado safe". As storm season begins for several states across the U.S. Hickenlooper and 14 other U.S. Senators wrote a letter to the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, demanding answers on how the staffing issues will impact states.

Trinidad Apogaea Festival cut short due to alleged drugging.

The Apogaea Festival that was set to be held June 4th through the 8th near Trinidad, was cut short due to an alleged non-consensual drugging that involved fentanyl. The festival, known as a Colorado burning man regional event, was expected to be a weekend full of art and music. Festival organizers say that two festival goers came to a department tent on Thursday Afternoon saying they had been gifted a substance that they tested positive for fentanyl. They say a volunteer notified the Apogaea Incident Command System, which in turn alerted The Las Animas County Emergency Coordinator. On Friday, a participant noticed an undissolved gelcap in their clear water bottle. The gelcap tested positive for fentanyl. Organizers say they worked with The Las Animas County Sheriff's Office to come to the decision to close the event. No suspects have been identified in connection with the incident.

CPW rangers respond to drowning at Lake Pueblo State Park.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers at Lake Pueblo State Park responded to a 911 call at 2:11pm Saturday. Reports indicate that a group of people were swimming and skiing in rock creek cove when one member, an adult male, jumped into the water because he was hot. The group soon saw the man floating unconscious and with the help of a nearby boater, pulled the man into the boat and began CPR before calling 911. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was not wearing a life jacket. The Pueblo County Coroner is investigating the official cause of death.

Rafting accident near Buena Vista claims one life Friday.

A rafting accident near Buena Vista on Friday claimed the life of one person. Rangers from the Arkansas headwaters recreation area responded to a call after two boaters in inflatable kayaks capsized on a trip down the Arkansas river. One kayaker was able to swim to shore while the other became unconscious. Bystanders pulled the victim to shore and began CPR around 3:15pm Friday. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the 35-year-old man was pronounced dead by The Chaffee County Coroner. Both kayakers had appropriate safety equipment, including dry suits, personal flotation devices and helmets.

Hiker resuced from Mt. Lindsey Thursday.

A hiker was rescued from Mt. Lindsey on Thursday after falling several hundred feet and sustaining injuries. According to Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue, the climber fell after a boulder gave way while the climber was ascending the northwest ridge approach of the peak near the summit of Mt. Lindsey. Due to weather conditions and the hiker's injuries, a helicopter was called in to extract the hiker. The helicopter team made contact with the climber about 1:20pm Thursday and was headed back to the Mt. Blanca helipad with the hiker by 1:40pm. The hiker was then taken to the Alamosa Hospital for treatment.

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