September 28th 2026
Second lawsuit filed against San Isabel Electric.
A second lawsuit has been filed against San Isabel Electric, alleging that the company's
failures caused The Aspen Acres Fire. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in Pueblo
County District Court with 7 residents of Rye and Beulah as plaintiffs, claims that the fire
began under two different ignition points on each side of Colorado 165 on the morning of
June 29th, when trees or other vegetation fell on San Isabel's energized power lines "from
areas where vegetation had not been adequately maintained" by the company. The suit
also alleges that the fire investigators later found evidence of electrical arcing near one
area of origin of the fire west of Highway 165. The lawsuit says San Isabel Electric
"failed to properly maintain and safely operate its power lines and equipment" despite
knowing that red flag warnings had been issued for The Wet Mountains and did not heed
the forecast or take appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of fire that left scorched and
smoldering homes and forests in its wake. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for
both economic and non-economic damages, caused by the blaze, including destruction of
property, loss of business income and crops, and bodily injury.
Latest collard gray wolf activity map shows activity staying on western slope.
The latest collard gray wolf activity map issued last week shows that wolves have largely
been staying on the western slope for the past month. That in contrast to a year ago when
collared wolves were tracked as far east as Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park
counties, and were in the western part of The San Luis Valley. Colorado Parks and
Wildlife has reported 32 wolves in the state as of March 31st. However, since that time,
six wolves have died with five being killed by CPW for depredation incidents, with
wolves killing nearly five dozen livestock this year. Ranchers say that some wolves are
also believed to be hunting in packs, with one pack killing a bull in Pitkin County in
August.
Alamosa County Treasurer offering to assist property owners facing tax lien sale.
Alamosa County Treasurer and Public Trustee Amy Mckinley is urging property owners
who are facing a tax lien sale, treasurer's deed process or foreclosure, to contact her
office before responding to individuals or companies offering to "help" or "solve" or
"take over" their property. Mckinley says such solicitations often target people under
financial or legal stress, even pressuring them to transfer ownership of the property.
Mckinley says her office has access to official records and can explain timelines,
requirements and available options at no cost.
CPW searched for missing person at Lake Pueblo State Park yesterday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials took to the water yesterday evening to search for a
missing person at Lake Pueblo State Park. According to CPW, a call came in regarding
an incident involving a single boat about 5:30pm yesterday. CPW responded, along with
Pueblo County Sheriff's Deputies, Pueblo West Firefighters and the marine evidence
recovery team. CPW said they were on the water with a sonar-equipped patrol boat
searching in the area of peck creek on the west-central part of the park. No further
information on the search was available last night.
USDA joined Monte Vista officials last week in ceremonial check presentation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced last week a total of
$46,414,000 in federal funding for improvements to The Monte Vista Wastewater
Treatment System. USDA Rural Development representatives joined City of
Monte Vista officials on Wednesday for a ceremonial check presentation to recognize the federal
investment.
September 25th 2026
CO Gov Polis announced CO selected for US DOE investment yesterday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced yesterday that Colorado has been selected for
a $250 million investment from The U.S. Department of Energy to help strengthen the
electrical connection between Colorado and Texas. According to the governor's office,
the Colorado energy office, along with Xcel Energy Services, Inc., will work on the
project that will link the western and eastern grids to help meet a growing demand in
electricity and expand lower-cost power. Xcel energy will match 80% of the $250
million from DOE. Officials say the Colorado connection will move from Lamar to the
May Valley Substation. The project, called the Colorado-to-Texas Western-Eastern
Intertie modernization initiative, will allow electricity to move between the nation's
larger power grids. The Governor's Office says the funding is part of the project's total
$1.2 billion cost.
New data center project near Hooper required to have decommissioning agreement.
Following their approval of a special use permit for Strata Inc. to construct a container-
based AI data center near the community of Hooper, Alamosa County Commissioners
took the unusual step of requiring a decommissioning agreement before the issuance of
the special use permit. A decommissioning agreement is a normal part of more extensive
1041 projects, but isn't usually required in special use permit applications, according to
County Attorney Jason Kelly. The agreement typically requires a secured bond letter of
credit that the applicant has to put up and keep in place for the life of the project.
Simultaneously, commissioners' decision to approve the data center has created dissent
across Alamosa and The San Luis Valley as Americans begin to push back against the AI
revolution and explosion of data centers.
CPW volunteers extra active with bear encounters at a record pace this year.
With bear encounters at a record pace this year across Colorado, including a recent break
in of a home near Trinidad where 4 bears decided to make themselves at home,
volunteers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife are extra active, hoping to prevent situations
where people get hurt or where bears end up being euthanized. The program is called
bearwise, which is similar to the neighborhood watch concept. If everyone knows a bear
is nearby, neighbors can rally to deter it. Individually, make sure your trash is stored
where a bear cannot see or smell it, and keep the first-floor windows at your home shut
and locked, and outside doors closed. If you do spot a bear, report it to CPW.
BHE grants safety grants to local Colorado fire departments.
Black Hills Energy has granted more than $33,000 in safety grants to local fire
department in Colorado to help professional and volunteer fire departments purchase
essential equipment and supplies. Colorado grant recipients include the following fire
protection districts: Tallahassee, Victor, Florence, Rocky Ford, West Park, Cheraw,
Cripple Creek, Fowler, Manzanola, Ordway, Haxtun, Norwood, Pagosa and Peyton. 72
grants were awarded in all across Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South
Dakota and Wyoming, totaling more than $165,000.
Longest DUI enforcement period of the year began yesterday.
The longest DUI enforcement period of the year began yesterday. The heat is on fall
festivals DUI enforcement period runs through October 21st. During this time, drivers
may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers
on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers and keeping Colorado's roads safe. Last
year, 1,427 arrests took pace during the month of October, and 88 traffic fatalities
involving impairment occurred during the fall festivals enforcement period. So far in
2026, 9,322 DUI arrests have occurred in Colorado. Colorado counties with the highest
rates of DUI arrests are Lake, Clear Creek and Montezuma counties.
September 24th 2026
US Rep Boebert denying claims she had affairs with staff members.
U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert is denying claims that she had affairs with multiple
members of her congressional staff in violation of house rules and arranged for a
$200,000 payment to keep a former staff member quiet. A complaint filed last week,
David Wheeler, who runs North Carolina-based american muckrackers pac, called for an
investigation into what he alleged were lengthy relationships between Boebert and three
of her staff members. In a written statement, Boebert says "I have never had a sexual
relationship or an inappropriate romantic relationship with any member of my staff - past
or present." Calling Wheeler's allegations "ridiculous, reckless and politically
motivated", Boebert insists the complaint fails to satisfy the ethics panel's rules.
After previous denial FEMA awards pre disaster mitigation grant to Colorado.
After The Federal Emergency Management Administration denied portions of Colorado’s
disaster declaration request for victims of The Aspen Acres Fire, FEMA has now
awarded Colorado $10.5 million in pre-disaster mitigation grants. The grants, announced
yesterday, come less than a week after portions of Colorado's disaster declaration request
were denied, and will deliver more than $8.6 million to Greeley for the gold hill pipeline
project, more than a million dollars to Jefferson County Parks and Conservation for
roadway wildfire hazard mitigation and more than $869,000 to The Mesa County Public
Works Division for The Douglas Wash Detention Basin Project. Officials said that most
of the projects awarded grants "focus on improving infrastructure to reduce flood risk,
while others address hazards such as earthquakes and wildfires". Colorado can still
appeal the denial decision for The Aspen Acres Fire.
City of Alamosa announced to arrest of people connected to drug organization yesterday.
The City of Alamosa yesterday announced the arrests of 13 people who were allegedly
connected to a drug organization. According to Alamosa Police, officers, along with The
Colorado Bureau of Investigation worked on a cross-jurisdictional drug organization
investigation involving people from Alamosa, Sanford, Antonito and Bountiful. In all, 10
search warrants were executed leading to the seizure of illegal narcotics along with items
used in the distribution and possession of narcotics. Arrested were: James Sanchez Sr 63
of Bountiful, Melissa Trujillo 57 of Sanford, James Sanchez Jr 38 of Sanford, Devon
Cooper 29 of Alamosa County, Heather Martinez 31 of Alamosa County, Jennifer
Chacon 54 of Alamosa County, Dale Gonzales 61 of Alamosa, Michelle Medina 50 of
Antonito, Rosa Trujillo 34 of Antonito, Jessica Arellano 32 of Antonito, Ronnie Lee
Romero 60 of Antonito, Michael Archuleta 35 of Antonito and Gerald Bagwell 30 of
Bountiful. Charges range across The Colorado Organized Crime Control Act.
Work underway to clean up old facility in Walsenburg.
Work is underway to clean up the old hospital and nursing home facility located at the
corner of 7th and Albert in Walsenburg, thanks to a U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency grant. The site includes the remains of the former hospital/antique mall and an
abandoned residents. Both buildings were damaged by multiple fires and now contain
burned debris and asbestos-containing material. The cleanup work is expected to cost
around $500,000, mote than the city and county could afford, so the EPA grant was
sought. Work on the cleanup is expected to continue through October.
City of Monte Vista announces temporary water outages to take place.
The City of Monte Vista has announced that its public works department will be
replacing water main valves, which will require temporary water outages in several areas.
The first outage will take place on Tuesday, September 29th, from 8am to 5pm and will
affect Prospect and Morris West to Pintada view. The second outage will take place on
Wednesday, September 30th, from 8am to 5pm affect 1st and Davis, 2nd and Davis, West
Dunham from Prospect to 3rd, and Morris from Prospect to 3rd. Water will be restored as
soon as possible. Residents in affected areas should plan to have enough water available
to meet their needs for the day.
September 23rd 2026
Campaign finance complaint filed against two CO Ballot measures.
A Campaign finance complaint has been filed against supporters of two ballot measures
dealing with transgender issues alleging the supporters failed to report the petition
circulation work performed by a firm, including payments or in-kind contributions, for
gathering signatures. Both measures have qualified for the November ballot. The
complaint was filed on September 11th against "protect kids colorado" and "protect our
children". The two propositions are 134, which would require school districts to limit
who can join each team based on biological characteristics, and 135, which would ban
healthcare professionals from providing surgery to alter biological sex characteristics for
any one under the age of 18. The complaint says that protect kids Colorado filed
campaign finance reports, but never showed who it paid for collecting signatures. No
such charges appear on reports for protect our children either. Organizers are reportedly
cooperating with The Secretary of State's office and are awaiting instruction on how to
resolve the issue.
Gov Polis announced hackers breached to small water utilities.
Governor Jared Polis' office announced yesterday that foreign hackers breached two
small Colorado water utilities last month, altering pumping cycles and disabling alarms.
As far as the governor's office knows, treatment processes and water quality were not
impacted. The Governor's Office did not identify which two water utilities were
impacted other than to say the breach involved two "small, private providers" that serve
fewer than 200 people. The incidents were brief and providers took quick action by
notifying the state of "outside attempts to cause interference" and worked to prevent any
further breaching attempts. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
followed up with each provider to confirm that the issue had been resolved.
Otero County Sheriff announces resignation effective September 30th.
Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley has resigned from the sheriff's position effective
September 30th. Otero County Commissioners officially accepted his resignation on
September 14th. Commissioners announced they would name a successor on September
28th, however, Undersheriff Enrique Guzman has publicly challenged the county's
authority to name who comes next. The dispute over who will be the successor comes
with a sheriff's race in the November election, where Guzman is a "colorado center
party" candidate, along with Republican Brian Lovato. Commissioners may also take an
"allow the election to just take place" position, instead of naming a successor.
Huerfano County Clerk's Office confirms RE-1 School board recall to take place.
The Huerfano County Clerk's Office last week confirmed that the recall petitions against
four RE-1 school board members are sufficient and that a recall election will move
forward. Facing recall are school board members Debi Sporleder, Amy Archuleta, Kayla
Andreatta and Denise Steinacker. All are facing recall following a controversial vote in
which the four voted against renewing the contract of Walsenburg High School Assistant
Principal Josh Vialpando. A special election will be held for the recall on a date that has
not yet been set.
Alamosa residents urged to take caution as resident "Bear" has returned.
Alamosa residents are being cautioned to take care of garbage and other outdoor food
sources after a bear that made mid-Alamosa its home for a couple of weeks has returned
after being removed. The bear was captured near the elementary schools and was
relocated in the Saguache region by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. However, the
bear has reappeared in Alamosa following a 70-plus mile trek. The bear is now sporting
a blue ear tag. Some believe she has returned to the Alamosa area in search of her young
cubs.
September 22nd 2026
Pueblo County being positioned for valuable grid connection point.
Pueblo County is being positioned as a valuable connection point for a project to Unite
North America's two major electrical grids. An independent transmission company
called Grid United, is developing what is being called "three corners connector", a
transmission line bringing the continent's eastern interconnection and western
interconnection together through 300 miles of transmission infrastructure. The
transmission line would have an eastern endpoint at a proposed substation in Guymon,
Oklahoma, and a western endpoint near the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo
County. The three corners connector could begin operation as soon as 2031. The three
corners connector is an approximately $2 billion project that would benefit local
consumers by increasing transmission line capacity, providing access to regions with
surplus, lower-cost resources, according to Grid United.
Missing person found dead in abandoned mobile home in Raton Sunday.
A body was found in an abandoned mobile home in Raton on Sunday. According to
Raton Police, police received calls Sunday regarding a person found in and abandoned
and dilapidated trailer at 133 Price Street, Space 13. Upon arrival, officers found a
female body with clothing that matched a female that had been reported missing last
week, and who, it was thought, was in the Raton area. Police say the body had been there
a while. The body was removed from the structure and was taken to Santa Fe to be
identified and for an autopsy. Police are calling the discovery a suspicious death.
Home destroyed in Walsenburg Fire yesterday.
A fire erupted yesterday in a home at the southwest corner of 8th and Leon Streets in
Walsenburg, destroying the structure. According to fire officials, firefighters were called
to the location shortly after 9am yesterday. The home was believed to have been
undergoing a remodel and is not believed to have been occupied at the time of the blaze.
Huerfano County Fire and La Veta Fire worked through the morning hours to extinguish
the fire. No injuries were reported.
CDOT to begin CO 159 paving operations today.
Beginning today, The Colorado Department of Transportation will complete two, week
long paving operations on Colorado Highway 159 between San Luis and The
Colorado/New Mexico state line, or Mile Markers 1 to 12. Motorists can expect full
stops, alternating traffic guided by pilot cars and up to 15 minute delays from 7am to
7pm. Motorists entering the highway from a driveway or intersection must wait for a
pilot car before proceeding with the flow of traffic. The work is expected to be complete
by the end of the month.
CPW inviting public to attend meeting at Lake Pueblo State Park on Thursday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is inviting the public to attend a one-hour meeting scheduled
for 6pm on Thursday, September 24th, to hear the agency's proposal to adjust temperature
standards for water in The Arkansas River below the dam at Lake Pueblo State Park. The
meeting is a follow-up meeting to one held in 2023 when temperature standards were first
revised. It is not related to the historic drought and low flows on the Arkansas River this
year. The meeting will be held at The Lake Pueblo State Park Visitor Center. CPW's
water quality team will discuss the history behind current water temperature standards
and will explain the reasons it wants to adjust the standards. Questions and discussion
will follow.
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