March 20th 2026
Latest CO revenue forecasts show budget predicament worsening.
The latest revenue forecasts in Colorado show that the state's budget predicament has
worsened, by hundreds of millions of dollars. Economists with the legislative council
have downgraded the forecast for the 2026-27 fiscal year by another $643 million,
bringing the total shortfall to nearly $1.5 billion. Part of the problem is that general fund
revenues came in lower for fiscal year 2025-26 with tax collection $354 million less than
was estimated in December. The estimate for 2026-27 is also coming in lower than the
December forecast by about $143 million. The legislative council forecast confirmed
that tabor refunds won't occur this year since general fund revenue will not reach the cap
in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with revenues nearly $1 billion below the threshold. The
biggest challenge to state spending is medicaid. Democrats on the joint budget
committee called the forecasts "devastating". Republicans have long maintained that
Colorado's budget woes are self-inflicted, the result of overspending.
Alamosa suspect arrested in Wyoming Wednesday.
Fernando Rodriguez, 44, of Alamosa, was arrested in Wyoming Wednesday on a charge
of second degree murder, according to The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and The
Alamosa County Sheriff's Office. Rodriguez was apprehended in Albany County,
Wyoming, on the afternoon of March 18th, following a standoff. He is charged with
second degree murder, felony menacing, motor vehicle theft and possession of a weapon
by a previous offender, in connection with the death of Ryan Barnes, 49, of Alamosa, on
March 1st. Rodriguez is currently being held in The Albany County jail in Wyoming and
is awaiting the extradition process to be returned to Colorado. The homicide
investigation began after Alamosa County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a residence in
the 3000 block of Lincoln Avenue around 6:20pm on Sunday, March 1st. Upon arrival,
deputies located Barnes, who was deceased.
Evacuations lifted for Buttermilk fire last night.
All evacuations were lifted at 5:30pm last night for the buttermilk fire that broke out in
Custer County on Wednesday. The fire is now 95% contained and grew to a total of 65
acres in size. Fire crews continued to monitor fire line last night and will begin to work
the fire area again today. No injures have been reported in connection to the fire thus far
and no structures were lost. According to The Sheriff's Office, the fire was caused by a
tree that fell onto a power line that had an automatic setting to try to reconnect the power.
Officials say that setting led to the fire starting and added that that setting would be
disabled "for the duration of the fire season".
City of Walsenburg remains on boil water advisory.
The City of Walsenburg remains on a boil water advisory today, although it appears that
most all water customers in the city have normal water pressure once again. City crews
are now working to flush the water lines with elevated levels of chlorine. While the
water may be used for showering, take precautions to avoid ingesting water and do not
drink tap water at this time. More information as to when the water will be safe to drink
will be forthcoming.
La Veta Oktoberfest committee annual chili cook-off happening tomorrow.
The La Veta Oktoberfest committee will host their annual chili cook-off tomorrow,
Saturday, March 21st, from 5 to 7pm, at the grandote events center on Colorado 12 in La
Veta. Some of the best cooks will compete for the best green chili, red chili and soup in
Huerfano County. Don’t miss this fun way to support this Oktoberfest fundraiser where
all proceeds go right back into our communities.
March 19th 2026
CO AI Policy work group announces agreement on regulations framework.
The Colorado AI policy work group has been working on artificial intelligence policy
and has reached an agreement on a framework that would replace the regulations adopted
by The Colorado Legislature two years ago. The agreement is meant to repeal and
replace the 2024 law, whose sponsors said it would protect consumers and residents from
algorithmic discrimination but which critics called heavy handed and unworkable. In a
statement, Governor Jared Polis said the draft will ensure that residents are aware when ai
or an automated decision making system is used that impact decisions affecting their
lives. The agreed-upon framework is the result of two years of negotiations among small
businesses, hospitals, schools, consumer groups, venture capitalists and technology
advocates.
Buttermilk Fire sparks to life yesterday in Custer County.
What is being called The Buttermilk Fire sparked to life yesterday afternoon in Custer
County and is burning off of County Road 182 near Verdemont Road, northwest of
Westcliffe. The Custer County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation notice at 2:38pm
yesterday for 98 homes and structures within two miles of the fire. As of yesterday
evening, the evacuations remained in effect with deputies going door-to-door in the area
to check for occupancy. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control has four
multi-mission aircraft assisting in battling the fire. No structures have been lost thus far.
The fire had grown to 59 acres and was 10% contained as of last night. The saddle club
is available for evacuated livestock. Lange hall is available as a shelter for evacuated
families. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
City of Walsenburg announces majority of city water restored.
The City of Walsenburg has announced that the majority of the city currently has good
water pressure and access to water, however, the boil water advisory remains in effect.
The city advises that the water is safe for showering, but do not drink the water. City
crews are continuing to work to re-pressurize the system, and will notify residents once
the system is fully flushed and is safe to drink again. In the meantime, residents should
continue to boil water for at least 1 minute, then cool it, before using the water to drink,
make ice, make food, or brush teeth. Walsenburg's water problems began around 2am
last Friday when most all of the town lost pressure, most without water entirely.
BLM Royal Gorge office announces stage 1 fire restrictions.
The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge field office has issued stage 1 fire
restrictions for all BLM-administered public lands in the following counties: Baca, Bent,
Crowley, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Lincoln, Otero, Park,
Prowers, Pueblo and Teller counties. The restrictions prohibit the following: building a
fire or campfire except within a provided fire grate at a developed recreation site;
smoking, except in an enclosed area; operating a chainsaw; using a welder or torch; and
using exploding targets. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Colorado's Snowpack continues to decline.
Colorado's Snowpack continues to decline with the current warm and dry weather
conditions. Looking at new snowpack numbers released yesterday, Colorado's statewide
snowpack now stands at 58% of average. By river basin, The North Platte River Basin is
currently on top with 70% of average. The South Platte and Yampa & White stand at
67%, The Colorado at 64%, The Gunnison at 56%, The Arkansas at 49%, The Upper Rio
Grande at 45% and the lowest in the state now is The San Juan & Dolores River basin at
44% of average. The San Juans and Upper Rio Grande basins have seen the most notable
declines in snowpack since the end of February.
March 18th 2026
Colorado Governor announces activation of Colorado's drought task force.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has activated Colorado's drought task force as the state
continues to face record-breaking warm temperatures and low snowpack. This is the first
time in almost 6 years that the drought task force has been activated. The last time was in
2020. Polis says that the state is experiencing the warmest and driest year so far in its
131-year record. He said "activating the drought task force will help ensure we are
protecting one of our most precious resources by closely tracking impacts, supporting
communities and coordinating better as we prepare for the year ahead". Leaders from
state agencies, including The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado
Department of Agriculture, department of local affairs, and the division of homeland
security and emergency management, will gather information on drought conditions and
will share resources, all the way down to the local level.
Walsenburg City crews announce location of a leak in the water system.
Walsenburg City Crews, along with help from Denver water, located a leak yesterday in
the city's water system, however, the situation is not fully resolved. Crews are
continuing to work toward stabilization and water service is beginning to return to some
areas of the city. The leak was found on the west side of Walsenburg. Crews on Monday
found a leaking valve on the city's east side, and were able to successfully close that
valve. The city remains under a disaster declaration and a boil water advisory. The
original break took place around 2am on Friday Morning and caused a loss of pressure
leaving most city residents without water or with very low pressure. While water is being
restored, city crews will need to flush the lines before the water can be declared safe to
drink. Residents should continue to boil their water before drinking, cooking, making
ice, or brushing teeth.
CO SOS announces approval of two additional ballot measures.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s office has approved two additional ballot measures this
week, meaning that they will be decided by voters in November. Initiative 108 would
make child sex trafficking punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Initiative 110, which was approved yesterday, would prohibit surgery on a child for the
purpose of altering their biological sex characteristics. It would also prohibit the use of
state or federal funds, medicaid reimbursement and insurance coverage to pay for gender
reassignment surgery. Other approved ballot measures for November include a question
surrounding local law enforcement working more closely with federal immigration
officials, and an increase in penalties for fentanyl possession and distribution.
Semi crash closes I-25 in Pueblo yesterday.
Interstate 25 was closed in both directions in Pueblo following a crash involving a semi
tanker carrying gasoline. According to The Colorado Deparment of Transportation, the
semi tanker was involved in a rollover crash in the northbound lanes of I-25 near Exit
97A, the muculley exit. The truck and trailer rolled onto its side, breaching three tanks
on the truck. Hazmat teams responded to the scene to clean up the spilled gasoline. No
injuries were reported.
Body found in Arkansas river Monday identified.
Jose L. Nunez, 27, of Pueblo, has been identified as the man who's body was found in the
arkansas river around 1:45pm on Monday in the 1100 block of west 4th street in Pueblo,
which is near the midtown shopping center. No details were released regarding Nunez's
cause of death and it is not yet clear if foul play was involved. The incident remains
under investigation.
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