September 21st 2026
Lawsuit filed seeking to strike down graduated income tax measure from the ballot.
A lawsuit filed in Denver District Court on Wednesday is seeking to strike the proposed
graduated income tax measure from November's Ballot. Michael Andre Hancock of
Arapahoe County is the plaintiff. The defendants are Secretary of State Jena Griswold
and Amendment 87 proponents Chris Degruy Kennedy of the bell policy center and
Kiyana Newell of New Era Colorado. The lawsuit challenges how protect Colorado's
future, the coalition behind the measure, gathered its signatures. The lawsuit claims the
group failed to file training certificates for some of its paid petitioners. The lawsuit says
that 69 of 311 individuals appeared on the list of paid circulators but did not appear on
the list of registered petition circulators. A competing ballot measure, Proposition 136,
would cap the state income tax rate at 4.4% and is backed by Advance Colorado.
FEMA denied portions of August CO disaster declaration Friday.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration on Friday denied portions of the
disaster declaration request made by Governor Jared Polis in August. According to the
governor's office, FEMA denied the individual assistance and hazard mitigation requests
for victims of the Aspen Acres Fire and subsequent flooding. Those requests would
provide essential services to people impacted in Pueblo and Custer Counties to help with
expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, and disaster unemployment
assistance. Despite the denial, the state says that it is assessing the next steps in the
process and has 30 days to appeal the denial decision if it is deemed the appropriate
action.
Custer County Sheriff's Deputies pulled over motorcyclist for speeding Friday.
Custer County Sheriff's Deputies pulled a 25-year-old Westcliffe Man over after he was
clocked riding a motorcycle at more than twice the speed limit. According to the
sheriff's office, a deputy on Colorado 96, a few miles west of Westcliffe, clocked the
man traveling 137 mph in a posted 65 mph zone. The rider also allegedly passed vehicles
in a no-passing zone. As the jail was not able to accepting misdemeanor arrests at the
time, the man was issued a summons rather than being booked into jail. The Custer
County Sheriff is asking motorists to please slow down, obey posted signs, and give
yourself time to reach your destination safely.
Alamosa County Republicans to host "liberty rally" next Saturday.
Alamosa County Republicans will hold a "liberty rally" scheduled for Saturday,
September 26th, that will feature Victor Marx, The GOP Candidate for Colorado
Governor, and Jeff Hurd, who is seeking re-election in the 3rd Congressional District.
The event is scheduled to take place at The Monte Vista Ski Hi Complex, beginning at
4pm. There will be a food court and mingling with candidates. A candidate forum will
then take place from 5 to 9pm. Also scheduled to attend the event are James Wiley, the
Republican Candidate for Colorado Secretary of State, Mark Baisley, who is running
against John Hickenlooper in The U.S. Senate Race, Michael Allen, who is running for
Colorado Attorney General, and Kevin Grantham, the GOP candidate for Colorado
Treasury. Attendees are being asked to pay a $5 donation for the evening.
PCHD announces two bats tested positive for rabies in Pueblo County.
The Pueblo County Health Department announced on Friday that two bats have tested
positive for rabies in Pueblo County. The two bats were found in different locations and
the incidents are not related. The health department says that bats should be tested for
rabies if they come into contact with humans or pets, or if one is found inside the house.
If a bat is found, immediately leave the area and take your pets away from the bat. If you
find a bat in your home, contact The U.S. Department of Agriculture at 719-355-9629 for
collection assistance and notify Pueblo Health at 719-583-4307.
September 18th 2026
CO budget officials heard yesterday that CO medicaid overspent in 2025-26 budget.
Colorado budget officials heard yesterday that Colorado medicaid overspent by $158
million in the 2025-26 budget, and, if that trend persists, medicaid spending would crowd
out other programs by 2043. Members of the medicaid commission were told that
without changes to how Colorado handles medicaid, no state money would go toward the
next three largest agencies, namely: K-12 education, higher education and corrections,
which are almost 100% reliant on general-fund dollars. Medicaid and the department of
health care policy and financing are now the largest single item in the state budget. In the
coming year, medicaid is expected to be $443 million over budget, and in 2027-28 it is
estimated medicaid will be $918 million over budget. The 6-member joint budget
committee will begin working on Colorado's spending plan on November 1st when
Governor Jared Polis presents his proposal for the next fiscal year.
US House of Reps approved WRDA of 2026 including unfinished AVC project.
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the water resources development act of
2026, which includes a provision on the unfinished Arkansas Valley Conduit. At the
request of Colorado's congressional delegation, the measure includes a provision for the
water pipeline authorized by Congress in 1962 as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project.
The 130-mile-long pipeline will provide filtered water from the Pueblo reservoir to
50,000 people in 39 communities in The Arkansas Valley. The project is estimated to
cost $1.39 billion, more than double the estimates of a few years ago. Under federal
legislation approved in 2009, the federal government would cover 65% of the costs. The
bill now moves on to The U.S. Senate for consideration there.
US Forest Service Officials give Aspen Acres Fire update.
In what was the first statistical update by The U.S. Forest Service since the last incident
management team left The Aspen Acres Fire on August 28th, the fire remains at 102,004
acres with 82% containment, which has not changed since August 11th. Firefighters are
continuing to focus on suppression repair in the fire's 12th week by reshaping dozer lines
to align with natural terrain and using techniques to minimize erosion, according to The
USFS. Moist conditions have limited fire activity to "scattered pockets of heat", giving
off smoke, which has been visible southwest of Lake Isabel. While rainfall has benefited
firefighting efforts, it has also continued to pose a risk of flash flooding across the burn
scar.
Walsenburg man arrested in connection with September 10th burglary.
Jason Aguirre, 31, of Walsenburg, was arrested by Walsenburg Police on Monday on
several felony charges related to an investigation into a Thursday, September 10th, alleged
burglary where Aguirre allegedly held a gun to the residents' heads to prevent them from
calling 911. Aguirre is facing charges of burglary and use of a firearm in the commission
of a crime in connection to the incident.
BLM proposes leasing parcels for oil and gas development in Colorado.
The Bureau of Land Management has proposed leasing 114 parcels for oil and gas
development in Colorado during its 4th quarter sale in December. The parcels cover
126,744 acres in Garfield, Rio Blanco, Gunnison, Weld, Arapahoe, Archuleta, La Plata
and Las Animas counties. However, The Colorado Department of Natural Resources and
Colorado Parks and Wildlife have asked the agency to defer several parcels that overlap
with big game habitat, namely, The Beatty Canyon Ranch State Habitat Area in Las
Animas County, and The Roan Plateau outside of Rifle. The 114 parcels being
considered for sale in December are among 403 parcels the BLM has offered for sale in
Colorado this year.
September 17th 2026
CO AG's Office reaches settlement with two companies over fraudulent marketing materials.
The Colorado Attorney General's Office has reached a $150,000 settlement with two
companies that are alleged to have mailed fraudulent marketing materials to businesses.
Corporate Certificates LLC and FL UCC Statement Service LLC, both allegedly mailed
colorado businesses marketing materials that appeared to be official invoices from a
government entity, but failed to include the disclaimers and purported deadlines required
under Colorado law. Under Colorado law, businesses are required to include a statement
on their marketing materials that says "this is an advertisement". As part of the
settlement, both companies will permanently cease all operations in Colorado. A
preliminary injunction stopped both companies from doing business in Colorado in
August of 2025.
CO Gov Polis signs executive order to protect CO's Pollinators.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed an executive order that he says will help
protect Colorado's pollinators. Pollinators, namely bees and butterflies, face threats from
increasing habitat loss, drought, invasive species and pesticide exposure, according to the
governor's office. The executive order calls for four actions: create a statewide
pollinator strategy to improve long-term pollinator conservation efforts. Prioritize
reducing pesticides or using pollinator-friendly pesticides and expanding pollinator
habitats on state lands. Support local governments and private landowners in protecting
and planting pollinator habitats. And, expand pollinator habitat within the state highway
system. The executive order will remain in effect until January 1st of 2032, unless a
future governor rescinds it.
Fire activity on Swiss Roll Fire has moderated thanks to rains.
The Swiss Roll Fire, a lightning-caused fire that began on August 20th in The San Juan
National Forest east of Pagosa Springs and U.S. 160, and south of east fork road near
quart meadow, has seen moderated fire behavior thanks to recent rains. While the fire
showed little growth following its start, days of hot dry weather and wind caused the fire
to grow quickly to 370 acres last Friday, then to 777 acres last Saturday. This week, after
receiving rainfall over multiple days, fire activity has moderated, with the fire only
growing to 775 acres this week. The fire remains 0% contained with 47 firefighters
working the fire currently. The Pagosa Ranger District has issued a closure order for the
quartz meadow and quartz ridge areas. The fire was lightning caused.
CBI reviewing death of La Junta girl.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the death of a 9-year-old La Junta girl
whose parents say they do not understand how she drowned in a small backyard pool.
the girl was dropped off at a relative's home in La Junta. A few hours later, her mother
received a call that she needed to get to the hospital, where it was revealed that the girl
had drowned. An autopsy report estimates the girl was in cardiac arrest for 18 to 59
minutes before regaining a pulse. It is not known how long she was underwater. Her
death was ruled an accident. The girls parents are questioning the La Junta Police
investigation and say they have heard a lot of conflicting accounts about what happened
before the girl was found.
CDOT reminding drivers of dangers of leaving vulnerable passengers along in hot vehicles.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding all drivers about the dangers of
leaving children, dogs and other vulnerable passengers alone in vehicles on hot and warm
days, even for short periods of time. Each year, an average of 37 children die in hot cars
across The United States. The Colorado State Patrol says that "leaving a child or
vulnerable passenger in a hot vehicle is reckless and can result in criminal offenses if
harm is done. Please take time to remove children and other passengers from cars, even
for a quick errand, on warmer days.
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