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CO Gov Polis pardons psilocybin possession crimes.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday pardoned 4 Colorado residents who were previously convicted of psilocybin possession. Polis announced the pardons at the psychedelic science 2025 conference. Polis said the executive order applys to all state- level possession convictions for psilocybin or psilocin. The pardons come after Polis signed a bill that implemented the Colorado natural medicine initiative earlier this year, which gives the governor the authority to grant these pardons, and after Coloradans voted in 2022 to decriminalize natural medicine and direct the state to build a legal system for it. Coloradans who believe that they have a conviction for psilocybin or psilocin possession that qualifies and who has not been pardoned, should contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and apply for clemency.

CO AG Weiser announces CO has agreed to Purdue settlement.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced yesterday that Colorado has agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler Family. Weiser, joining in with attorneys general across the country, said this was an important move to hold the company accountable for its role in fueling and profiting off of the opioid crisis. If the settlement is finalized, Colorado is expected to receive approximately $75 million over the next 15 years. The agreement marks one of the largest national settlements related to the opioid crisis. Every state in the union, Washington DC, and four U.S. territories have all agreed to the settlement.

Murder trial postponed after defense council change.

Following a change in defense council, the jury trial of Nathan Vigil, 47, in Alamosa District Court has been postponed until February of next year. Vigil is charged in the murder of Jonathan Woodman, 64. Next month will mark five years since Woodman was murdered. The trial has already seen multiple delays including the court refusing a plea deal offered by Former District Attorney Alonzo Payne, who was disbarred, and multiple changes in counsel at Vigil's request. When the trial does get underway, it is expected to contain "a lot of information", along with multiple expert witnesses. The trial is expected to last 10 days.

Loveland Pass officially reopens to traffic yesterday.

Loveland Pass officially reopened to traffic yesterday following the massive landslide that buried U.S. Highway 6 on Sunday morning. The Colorado Department of Transportation said yesterday that a geohazard team determined that the scenic biway was safe for travel, with no movement observed on the mountainside. CDOT officials initially said clean-up efforts would take a considerable amount of time and that Loveland Pass would remain closed for an extended period. While the road is open, motorists may still see CDOT crews performing cleanup from the shoulder. The agency says that the slide occurred at 5:30am Sunday in an area known as scottys curves, and was caused by material above the roadway that became saturated by melting snow.

NWS confirms Tornado touched down in Teller County Tuesday.

The National Weather Service confirmed yesterday that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Teller County Tuesday afternoon during the heavy storms that saw many weather warnings issued across Southern and Eastern Colorado. The tornado reportedly reached wind gusts of 106 miles per hour and touched down two miles north, northwest of divide, around 12:41pm on Tuesday. The tornado was the 7th to touch down in Teller County. The weather service says it isn't unusual to see this type of impact in Southern Colorado and that elevation is less of a factor for a tornado than the physics that allow a tornado to form in any given area.

June 18th 2025

CO Lawmakers take down Tracer system temporarily.

Lawmakers in Colorado have temporarily taken down the public campaign finance system called Tracer, to allow elected officials to choose what information they want made available to the public. The move comes after Vance Boelter, 57, allegedly gunned down two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, killing Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. The shutdown will allow elected officials and candidates time to request that their addresses be redacted in the system, out of an abundance of caution, in an effort to make sure that state legislators and other elected officials are safe. Tracer will be back online as soon as state officials have finished working through the requested redaction's.

18-wheeler catchs fire in Chaffee County Monday Night.

An 18-wheeler that was on its way to New Mexico, caught fire in Chaffee County on Monday Night. According to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to U.S. 50 near Mile Marker 209 in Chaffee County for a semi fire around 8:30pm Monday. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when deputies arrived. 45-year-old Charles Metoyer, the driver of the truck, told deputies that he was traveling eastbound, heading towards New Mexico to deliver his load of eggs, when he thought he heard one of his tires explode. Metoyer said he pulled to the side of the road to inspect the truck when he saw that it was on fire. Metoyer tried to put out the flames with fire extinguishers, but the fire grew too quickly. Firefighters responded and put out the fire before it spread to the nearby brush. No one was injured, however, the highway was closed for about 3 hours while the fire was extinguished.

Colorado Springs voters vote down karman line annexation.

Colorado Springs voters yesterday overwhelmingly voted against approving the controversial karman line annexation. The karman line annexation would have encompassed an area of over 1,800 acres and would create 6,500 varied housing units between the Banning Lewis Ranch Development and Schriever Space Force Base. Over 81% of voters voted against the annexation. Those against the annexation said that growth needs to be smart, responsible and in the best long-term interest of the city. Supporters say the outcome will hurt taxpayers.

Loveland Pass to remain close for the forseable future.

While cleanup efforts are underway following the massive landslide that buried Loveland Pass on Sunday, the highway will remain closed for the forseable future. According to The Colorado Department of Transportation, crews have nearly completed the first phase of their two-stage cleanup. Crews had removed about 85% of the debris from the roadway as of afternoon yesterday. Once all debris is cleared, CDOT will assess slope stability and conduct final cleanup before the road reopens. In the meantime, CDOT is urging motorists, hikers and cyclists to stay clear of the area.

New safe exchange zone available at Canon City Police station.

A new safe exchange zone at the Canon City police station is providing a secure location for the public to complete child custody exchanges. Canon City police say the safe zone can also be used for legal transactions, such as buying, selling or trading items with people you may not know. CCPD says they hope that the safe zone will help reduce fraudulent transactions, thefts, robberies and violent disputes. A new call box will also be featured outside the police station, near the safe zone, to allow people to quickly access police by simply pushing a button.

June 17th 2025

Colorado US Lawmakers concerned with new provision in budget bill.

A new provision that has been added to the budget reconciliation bill in The U.S. Senate has raised some alarms among colorado lawmakers. The new provision would require the federal government to sell millions of acres of public lands, including land in Colorado, for housing development. More than one-third of Colorado's land (or 24 million acres) is federally owned. The proposal could force the federal government to sell up to 3.3 million acres of public lands across the west to address a nationwide housing shortage. Members of Colorado's Democratic delegation criticized the proposal, saying it would threaten the state's outdoor lifestyle. The proposal requires the BLM and U.S. Forest Service to solicit nominations for lands to convert to private ownership and excludes national parks, monuments, wild and scenic rivers and lands with permits and rights of way. Representative Lauren Boebert said in a statement that the provision "promotes coordination, respects state and local priorities, and reflects a more sustainable approach to land management."

Westcliffe man arrested after pointing gun at flag day rally.

Brett David Tuthill, 30, of Westcliffe, was arrested in Custer County on Saturday after allegedly pointing a gun at a flag day rally. According to the Custer County sheriff's office, a 911 call was received shortly before noon on Saturday reporting that a man wearing body armor and driving a red jeep had pointed a pistol at people attending a flag day rally in Westcliffe. deputies immediately located the jeep and performed a "high-risk traffic stop" about 4 miles south of Westcliffe. Tuthill was taken into custody without incident. Tuthill is facing charges of menacing, harassment and disorderly conduct. He is scheduled for a hearing in Custer County Court on Tuesday, July 1st.

Landslide closes Loveland pass on Sunday.

A landslide that took place on Loveland pass on Sunday morning has forced the closure of U.S. Highway 6. According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, the slide took place near mile marker 226 and is approximately 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep. No injuries or vehicle damage was reported. Crews are working to clear the debris, however, there is no estimated time for reopening. U.S. 6 remains closed from just east of Arapahoe basin to the Loveland ski area.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asking for help in identifying woman found along I-25.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a woman whose body was found on Sunday Morning along Interstate 25. According to the sheriff's office, the body was found along the southbound side of I-25 just north of exit 173 near Larkspur. The woman is described as an adult with brown or black hair. She was found wearing Grey leggings and a black long-sleeve shirt. There was also "distinctive bedding" found at the scene. Commercial vehicles drivers who passed through the area Saturday or Sunday are being asked to check their camera footage for any suspicious activity. If you have any information regarding the woman's identity or saw anything suspicious in the area, call crime stoppers at 720-913-7867.

Summer solstice events taking place at Lathrop State Park.

Events taking place at Lathrop State Park this weekend include a summer solstice campfire and crafts at the amphitheater from 7:30 to 9pm on Friday. Saturday is outdoor adventure day with activities taking place throughout the day at various locations. Then, on Sunday, learn to hit the mark with archery adventures at the Lathrop Archery Range from 10am to noon. All events are free to attend, but a park pass is required on all vehicles. Lathrop State Park is located about 3 miles west of Walsenburg on U.S. 160.

June 16th 2025

CO Congressman Evans along with other members send ICE Immigration letter.

Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans, along with five fellow Congressional Republicans, last Wednesday sent a letter to immigration and customs enforcement acting director Todd Lyons, asking ICE to focus on removing criminals from the country. All six are members of the congressional Hispanic conference. They say they stand behind President Donald Trump's strict immigration police, but also share the concern that the agency's "limited resources may be stretched to pursue individuals that do not constitute and immediate threat to public safety". The letter says in part that "while we do agree that we are a nation of laws... There are levels of priority that must be considered when it comes to immigration enforcement". The letter also asks for answers, including how many of the immigrants deported since January are convicted criminals and what their crimes are.

Alamosa Police looking for suspects in weekend shooting.

Alamosa Police were looking for three people over the weekend in connection with an early morning shooting that took place early Saturday Morning in the 900 block of Hunt avenue. One of the wanted individuals was identified as Donovan Gonzales, 18, Gonzales and the 2001 Red Chevrolet Suburban he was driving have been located, as has a juvenile that was involved in the incident. The third person, who is still wanted, has been identified as Levi Turningrobe, 22. According to Alamosa police, about 3am on Saturday, police were notified of a shooting on Hunt Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found and 18-year-old male who had been shot multiple times. He was taken to SLV Health for treatment and is currently in serious condition. The three suspects all fled the scene in the Chevrolet Suburban. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been called in to assist in the investigation.

Former TSC wrestling coach turns himself in.

Former Trinidad State College wrestling coach John Lewis, 31, formerly of Trinidad, turned himself in at the Pueblo County Detention Center, The Pueblo County Sheriff's office said on Friday. Lewis is charged with extortion and bribing his athletes. According to court documents, Lewis is facing multiple charges besides the extortion and bribery charges. Lewis is also accused of providing alcohol and marijuana earlier this year to some of his students, who were minors, in payment for helping him "pack his house" for a move out of state. After being booked into the detention center last week, lewis posted a $15,000 bond, according to the sheriff's office.

Hooper man found guilty of sexual assault.

Raymont Karpovage, 68, of Hooper, has been found guilty of "knowingly, unlawfully and feloniously" sexually assaulting an adult person-at-risk, following a 3 day trial in the 12th Judicial District in Alamosa. The victim of the assault, a 31-year-old Woman, has been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has been evaluated as functioning at the cognitive level of a 5-year-old. The victim went missing from her family's home in hooper early on the evening of June 29th of 2023. Sexual assault of a person at risk is a class two felony in Colorado that carries a sentence from 8 to 24 years in the Department of Corrections with parole ranging from 3 to 5 years. Karpovage is scheduled to be sentenced at 3pm on September 3rd before District Judge Crista Newmyer-Olsen.

Trinidad man declared missing in Korean war to be buried Wednesday.

Sergeant Orace J. Mestas, of Trinidad, was declared missing on April 25th, 1951, during the Korean war. His remains were identified on January 31st of this year, 74 years later. Local veteran motorcycle organizations will escort his remains from Denver International Airport to Trinidad where he will be buried with full military honors on Wednesday. The "dignified honors run" will meet at the Pikes Peak Harley-Davidson at 5867 North Nevada in Colorado Springs at 7am on Wednesday before riding to DIA. Mestas's remains will arrive at 11:40am. Riders will then accompany the procession to Trinidad.

June 13th 2025

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.

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