February 6th 2025
Protest at CO State Capital took place yesterday.
A crowd of people protested on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol yesterday as part
of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration and immigration enforcement.
the protest took place just hours after a large-scale federal law enforcement operation
took place at multiple locations across the Denver metro area. Several agencies were
targeting members of the Venezuelan Tren De Aragua gang and drug traffickers in an
operation that spanned at least 8 locations. The protest at the Colorado Capitol was
similar to those seen across the nation. Protesters waived signs decrying Trump, Elon
Musk and Project 2025. The Denver crowd was speaking out against several recent
moves by the Trump administration, including on immigration and moves to end DEI
programs.
Pueblo County Sheriff's Office investigating woman's death in Colorado City.
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a woman's death in Colorado City.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a home in the
4800 block of Jefferson Blvd. in Colorado City about 5:30pm Monday night. Deputies
say they don't believe this is a suspicious death, however, they would not release any
further information citing the ongoing investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled.
The woman has been identified as Lavonne Hoff, who was 76. The sheriff's office says
that they will have more information about the cause and manner of death once the
autopsy is complete.
New Colorado tax credit aims to help parents with children under 16.
A new Colorado tax credit aims to help parents with children under age 16. The
Colorado family affordability tax credit allows parents to receive up to $3,200 for kids
under six and up to $2,400 for each child between 6 and 16 years old. You don't need to
earn income to get the credit, but a tax return must be filed. single filers could not make
more than $85,000 last year. Joint filers can make up to $95,000 to be eligible for the
credit. The act was signed into law in may of last year and went into effect in August. It
appropriates $178,491 from the general fund to the department of revenue for its
implementation. For more information, go to tax.colorado.gov and search on "family
affordability tax credit".
Fishers Peak State Park announces new trail package.
Fishers Peak State Park has announced that the park’s next “trail package” will soon go
out to bid – a project that will add about 10 miles of trail to the network that has steadily
grown around the mountain that overlooks Trinidad. The park hopes to break ground on
the project this summer. Once complete, the trail system will span about 26 miles in all,
including the long summit path that opened near the end of 2023. A master plan
envisions up to 100 miles to trail across Colorado’s second-largest state park, that spans
19,200 acres. The park also hopes to establish the first back country campsites and first
equestrian trails as part of the project. The project is expected to be complete sometime
in 2026.
CDOT announces new DUI enforcement periods.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday that CDOT, the
Colorado State Patrol, and 76 local law enforcement agencies will hold a the heat is on
super bowl weekend DUI enforcement period, beginning today and running through
February 12th. Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional
law enforcement officers on duty to remove impaired drivers from Colorado's roadways.
Following the super bowl weekend, DUI enforcement will begin for Presidents week
from February 13th to 26th. Combined, these two enforcement periods will make up 21
consecutive days of high-visibility impaired driving enforcement.
February 5th 2025
US Rep Crow holds press conference on Buckley Space Force Base.
US Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat, held a press conference yesterday, saying that Buckley
Space Force base won't house immigrant detainees. Questions have been raised since the
Trump administration announced plans to use Buckley Space force base as part of its
mass deportation efforts. According to a spokesperson, Buckley has provided facilities at
the request of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE will set up a "temporary
operations center, staging area, and a temporary holding location for the receiving,
holding and processing" of detainees. Crow says officials at the base, including a special
agent in charge, told him the base was indeed being used for homeland security,
specifically ice operations. Crow was told, however, that the base would not be used for
immigrant detention. Crow said he would be concerned about law-abiding immigrants
potentially being detained at the base if that information changes.
Pueblo School D70 holds special work session last night.
Pueblo School District 70 held a special work session last night to discuss possible
measures that the district could consider if Governor Jared Polis's proposed budget cuts
to education are approved by the legislature. The meeting was open to the public.
According to a statement from District 70, "Pueblo County School District 70 remains
one of the lowest-funded districts in Colorado. Following the narrow defeat of the mill
levy override in November and changes to the state funding formula, the district is now
forced to explore all options to reduce expenditures because of reduced revenues from the
state". While no decisions have been made as of yet, the district wants to hear from those
in the community with suggestions and recommendations to help with their budget
challenges. To share your recommendations, go to www.district70.org/apps/contact.
Florida Homicide suspect arrested in Colorado Springs yesterday.
A homicide suspect from Florida was arrested yesterday at a Big R Store in Colorado
Springs. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, a vehicle that took off out of Denver
and headed towards Colorado Springs yesterday afternoon, was being tracked by the
Marshall's Service. The car was tracked to the parking lot of BIG R off of Widefield and
Fontaine Boulevard. Two people got out of the vehicle and attempted to run, but were
apprehended. 28-year-old De Sean Phang was arrested on a warrant out of Miramar,
Florida, for second-degree homicide with a firearm. He is awaiting extradition. The
second individual has not been identified.
Trinidad Ambulance district announces new alert system for drivers.
The Trinidad Ambulance district has announced that it is implementing an alert system so
that drivers can be warned when they are approaching emergency vehicles. According to
the ambulance district, HAAS alert's safety cloud is a collision prevention service that
enables the delivery of real-time alerts to drivers when emergency services are active in
the area. The district says "safety cloud boosts driver compliance with move over laws
by dispatching real-time notifications when responders are enroute to on-scene". Alerts
are sent immediately to warn drivers of their proximity to emergency vehicles. The
notifications are accessible via the waze navigation app or google maps, and can be
integrated into the dashboard of many modern vehicles.
NWS issues red flag warning for parts of SOCO today.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for parts of Southern
Colorado today, effective from 10am to 6pm. The warning covers Huerfano, Las Animas
and Baca counties. According to the weather service, west winds of 20 to 30 mph are
possible with gusts up to 50 mph near the mountains. That, combined with relative
humidity as low as 12%, will create critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite
could spread rapidly, making outdoor burning extremely dangerous. Residents are urged
to avoid any activities that could spark fires during the day today.
February 4th 2025
New bill meant to prevent and mitigate wildfires in CO passes committee.
The Colorado House Agriculture, water and natural resources committee yesterday
passed HB25-1009, a bill meant to prevent and mitigate wildfires in Colorado, by a vote
of 9-4. what is titled the "vegetative fuel mitigation" bill, would give fire protection and
metropolitan districts tools to mitigate fire risks locally and encourage local governments
to create programs to help property owners reduce dead or dry vegetation. A fire district
that creates a vegetative fuel program is required to adopt policies consistent with the
2024 international wildland-urban interface code or the standeards and codes adopted or
issued by the Colorado wildfire resiliency code board. The bill is sponsored by
Representative Tisha Mauro and Senator Lisa Cutter. The bill now moves on to the full
Colorado House for consideration there.
Garage and contents destroyed in garage fire in Raton yesterday.
A garage fire yesterday afternoon in Raton destroyed the garage and two vehicles. Raton
fire fighters were called to the 100 block of hill drive in east Raton about 3:15pm
yesterday. Upon arriving on the scene, they found the garage at the residence fully
engulfed in flames. Fire fighters had the fire controlled in about 15 minutes, however,
the garage and a classic pickup inside the garage were destroyed. A vehicle just outside
the garage was also heavily damaged. Rags or a welder in the garage are considered a
possible source of the fire.
CPW announces increase in bald eagle population in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it has been noticing a steady increase in the bald eagle
population throughout Colorado. CPW officials say they have noticed an increase in
occupied bald eagle nests, with at least 300 last year. Barr Lake in Adams County has
been known for its bald eagle population. CPW estimates there were between 80 and 90
bald eagles in the park as of yesterday. Wildlife officials say that scientists estimate there
were only 400 nesting bald eagle pairs left in the United States in the 1960's. As of this
year, there are reportedly between 14,000 and 15,000 nesting pairs in the country.
Saguache Ranger district announces new plans for prescribed burn.
The Saguache Ranger district announced yesterday new plans for the Laughlin Gulch
prescribed fire project west of Saguache. Occasional burning could begin as early as next
Monday and will continue through the spring months as conditions allow. With this
tactic, firefighters will strategically apply fire to small portions of the project area that are
snow free. Ignitions will take place only if burning is determined to have a high
probability of meeting treatment objectives. The Laughlin gulch prescribed fire aims to
treat approximately 1,240 acres of slash, grass and needle cast and is designed to improve
winter range habitat. Smoke may be visible from around the San Luis Valley and may be
heavier locally. No significant smoke impacts are expected.
Cielo Vista Ranch hires new community liaison.
Kate Perdoni has been hired as the community liaison for the Cielo Vista Ranch in
Costilla County. According to an announcement from the ranch, Perdoni will facilitate
communications and special projects with community members, including families with
access rights to graze livestock and collect firewood and timber on the ranch property.
Perdoni is meeting with watershed residents, access rights holders, county staff, local
agencies and organizations by appointment. You can contact Perdoni by calling 719-
680-1027 or email kperdoni@cathexis.com.
February 3rd 2025
New enforcement wage hour laws bill advances in CO State Legislature.
The Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor on Thursday forwarded
HB25-1001, the enforcement wage hour laws bill, to the finance committee on Thursday.
The bill aims to help employees and punish employers who don't pay their workers.
Governor Jared Polis vetoed a wage theft bill last year, angering labor groups. He said
that bill would have made general contractors liable for wages not paid by subcontractors,
essentially forcing general contractors to pay for the same work twice. Following the
veto, the bill's sponsors began working with the Governor's team to craft a new bill. The
new bill would allow employees to get up to $13,000 in lost wages and would increase
penalties for employers. HB25-1001 passed the house business affairs and labor
committee by a vote of 8 to 5.
Suspect arrested in Alamosa Big R robbery Thursday.
Bobby Montoya, 23, of La Jara, was arrested late Thursday following the report of an
armed robbery at Big R in Alamosa. According to Alamosa Police, officers responded to
the report about 6:25pm Thursday at 148 Craft Drive. Montoya allegedly stole two boxes
of ammunition and a flashlight, then brandished a handgun when confronted by a store
employee. After receiving a description of Montoya's vehicle, Alamosa Police
coordinated with Conejos County Sheriff's deputies and La Jara Police. Deputies located
the vehicle at a residence in La Jara where Montoya was taken into custody following a
brief confrontation. A search warrant was executed at the residence and officers located
three boxes of ammunition, two of which matched the stolen items. Officers also found
narcotics and fentanyl pills at the residence. Officers also located the stolen firearm from
a recycling bin at Boyd Park in Alamosa. Montoya was booked into the Alamosa County
jail on charges of aggravated robbery, theft, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a
controlled substance.
CSUP President resigns from position Friday following Investigation.
Armando Valdez resigned his position of President at Colorado State University in
Pueblo on Friday, effective immediately. According to a news release from CSU Pueblo,
"following an independent investigation, Mr. Valdez was found to have violated a
university policy. While Mr. Valdez disagrees with the conclusions of that investigation,
he recognizes that it has caused him to lose the confidence of the Board of Governors and
CSU system leadership. As a result, to allow the University to move forward, he
resigned his role". Rico Munn, the former Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, has
been selected to serve as CSU Pueblo's Interim President. Valdez took over as CSU
Pueblo's 16th President on February 1st of last year, succeeding Former President Timothy
Mottet.
Autopsy results from Costilla County Animal attack may not be public for weeks.
The Costilla County Coroner's Office says that results from the autopsy of the woman's
body who was found in the Sangre De Cristo Ranches Area of Costilla County will most
likely not be made public for 6 weeks. The coroner added that the El Paso County
Coroner is conducting the autopsy and the process that includes compiling a written
report, typically takes that long. The woman's body was found near Platten road. Marks
on her body indicate that there was a possible attack by some kind of animal which left
bite marks and scratches on her body. The Costilla County Sheriff's office, Colorado
Bureau of Investigation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are all participating in the
investigation. None of them have been willing to identify the type of animal that was
involved in the attack. The woman's identity also has not yet been released.
Pueblo County Sheriff's office search and rescue responded to fallen hiker Friday.
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office emergency services and search and rescue responded
to a hiker who had fallen off of a cliff at Lake Pueblo State Park on Friday. According to
the sheriff's office, a passerby heard screaming and immediately contacted Colorado
Parks and Wildlife. Responders went in on foot to locate the hiker and brought her to a
waiting helicopter which transported her to a hospital in Colorado Springs. The hiker
suffered serious injuries. No further information as to the woman's condition or identity
was provided.
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