KSPK NEWS
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.
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.
Click here
