KSPK NEWS
March 4th 2026
Legislative leave for State Lawmakers introduced in State Legislature.
Senate Bill 26-087, which was recently introduced into The Colorado State Legislature,
would establish legislative leave protections for members of The Colorado General
Assembly who work other jobs. The bill would require employers to allow lawmakers to
take a leave of absence during the legislative session. Whether that leave is paid or
unpaid is up to the employer, but they would be prohibited from terminating a legislator's
employment for requesting legislative leave. The Colorado Legislative session lasts for
120 days, so lawmakers are not tied to the state capitol all year long. Lawmakers who
began their term before 2025 are paid $43,977, while those who started after receive
$47,561. The bill was assigned to the state, veterans & military affairs committee who
voted yesterday 3-2 to advance the bill to the floor of the senate.
Victim in Alamosa shooting identified.
The victim in the shooting that took place in Alamosa on Sunday, March 1st, has been
identified as Ryan Barnes, 49, of Alamosa. The Alamosa Sheriff's Office and The
Colorado Bureau of Investigation have identified Fernando Rodriguez, 44, of Alamosa,
as a suspect in the shooting. Alamosa County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a
residence in the 3000 block of Lincoln Avenue about 6:20pm on March 1st on the report
of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased male, now identified as Barnes.
Investigators are actively searching for Rodriguez, who is believed to be driving a green
1995 Subaru Station Wagon with Colorado License plate AXO-F61. if you have
information about the incident or the whereabouts of Rodriguez, you’re asked to contact
The Alamosa Sheriff's Office at 719-589-5807.
Silver Cliff woman awarded small claims judgement.
Deborah "Debby" Paraday, of Silver Cliff, was awarded a small claims judgement
yesterday against Cotter family funeral services and Davis mortuary inc., in the amount
of $3,105, which she had previously paid for cremation services to be performed at the
time of her death. Paraday told the court that she had entered into a contract for pre-paid
cremation services on August 21st, 2024. In his ruling, Pueblo County Judge Steven
fieldman stated that while the contract had technically not been breached since Paraday is
not dead, it is clear that Davis Mortuary will be unable to fulfill its contractual
obligations. While Paraday received the judgement, she will now have to find a way to
collect the amount owed.
Dem HD62 Rep Martinez announces re - election campaign.
Democrat Matthew Martinez, from Monte Vista, has announced that he is running for re-
election in Colorado House District 62, which includes The San Luis Valley, Huerfano
County and part of the City of Pueblo. Martinez says he wants to continue being a
"strong voice" for Southern Colorado during, what would be his 3rd two-year term at the
Colorado State Capitol. Evans Gonzalez, the owner of Super Market Gonzalez in Pueblo,
a Republican, has announced his bid to challenge Martinez for the seat. Running a
downtown Pueblo business, Gonzalez says he is concerned that state legislation has made
it difficult for local law enforcement to do their jobs.
CDOT issues reminder that chain laws still in effect.
The Colorado Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers who fall under
Colorado's chain laws that those laws are still very much in effect in spite of the fact that
Colorado hasn't seen that much snow this season. Under Colorado's chain law and
passenger vehicle traction law, truckers are required to carry chains and ATD’s on the
following roads, regardless of weather, though May 31st: I-70 from Morrison to Utah,
Colorado 9 from Frisco to Fairplay, US40 from Empire to Utah, US50 from Salida to
Utah, US160 from Walsenburg to the New Mexico border, US285 from Morrison to New
Mexico, and all of US550.
March 3rd 2026
Update to Colorado's election system bill moving forward in State House.
HB26-1113, a bill that would take a major step towards updating Colorado's election
system, is moving forward in The Colorado State House. The bill includes several key
changes. The first is that polling centers would no longer be allowed to close early,
allowing them to stay open longer if they run low on supplies, including ballots. Ballots
would be mailed out earlier to protect against mail delays. More drop boxes at Colorado
colleges with at least 1,000 students enrolled would be added. The bill would also
require employers to give their employees two hours of paid time off to vote. And, if a
senate seat becomes vacant, the bill would direct that that seat would be filled by
someone from the same political party as the person who held it previously – such as
could happen if U.S. Senator Michael Bennet wins the governor's office. The bill will
have a third and final reading and vote today before it moves on to the Senate for
consideration there.
Rural State Lawmakers kill farmer mandate bill in committee.
Rural state lawmakers, including two Democrats, joined Republicans in the Senate
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last week, to reject what they called an
expensive, impractical mandate on farmers. SB26-65 would have required farmers to
obtain permission from 3rd-party evaluators before using crop seeds coated with
neonicotinoid pesticides, also known as neonics. The committee's rural lawmakers
weren't persuaded that the program sponsored by Democratic Senators Katie Wallace of
Longmont and Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins was the right step, killing the bill in a 2-5 vote
last week. Farmers and advocates from the agriculture industry told the committee that
forcing them into the program will result in poor crop yields and, worse, force already-
narrow profit margins into the red. The proposed legislation also came with a cost that
lawmakers were unlikely to approve.
Alamosa County Sheriff's Office asking for help in locating homicide suspect.
The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating Fernando
Rodriguez. Rodriguez, 44, is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation
following an incident that took place on Sunday. According to The Alamosa County
Sheriff's Office, at approximately 6:20pm on March 1st, deputies responded to a
residence in the 3000 block of Lincoln Avenue in Alamosa, after receiving a report of a
49-year-old male who was unconscious and not breathing. Upon arrival, deputies found
a deceased male with visible injuries inside the residence. Rodriguez has been identified
as a suspect in the homicide. He is a resident of Alamosa and is known to local law
enforcement. He is believed to be driving a green 1995 Subaru Station Wagon with
Colorado License Plate AXO-F61. Anyone with information about the incident or who
knows the whereabouts of Rodriguez is asked to call 719-589-5807.
CDPHE announces confirmed case of Measles in Adams County.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed a case of
measles in an Adams County resident and is notifying members of the public of
additional areas for potential measles exposures. The individual is the second case of
measles at Broomfield High School and was not vaccinated. Possible exposure locations
include the Chick-fil-a on 121st Avenue in Broomfield and The Chipotle on 120th Avenue
in Westminster. Measles is a highly contagious, but preventable disease. Getting
vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.
Democratic candidate meet and greet in Walsenburg tomorrow.
A meet and greet will be held in Walsenburg tomorrow, Wednesday, March 4th, for
Democratic candidates Alex Kelloff, who is running for congress in the 3rd District, and
Vic Myers, who is running for Colorado House District 47. The meet and greet will be
held from 5 to 6pm tomorrow, at the Walsenburg Housing Authority meeting room at
220 Russell Street. The meet and greet is an opportunity to meet the candidates and to ask
any questions you may have.
March 2nd 2026
US Senator Bennet turned in nominating petitions for June primary Friday.
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a Democratic candidate for Colorado Governor, on Friday,
turned in nominating petitions for Colorado's June primary ballot, according to the
Colorado Secretary of State's Office. Bennet's campaign says he plans to rely on this
petitions to get on the ballot and will be skipping the caucus and assembly process.
Bennet's campaign said he turned in petitions bearing more than 17,000 signatures, well
over the number required to qualify for the June 30th primary. Democratic and
Republican candidates running for statewide office in Colorado need to submit 1,500
valid signatures from members of their party registered in each of the state's 8
congressional districts, or a total of 12,000 signatures. Bennet is facing Colorado
Attorney General Phil Weiser in the primary. As many as 25 Republicans are seeking
their party's gubernatorial nomination.
Attorney files motion on Morphew case.
An attorney representing Suzanne Morphew's daughters has filed a motion in the 12th
Judicial District Court in Alamosa related to the release of Suzanne's remains, claiming
that the State of Colorado wrongfully took her remains from the funeral home before a
funeral service could be held. According to motion filed last week, the daughters had
planned a funeral service for Suzanne after the Chaffee County Coroner released her
remains in April of 2024. However, "without warning and contrary to the prior lawful
release", the state took possession of them. The motion seeks an explanation as to why
the remains were taken and why they are being withheld, a temporary restraining order
preventing the state from interfering in the next-of-kin's possession and burial of
Suzanne, and the immediate release of Suzanne's remains. Barry Morphew, Suzanne's
husband, is facing a murder charge in Suzanne's death.
Suspect in UCCS Professor murder case found guilty Thursday.
An El Paso County jury on Thursday found Ceasar Lorenzo Wilson, 54, guilty of
stabbing and killing Haleh Abghari, a University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Professor, after sneaking into her Colorado Springs home the night of August 7th, 2024.
On Friday, Wilson learned that he will be facing a harsher sentence due to his previous
crimes. Wilson was charged with second-degree murder, murder and aggravated
robbery. Wilson was previously convicted of more than a dozen felonies, meaning that
he will be sentenced as a habitual offender. Wilson's sentencing is set for April.
CPW necropsy confirmes Gray wolf cause of death.
A Colorado Parks and Wildlife-conducted necropsy has confirmed that gray wolf 2305
died from capture-related complications during collaring operations on public lands that
took place on January 28th, 2026. These complications led to acute cardiogenic shock,
which could have been exacerbated by several different factors including hyperthermia,
exertiona/capture mayopathy, respiratory distress or drug reation. And independent third-
party veterinary pathologist confirmed all exam results. Two other animals were
successfully captured and collared at the same time, one being a pup.
CDPHE announces Measles case in Broomfield County.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed a case of
measles in a Broomfield County resident and are notifying members of the public of
additional areas for potential measles exposures. The child, who had not been
vaccinated, has no known connection to recent exposures and has not traveled out of
state. Known exposure locations are Broomfield High School, King Soopers in
Broomfield, Petsmart in Westminster, Efrains Mexican restaurant in Lafayette, Advanced
Urgent Care in Broomfield, UC Health in Broomfield, and The CU Family Medicine
Clinic in Louisville. Measles is a highly contagious, but preventable disease. Getting
vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.
February 27th 2026
CO Lawmakers advanced bill to prohibit animal selling.
Colorado Lawmakers advanced a bill this week that would prohibit pet stores from
selling dogs and cats obtained from large-scale commercial breeders. HB26-1011 targets
"brokers", which the bill defines as individuals who sell animals bred by another person,
often in large-scale commercial breeding facilities known as "puppy mills". Pet stores
would still be allowed to house animals available for adoption through a local shelter or
rescue. Eight states and 26 Colorado towns have banned pet stores from selling animals,
such as dogs, cats and rabbits. Proponents say the bill would shut down the "puppy mill
pipeline". Opponents say the bill will not diminish the demand for puppys and warn that
it would push sales into unregulated online and out-of-state markets. The bill passed the
house agriculture, water and natural resources committee on Monday and now will be
considered by The Full House.
CO House passes bill to prevent out of state Colorado labeling.
The Colorado House of Representatives yesterday passed HB26-1031, a bill to prevent
out-of-state farms from labeling their products as Colorado-grown. The vote was
unanimous 65-0. Representative Matthew Martinez, a sponsor of the bill, said in a
release yesterday that "Pueblo Green Chile and San Luis Valley potatoes are renowned
Colorado products, but current law does not prevent bad actors from slapping "Colorado-
grown" labels on out-of-state products." Martinez said "this bipartisan bill would
prohibit deceptive trade practices, such as false labeling, to ensure that consumers can
feel certain that their dollars are supporting Colorado-grown products". Any violation
would be considered a "deceptive trade practice". The bill now moves on to The Senate.
Walsenburg City Council approves new agreement with BHE.
The Walsenburg City Council has approved a one-year technical services agreement with
Black Hills Energy to provide gas service to the City of Walsenburg. The approved
contract will automatically renew for additional one-year terms until terminated. The
motion passed unanimously. City Staff and City Attorney Dan Hyatt will sign off on any
last minute changes to the contract in advance of an April 1st start date. The change
means that gas utility customers within the City of Walsenburg will now be receiving
their gas service from Black Hills. Utility billing will still come from the City of
Walsenburg. The contract calls for the city to pay black hills $102,928.33 for the first
year, payable at $8,577.36 per month. The annual rate will increase 3% per year.
Small earthquake near Weston occurred yesterday morning.
A small earthquake struck near Weston along The Colorado/New Mexico border early
yesterday morning. According to The U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 2.6
earthquake took place at 4:17am yesterday at a depth of 5 kilometers. The epicenter was
located about 15 miles south of Weston, near the state line and west of Raton pass. No
injuries or damage has been reported. While people very near the epicenter may have felt
a brief, light shake, events below magnitude 3.0 rarely produce reports of damage.
Construction to begin on Pike Avenue Improvement project in Alamosa Monday.
Construction on the Pike Avenue Improvement project in Alamosa will begin on
Monday, March 2nd. Over the next three months, crews will replace vital infrastructure,
including water lines, sewer lines, sidewalks and curb and gutter systems. To facilitate
the improvements, pike avenue will be closed from U.S. 160 to first street beginning
Monday and will remain closed through the duration of the project. Second Street will
also be closed to through traffic from Pike Avenue to Blanca Avenue. Residents within
the project area must ensure that no vehicles, RVs or trailers are parked on the street or
within the public right-of-way. Questions should be directed to the public works
department at 719-589-6631.
February 26th 2026
New State legislature bill being considered would expand cottage foods act.
A new bill being considered in the State Legislature is HB26-1033, the expanding the
Colorado cottage foods act, which would remove the barriers that currently exist around
selling homemade food in Colorado. Nicknamed “the tamale act”, the bill would make
Colorado a food freedom state, allowing Coloradans who make homemade foods like
Tamales, Burritos and Tortas to be sold responsibly to Coloradans. Currently, a number
of regulations exist around the sale of homemade food, making some products prohibited.
Proponents say the bill would allow more citizens to make money as entrepreneurs. In a
statement, Governor Jared Polis said this action would align Colorado with fellow
western states like Arizona and Wyoming that have removed this barrier for these types
of home-cooked foods.
New CPW collared gray wolf map shows increased central CO activity.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife released the latest collared gray wolf activity map yesterday
showing wolf activity from January 27th through Tuesday. CPW says that two wolves
have been traveling through the majority of Saguache, Rio Grande and Alamosa
Counties, as well as through parts of Conejos and Costilla counties, through the upper
Huerfano and Mountaineous areas of Pueblo, Custer, El Paso and Teller Counties. Wolf
activity continues throughout the central mountains, basically from The Wyoming border
south to New Mexico. Wolf activity has pulled back from The Denver Metro area in the
past month. Wildlife officials note that no wolves have crossed Interstate 25 or have
spent time in any urban areas at this time. CPW encourages the public to submit any
wolf sightings, videos and photos to them if you see one.
New Pueblo County SD70 board member appointed.
Susie Carnes, Pueblo County School District 70's newest board member, was sworn into
office yesterday. Board President Ann Bennett administered the oath of office. Bennett
personally appointed Carnes to the seat vacated by Anne Ochs after Ochs resigned in
December amid calls over a conflict of interest. Bennett appointed Carnes after citing a
state law that says if the board does not appoint a replacement within 60 days, the board
president has the ability to select the appointment. The swearing in happened yesterday
instead of during Tuesday Night's board meeting, which ended early, after the meeting's
agenda was not approved.
CPW confirmes large scale fish kill along Rio Grande.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed that a "large-scale fish kill" along The Rio
Grande River below Del Norte took place after a river restoration project dried up 7.2
miles of channel during a winter cold snap. The kill wiped out brown trout and rainbow
trout from 2-inch fingerlings to 24-inch adults, along with native species. The "farmers
union canal diversion and headgate improvement project" is at the heart of the problem.
The project was designed to replace an aging diversion dam and headgates on the farmers
union canal to improve irrigation efficiency while adding fish and boat passage. CPW
estimates that the fishery in the 7.2-mile section will need three to five years to recover.
CO Snowpack has risen to most recent record low.
As of yesterday, Colorado's snowpack has risen to the most recent record low, which
took place on February 25th of 2002, or 7.8" of snowpack, thanks to an upward trend over
the past several weeks. Statewide, snowpack has increased from 58% to now 63% of
median in the last 7 days. By river basin, The North Platte is now at 71% of snowpack,
The Yampa & White is at 69%, The Gunnison at 67%, The San Juan & Dolores at 64%,
The Colorado at 62%, The South Platte at 61%, and The Arkansas River Basin remains at
the bottom at 49% of snowpack.
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