KSPK NEWS
June 11th 2026
Fight underway between CO State Legislature and Restore Our Roads coalition.
A fight is underway over a road-funding initiative on the November Ballot and The
Colorado State Legislature. Initiative 175, backed by the coalition "restore our roads",
would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively for building and
repairing roads and bridges, improve safety, conduct transportation planning and
engineering and support The Colorado State Patrol. However, Democratic lawmakers,
claiming that approving the initiative could divert money from services such as health
care and education, introduced and passed HB26-1430, which lowers excise taxes on
fuel, certain registration fees, and road-use fees, which effectively guts-out any funding
for Initiative 175. The new law will only take effect if Initiative 175 is approved by
voters, effectively canceling out the initiative and subverting the will of the people if the
initiative passes. Restore our roads this week rejected legislators' attempts to "force" the
withdrawal of the Initiative by June 15th. Lawmakers say they have made "several good-
faith efforts" to reach a compromise, but all were rejected.
Small plane crash occured east of South Fork Tuesday.
A small plane crashed east of South Fork on Tuesday. According to The Rio Grande
County Sheriff's Office, a report of a plane crash near Shoshone Trail was received at
9:54am on Tuesday, June 10th. Crews arrived to find a small single-engine airplane on
fire in the middle of a field south of Shoshone Trail, east of South Fork. The fire ignited
the surrounding vegetation, resulting in a weed and grass fire that was extinguished by
responding crews. Both occupants of the plane received minor injuries and were able to
de-plane before authorities arrived. One occupant was transported to The Rio Grande
Hospital. The aircraft had taken off from a private airstrip near South Fork. After
experiencing engine power issues, the occupants were attempting to land at Chapman
Field when the crash took place.
Bear Fire broke out in Las Animas County yesterday.
The Bear Fire broke out yesterday afternoon around 1:35pm off of County Road 133.8
and County Road 78.9, in Las Animas County, east of US 350 between La Junta and
Trinidad, near the pinon canyon maneuver site. Evacuations are currently in place for
residents on both sides of County Road 78.9 and Bear Springs Road. The Red Cross has
set up a shelter for evacuees at The Las Animas County Fairgrounds in Trinidad. The
fire was approximately 148 acres with no containment as of 9pm last night. The division
of homeland security and emergency management area field manager is assisting in
fighting the fire.
Girlfriend in Custer County homicide case indicted on felony charges.
Nancy Medina-Kochis, the girlfriend of the man sentenced earlier this year for a 2023
triple homicide in Custer County, has now been indicted on multiple felony charges
related to the case. An 11th Judicial District grand jury returned an indictment against
Medina-Kochis, charging her with three counts of first-degree murder, on count of
attempted first-degree murder, one count of unlawful purchase of a firearm, and one
count of tampering with physical evidence. Medina-Kochis was taken into custody in
New Mexico in November 2023 alongside her boyfriend, Hanme Clark, following the
shooting that left three people dead and one person injured. Clark was found guilty of the
murders earlier this year and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.
Pueblo woman killed in hit and run crash yesterday morning.
A Pueblo woman was killed early yesterday morning by a hit-and-run driver. According
to Pueblo Police, Leann R. Lucero, 31, of Pueblo was pronounced dead at the scene after
being struck by a vehicle along Northern Avenue about 2:30am yesterday. The vehicle
had left the area, but was located by police. 25-year-old Dahir Ortiz Espinoza was
arrested later yesterday and was charged with vehicular homicide, failure to remain at the
scene of a fatal crash, failure to report a fatal crash, reckless driving and DUI.
Deadly multi-vehicle accident closed US 160 over La Veta Pass yesterday.
US 160 over La Veta Pass was closed for about 4 hours yesterday due to a double-fatal,
multi-vehicle accident near Milemarker 279. According to Huerfano County Emergency
Management, the highway was closed in both directions due to the accident that occurred
around 4:56pm yesterday. Four vehicles were involved, including a pickup truck and
semi. Two people were killed in the accident and two additional people received serious
injuries and were transported to the hospital via flight for life. The highway reopened
around 9pm last night. No further information was available last night.
June 10th 2026
CO Gov Polis signs bill passed in reaction to USDOE order into law.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis last week signed HB26-1226 into law, a bill passed in
reaction to orders from The U.S. Department of Energy to keep older coal-fired electrical
power plants online. The new law requires installation of modern pollution controls and
cost reporting for any Colorado coal-fired power plants that continue operating beyond
their planned retirement dates. The new law also directs the public utilities commission
to support resource planning consistent with state clean energy goals. Supporters argued
that the legislation is necessary amid the federal government's push to preserve the coal
industry, which they say is an overreach. Critics say this is just another in a long line of
policies that go after energy sources that are stable and adds to a pattern of state policies
that penalize existing reliable generation before adequate replacements are available.
Custer County Secondary School Principal and Superintendent have resigned.
Custer County Secondary School Principal Ren Olson and Custer County School District
Superintendent Kyle Hebberd have unexpectedly resigned from their positions. Olson
says she is resigning to spend more time with family, citing her age and being almost 70
years old as the reason for her sudden departure. Hebberd announced his resignation
effective at the end of June due to unforeseen family health issues. Hebberd's contract
had been renewed earlier this year. The resignations come at a time when about a quarter
of the existing district staff is leaving, retiring, or did not have their contracts renewed.
Inmates killed at Bent County CF on Saturday identified.
The names of the inmates killed at The Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas
on Saturday are Charles Gates and Michael Fisher. No specific details on the incident
that took place at the prison were given. Gates was serving a nine-year sentence for car
theft, burglary and drug possession. He was eligible for parole in April. Fisher was
serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of Denise Ray Turner in 1996. A
third inmate has been hospitalized but is still alive.
CDOT announces new resurfacing project along US 350 next week.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday that a new resurfacing
project along US 350 will begin next week. The resurfacing will take place between
County Road 9 and County Road 24, in Otero County, just southwest of La Junta. Work
will take place from sunup to sundown, Monday through Friday, with single-lane
closures and reduced speed limits through the work zone. Delays of up to 15 minutes
should be expected. Crews will also install new rumble strips, erosion-control and road-
sign replacement.
EPA and CDPHE to hold public Q&A period today in Creede.
The Environmental Protection Agency and The Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment will hold a public question and answer period this afternoon from 3 to
5pm regarding the coming commodore waste rock pile project near Creede. Crews are
planning to repair and stabilize the commodore waste rock pile between July and
September to help protect tourists and others traveling on bachelor loop and to prepare
the area for future nelson tunnel cleanup work planned for the fall. The meeting will be
held at San Juan Sports and The Sunny Side Bar in Creede.
June 9th 2026
County clerks in Colorado began mailing out ballots yesterday.
County clerks in Colorado yesterday began mailing primary ballots to voters. Voters will
face a long list of choices in both the June 30th primary as well as the November general
election with every major state-level office, including the governor's seat, on the ballot.
County Clerks must mail all ballots by June 12th for the primary election. Coloradans
who are affiliated with The Colorado Democratic Party, Colorado Republican Party,
Libertarian Party of Colorado, or Unity Party of Colorado as of yesterday will receive
only the ballot of the party with which they are affiliated. Unaffiliated voters will be sent
a ballot for both the Democratic and Republican party's primaries. They may also
contact their county clerk to request a Unity Party ballot. Unaffiliated voters may only
vote one ballot. Voters must return their ballots by 7pm on June 30th.
CO Gov Polis announces response plan in response to the new world screwworm.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday announced a new "response plan" to protect
Colorado's cattle industry from the new world screwworm, which reached South Texas
last week and New Mexico yesterday. Screwworms are parasitic fly larvae that feed on
living tissue. The screwworm is a threat to livestock and is capable of causing extensive
and potentially life-threatening tissue damage to affected animals. Officials say the
Colorado State veterinarian's office is working with The USDA and Colorado Livestock
industry partners to prepare for potential impacts, specifically concerning trade and
interstate movement of livestock. The plan also includes The Department of Agriculture
working to ensure that animals coming from infested zones do not pose a risk to
Colorado livestock. Officials say the screwworm does not pose a food safety risk and
The U.S. Food Supply continues to be safe.
CO DOC announces visitation restrictions except for BCCF lifted yesterday.
The Colorado Department of Corrections announced yesterday that it has lifted visitation
restrictions for prisons across the state, with the exception of The Bent County
Correctional Facility in Las Animas. The CDOC temporarily suspended visitation at all
state correctional facilities following an incident at The Bent County Facility on Saturday
where two inmates were killed and a third was injured. No further information about the
nature of the incident has been provided other than to say that the incident remains under
investigation.
Pedestrian hit by car on US 50 Saturday identified.
46-year-old Robert J. Hepler has been identified as the pedestrian who was pronounced
dead after he was struck by a car on US 50 at Milemarker 312 in Pueblo County around
9:50pm Saturday. According to The Colorado State Patrol, a Chevrolet Trax was
eastbound on US50 when Helpler attempted to cross the highway. Hepler was traveling
southbound across the highway. The Chevy Trax was traveling eastbound. The driver of
The Chevrolet began to brake to avoid a collision, but the car's front struck Hepler,
killing him.
CDOT formally approves comprehensive 10 year plan.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has formally approved its comprehensive
10-year plan for over 250 projects across colorado. The comprehensive plan serves as an
action-oriented investment strategy roadmap, designed to enhance the state's economy,
preserve the quality of life for all residents and ensure a more connected and efficient
transportation network for the next decade. The plan is built around three core pillars:
fix our roads, advance transportation safety, and sustainability increase transportation
choices. For more information on the 10-year plan, and to view the complete project list,
go to www.codot.gov and search on "10-year vision plan".
June 8th 2026
CO Gov Polis signed tamale act into law Thursday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Thursday signed HB26-1033, the "tamale act" into law
on Thursday. The new law will remove the barriers that existed around selling
homemade food and will allow residents across Colorado to sell temperature-controlled
homemade foods. Homemade food sellers in Colorado now must complete a food safety
course that includes proper food handling, including time and temperature control. Food
sellers must maintain proof of the course completion. Food sellers also may not transport
the food more than once or transport it longer than two hours. The tamale act expands
the cottage food act which allowed the sale of some homemade food items, including
coffee beans and pickles. Food sellers can now sell products that include ingredients
such as butter, milk and meat.
CO DOC suspends visitations at facilities after Bent County incident.
An incident that took place at The Bent County Correctional Facility on Saturday evening
left two inmates dead and injured a third. No members of the jail staff were harmed. No
further information was made available about the incident, however, The Colorado
Department of Corrections has suspended visitations for all inmates in Colorado
indefinitely due to the incident. CDOC says this is a precautionary decision intended to
support department operations and maintain the safety and security of its facilities. There
are no known threats to the surrounding communities at this time. There is currently no
timetable for when visits will be allowed again. The CDOC office of the inspector
general is leading the investigation into the incident at The Bent County facility.
Two fatal car crashes take place in Pueblo County over the weekend.
Two fatal car crashes took place over the weekend in Pueblo County. According to The
Colorado State Patrol, just before 10pm Saturday, troopers responded to a crash between
a pedestrian and a Chevy SUV on Easbound US 50 at Milemarker 312. The pedestrian
was reportedly crossing US 50 when the driver of the SUV began to brake to avoid the
pedestrian, however, the front of the car struck the pedestrian. The 46-year-old died at
the scene. At 11:21pm Saturday, troopers responded to a single-car crash on Colorado
165 at Milemarker 36. A Subaru outback was reportedly traveling eastbound on
Colorado 165 towards Interstate 25 in Colorado City when it failed to make the right-
hand curve, drove across oncoming traffic and drove off the left side of the roadway,
struck a fence and rolled several times. 36-year-old Crystal Case died at the scene.
Rio Grande County S&R rescue overdue hiker last week.
Rio Grande County Search and Rescue was advised of an overdue female hiker on
Wednesday, June 3rd, at approximately 5:20pm. The woman in her 60s from Texas had
left around 7:30am Wednesday to hike the palisade trail. Friends reported her missing
after she did not return at the expected time. Crews searched the area unsuccessfully on
Wednesday evening, then resumed the search early Thursday morning. The woman was
located using a drone and contact was made with her at 12:59pm Thursday in Raven
Park. She was dehydrated, but otherwise was uninjured.
Homicide case against Trinidad man dismissed.
The homicide case against Bill Blatnick, 63, of Trinidad, who was accused of throwing
the alleged victim over a bridge during a fist fight has been dismissed. The 3rd Judicial
District Attorney's Office last week moved to dismiss the case after video evidence
showed the alleged victim, Troy Anthony Gutierrez, 63, of Trinidad, had started the
confrontation, and that the defendant had tried to prevent the fatal fall. The incident took
place in August of 2024.
June 5th 2026
CO Gov Polis issues statewide drought emergency declaration.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has activated phase 3 of The Colorado Drought Response
plan and has issued a statewide drought emergency declaration. The declaration and plan
activation are a result of months of monitoring water and worsening drought conditions
across Colorado. The U.S. Drought Monitor, released yesterday, shows that all 64
counties in Colorado are experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions, and 93% of the
state is in moderate to exceptional drought. With phase 3 activated, the drought task
force will meet regularly to monitor conditions, coordinate inter agency response efforts,
identify unmet needs, elevate local impacts and share drought resources and support.
Besides low snowpack and low streamflows, this water year has also been the warmest
on record in Colorado.
Colorado to soon require apps and online services to verify users approximate age.
Colorado will soon require apps and online services to verify a users approximate age
under a new law signed by Governor Jared Polis yesterday. SB26-051 creates a
statewide framework that sponsors say would shield minors from inappropriate content
while limiting how companies can share age-related data. The new law will require
websites, apps and other online services to ask users for their age or age range and will
transmit that information to the device's app store. The new law also imposes penalties
on developers who have "clear and convincing" evidence that a user is lying about their
age, but still acts as if it is their actual age. The new law takes effect on July 1st of 2028.
Alamosa City Council approves first reading of intergovernmental agreement.
The Alamosa City Council approved the first reading of an intergovernmental agreement
with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Alamosa County for a required re-
evaluation report of the 6.4-mile long Rio Grande levee system through the city on
Wednesday. An army corps inspection rated the levee as "unacceptable" and removed it
from the federal agency's rehabilitation and inspection program in 2008. The action puts
Alamosa at risk of losing its accreditation from The Federal Emergency management
agency. Rebuilding the Alamosa levee system is expected to cost $25.5 million. City
Council has scheduled a public hearing for June 17th to hear from the community before a
final vote on the agreement is taken.
Las Animas County Coroner's office released autopsy results in April case.
The Las Animas County Coroner's Office last week released the results of the autopsy
for Christina Annette Sanchez, 53, of Trinidad, who was found dead in April. According
to the coroner's office, "the remains were too severely decomposed to identify potential
lethal natural diseases or injuries." Sanchez was found dead to the west of Trinidad in
early April after she went missing in April of last year. She was pronounced dead around
8:30pm on April 7th. The autopsy took place in Pueblo on April 14th. The Coroner's
Office says that its investigation into Sanchez's death is closed "unless additional
information becomes available..."
Alamosa City Crews to begin working intersection safety improvement project.
Beginning on Monday, June 8th, Alamosa City Crews will be working on Victoria
Avenue at the intersection of Stuart Avenue and First Street to install safety
improvements. This project was necessitated by a notable increase in vehicular crashes
and near-miss incidents involving eastbound traffic traveling from Stuart Avenue to First
Street. The planned safety improvements include installing a 3-way stop and eliminating
eastbound movements from Stuart Avenue to First Street and southbound movements
turning east from Victoria Avenue onto First Street. Temporary closures will occur on
Stuart Avenue and First Street. Please plan to use alternate routes during the work
period.
Click here
