KSPK NEWS
September 14th 2026
Prop 81 Opponents gathered outside CO State Capitol Thursday.
Opponents of Proposition 81 gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday to
oppose a ballot measure that would require state and local law enforcement to cooperate
with federal immigration authorities, if it is approved by voters in November. Put
forward by Advance Colorado, Proposition 81 would require local law enforcement
agencies to notify immigration and customs enforcement when they charge a person who
is in the country illegally with a violent crime or when the individual has previously been
charged with a felony. The requirement also applies when the person's legal status
cannot be determined. Advance Colorado says that under a recent state law, an officer
faces a fine of up to $50,000 for choosing to report a violent offender to federal
authorities. The Colorado ACLU says approving Proposition 81 would make
communities less safe, particularly under the current administration.
Black Hills Energy announces Pueblo battery storage build to move Forward.
Black Hills Energy has announced that it is moving forward with construction of a 50-
megawatt battery storage facility at its Pueblo airport generating station. The project,
called the Pueblo Battery resource, was approved by the Colorado Public Utilities
commission in 2025 as part of the company's 2022 clean energy plan filing, according to
the announcement. With 50 megawatts of battery storage capacity, the four-hour battery
storage system will be charged with excess renewable energy provided by other Black
Hills Energy renewable resource generation, the company said. Each day, the cost-
effective resource will be charged and available to serve 200 megawatt-hours of customer
peak demand, according to the company.
Del Norte BOT approved moratorium on use of flock cameras.
The Del Norte Board of Trustees has approved a multi-year moratorium on the
installation and use of license plate reader cameras in the town of Del Norte while
officials take a closer look at the technology, its accuracy and the legal questions
surrounding its use. The decision comes after such cameras have become a growing
topic of conversation in communities across Colorado. Del Norte Police Chief Frank
Archuleta told the board that he has no intention of requesting the use of or installation of
flock cameras any time soon. The board indicated that the moratorium will allow the
town time to gather more information before making any long-term decision on whether
or not the cameras should be allowed within the town limits.
Tunnel to towers foundation announced late EMS Paramedic home mortgage paid off Friday.
The tunnel to towers foundation announced on Friday that it has paid off the mortgage on
the home of Custer County EMS Paramedic Alfredo Fernandez who died in a crash in
2024. Fernandez was killed on his way to work on October 19th of 2024 when he was
involved in a car crash. He had served for more than 10 years working in Florida,
Denver and as a flight medic for flight for life in Colorado before he came to Custer
County. He left behind his wife and daughter. In all, the foundation paid off homes for
55 families in 18 states to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th.
Bear reports see drastic increase this year due to extraordinary drought and fire year.
Given the extraordinary drought and fire year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have
been responding to a drastic increase in bear reports from the public. While wildlife
officers work to manage and mitigate human-bear interactions statewide, relocation and
euthanization options are exercised for bears that have been hit by motor vehicles, are
found suffering from poor health and body condition, have attacked humans, or have
entered homes or other structures. There have been 8,672 reports of bear-related
sightings and incidents as of the end of august, compared to 3,680 reports through last
August. This year, 98 bears have been relocated, compared to 33 bears last year. 294
bears have been euthanized this year, compared to 83 bears last year.
September 11th 2026
Denver judge rules CO SOS Libertarian nominee will appear on ballot.
A Denver judge ruled last week that The Colorado Libertarian Party's pick for Secretary
of State will appear on the November ballot after the party's original nominee withdrew
one day after the deadline to replace minor party candidates. Denver District Court Judge
Adam J. Espinosa approved a motion filed by Sean Vadney asking that state election
officials list the 26-year-old highlands ranch resident as the libertarian nominee,
concluding that the party met the appropriate "substantial compliance" standard with
legal requirements for parties to fill ballot vacancies. Vadney will face Democrat
Amanda Gonzales, the Jefferson County Clerk, and Republican James Wiley, a former
libertarian, for the office held by term-limited Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
Candidates for The American Constitution Party and Forward Party will also be included
on ballots.
CPW announces another wolf killing yesterday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced yesterday that staff has killed an uncollared
female yearling wolf from the one ear pack after confirming that she had been killing
livestock in Grand County. That makes 3 wolves from 3 separate packs having been
killed in the past three days. The 3 new deaths bring Colorado's two-year wolf mortality
total to 20. CPW says the yearling wolf was killed as a management action after
continued depredation during an evaluation period following a previous removal on
August 4th, despite producers using all available nonlethal deterrents. Officials had hoped
that the August removal would curb the pack's behavior, but it did not. The wolf killed
Wednesday was responsible for seven livestock deaths that occurred after the first
removal from the pack.
Alamosa County Democrats to host fundraiser next Saturday.
Alamosa County Democrats will host its second annual potluck dinner and decadent
dessert fundraiser on Saturday, September 19th, from 5:30pm to 8pm at The Shooting
Stars Cultural Center in Alamosa at 807 Ross Avenue. Admission is $20 per person. To
donate food items to the potluck and/or dessert auction, contact Mary Delorenzo at
marydelorenzo01@msn.com, or call 505-660-7816.
CPW euthanize lethargic bear in Durango.
A bear in Durango was euthanized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials after they say
it ingested too much trash. According to CPW, the bear was incredibly bloated and
weighed around 300 pounds. CPW officers took a report on Saturday of a black bear
behind someone's home that appeared lethargic. When officers arrived, they noticed the
bear moaning, and unable to move other than standing up and pivoting. Officers decided
to euthanize the bear. Then, officers conducted a field necropsy and found the bear's
stomach and upper intestine completely blocked with trash. The bear was around 18
years old. CPW reminds all Coloradans to properly secure trash to avoid any human-bear
conflicts.
Trinidad Middle School teacher one of 8 finalists for CO Teacher Of The Year Award.
Jessie Russett, a sixth-grade english language arts teacher at Trinidad Middle School, was
informed in her classroom on September 1st that she is one of 8 finalists for the 2027
Colorado teacher of the year award. Only 8 finalists were selected for the award by The
Colorado Department of Education from 300 applications across 76 school districts.
Russett is being recognized for her dedication to students and her contributions to the
school community. The announcement of the winner will take place next month.
September 10th 2026
State of Colorado joins new lawsuits against the Trump Administration.
The State of Colorado has joined a coalition of states to challenge the Trump
Administration - this time on proposed rules regarding the endangered species act. The
pair of lawsuits challenge new rules that, the lawsuits say, would make it easier for
private companies to modify or degrade the habitats of threatened and endangered
species. The first lawsuit challenges a recent rule that changed the definition of "harm"
under the endangered species act. The second lawsuit challenges two proposed rule
changes that seek to rescind regulations that automatically protect newly listed threatened
species and create a new process for designating areas as "critical habitat". To date,
Colorado has filed, or joined 82 lawsuits against The Trump Administration since
January of 2025.
Alamosa County Commissioners approved new data center build yesterday.
Alamosa County Commissioners yesterday approved a container-based data center
proposed by Strata Inc. of Boulder for the Mosca-Hooper area. Commissioners listened
to testimony from residents concerned that approval would lead to more and larger data
centers, along with others who supported Strata and its approach to constructing data
centers. Strata plans to construct an initial 12 containers, with a full build-out of 21
containers, that would consume a total of 3 megawatts of power. The data center will be
constructed 1.75 miles southeast of Hooper on two acres of an 80-acre parcel. The exact
customer base for the data center has not yet been determined. Commissioners Lori
Laske and Vern Heersink voted for the project. Arlan Van Ry, who is up for re-election
in November, was the lone vote in opposition.
Custer County and Saguache County SAR rescue climber after a fall Monday.
Custer County Search and Rescue, along with Saguache County Search and Rescue,
performed a technical rope rescue on Monday after a climber fell on Crestone Needle.
According to Custer County, a man was with a group of five people descending from the
summit when he was seriously injured in a fall around 11am. Other members of his
group and nearby climbers witnessed the fall, called 911, and also provided assistance.
When search and rescue crews reached the climber, he was unconscious, but was still
breathing. Flight for life helped the technical rope rescue team at Cottonwood Lake
begin the ascent to reach the injured man. The team safely extracted the man by 3:44pm.
No details about the climber's condition have been released.
Natural gas leak that occured in Walsenburg yesterday now fixed.
A natural gas leak in the vicinity of west 7th and 8th Streets in Walsenburg yesterday was
actively being worked by the Huerfano County Fire Department and the Walsenburg
Police Department. Black Hills Energy was also called in to find and stop the leak. Fire
and police planned to go door-to-door to households that were impacted if any
evacuations were necessary. Huerfano County announced that the gas leak had been
resolved by late yesterday. No further information about the leak was made available.
Alamosa Police asking for assistance in locating missing man.
The Alamosa Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Louis Chavez,
who was last seen on or around Saturday, September 5th. Chavez was last known to be in
Saguache County around 10:45pm on Sunday, September 6th. He is believed to be
driving a Grey 2021 Jeep Gladiator with Colorado License Plate FXB-F16. Anyone with
any information regarding the whereabouts of Louis Chavez or his vehicle is asked to call
Alamosa Police at 719-589-2548, or Alamosa Dispatch at 719-589-5807.
September 9th 2026
Barry Morphew now facing additional charges after Denver hit and run.
Barry Morphew, who is charged with murder in connection to his wife's death, appeared
in Alamosa District Court yesterday for a bond hearing, and is now facing additional
charges of careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident,
driving without a driver's license, and failure to display proof of insurance. The
prosecution asked for Morphew's bond to be increased significantly saying "he has not
just violated once... He has pretty much disregarded the court's order altogether".
Prosecutors said that Morphew as "very evasive" and had made multiple trips to hotels,
trailheads, restaurants, retail locations, liquor stores and had spent time walking around
downtown Denver. Judge Amanda Hopkins increased Morphew's bond to $10 million
cash-only. Morphew's next court date is set for November 3rd at 1:30pm.
Former CBI Forensic Scientist sentenced in evidence manipulation case.
Yvonne "Missy" Woods, the former Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Scientist
charged with manipulating evidence for years, was sentenced to 10 years in prison
yesterday in a Jefferson County Courtroom. Via a plea agreement, Woods pleaded guilty
in June to cybercrime, perjury, attempting to influence a public servant and forgery. The
10 year prison sentence handed down by Judge Andrew Poland is for the cybercrime
charge. The other three charges received prison sentences as well, but those will be
served concurrently. Wood also received three years of mandatory probation on the
cybercrime charge. Almost 100 remaining charges were consolidated into two of the
counts as part of the plea deal.
CPW concluded two separate lethal wolf removal operations Monday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Monday concluded two separate lethal removal
operations in Pitkin and Rio Blanco Counties. In Pitkin County, an uncollared male
yearling wolf from the copper creek pack was lethally removed as a response to four
confirmed depredation events that occurred in July, August and September. In Rio
Blanco County, an uncollared male yearling wolf from the three creeks pack was also
lethally removed as a response to four confirmed depredation events that occurred in
August and September. The depredation events took place despite producers pursuing
non-lethal conflict minimization efforts and met CPW's definition of chronic
depredation. Final reports on these lethal removals will be posted on the CPW website.
Alamosa residents pressed City Council with local ICE facility concerns last Wednesday.
Alamosa residents pressed The Alamosa City Council last Wednesday with concerns
regarding a local immigration and customs enforcement holding facility. Residents cited
concerns about detainee treatment and allegations that individuals have been held longer
than city officials believed was permitted. Most comments urged the council to revisit a
previous decision that allowed the operation to continue under its existing zoning status.
Residents said that the facilities use has increased significantly during the past 20 months
and argued that the city should consider legal measures. City Attorney Erich Schwiesow
said the city maintains communication with local ice officials and would be interested in
discussing the report of at least one detainee being held for six days, however,
Schwiesow also noted that Alamosa's facility does not have an explicit limit for how long
detainees can be held.
CDOT announces completion of I-25 cable rail barrier north of Pueblo.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday that it has completed
the installation of cable rail barrier in the median of Interstate 25 north of Pueblo. Crews
installed nearly six miles of cable rail between mile markers 108.5 and 114.1. Other
work included grading the median, culvert and inlet cleaning to address drainage
concerns, weed barrier placement and updating existing guardrails.
September 8th 2026
President Trump approved CO Federal AID and FEMA assistance request Friday.
President Donald Trump on Friday approved federal disaster recovery aid and FEMA
public assistance for those affected by The Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain wildfires.
Governor Jared Polis said Friday that "today's approval of public assistance will help our
communities clear debris and repair damage to public infrastructure. Removing debris
from homes and buildings destroyed is the most important step to begin rebuilding and
now that work can occur promptly at no cost to homeowners..." Polis thanked the
President for approving Colorado's public assistance request. According to The
Governor's Office, The Aspen Acres Fire destroyed 324 homes in Pueblo and Custer
Counties. Almost 12,000 people had to evacuate because of the fire. The fire remains at
102,004 acres and is currently 82% contained.
Barry Morphew arrested in Boulder County Friday Night.
After being confined to his home by Alamosa District Court Judge Amanda Hopkins last
Wednesday, murder suspect Barry Morphew was arrested in Boulder County around
9:11pm Thursday Night, on an outstanding warrant from Alamosa County for failure to
comply. As of Friday Night, Morphew was being held in The Alamosa County Jail on
just over $3 million bond. Morphew is facing a murder charge in the death of his wife
Suzanne Morphew, who disappeared 6 years ago. He was originally ordered confined to
his home with limited exceptions for medical needs and work, however, is now accused
of committing a hit-and-run in Denver on August 26th, while he was under GPS
monitoring. That caused Judge Hopkins to issue an order that Morphew remain confined
to his home with no exceptions. District Attorney Anne Kelly is requesting significant
modifications to Morphew's bond conditions. A bond hearing is set for today in
Alamosa District Court.
Rye Firefighters called to structure fire Sunday Morning in Rye.
Rye Firefighters were called to a reported structure fire that was spreading to nearby trees
on Maple Drive in Rye around 5:20am on Sunday Morning. Upon arrival, firefighters
found a fully engulfed mobile home with several nearby trees on fire. Crews quickly
established a protection line around the fire, protecting nearby homes and limiting the
potential for the fire to spread into surrounding wildland fuels. The fire was successfully
contained to the one property, and was fully extinguished around 9am Sunday.
Man who was found dead at Lake Pueblo identified as missing man.
Adam Todd Armstrong, 52, who has been missing since July 13th, has been identified as
the man whose body was found on September 1st at the edge of Lake Pueblo State Park
near Liberty Point. The Pueblo County Coroner's Office is still investigating the
circumstances that lead to Armstrong's death. No further information has been released
detailing how Armstrong died. A cause of death will be released once the investigation is
completed.
CDPHE says fines could be assessed in Pueblo sewage incident.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says that, while
enforcement is not a priority while the agency responds to the sewage spill into the
Arkansas River that took place between August 26th and 27th, fines could be assessed
against the City of Pueblo due to the spill. CDPHE says the agency has not previously
taken enforcement action against the City of Pueblo in the past 5 years. The sewage
release violated the Colorado water quality control act. If penalties and fines are
assessed, they could be up to $66,895 per day, per violation.
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