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.
September 4th 2026
Colorado renewing push for federal disaster assistance following fires.
The State of Colorado is renewing its push for federal disaster assistance following The
Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires that burned more than 140,000 acres across three
counties in June and July. The state has submitted 173 letters from elected officials and
community leaders to FEMA in support of its request for a major disaster declaration.
Polis says the letters lay out the human reality behind the damage reports. Polis says that
the state has already committed significant resources, but communities cannot recover
from a disaster of this scale on their own, and he hopes that President Trump will approve
the request. If the president grants the request, Colorado will be eligible for federal
financial assistance and direct support from FEMA.
CO Gov Polis names special envoy to Cielo Vista Ranch.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Wednesday named Former Secretary of the Interior
and U.S. Senator Ken Salazar a Special Envoy to Cielo Vista Ranch. Polis says he
believes that Salazar will facilitate a resolution between ranch owner William Harrison
and the people of San Luis who have historical rights to use the ranch. Polis named
Salazar as envoy because he is a San Luis Valley native and because of his history with
the valley. The order directs Salazar "to facilitate conversations and form a
recommendation related to long-term disagreements over The Costilla County Ranch and
access rights to the property to heirs of the original land grant". The 1844 Sangre De
Cristo land grant gave access to residents to use the ranch, known locally as La Sierra, for
the purposes of grazing, timber harvesting and firewood collection. The conflict goes
back to the 1960s when North Carolina Lumberman Jack Taylor owned the ranch.
Harrison purchased the ranch in 2017.
Huerfano, Las Animas and Costilla Counties share highest unemployement rates in the state.
Huerfano, Las Animas and Costilla Counties all share the highest unemployment rates in
The State of Colorado, indicating a serious downturn in job availability and economic
stability in the area. While the State of Colorado has maintained a steady 3.9%
unemployment during 2026, Las Animas County currently comes in at 6.3%
unemployment, with Huerfano County currently at 6.7% unemployement. At the bottom
position is Costilla County with 7.4% unemployement. The Colorado Department of
Labor and Employement posts an overview each month of how the state did in terms of
jobs. The three counties shared the highest unemployement in the state at the end of July.
Pueblo County asking for volunteers to help with Beulah cleanup.
Pueblo County is asking for community volunteers to help with the ongoing cleanup
effort taking place in Beulah following The Aspen Acres fire and flooding. According to
county officials, community volunteers are needed with the following: debris and mud
cleanup, minor repairs and cleanup, sorting and organizing donations, moving and
hauling materials, helping residents with everyday needs, and other cleanup and recovery
activities. The Aspen Acres recovery team is helping connect volunteers with residents
in need of assistance. Go to their website at aartsoco.com for more information and to
sign up.
CDOT warning drivers of heavy traffic this Labor Day weekend.
With the Labor Day weekend upon us, The Colorado Department of Transporation is
reminding drivers to expect heavy traffic statewide over the Labor Day weekend due to
holiday events and recreational travel. Motorists should anticipate increased congestion
along the front range and on mountain highways, particularly along Interstate 70 west of
Denver. CDOT safety patrol units will assist stranded motorists and help manage traffic
flow across major Denver-metro highways, I-25 from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs,
and key corridors throughout the holiday weekend.
September 3rd 2026
Alamosa District Court Judge confines murder suspect Morphew to home following incident.
Alamosa District Court Judge Amanda Hopkins has confined murder suspect Barry
Morphew to his home following a road rage and hit-and-run incident. Hopkins says she
was informed of the incident after a concerned citizen sent her an email which indicated
that Morphew was part of a hit-and-run crash in Denver on August 26th. One of the
drivers involved in the crash alleged that Morphew had been driving aggressively before
hitting two cars. The judge said the driver of one of the cars filmed the crash and "a
person who is very clearly the defendant" claimed he did not have insurance and refused
to identify himself. Morphew is charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife
Suzanne Morphew, who disappeared on Mother's Day of 2020 in Chaffee County. Judge
Hopkins has now placed much stricter restrictions on Morphew's movements. There will
be a hearing next week to discuss the matter.
US Senator Hickenlooper joined County and State officials yesterday to discuss sewage incident.
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined Pueblo County and state officials yesterday to
emphasize the need to address both the immediate contamination and the cause of the
4.25 million gallon sewage spill into the Arkansas River. Hickenlooper said yesterday
that "we have a team that's going to do everything possible to make sure we find out why
it happened... do everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen again, and... deal
with this situation in real time. The Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment is sampling the river from the spill location through John Martin Reservoir
and beyond to Lamar. CDPHE says that sunlight, ultraviolet radiation and aeration in the
river are helping to reduce the bacteria levels. Officials say that additional testing will
help determine the extent of the contamination as it moves downstream.
Initiative 95 if passed would bypass CO sanctuary laws.
Initiative 95 would bypass Colorado's sanctuary laws if passed. The initiative would
require all law enforcement in the State of Colorado to report the arrest of some who are
in the country illegally to federal agencies. The initiative would eliminate laws passed in
2019 and 2025 which restrict law enforcement from giving any information to federal
immigration authorities regarding any illegal aliens who are arrested or who are in
custody within the state. Advance Colorado has put forth the initiative and says that this
initiative is different from what has been offered previously in that only undocumented
people who have a felony record or who have been charged with a violent crime need to
be reported.
Night shift crews working to repair and upgrade streets in Alamosa.
Night-shift crews are working this week and next to repair and upgrade streets in
Alamosa round Wal-mart. Tonight, work is scheduled to be completed on Cielo Azul
from US 160 to Mariposa Street. Then, on Tuesday, September 8th, beginning at 8am,
crews will continue work on Cielo Azul from Mariposa Street to Carroll Street.
Residents of the Cielo Azul Apartments are advised to park on Carroll Street during the
Cielo Azul street closure on Tuesday. For more information, call Alamosa Public Works
at 719-589-6631.
CSP reminding drivers of beginning of CO chain/traction law.
The Colorado State Patrol is reminding drivers that September 1st began the start of
Colorado's chain law and passenger vehicle traction law. From September 1st through
May 31st, all commercial vehicle drivers must carry chains. This includes vehicles with a
combined weight of more than 16,000 lbs used for commercial purposes or as a way to
transport 16 or more people on public highways. Smaller cars traveling I-70 between
Morrison and Dotsero also must carry chains, an approved traction device or "all
weather" tires that have a tread-depth of at least 3/16 of an inch.
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