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.
September 2nd 2026
Coloradans on medicaid will need to meet new requirements beginning January.
Coloradans who are on medicaid will need to meet new requirements in order to keep
their health care coverage beginning in January of next year. Adults aged 19-64 will
need to prove that they are working or have a valid reason not to work. They will also
need to renew their coverage every six months, instead of every year. These
requirements apply to adults who earn up to 133% of the federal poverty level, which is
up to $20,815 per year for a single individual or $42,760 per year for a family of four.
Covered adults must complete 80 hours per month of work, school or volunteering, or
earn at least $580 a month from a job (or a mix of all of it). The Colorado Department of
Health Care Policy and Financing is sending texts, emails and letters to make sure those
affected don't lose their coverage.
Initiative 195 implement income tax tiers qualifies for November Ballot.
Initiative 195, which would replace Colorado's flat rate income tax, and would instead
implement income tax tiers, has been certified for the general election ballot in
November, which has now set the stage for a showdown between competing ballot
initiatives. Initiatve 195 would raise the tax obligations on higher-income earners, while
low-income earners would actually see a tax decrease. Those making an average wage
would see little change. The measure's proponents argue that higher income earners
should pay more in taxes. Critics say it will hurt, not help, the state. The competing
initiative is Initiative 252, a statutory proposal that would cap the state's tax rate at 4.4%,
so basically where it is now. Whichever measure receives more votes will determine the
rate that Coloradans will pay in the future.
Alamosa County PH announces rabies positive bat found in Alamosa County.
Alamosa County Public Health is notifying residents that a bat found in Alamosa County
has tested positive for rabies. Health officials urge residents to stay away from wild and
stray animals and to make sure that pets are current on their vaccinations. Rabies is a
deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. The disease is regularly
found in colorado wildlife, especially in skunks, and can spread to people and pets
through contact with infected animals. Residents who see wildlife acting unusually
should contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife immediately at 719-587-6900.
Archway communities in Pueblo to receive funds from state as part of Prop 123.
Archway communities in Pueblo will receive $2.5 million from the State of Colorado as
part of Proposition 123 land banking funds. The governor's office says that the funds are
going to support communities as they acquire land for rental and ownership affordable
housing. Archway communities in Pueblo received $2.5 million to support the riverly,
which is estimated to bring just under 100 units to the area. The City of Pueblo provided
a letter of support for the development earlier this year. The developers expect to break
ground on the project in the next few years.
CPW inviting public to join their team.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to join their team if you enjoy working with the
public and protecting Colorado's landscapes and wildlife. Applications are being taken
for CPW District Wildlife Manager trainee and CPW Park Ranger trainee. CPW staff
will send links to the written exam, a writing prompt and background check materials to
applicants shortly after the application period closes. For more information, go to
cpw.state.co.us/careers.
Click here
