May 7th 2026
USDOJ files lawsuit against Colorado yesterday.
The United States Department of Justice yesterday filed suit against Colorado over a state
law that prohibits a gun magazine that can hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition.
lawmakers passed the magazine ban in 2013 in the wake of the aurora theater shooting
that left 12 people dead and more than 70 wounded. In the years since, The Democratic-
controlled legislature has passed further gun restrictions, along with Colorado's "red
flag" law, saying they promote safety. Critics, however, gave countered that the new
laws only make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to access guns, and that gun
restrictions have not stopped mass shootings in Colorado. The DOJ said that a law that
restricts conduct by the plain text of the second amendment is presumed to be
unconstitutional, such as is the case with the Colorado law.
CPW says 2025 wolf depredation claims far exceeded budget estimates.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has paid out a total of $1.072 million for wolf depredation
claims in 2025 alone, far exceeding budget estimates. After paying more than $706,000
in march to ranchers for livestock lost to wolves, CPW is poised to approve two
additional claims totaling over $262,000 at its meeting today. CPW staff can sign off on
claims under $20,000. that, along with $425,478.61 paid in claims last year, brings the
total damages for the first two years of the wolf reintroduction program to $1.722 million.
The state's wolf compensation fund, however, is only appropriated at $350,000 annually.
Because proposition 114 required damage claims to be paid for wolf depredations, CPW
must find other sources to pay those claims. With wolf-depredation payouts nearly five
times the budgeted amount, the program's total cost is now projected to exceed $10
million in its first 6 years. The original estimate was $800,000 per year.
UCCS Professor murder suspect sentenced in case yesterday.
Ceasar Lorenzo Wilson, who was found guilty of killing a University of Colorado
Colorado Springs Professor in 2024, was sentenced to 224 years in prison yesterday,
followed by five years of mandatory parole. Wilson was found guilty of stabbing and
killing 54-year-old UCCS visual and performing arts department Professor Haleh
Abghari. Wilson was arrested and charged with Abghari's death 7 months after the
stabbing. His sentencing was originally set for April 29th, but he reportedly refused to be
transferred from jail. A "by any means necessary" warrant was issued by the court to
ensure that Wilson would appear at yesterday's sentencing.
CDOT announces completion of US 285 Conejos River project.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday that it has completed
bridge improvements at two locations over The Conejos River on US 285. The project
cost approximately $2.8 million and took advantage of low water flows over the winter
season to successfully complete improvements on May 1st. The project removed an
existing steel girder bridge and replaced it with a new concrete box structure at the
northern location, improving water flow. The southern bridge received concrete deck
repairs and a new asphalt overlay prolonging the life of the structure and providing a
smoother road surface for motorists.
SLV community band spring concert taking place in Alamosa tonight.
The San Luis Valley community band spring concert, under the direction of Dr. Kerry
Hart, will take place tonight, May 7th, at 7pm at Richardson Hall Auditorium on The
Adams State Campus in Alamosa. The concert is free and open to the public. Everyone
is invited to support and attend the concert to enjoy an evening of a variety of music from
musicians of The San Luis Valley. The spring concert of The SLV Community Band is
the final concert for the 2025-2026 season.
May 6th 2026
CO State Senate committee rejects bill to sue civil servants.
The Colorado State Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday rejected SB26-176, a bill that
would have allowed residents to sue federal and local officials in state court for alleged
constitutional violations. The bill would have allowed individuals who have been
subjected to a "deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities" afforded in The U.S.
Constitution to sue for civil damages within two years of the alleged violation. The
sponsors of the bill told the committee Monday that the bill arose out of concerns that
federal government overreach has gone beyond immigration enforcement. Opponents,
however, expressed worries that the legislation would lead to unintended consequences,
potentially exposing a host of public servants, including child welfare case workers, to
legal liabilities. The bill failed the committee on a 4-3 vote.
CBI currently searching for missing Monte Vista man.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is currently searching for Vincent Ackerman Jr, of
Monte Vista, who went missing on Monday. According to CBI, Ackerman, 58, was last
seen on Monday around 9:30pm near Crestone Court and Sherman Avenue in Monte
Vista. Ackerman has medical conditions and needs medication. He is described as 6-
foot-4 and 205 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue
sweatshirt, gray t-shirt, blue jeans and slippers. If you see Ackerman or know his
whereabouts, call 911, or The Monte Vista Police Department at 719-852-5111.
Fatal US 160 crash near Bayfield leaves one survivor.
A fatal car crash on US 160 near Bayfield took the lives of two adults, but spared the life
of a 5-year-old child, who wasn't found for more than a day. According to The Colorado
State Patrol, a blue Chevrolet crashed Saturday morning, but crews didn't discover the
wreckage until almost 30 hours later. The vehicle had traveled down an embankment
east of Bayfield. Crews rescued the child from an upside-down vehicle, along with
recovering the bodies of the two adults. Authorities say that the family was from
Farmington, New Mexico. They have not yet been identified. While the child appeared
uninjured, the child was taken to mercy hospital in Durango as a precaution. Saturday
morning's wreckage was not visible from the highway. Officials say it is not uncommon
for crashes to go unnoticed for hours due to terrain in the area.
CO Health officials issue warning to public of contaminated marijuana sold in CO.
Colorado Health Officials are warning the public of contaminated marijuana sold in
Colorado Springs, Trinidad and Boulder. The Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment has issued a health and safety advisory for marijuana produced by Arkansas
Valley Organics, LLC, that they say was found to have exceeded acceptable limits of
total yeast and mold. A voluntary recall has been issued for the affected harvest batch,
sold between February 11th and April 23rd at three magnolia road cannabis company
locations, on Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs, on 30th Street in Boulder and on
North Commercial Street in Trinidad. The contaminated batch is identified as SLH-1
with retail marijuana cultivation license 403R-01222.
CDOT announces planned maintenance of US 160 to begin in Alamosa.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it will begin planned
preventative maintenance of the US Highway 160 bridge over The Rio Grande River in
Alamosa, at mile marker 233, next week. Beginning Monday, May 11th, crews will
mobilize equipment ahead of repairs. Work will include overlaying new road surface
asphalt, repairing deteriorated bridge deck concrete, installing new expansion joints and
repairing the sidewalk. Motorists should expect lane shifts and congestion due to the
reduced travel lanes.
May 5th 2026
Bill introduced in state senate to amend 2024 AI law.
SB26-189, a revised proposal to amend the 2024 artificial-intelligence law, was
introduced in the senate late last week. The bill, which will have its first hearing this
afternoon before The Senate business, labor and technology committee, largely mirrors a
draft bill written by a governor-appointed task force. When the draft proposal was
released in March, Governor Jared Polis said the law would ensure that residents are
aware when ai or an automated decision-making system is used that impacts decisions
that affect their lives. Polis said that Coloradans will receive an up-front notice when ai
is being used, and if the decision is adverse, then they will have access to more
information about the decision, an opportunity to correct wrong information and request
that a human review the decision. With only 9 days left in this year's session, lawmakers
will have to move quickly if there is any chance that the bill will be passed this session.
Multiple Coloradans were expected to lose snap benefits last Friday.
About 9,000 Coloradans were expected to lose their supplemental nutrition assistance (or
snap) program benefits last Friday. The one big beautiful bill, or HR1, signed into law
last July, striped benefits from refugees, asylum seekers and other non-citizens. Those
restrictions took effect friday. According to the center on budget and policy priorities,
snap participation nationwide has fallen by 3 million people after HR1 was signed into
law – mostly due to stricter work requirements. The Colorado fiscal institute says that
changes to snap have placed a greater financial burden on states to cover a larger share of
administrative costs and benefits, costing Colorado $180 million more every year.
Poitrey Canyon Fire in Las Animas County 100% contained.
The Poitrey Canyon Fire, burning northwest of Kim in Las Animas County, is now 100%
contained as of yesterday, according to The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and
Control. According to firefighters, a multi-mission aircraft was able to guide firefighters
to heat sources along control lines, and crews are now patrolling the perimeter of the fire
to mop up hot spots and to ensure that control lines are contained. The division was
working with Las Animas County yesterday to transfer command back to the county.
While most resources will be released, at least one engine from the division will remain
on scene to monitor conditions. With more rain and moisture expected in the area, crews
are confident that the control line will hold.
South I-25 closed at CO16 yesterday due to police activity.
The Southbound lanes of Interstate 25 were closed just before noon yesterday between
Colorado 16/Mesa Ridge Parkway and US 85 in Fountain, at mile marker 131.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, police activity was the cause
for the closure, and drivers were delayed an estimated 20 minutes. CDOT says that one
lane of traffic was reopened about noon, however the right lane remained closed due to
the police activity. Both lanes were fully reopened around 12:30pm. No information was
available as to what police activity was taking place that caused the closure.
CPW announced yesterday that Lake Dorothey State wildlife area has reopened.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced yesterday that The Lake Dorothey State Wildlife
area has reopened following the containment of The Schwachheim Fire. The fire, which
began on April 12th, is now 100% contained, burned about 1,580 acres inside the wildlife
area. CPW says planned restoration at the wildlife area includes reseeding firebreaks,
repairing parking areas, addressing potential erosion concerns to protect watershed
health, and to support long-term recovery. CPW also says it is contacting turkey hunters
who were impacted by the wildlife area closure.
May 4th 2026
Labor organization bill head to Gov Polis' desk.
HB26-1005, a bill that would make it easier for labor organizations to impose fees on all
workers, regardless of union membership, is headed to Governor Jared Polis' desk, where
he has indicated that he will veto it. The Governor vetoed the same legislation last year,
and says he will veto it again, unless business representative and labor organizations
reach an agreement. Currently, Colorado law requires a second election to permit the
establishment of a union "security agreement" in a unionized workplace. Under such an
agreement, all workers will pay union dues, whether or not they are union members.
That election requires a higher threshold of 75% to pass. HB1005 would repeal that
second election requirement. Opponents argue that the measure would make Colorado a
less attractive state for businesses. Business organizations say the framing of the
legislation is misleading.
CO AG Weiser announces purdue pharma settlement.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Friday announced that a settlement reached
with purdue pharma had become legally effective. Weiser said that the announcement
capped off almost a decade of work. Purdue filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and a supreme
court decision in 2024 invalidated provisions in a prior settlement. The $7.4 billion
settlement announced Friday includes funding for communities nationwide, as well as
money for individual victims and groups who filed claims during Purdue's bankruptcy.
Colorado will receive $75.6 million of the settlement. The settlement includes
independent monitoring of opioid medication. Purdue will also make public more than
30 million documents related to their opioid business.
Weston man arrested by CSP Saturday.
A Weston man is facing charges after The Colorado State Patrol says that he was spotted
drinking a beer while behind the wheel on Interstate 25 in the Walsenburg area around
1pm on Saturday. According to CSP, a gray ford transit connect van with a possible
intoxicated driver was speeding and "actively drinking a beer" on Northbound I-25 near
Walsenburg. Troopers caught up to the van just south of Pueblo, about 40 miles north of
where he had first been spotted. When contacted, the man was uncooperative and sped
away from the trooper, traveling another 8 miles before a second trooper stopped him,
successfully conducting a tactical vehicle intervention. The suspect, a 32-year-old man
from Weston, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, felony eluding
and assault on a peace officer, among other charges.
CPW announces implementation of out of state parks pass.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced on Friday that it has implemented an out-of-state
vehicle license plate daily parks pass. CPW says that the parks and wildlife commission
recently approved a park pass for vehicles with out-of-state license plates for $15 per day.
The fee went into effect on Friday. Vehicles with Colorado license plates can still
purchase the annual keep colorado wild pass with their vehicle registration for $29 per
year, or purchase a daily park pass for $10 per day.
Gleneagle resident shared video of bear in yard with CPW.
A resident of Gleneagle shared a video with colorado parks and wildlife showing a bear
easily accessing a bird feeder in their yard. CPW says that bird feeders can provide bears
with up to 8,000 calories in a single visit, and while the food may make them sick, bears
often return because it is an easy food source. With bears becoming active in Colorado,
CPW wants to remind residents to take precautions by removing bird feeders, securing
trash and by bringing pet food indoors to help prevent bear encounters.
May 1st 2026
CO Gov Polis signed expanded safe haven law yesterday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed HB26-1024, a bill that expands Colorado's
safe haven law, giving parents up to 30 days after a newborn's birth to legally surrender
the child. The previous deadline was 72 hours. The original law was created in 2000 and
makes fire stations and hospitals among the places where a child can be surrendered
safely and legally under the law. Under the safe haven law, the birth mother's
information is redacted, so it is completely anonymous, giving the birth mother the
opportunity to surrender a baby safely, anonymously. State data shows that the safe
haven law was used 8 times in Colorado last year, with eight newborns surrendered. The
new, expanded safe haven law will take effect in August.
CO State House passed tamale act yesterday.
The Colorado State House yesterday passed HB26-1033, otherwise known as the tamale
act, by a vote of 46 to 17. The bill says that homemade food sellers must complete a food
safety course in order to keep Coloradans safe. The course includes proper food
handling, as well as time and temperature control. Food sellers will be required to have
proof of course completion, which can be done in person or online. Food sellers will also
not be allowed to transport the food more than once, or transport it longer than two hours.
The bill also removes the $10,000 cap on net revenues for homemade food, and does not
apply to the sale of certain food products. The bill now moves on to the Colorado State
Senate for consideration there.
Oklahoma murder suspect arrested in Alamosa Tuesday.
Charles Shamblin, 35, of Oklahoma, was arrested in Alamosa Tuesday on a first-degree
murder charge. Shamblin was one of three men charged in connection with the murder of
Matthew Fagan, 23, who disappeared while hiking near lake tenkiller in Oklahoma.
Shamblin and his co-defendant Tyler Leverett maintained that the third man, Michael
Snelling, committed the murder and threatened them into helping him hide the body.
Shamblin was released in 2017 due to a lack of evidence. Fagan's body was not located
until November of 2024, and was not positively identified until December of 2025. That
new evidence led to a new warrant issued on April 28th. The U.S. Marshals Service
Colorado violent offender task force from The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office and
Alamosa Police made the arrest at an apartment complex near West 10th and US 285 in
Alamosa. Shamblin was booked into The Alamosa County Detention Center.
Tesla looking to install supercharger station in Walsenburg.
Tesla is looking to install a tesla supercharger station in downtown Walsenburg. Tesla is
looking at using the parking lot adjacent to heritage park for the eight-station facility.
The charging station will be capable of charging tesla and non-tesla vehicles. Tesla is
seeking a 10-year deal with a renewal term every five years and at least 18 months notice
to terminate the agreement. Once the charging station is open to the public, Tesla
proposes paying the city $1,650 per month rent, with the rent increasing by 3% each year.
Given approval, development generally takes 16 to 18 months.
CDOT and ACG pause US160 and US 285 access control plan.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and Alamosa City Government have paused
the adoption of a US160 and US285 access control plan to give themselves more time to
hear from highway business owners. Local business owners have been critical of the
plan, saying that the changes will cause economic harm to their businesses. Property
owners and community members are invited to schedule a 30-minute one-on-one meeting
with the project team to discuss their concerns of the plan as it relates to the City of
Alamosa. To schedule your meeting, email planning@alamosa.gov or call 719-589-6631.
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