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Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the state's board of pharmacy, last week, approved a temporary rule that allows pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines without a prescription. The measure passed without objection and is designed to keep access open as flu season and holiday gatherings approach. The move was prompted by a recent decision by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration to limit the Covid-19 vaccine to older americans and people in high-risk groups. For now, Colorado's policy is temporary. The state board of pharmacy is expected to revisit the decision in November to determine whether or not to make the rule permanent. That means that Coloradans who want the Covid-19 vaccine can still walk into their local pharmacy and get the shot. No prescription is required.

Former Pueblo Fire Department union secretary sentence announced.

Douglas Martin, the former secretary treasurer for the Pueblo Fire Department union will now spend 60 days in jail and must pay over $100,000 in restitution after he plead guilty to embezzling over $131,000 in union funds. Martin reportedly made more than 200 withdrawals from the union's account over a three-year period. The funds were then deposited into a personal account. Fire Department Captain Phil Chapin, who was president of the union at the time, discovered the missing funds. He learned that martin was using a debit card to withdraw the money. Once Martin's 60-day jail sentence is served, he'll be on probation for the next eight years.

CDOT to work with traffic safety advocates on reducing motorcycle crashes.

Last year, 165 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roadways, the state's highest number ever recorded. September of 2024 was especially deadly for motorcyclists, claiming an unprecedented 33 lives in a single month. Motorcycle deaths have risen 57% since 2015. As motorcyclists gear up for fall rides, The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging both motorcyclists and drivers of motor vehicles to put safety first. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for nearly one-quarter of all traffic deaths in Colorado last year despite being just 3% of vehicles on the road. This fall, CDOT will work closely with traffic safety advocates throughout the state, and will utilize variable message signs to raise awareness, reduce motorcycle crashes and build a culture of shared responsibility on the road.

Alamosa County Treasurer announces final chance to pay property taxes.

Alamosa County Treasurer Amy Mckinley wants all Alamosa County residents to know that this is your final chance to pay your property taxes before they are advertised in the newspaper and sold at a tax lien auction. All taxes must be paid before noon on Wednesday, September 17th, or a $75 advertisement fee will be added. Once the advertisement fee is added, you then have until October 31st at 4:30pm to pay or your property will be subject to the tax lien auction. Call or stop by the treasurer's office to make a payment. The Alamosa County Treasurer's office is located at 8999 Independence Way, suite 104, in Alamosa, open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Or call 719-589-3626.

US HWY 50B weekend closures expected in Pueblo.

Interstate 25 motorists in Pueblo can expect two weekend closures of U.S. Highway 50B as the Colorado Department of Transportation improves drainage by installing new pipes beneath US 50B as part of the I-25 and US 50B interchange project. US 50B will be closed in one direction at a time between I-25 and Hudson avenue/bonforte boulevard, beginning with Eastbound US 50B this weekend. The closure will begin at 5pm Friday, September 12th, and last through 7am on Sunday, September 14th. The Westbound US 50B closure will begin at 5pm on Friday, September 19th, through 7am on Sunday, September 21st. Detours will be in place for both closures. The project is scheduled for completion in early summer of 2027.

Both the Trump Administration and Congress have now launched investigations into Colorado's spending on health care for undocumented immigrants. The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid services sent a data request to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which manages Colorado's medicaid program, asking for "lengthy" and "more detailed" data, specifically on non-citizens. Health care advocates say the investigations are baseless and that no federal funds are going into the program. 8th District Representative Gabe Evans says "for too long, Coloradans have been forced to front the bill for government handouts to illegal immigrants, including free health care". The letter asks for the data to be provided no later than September 17th.

CO AG Weiser planning to take legal action over Space Force move.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser last week said that he is ready to take legal action against the Trump Administration following the announcement that Space Command Headquarters, which are currently in Colorado Springs, will be moved to Alabama. Trump's Announcment of the move wasn't exactly unexpected. Trump pointed to his personal gripes with Colorado and Colorado's mail-in voting system as reasons for the move. Weiser says those remarks could provide the foundation for Colorado's legal challenge. Weiser called the announcement "deeply disappointing" and claimed the move could "compromise national security" and "upend people's lives". It is not yet known when Weiser will file any kind of legal action regarding the move.

CO Gov Polis released tariffs report Thursday.

Governor Jared Polis on Thursday released a new report that shows the impact that tariffs could have on Colorado's economy. While costs have crept up for consumers, President Donald Trump's tarrifs haven't yet led to the large price spikes that many had feared. The Governor's report says Colorado's effective tariff rate, which is the actual average cost of tariffs paid on imports, is higher than it has been in over 100 years. The Governor's report says key Colorado industries, such as aerospace, agriculture, construction, energy and goods-focused businesses, are among the most vulnerable to tariffs. Polis says the state's top economic experts say the tariffs are bad news for colorado businesses and families. Polis said his team would also provide additional analysis if there are significant updates to the tariffs.

CPW Officials identifiy wolf in lethal removal attempt.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say that the wolf officers tried to kill last month following a series of deadly sheep attacks in Rio Blanco County is the lone copper creek pack wolf that was not successfully captured a year ago. The agency came to that conclusion after genetic testing of blood and tissue left behind after the attempted removal. Officers located the wolf and shot it once with a medium caliber hunting rifle on August 16th. While they did not locate the wolf, the blood and tissue was found. While it cannot confirm a kill, there have been no further reports of wolf depredation in the area since August 16th.

CPW Officials issue reminder about increased black bear activity.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding the public that black bears might be more active in urban areas as fall weather settles in across Colorado. CPW says that black bears will enter hyperphagia, where they increase their eating to prepare their bodies for winter. This drive for food can overcome a bear's fear of humans, which is why bear incidents are reported more frequently in August, September and October. CPW says: never feed or approach bears; secure food, garbage and recycling; remove bird feeders; never leave pet food outside; clean and store grills; and, alert neighbors to bear activity.

In what became a heated senate hearing over the centers of disease control turmoil and vaccines, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet questioned Health an Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. yesterday morning. Kennedy reportedly clashed repeatedly with Democrat and Republican senators alike, many of whom questioned Kennedy's handling of vaccine policy. The hearing comes about a week after CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired and major vaccine changes were made, including limiting access to the Covid-19 vaccine. Bennet and Kennedy went on to yell over one another over vaccines. Kennedy accused Bennet of evading a question with Bennet responding "I'm asking the questions". Earlier this week, Colorado has gone up against federal recommendations when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine and needing a prescription.

CBI identifies Canon City shooting suspect.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has identified 27-year-old Ethan Pollington as the suspect in an officer-involved shooting that took place on August 29th in Canon City. The shooting took place in the 1400 block of Chestnut Street in Canon City after Canon City Police officers instituted a welfare check on a residence there. Officers were reportedly able to get in contact with a relative of Pollington, who said Pollington was drunk and had a gun. While talking to the relative, Pollington reportedly opened the door and pointed a gun at the officer, who then fired his gun at Pollington, striking him in the arm and leg. Pollington was taken to the hospital. He has since been released and is facing charges of first-degree assault, felony menacing of a peace officer, reckless endangerment, and prohibited use of a weapon.

City of Walsenburg considering selling natural gas system.

The City of Walsenburg is considering either selling the city's natural gas system to black hills energy, or use black hills energy to manage the natural gas system. In the first option, black hills would acquire the city's natural gas system and run it as their own. In the second option, black hills would manage the system, including replacing and upgrading gas lines in the city. The City of Walsenburg would still handle meter reading and the billing in the second option. The Walsenburg City Council could decide on its own to choose to have black hills manage the gas system, however, if the city were to sell the system to black hills, the sell would require voter approval, and it is now too late to get a question on this November's ballot. The idea is just in the beginning stages and the city says more discussions and public meetings will have to be held before any decisions are made.

New CO law eliminating state's vendor fee program.

A new law in Colorado will eliminate the state's vendor fee program and ends a 90-year- practice that allowed small retailers to keep up to $1,000 monthly from state sales tax collections to cover administrative costs. The new law, passed during the special legislative session, takes effect in January and will impact retailers with total taxable sales of $1 million or less during filing periods. Last year, the vendor fee rebate returned $56.5 million to small businesses in Colorado. By eliminating the credit, state legislators expect to generate $56.8 million in additional revenue to help balance Colorado's budget.

CPW asking for public's input regarding deer management.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking for the public's input regarding the management of the mule deer population in Colorado. CPW is conducting a statewide survey to gather ideas and concerns about managing the mule deer herds in the state. Survey results will be taken into consideration for the management plan for the next 10 years. To take the survey, go to engagecpw.org, then search on "deer herd survey". The deadline to take the survey is September 19th.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has ordered state health officials to allow pharmacies and doctors to administer this year's updated Covid-19 vaccine to people who want it without a prescription beginning on Friday. The announcement comes in the wake of new federal guidelines that limit the vaccine's use for millions in the U.S. Polis said yesterday he would direct state health officials to issue public health and standing orders that expand access to the vaccine to ensure Coloradans who wish to get vaccinated can do so, including that the Covid-19 vaccine will be covered under all health insurance plans. The announcement comes a week after The U.S. Food and Drug Administration limited Covid-19 vaccines to seniors and those at higher risk of severe disease from the virus, while narrowing them for younger adults and children.

Pueblo County commissioners asking President Trump to keep Comanche open.

The Pueblo County Commissioners are asking President Trump and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright to order Xcel Energy to keep The Comanche 2 and Comanche 3 power plants open indefinitely "until replacement generation is constructed" Comanche 2 is scheduled to close at the end of this year. The Comanche 3 plant is scheduled to close by January 1st of 2031. The filing asserts that Pueblo County has been treated unfairly by the State of Colorado in the process of moving away from its coal- fired power plants. The filing says that it appears "there will be no just transition" for a county that earns nearly $200 million in annual economic benefits from Comanche 3 alone. The 9-page filing was sent on August 29th through Francis Koncilja of Koncilja Energy Law and Policy LLC and Pueblo County Attorney Cynthia Mitchell.

CPW announces Colorado wild pass revenue.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says that the keep colorado wild pass has raised $41 million for state parks, local search and rescue volunteers, and the colorado avalanche information center, in its second year of being on sale. CPW says that 1.5 million Colorado residents chose to buy one in the past year. The total is to raise $36 million annually from the pass, with the first $32.5 million going towards state park maintenance and development. $2.5 million will go towards search and rescue, and the last one million dollars will go towards the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. CPW says that any additional revenue will go to wildlife projects and outdoor educational programs.

Fort Carson officials announce field gunnery training.

Fort Carson officials have announced that the 3rd armored brigade combat team, 4th infrantry division, will conduct field gunnery training on base from now through November 7th. Officials say there will be an increase in noise and dust in the area during the day and throughout the night south of the main post. The training is required to validate armored vehicle crews, and is a regular part of the combat team's training cycle, according to Fort Carson. Noise complaints should be directed to the Fort Carson Public Affairs office at 719-526-9849.

CDOT announces CO 159 paving operations.

Beginning next Tuesday, September 9th, The Colorado Department of Transportation will complete two-day paving operations on Colorado 159 between San Luis and The Colorado/New Mexico border. Tuesday's operations will take place between Milemarkers 2 and 4. Wednesday's operations will move north between Milemarkers 6 and 7. Motorists can expect full stops, alternating traffic guided by pilot cars and up to 15 minute delays from 7am to 7pm each day. Motorists entering the highway from a driveway or intersection must wait for a pilot car before proceeding with the flow of traffic.

President Donald Trump yesterday announced that U.S. Space Command will be moved from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. The move caps a 4-year battle between Colorado and Alabama and opposing administrations about where to locate The U.S. Space Command. The president said that Colorado's mail-in voting system was a big factor in the decision. Reaction from state lawmakers came quickly. Governor Jared Polis, in a statement, said he was deeply disappointed for our state and nation. Colorado's entire U.S. Congressional Delegation released a joint statement saying that "today's decision to move U.S. Space Command's headquarters... will directly harm our state and the nation. State statement continues that "moving space command sets our space defense apparatus back years, wastes billions of taxpayer dollars and hands the advantage to the converging threats of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea".

CSSA announces federal lawsuit against CO State Leaders.

The Colorado State Shooting Association yesterday announced that it has filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen over a new state gun law. The shooting association says the new law, which will go into effect in August of next year, goes against constitutional rights of Coloradans to purchase firearms, specifically semi-automatic rifles. The Association says the law puts money constraints on gun purchasers. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the law unconstitutional before the part that bans the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale and purchase of some semi-automatic firearms goes into effect.

Morphew murder suspect appeared in court yesterday.

Barry Morphew, the man who is accused of killing his wife, Suzanne Morphew in May of 2020, appeared in Alamosa District Court yesterday where his attorneys asked the judge to reduce his bond. A previous case against Morphew was dismissed, however, Morphew was indicted by a grand jury after Suzanne's remains were found in September of 2023 in Saguache County. Morphew's attorneys asked that the current bond of $3 million be lowered to $500,000. Instead, the judge altered his bond to a cash, surety and property bond, which means that Morphew could bond out using his available funds and from equity from his real estate holdings to cover the bond.

Pueblo County commissioners vote to accept county coroner resignation.

Pueblo County Commissioners voted yesterday to accept Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter's resignation. Cotter is under investigation after state inspectors found 24 decomposing bodies and other remains behind a hidden door at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo. Cotter and his brother own and operate the mortuary. The El Paso and Fremont County coroners have been providing their services to Pueblo County after the investigation into Brian Cotter began last month. An application to fill the vacancy left by cotter's resignation is expected to be posted this week.

City of Alamosa announces asphalt patching to take place.

The City of Alamosa has announced that asphalt patching will take place along Alamosa Avenue today, September 3rd, beginning this morning and continuing throughout the day. The work is expected to be complete late today. Alamosa Avenue will temporarily close between Second and Third street, including the intersection at Third street. For questions, contact The Alamosa Public Works Department at 719-589-6631.

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