May 15th 2024
CO Gov Polis signs five measures into law.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed five measures into law that include
major changes to tabor and property tax rates, Colorado's earned income tax credit and
an expansion of a senior property tax exemption. The bills signed into law were: SB24-
228, a law that restructures how Colorado residents will get their tabor refunds, and
reduces the state income tax. SB24-233, a law that will give colorado residents billions
of dollars in property tax cuts over the next three years. SB24-111, a law that will allow
seniors to keep a large property tax exemption, even when they move. HB24-1134, a law
that increases Colorado's earned income tax credit, something Polis says can make life
more affordable for working families. And, HB24-1288, a law that creates a nation-
leading data-sharing agreement so families who qualify for a range of state benefits can
get them.
Pueblo City Council votes in favor of banning needle exchange program.
The Pueblo City Council has voted in favor of banning the needle exchange program
currently taking place in the city. Some council members say they're seeing an increase
of dirty or used needles in public parks and trails. They believe that programs to help
properly dispose of needles are not working so they need to find another solution. City
officials believe that the improper disposal of such items increases threats to the public's
health, property, safety and welfare. The needle and syringe exchange programs have
been operating in Pueblo since 2014. The program was created to help reduce infections
such as HIV, HCV, and many others as well as to help prevent deaths by overdosing.
US Fish and Wildlife service announce death of Gray wolf.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced yesterday that one of the ten wolves
introduced to colorado in December has died. Fish and Wildlife say they became aware
of the death last month after the carcass of the wild animal was found in Larimer County.
A necropsy performed on the deceased gray wolf found the cause of death as trauma,
consistent with predation. Puncture wounds found on the wolf's skull are consistent with
those typically inflicted by a Mountain lion. According to CPW's wolf restoration and
management plan, a total of 30 to 50 wolves are hoped to be released in the state over the
next three to five years.
SLV Resource Development Group hosting economic meeting.
25 to 30 people with the office of economic development and trade economic
development committee are expected to be in Alamosa today for their monthly meeting.
The SLV Resource Development Group is hosting the visit. The office of economic
development is a state agency whose core objective is to promote economic growth and
long-term job creation across Colorado.
May 14th 2024
Pueblo City Officials meet to discuss proposed ordinance.
Pueblo City officials yesterday met to discuss a proposed ordinance that would prohibit
the exchange of syringes within Pueblo's city limits. Some city council members say
there is an increase of dirty or used needles in public parks and on trails and that
programs to help properly dispose of needles are not working, so they need to find
another solution. The pueblo syringe access program is an anonymous program that
offers unused clean syringes and other injection equipment for free to those who inject
substances. Only about 56% of needles handed out are returned to the exchange. The
needle and syringe exchange program has been operating in Pueblo since 2014. There
are also similar programs in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Denver, Greeley and Grand
Junction.
Georgia man accused of murder and car theft pleads not guilty.
Dorien Ray, a Georgia man who is accused of killing a stranger at the Tinaja rest stop,
south of Raton, has pled not guilty to the charges against him. According to New Mexico
State Police, the man and his wife, from Colorado, stopped at the I-25 rest stop in Colfax
County last month to use the restroom. When the wife came out, she saw their car was
gone and her husband was on the ground after being stabbed to death. The couples' car
was stopped by police in San Miguel County where they say Ray was driving at the time.
Ray Pled not guilty to first-degree murder, armed robbery and unlawful taking of a motor
vehicle.
Potential threat causes Monday cancelation of classes at Swink School District.
The Swink School District canceled classes yesterday so that law enforcement could
investigate a potential threat. According to The Otero County Sheriff's Office, a threat
was posted on social media over the weekend aimed at the district. Law enforcement did
not elaborate on the nature of the threat. As a precaution, the district canceled school
yesterday. School is expected to take place today as per normal. No further information
about the incident was made available. Law enforcement askes that anyone with any
information about the threat call The Otero County Sheriff's office at 719-384-5941.
New Alamosa Police Chief sworn in Last Monday.
George Dingfelder, The former Chief of Police of the Monte Vista Police Department,
was sworn in last week as Alamosa's new Chief of Police with the Alamosa Police
Department. The ceremony took place on Monday, May 6th, and the oath was
administered by municipal Judge Mcdonald. Chief Dingfelder has a long history of
service in law enforcement, including 6 years in The U.S. Army Military Police, 25 years
with the Colorado State Patrol, and four years as Chief of the Monte Vista Police
Department. Dingfelder's wife and three city staff members were present at the
ceremony.
As warmer weather approaches CPW urges water safety.
With warmer weather on the horizon, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are urging
people to use life jackets and to be safe while boating at Lake Pueblo State Park. By state
statute, any vessel, including paddleboards, kayaks and canoes, must have a life jacket for
every person on board. CPW encourages people to wear their life jackets at all times.
Kids under age 13, however, must wear a life jacket at all times while in a vessel on the
water. CPW rangers currently have two patrol boats out on the lake all day during busy
weekends. Rangers will be watching for safety violations, including capacity violations,
intoxication, and more. More information about water safety at Lake Pueblo can be
found at cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/lakepueblo.
May 13th 2024
CO Gov Polis visits Pueblo and Colorado Springs to sign bills.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Friday traveled to Colorado Springs and Pueblo to sign
bills into law following the conclusion of this year's legislative session last Wednesday.
Polis signed HB24-1030 in Pueblo Friday. The new law will adopt state rail inspection
programs, something that 30 other states already have in place. The bill also protects
train crews and their jobs, allowing them to report concerns and have those concerns
seriously considered. Polis said Friday that first responders will receive training
preparing them to respond to incidents on railroads as a result of signing this bill. Polis
said "we want our rail to be safer for everything that goes on rail and that means people
as we move towards front range passenger rail, which we're very excited about.
Colorado lawmakers approve Colorado promise act.
Colorado lawmakers approved the "Colorado promise act" prior to the end of the
legislative session last week. The bill makes the first two years of college free to
thousands of Colorado students. The bill creates a refundable income tax credit that
would cover the cost of two years of in-state college for students whose families make
under $90,000 a year. The bill is expected to help over 28,000 students in Colorado. The
bill was sent to Governor Jared Polis' desk. He has not signed it yet, but spoke favorably
about the bill on Thursday. If the bill becomes law, the tax credit will be available
beginning next year. To qualify, students will have to be enrolled in at least 6 credit
hours at a four-year college, community college or at a technical or occupational school.
they will also have to maintain a 2.5 GPA for the semester that they are claiming for the
tax credit.
SLV murder suspect sentenced to additional time for assault.
Adre Baroz, 29, of Alamosa, who has already been sentenced to 5 life sentences in
Alamosa County, on Friday was sentenced to an additional 12 years in prison related to
two assaults that took place in the Pueblo County jail. According to the Pueblo County
Sheriff's office, Barzo pled guilty to separate assaults on two detention deputies and
another inmate while in the Pueblo County jail on a courtesy hold for Alamosa County in
2022 and 2023. Friday's sentence of the maximum 12 years for those assaults is in
addition to the 5 consecutive life sentences he received for the 2020 kidnapping and
murders of five people, whose dismembered and burned bodies were found in La Sauces
in the San Luis Valley. Baroz was moved from the Pueblo County jail to another county
following the assaults in 2023, one of which resulted in serious bodily injury to a
detention deputy.
Alamosa shooting suspect trial now underway.
The trial of Daniel Brandt, 17, of Alamosa, got underway last week in Alamosa County
District Court. Following jury selection, opening statements took place on Wedensday
with witness testimony on Thursday and Friday. Brandt is charged with two counts of
conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree for his alleged shooting of Alamosa
Police Officer Mollee Heeney, and Ricardo Rangel, on October 27th of 2022 in Alamosa.
He is also charged with three counts of first-degree assault, one count of illegal discharge
of a firearm and one count of criminal mischief. He is being tried as an adult. The trial
continues today.
Late spring snow causes multiple power outages in SOCO.
Multiple power outages across Southern Colorado took place late Thursday and Friday
thanks to heavy snowfall, especially in and near the mountains. The entire San Luis
Valley lost power around 7:40am Friday after a Tri-State generation transmission line
failed and tripped a breaker on Poncha pass. Power began to be restored around 9:50am,
with most power restored in the valley around 11am. San Isabel Electric reported Friday
morning that more than 3000 customers were without power due to the storm. Crews
worked through the weekend to restore power, but many customers were without power
for most of the weekend. Around 30 customers were still without power last night.
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