December 11th 2025
CDPHE announces approval of recycling program.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has approved the producer
responsibility program for statewide recycling, which marks the first step towards free
recycling for every Colorado household. The program shifts costs from residents and
local governments to the companies that produce packages. CDPHE says that the
program will create incentives for companies to design more sustainable packaging. The
program will also give Coloradans in multi-unit housing or rural areas access to no-cost
recycling. The program is a direct result of the passing of HB22-1355, which requires
the executive director of CDPHE to create and manage a program that provides recycling
services to Coloradans.
Fatal pedestrian crash results in I-25 closure in Pueblo.
The southbound lanes of I-25 in Pueblo were closed yesterday morning due to a fatal
crash. According to Pueblo Police, the crash involved a pedestrian who was struck by a
car in the southbound lanes some time before 12:45am yesterday. Further details were
not made available. The southbound lanes were closed between Exit 102 – Eagleridge
boulevard, and Exit 99A – Colorado 96 or 6th Street. Traffic was diverted from the
interstate to south Elizabeth street during the closure. Following the investigation into
the incident, the southbound lanes reopened around 9:40am.
Alamosa County Commissioners adopt 2026 budget yesterday.
Alamosa County Commissioners yesterday adopted a budget that will lower the county's
overall spending in 2026. The overall spending is set at $54 million, including a $14.6
million general fund. The overall budget is $2.5 million lower and general fund spending
is down $772,000 from 2025 levels. Property tax revenue for Alamosa County is
projected at $4.9 million, up $528,000. The county is anticipating collecting $3.7 million
in sales and use taxes. A separate penny sales tax is collected for the Alamosa County
justice center and is expected to generate $4.6 million in revenue. The new budget does
include a 2% cost-of-living increase for public employees of the county.
Pueblo D70 School Board member resigned abruptly yesterday.
Pueblo District 70 School Board Member Anne Oach on Tuesday night abruptly resigned
during the school board meeting. OCHS was first elected to the board in 2021 and had
two years remaining on her term. Oach resigned after a parent in attendance called for
her resignation. The parent said Oach voted to bring "riverstone academy" into Pueblo
District 70 in late June. The school reportedly has a christian-focused curriculum. Upon
her resignation, the parent thanked her and the room broke out into applause. District 70
says it received Oach's resignation and is "taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth
transition".
Colorado statewide snowpack up after recent winter storms.
Following the recent winter storms, Colorado now has a statewide snowpack of 73%,
after starting the month at 58%. The jump marks a substantial recovery from conditions
just three weeks ago when all river basins in the state were sitting in the 20% to 40%
range. The latest snowpack report released yesterday shows The Arkansas River basin on
top with 81% of snowpack, followed by the Upper Rio Grande at 77% and The Yampa &
White at 76%. The North Platte and San Juan and Dolores river basins come in at 75%
of snowpack, 73% for The South Platte, 71% for The Gunnison, and 63% for The
Colorado River Basin. With drier conditions this week, those numbers are expected to
decrease somewhat.
December 10th 2025
Inmate found responsive in US Penitentiary in Florence has died.
An inmate died at the United States Penitentiary in Florence after he was found
unresponsive. According to The U.S. Department of Justice, 57-year-old Timothy
Sowinski was found around 8:30am yesterday at the prison. Staff gave Sowinski life-
saving measures, but he was later pronounced dead. Sowinski's cause of death has not
yet been released. Sowinski was given a 13-month sentence in the District of Western
Pennsylvania for a supervised release violation. The DOJ says he had been in custody in
Florence since September 29th.
CO families can now apply for 26-27 universal preschool program.
Colorado families can now apply for the 2026-2027 universal preschool program which
offers up to 15 hours per week of tuition-free, high quality preschool for all children, with
additional hours available for qualifying families. The program has served more than
87,000 children since it launched in 2023, according to the Colorado Department of Early
Childhood. Key dates are as follows: family registration is currently underway.
February 2nd – matches for pre-registration shared with families. February 16th – first
matching round. February 25th – first round matches shared with families. March 16th –
second matching round. March 24th – second round matches shared with families. April
1st – direct enrollment begins. For more information, go to help.upk.colorado.gov.
Home invasion suspect shot following Pueblo burglary.
A home invasion suspect was shot following an alleged burglary in Pueblo. According to
Pueblo Police, 30-year-old Ricardo Alonzo Diaz told officers that he was homeless. He
was reportedly going around the 2700 block of West 23rd street in Pueblo, checking doors
to see if they were unlocked. Diaz reportedly told police that he came across an unlocked
door, went inside the home, ate some food, and then left. Diaz told officers he returned
later, this time encountering the homeowner, who shot him with a .22 caliber revolver.
Diaz had a knife in his hand at the time, according to police. Diaz was taken to the
hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was later booked into The Pueblo County
jail on a 2nd degree burglary charge.
CSP says 431 wildlife crashes investigated last December.
The Colorado State Patrol says that 431 crashes involving wildlife were investigated in
December of last year, with most crashes happening between 3pm and 7pm, and between
5am and 9am. To avoid crashes involving wildlife, CSP says drivers should slow down,
use high beams when safe and scan for animals. If a crash is unavoidable, you should
brake firmly in a straight line, and refrain from swerving. However, if you don't have
time and there is traffic behind you, the right choice is to drive straight through,
remaining in the lane. Never swerve or jerk the wheel. And, be aware of groups – if you
see one animal, there may be others nearby. You are asked to call 911 after any crash
that involves wildlife.
CDPHE recommendeds Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is recommending that
health care providers continue offering the hepatitis b vaccine to all newborns at birth.
This follows the advisory committee on immunization practices’ vote on Friday to
change from a routine recommendation for all newborns to a decision that most parents
and doctors make together, known as shared clinical decision-making. Since the
universal hepatitis b birth dose was first recommended nationally in 1991, the U.S. has
seen a 99% decline in pediatric hepatitis b infections. Colorado recorded only 23 cases of
perinatal hepatitis b between 2001 and 2015, with no confirmed cases since 2016.
December 9th 2025
USDOJ announces investigation into conditions at CO prison facilities.
The United States Department of Justice yesterday announced that it will be investigating
conditions at Colorado's prisons and youth facilities. The justice department says this is
a civil investigation of both the Colorado department of corrections and the department of
youth services to review policies and practices to ensure that the inmates and youth in
custody are being afforded their constitutional rights. Assistant Attorney General
Harmeet Dhillon of the justice department's civil rights division said that "we are
committed to upholding our federal civil rights laws so that no one is subject to
unconstitutional mistreatment when held in state custody". The Colorado department of
corrections says it is aware of the investigation and is reviewing the details. The justice
department is asking anyone with information relating to its investigation to submit a
report by going to civilrights.justice.gov.
Federal Judge rejects bid for release by former mesa county clerk.
Federal Magistrate Judge Scott Varholak yesterday rejected a bid by former Mesa County
Clerk Tina Peters to be released from prison while she appeals her state conviction over
election fraud. Attorneys for the State of Colorado argued that the case should be thrown
out partly because of a legal doctrine that prevents federal courts from getting involved in
pending state criminal cases. Varholak ruled yesterday that peters didn't make a case that
he should get involved in overturning her state sentence. When peters was sentenced in
2024, Judge Matthew Barrett said she posed a danger to the community for spreading lies
about voting and undermining the democratic process. Peters argued to Varholak that he
should free her because Barrett, the state judge who sentenced her to 9 years in prison,
violated her first amendment rights.
Officer involved shooting took place in Alamosa last night.
An officer-involved shooting took place in Alamosa last night. According to Alamosa
Police, officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 1600 block of west 6th street
around 6:10pm. Upon arrival, officers encountered a suspect brandishing a knife who did
not comply with the officer's commands. A taser was deployed on multiple occasions
without effect. The suspect then ran toward the officers while armed with the knife. One
officer discharged their handgun several times, striking the suspect. The suspect was
taken to the local hospital for gunshot wounds before being transferred to a front range
hospital. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. The names of
the officers involved and the suspect were not released.
Fort Carson officials propose modernization of Pinon Canyon site.
Fort Carson officials say they want to modernize the 235,000 acre Pinon Canyon
maneuver site near Trinidad in Las Animas County. The proposed changes are aimed at
better supporting large-scale military exercises that use both air and land resources.
However, before the army can implement any changes, it must hold a 45-day public
comment period, which began at the end of last month. Changes could include
expanding restricted airspace, renovating and improving infrastructure at troop quarters,
constructing new training ranges, and establishing a dedicated area for disposing of
unexploded ordinances. Officials will hold a scoping meeting tonight from 5-7pm in the
pioneer room at Trinidad State College in Trinidad. Comments can be made through
January 13th.
CPUC allows Xcel Energy to keep Comanche 2 running.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has allowed Xcel Energy to keep the
Comanche 2 coal-fired power plant in Pueblo open and operational until December of
next year. Comanche 2 was scheduled to shut down as of December 31st of this year, as
part of Colorado's efforts to close its remaining coal plants over the next 5 years. Those
efforts are now being complicated by the Trump Administration and concerns over the
reliability of Xcel's own equipment, due to the continued unreliability of the Comanche 3
generating station, which is currently offline and won't reopen before June.
December 8th 2025
CO Gov Polis responded to criticism from President Trump last week.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis responded last week to criticism from President Donald
Trump over the request to move Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal
custody. Peters is serving a 9-year sentence in state prison after she was convicted of
election interference in 2024. In a truth social post Wednesday, the President called Polis
a "sleazebag", who "refuses to allow an elderly woman... Who was unfairly convicted of
what the democrats do, cheating on elections, out of jail". Polis said Thursday that "the
focus of what you need to do as a leader, as a governor, as a president, as a senator, really
needs to focus on making life better for people, making life more affordable". The
governor's office says it is reviewing the letter sent by the bureau of prisons requesting
that peters be transferred to federal custody.
CHSAA and Colorado Springs D49 settle policy lawsuit.
The Colorado High School Athletic Association and Colorado Springs School District 49
have settled a lawsuit over a policy tied to biology and athletes. District 49 says it filed
the lawsuit to prevent sex discrimination by ensuring fair athletic opportunities for female
students, to protect all students' personal privacy rights, and to shield the district from
liability under federal equal protection principles and title 9. The school district's policy
designates athletic teams based on biological sex, male, female or coed. It also impacts
locker rooms and hotel accommodations for team travel. D49 believes the settlement will
help it avoid CHSAA-imposed penalties for upholding district policy and will help it
comply with title 9 and the U.S. Constitution while rejecting mandates that put student
privacy at risk.
Upper Arkansas Water BOD advances project to increase Reservoir capacity.
The upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District Board of Directors has advanced a
project to increase the storage capacity of Deweese Reservoir in Custer County. The
board of directors last month authorized staff to pursue $210,000 in grant funding for a
phase 2 study. The project qualifies for a colorado water conservation board grant
because it meets multiple state goals, including increasing water storage capacity. The
grant would cover 50% of the cost of the phase 2 study. The phase 1 study determined
that a 4-foot increase in dam height might be feasible and would provide about 1,100
acre-feet of additional storage. The phase 2 study would include a geotechnical analysis
to determine the suitability of subsurface materials for supporting a larger dam as well as
a structural evaluation of the dam and the stability of the adjoining rock formations.
Memorial service for late CO State Senator Winter took place Friday.
Family, friends and past and present colleagues of the late Colorado State Senator Faith
Winter gathered Friday afternoon for a memorial service on the west steps of the
Colorado State Capitol. Winter died at the age of 45 in a multi-vehicle crash that took
place on I-25 near Dry Creek Road a week ago Friday. Winter leaves behind two
children.
CDPHE and Montezuma County announces confirmed measles case.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and The Montezuma
County Public Health agency have confirmed a case of measles in a Montezuma County
resident. The child, who had not received the MMR vaccine, has no known connection to
recent exposures reported in Colorado, including another recent case in Montezuma
county, and has not traveled outside the state. The lack of a clear source of infection
suggests that unidentified measles cases may be occurring in or traveling through the
Cortez area. Montezuma County Public Health is investigating the case.
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