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Interview with State House District 47 Rep. Winter.

I had a chance to catch up with State House District 47 Representative Ty Winter yesterday. I asked him to talk about SB25-003, a gun bill being debated on the House floor today... (cart cut 1). District 47 Representative Ty Winter. And I’ll have more of my conversation with Ty on Monday.

Democratic US Senator Bennet held a townhall yesterday.

Democratic U.S. Senator Michael Bennet conducted a townhall meeting at Harrison High School in Colorado Springs last night. Those in attendance talked about a number of issues and concerns, including actions of the Trump Administration. Bennet reassured those in attendance that he is going to continue to fight but that he also needs citizens to fight with him. Much talk also took place about education following an executive order signed yesterday to begin dismantling the department of education, including worries that school funding will be cut and that schools will be privatized. Concerns were also expressed over the new school funding formula put forth by Governor Jared Polis. Yesterday's town hall was the last of three town hall meetings for Bennet. Town hall meetings previously took place in Greeley and Golden.

Colorado Springs man captured in Trinidad yesterday.

Dawson Flagerholm of Colorado Springs, who is alleged to have assaulted and injured a family member yesterday morning, was captured yesterday afternoon in Trinidad. According to Colorado Springs police, officers responded to the knob hill neighborhood shortly before 6am yesterday morning. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man who had been assaulted and injured by a family member, identified as Flagerholm., who reportedly left the scene in the victim's car. Around 3pm yesterday, Colorado State Troopers made contact with Flagerholm near Trinidad. He was taken into custody without incident. Flagerholm was booked into the El Paso County jail on charges of attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, robbery and false imprisonment.

CPW receives mortality alert from Grey Wolf collar this past Sunday.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists received a mortality alert for male gray wolf 2505-BC last Sunday. The agency has confirmed that the mortality took place in north- central Wyoming. The wolf was part of the group of wolves that were trans located to Colorado from British Columbia in January. CPW says that the united states department of agriculture, and animal and plant health inspection service in Wyoming, were conducting livestock depredation mitigation as a response to the wolf killing five sheep on private land. The wolf was lethally removed, according to the service. Two depredations have taken place in Colorado so far this year, one this month involved a dog. One in February involved a cow.

March 20th 2025

Single Point contact service bill passes CO State Senate.

SB25-031, the single point of contact wireless services bill, passed the Colorado State Senate yesterday. The bill would require the division of homeland security and emergency management in the department of public safety to develop a single point of contact to improve statewide access to critical emergency alert information, recommend improvements for local governments who administer alert systems to address language needs, provide technical assistance to local communities, and offer recommendations to improve emergency alert systems. In addition to improving emergency communications,the bill would expand the scope of Colorado's broadband office in the office of information technology to include promoting access to wireless service. The bill now heads to the State House for further consideration there.

Pueblo County D70 asking CO lawmakers for new crime laws.

The Pueblo County School District 70 board of education is asking colorado lawmakers for stronger laws on crime. In a statement released yesterday, the District 70 board says it is "outraged by the recent surge in violent crime" in our community and that they "cannot stand idly by while our streets become battlegrounds and our schools are overshadowed by fear". The statement continues that the board is "fed up" with soft-on- crime laws and that lenient policies have failed the community and put children at risk. The board says that it calls on "local and state lawmakers to take immediate and decisive action". The statement concludes: "we urge our fellow community members to join us in this fight for a safer Pueblo. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can reclaim our streets and build a brighter future for our children".

Westcliffe man found dead in home following fire.

Gary Benson, 86, of Westcliffe, was found dead in his home on March 5th following a house fire in Southern Custer County. Custer County Sheriff's deputies were called to a home on Wyandot trail at 8:38am on March 4th for a smoke investigation. Firefighers battled the fire for over nine hours on the 4th, and then another 10 hours putting the fire out and investigating the cause on March 5th. During the investigation, Benson was found dead in the building debris. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

City of Monte Vista awarded grant by GOC.

Great Outdoors Colorado, in a partnership with San Luis Valley great outdoors, has awarded the city of Monte Vista a $125,000 planning grant in support of five recreational infrastructure projects in the valley. All of the projects aim to increase community access to outdoor recreation while also benefiting the local economy. The five projects will involve the heart of the valley trail, the lariat ditch trail, an action plan to advance recreation infrastructure, the closed basin canal trail, and the Vista Grande recreation area. In addition to enhancing recreation access and economic outcomes for SLV residents, partners aim to create a replicable model for future recreation and conservation efforts in rural communities.

CPW opens new round of grant funding for local CO communities.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened a new round of grant funding to provide local colorado communities with resources to reduce human-bear conflicts through the human- bear conflict reduction community grant program. This year, CPW is offering $1 million of grant funding for projects that reduce conflicts with bears in local communities. The funding will be distributed through a competitive grant process this spring, and applicants can apply for grants of between $50,000 and $500,000. Applications are available by going to cpw.state.co.us/human-bear-conflict-reduction-grants. Application deadline is 5pm on May 30th. Successful grant recipients will be announced later this year.

March 19th 2025

Walsenburg City employees fired after CBI Investigation.

Two Walsenburg city employees were fired yesterday after the Colorado Bureau of Investigation found evidence that the employees rigged the utility billing system and either paid a lower rate, or not at all, for natural gas service in the city. The Director of the Walsenburg natural gas department, who hadn't paid for natural gas for years, was fired, as was a City Clerk. Both were fired for cause. CBI began looking into potential financial crimes in the City of Walsenburg last month. At that time, two other employees who worked in the city's billing department were placed on administrative leave. The CBI found that those employees set up at least 100 of their friends and family to pay a flat $25 gas rate without mandatory utility, debt and repair fees that other gas users pay. City Attorneys are working to determine if those users will have to pay restitution to the City.

Rye Fire Chief stepping down after state order.

Rye Fire Chief Steven Bennett is stepping down after the State of Colorado ordered him to stop responding to medical calls in December, due to his not being properly licensed. Chief Bennett's paramedic license expired in November of 2019, according to state records, however, Chief Bennett responded to at least 294 medical calls since that time. Bennett's son, Reese Bennett, a lieutenant with the Rye fire protection district, reportedly also responded to medical calls while his State EMT license was expired between 2023 and late 2024. Reese Bennett is under probationary status as a result of the state investigation on him. A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Rye Fire Protection district by many of the agency's staff over allegations of unpaid overtime, retaliation and wrongful termination.

Wind storm causes multiple accidents on I-25 near Walsenburg.

Five separate rollovers took place yesterday just north of Walsenburg on Interstate 25, thanks to the strong winds. According to the Colorado State Patrol, an SUV hauling a trailer southbound stayed upright, however the trailer flipped on its side, blocking traffic. There were 5 people riding in the SUV. All of them were taken to the hospital. Their conditions were not made available. The second accident involved a semi that overturned and blocked both lanes of traffic. The third incident involved semi that overturned in the median, blocking the left southbound and left northbound lanes. The driver was taken to the hospital. Their condition is not known. The 4th incident involved a truck hauling a trailer northbound. The 5th incident also involved a truck hauling a trailer that overturned and blocked both lanes of traffic. Minor injuries were reported for those involved in the 5th incident.

Custer County Judge rules to re-open preliminary hearing in Custer County case.

A Custer County Judge has ruled to re-open a preliminary hearing in the case of Hanme Clark, citing that the defense was not given all of the state's evidence in a timely manner by then-District Attorney Linda Stanley. Stanley was disbarred last year. Hanme Clark is accused of shooting and killing three of his neighbors in Custer County over a land dispute. He was arrested in November of 2023 after he fled to New Mexico. The judge, yesterday, agreed that the case was not handled in an efficient manner by Stanley. The judge will now review new information in the case before determining how the case will proceed. Clark is being held in the Pueblo County Jail.

CDOT announces new traffic signal installation in Alamosa.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it will perform operations to replace and install new traffic signal electrical components today at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Cielo Azul, west of downtown Alamosa. Motorists are advised that the signal will not be operational and traffic will be guided by flagging personnel through the intersection. Those traveling through Alamosa should allow themselves extra travel time as brief daytime delays can be expected due to slower speeds and one-way alternating traffic. Traffic delays will take place today between 9am and 4pm.

March 18th 2025

Emissions bill passes Senate committee last week.

SB25-030, the "increase transportation mode choice reduce emissions" bill, passed the senate transportation and energy committee last week by a vote of 6 to 3. The bill's purpose is to encourage increased transportation options to make sustainable transportation more accessible, convenient and reliable. SB25-030 would establish "transit and active transportation project inventories" to allow the Colorado Department of Transportation and local governments to efficiently identify gaps in transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in state and regional transit systems. The bill would build on past efforts to support multi modal transit infrastructure in the state. The bill now moves on to the senate appropriations committee for further consideration.

DMV warning Coloradans of new scam.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is warning Coloradans of an ongoing text and email scam. According to the DMV, Coloradans have been receiving fraudulent texts from people impersonating express toll. They say the texts claim the person had an unpaid toll and asks the receiver to click on a link to make a payment. The text messages are not legitimate and should be ignored. Toll agencies do not send payment requests through unsolicited text messages. If you receive such a text and are interested in verifying your toll balance, you can go to www.expresstoll.com/home, or call their customer service line at 303-537-3470.

US Senator Bennet to host series of in person town halls.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet will host a series of in-person town hall meetings this week along Colorado's front range, beginning tonight in Greeley and tomorrow in Golden. In our area, Senator Bennet will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 20th, in Colorado Springs, beginning at 5:30pm. Anyone interested in attending any of the meetings is required to register prior to the town hall. The event location will not be made available until you have registered to attend. For more information, or to RSVP for a meeting, go to www.bennet.senate.gov/march-town-hall-registration. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Senator Bennet questions about issues facing Coloradans.

Firewood permits for RG National Forest now available.

Firewood permits for the Rio Grande National Forest are now available for purchase through a new online e-permit system. Permits may be purchased by computer or mobile device and any time, eliminating travel to your local forest service office. In addition, the price per cord will be reduced to the minimum allowable price of $2 per cord in the coming weeks. The $20 minimum purchase still applies, however. Firewood permits will still be available for purchase at local forest service offices. To purchase online, go to www.fs.usda.gov/main/riogrande/passes-permits/forestproducts.

Another round of Red Flag warnings issued for Today.

Another round of red flag warnings will go into effect at 11am today and run through 8pm tonight for most all areas to the east of the mountains along the front range in the KSPK listening area. Along with that, high wind warnings will go into effect at 10am this morning and expire at 7pm tonight for most all of the KSPK listening area, including the San Luis Valley. Wind gusts from 60 to 75 mph can be expected on the eastern plans with gusts up to 80 mph possible in the mountains. Spotty snow showers are also possible this evening as a cold front moves through Southern Colorado with a few spotty showers possible tomorrow as well.

March 17th 2025

New CO Drivers license law to go into effect.

A new Colorado law, signed into law by Governor Jared Polis last June, will speed up the process for new immigrants to obtain their driver's license in Colorado. Colorado already allows undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses, however, they currently must live in the state for at least two years before qualifying and provide a social security or individual taxpayer identification number. The new law will drop those requirements. Applicants will still need to pass a written exam, a vision test, and a driving test and pay a fee before they can obtain their license. The new law goes into effect on March 31st.

CO Gov Polis celebrated Canada friendship Saturday.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Saturday announced that he ordered the Canadian national flag to be raised at the Colorado state capitol to celebrate March 15th as Colorado Canada friendship day. The capitol building was also lit up Saturday night with the Canadian white and red. Polis' office says that Colorado exported $1.3 billion in goods to Canada, making up 18% of Colorado's trade exports in 2023. The office says that the relationship between Colorado and Canada benefits local farmers, ranchers, small business owners and the tourism industry. The move comes almost 2 weeks after Polis criticized the Trump administration for its implementation of Tarriffs on Canada and Mexico. Polis' office also said the capitol will host a Colorado Mexico friendship day, but no further details were given.

Owner equity protection bill passes CO Senate Committee.

HB25-1043, the "owner equity protection in homeowners' association foreclosure sales" bill, passed the senate local government and housing committee on Friday by a vote of 4- 3. The bill would strengthen safeguards for homeowners in homeowners associations, or HOA's, to help them stay housed and to recoup their property's equity if they are forced to sell. Under the bill, an HOA would be required to comply with its own bylaws and all applicable state laws before collecting money through enforcement actions. In cases where an HOA pursues a foreclosure against an owner, the bill would allow an owner to file a court motion to delay the sale of their home at auction for up to nine months, during which they could sell their own home at market value instead of losing it at auction. The bill passed the State House last month. It now heads to the full senate for consideration.

CPW announces new LP NS agreement with O'neil group.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced on Friday that it has worked with the O’neil group to sign a short-term extension to their existing contract to operate the North Shore Marina at Lake Pueblo State Park through the remainder of the 2025 boating season to keep the marina open for recreation. The new contract means that those renting a slip at the marina will not need to move their vessel by April 1st as previously announced. The contract extends access at the marina through at least October 31st of this year. Any north shore marina slip renters who have questions should contact the park office by emailing lake.pueblo.park@state.co.us.

CDOT announces new week long culvert replacement operations on US 50.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it will perform week- long culvert replacement operations on U.S. Highway 50, approximately 23 miles east of Gunnison between mile markers 181 and 182. Beginning today, motorists will be guided through the work zone by temporary traffic signals. The signals will be in place 24 hours-per-day and motorists should plan for full stops and up to 20 minute delays during daytime working hours through Friday. CDOT urges motorist to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time on US 50 between Salida and Gunnison.

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