About KSPKKSPK-FM is a locally owned and operated country music radio station, located in Walsenburg Colorado and broadcasts to all of Southern Colorado.
KSPK's format consists of the new country hits with some of the older country favorites mixed in. KSPK-FM carries various High School Athletic Games from
various High School's in Southern Colorado. KSPK is also the exclusive broadcast partner for Adams State University Athletics from Alamosa. KSPK's coverage
area extends from Colorado Springs Colorado in the North to Raton New Mexico in South; South Fork Colorado in the west and Lamar Colorado in the east. With
such a large area of coverage KSPK remains to this day Southern Colorado's Largest Radio Station.
HCR24-1002, a resolution called "constitutional bail exception first degree murder" is
making its way through the Colorado legislature. The resolution would place a ballot
question on November's ballot to ask voters to decide if first-degree murder suspects
should not be eligible for bail. While Colorado law previously did not allow for bail in
murder cases, in 2020, when the death penalty was abolished in colorado, so was the bail
policy, meaning that currently, anyone charged with first-degree murder is eligible for
bail in Colorado. That bail is currently set by a judge. The ballot question, if it passes in
the fall, would make first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail. The resolution has
passed The State House. It will be heard in the State Senate judiciary committee next
Monday, March 25th.Custer County Sheriff's deputy facing criminal charges.
Sergeant Jason Salbato, who was terminated from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, is
facing multiple misdemeanor charges after he allegedly failed to report child abuse
claims that were reported to him. The charges come following an investigation by the
11th Judicial District Attorney's Office that found that Salbato received information that
someone "had been beaten on the back with a belt". Salbato told the reporting party that
he would investigate and contact the department of human services, according to court
records. The investigation found that Salbato had many opportunities to send a text
message, email, phone call or voicemail to DHS over a 7-day period, and also could have
opened a case AGN investigated the Informaton he had received. Salbato maintains his
innocence and is awaiting discovery and formal charges.London based company proposing solar energy production facility.
Horus Energy, a London-based company, who has partnered with Denmark-based
european energy, is proposing to develop a 1,000-acre solar energy production facility in
Saguache county. The proposed facility will produce 170mw of electricity, or enough
electricity to power 34,000 homes. The project will employ up to 1,500 workers during
the construction phase. It is not known how many jobs will be available on a permanent
basis. The project is being called the sand dune solar project and will be the first of its
kind within Saguache County. The project will tie into the local grid and will benefit the
greater community's electrical efficiency and resiliency, according to the company.Teller County Commissioners declare state of emergency.
Teller County Commissioners on Friday issued a state of emergency for the entire county
following last week's winter storm that wreaked havoc in the county. Residents of Teller
County had reportedly been without electric power for days. The county wide
declaration came a day after the town of cripple creek declared their own state of
emergency. Those in cripple creek had their power restored by 10:30pm on Friday.
emergency crews, however, continued to reach more rural areas of Teller County over the
weekend to ensure that residents were safe.US Fish and Wildlife service to conduct prescribed burns.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service will conducted prescribed fire operations on the
Alamosa, Baca and Monte Vista national wildlife refuges to remove old and matted
vegetation to improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, slash piles of natural materials will
be burned as conditions and needs exist. Burns are targeted to take place this month and
April and again in October and November. Smoke will be visible to local residents,towns
and highway during the day and may last for a few days following burning
operations. For more information, call Alamosa and Monte Vista Refuge Manager
Suzanne Beauchaine at 719-589-4021 x1003, or Baca Refuge Manager TY Benally at
719-256-5527.
March 15th 2024
CO US Senators have secured funding for workforce housing.
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have secured $2 million in funding
for SLV Health's ongoing efforts to provide workforce housing for some of their contract
employees. The funding is part of a larger appropriations package headed to President
Biden's desk to bring a total of $129 million to 120 community projects across Colorado.
The funding is to specifically improve the Pikes Place apartment building that was
recently purchased by SLV Health to provide employees a place to live on the hospital's
campus in Alamosa. Currently, SLV Health is renting ten to fifteen apartments
throughout Alamosa to accommodate those visiting professionals who are working
locally and providing needed health care services, as well as long term medical students
who are doing their residency at the hospital.Pueblo County resident facing criminal charges.
Elizabeth Barnes, a Pueblo County resident, is facing criminal charges following reports
of animal neglect. The Colorado Department of Agriculture and The Bureau of Animal
Protection worked with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and the humane society of the
pikes peak region on the case that began last summer. Authorities seized and removed 22
animals in all that includes six horses, one chicken, one dog, one cat and two snakes in
august of last year. 8 more dogs and three cats were removed in December. Barnes is
charged with one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals, 24 misdemeanor counts
of animal neglect and mistreatment, and two counts of child abuse-negligence without
injury. The horses removed from the property were underweight and experienced a
variety of medical issues. The six rehabilitated horses have since been adopted.CAIC warning of hazardous back country travel.
The Colorado Avalanche information center is warning people that back country travel
will be extremely hazardous today and this weekend thanks to the abundant snowfall that
the state has received. Multiple avalanche warnings are in effect across Colorado's
mountains. The level of avalanche danger is considered high. CAIC is asking
adventurers to avoid avalanche terrain, especially any slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
avalanches are more likely to break east of the continental divide. Always check the
CAIC website for the latest on avalanche forecasts before heading to the back country by
going to avalanche.state.co.us.CDOT beginning surface treatment on I-25.
The Colorado Department of Transportation this month is beginning surface treatment
work on Interstate 25 in Pueblo and Huerfano counties, between mile markers 64 and
79.6. Crews will remove and replace 2-1/2 inches of asphalt, thereby extending the life
of the pavement. Additionally, crews will replace guardrail and do bridge preventative
maintenance work to several structures along the route. Once complete, the work will
improve the drivability for motorists, according to CDOT. The project is scheduled to be
complete by late December.CPW began operations on two aquatic nuisance species inspections.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, yesterday, began operating two aquatic nuisance species
watercraft inspection and decontamination stations at the Colorado State Patrol loma and
Trinidad ports of entry. The two check stations are the first to open and operate during
the boating season as full-time seasonal roadside inspection stations following two years
of a successful pilot program. Between now and October 31st of each year, any vehicle with
a motorized or trailered watercraft entering the state from Utah or New Mexico will
be required to stop for an inspection, Thursday through Monday. In Colorado,
inspections for aquatic nuisance species are mandatory on all motorized boats.
March 14th 2024
Gov Polis announces special election for 4th Congressional district.
Governor Jared Polis announced on Tuesday that a special election to fill the U.S. House
seat vacated by outgoing representative Ken Buck will be held on June 25th, the same day
as Colorado's primary election. Buck unexpectedly announced his resignation from the
House effective next week. 3rd Congressional District Rep. Lauren Boebert, who is
hoping to succeed Buck in the 4th Congressional District, will be on the June 25th ballot in
the district's primary election, but would have to resign from the 3rd district to run for the
special election. Each party is allowed to nominate one candidate for the special election.
Political analysts say that the split ballots could hurt Boebert, with GOP voters more
likely to back the same candidate for both the special election and primary. The winner
of the primary is almost guaranteed to win the general election in November because of
the 4th District's makeup.CPW provides update on wolves released in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced during a CPW Commission meeting yesterday
that all of the 10 gray wolves released in Colorado in December have remained in the
state and that no depredations on livestock have been reported as of yesterday morning.
The wolves are all reported to be doing well, and while they are moving around, they
have mostly stayed in the areas where they were released. As calving season approaches
for livestock producers, CPW says it hopes to set up four additional supply houses in
addition to the four already in place. These supply houses hold wolf depredation
prevention materials that can be easily provided to producers if any wolf conflicts arise.Traffic stop in Alamosa leads to arrest.
Alamosa Police conducted a traffic stop about 7:34pm Tuesday in the 2200 block of Ross
Avenue on a vehicle for failure to use a turn signal. The vehicle also appeared to have
fictitious license plates and the driver did not have a valid driver's license. a K9 unit was
requested at the traffic stop and alerted on the vehicle. Officers located more than 850
fentanyl pills, cocaine, a large amount of marijuana, u.s. currency, clear plastic baggies
and a scale. The driver, Fantashia Aragon, 29, of San Luis, and the passenger, Renee
Archuleta, 36, of Alamosa, were arrested and have been charged with unlawful
distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and
marijuana offense. Both were transported to the Alamosa County Detention Center.Pueblo Police identify vehicle and suspect in hit and run in Pueblo.
Pueblo Police announced yesterday that they have identified the vehicle and the suspect
that were involved in a fatal hit-and-run on I-25 about 3:17am on Monday, March 4th.
police, however, did not make the name of the suspect available. Pueblo Police said
previously that the crash involved a 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokee that then fled the scene. A
man on a motorcycle was struck and killed in the crash. He has been identified as 57-
year-old Ruben Sena of Pueblo. No further information was made available.St Patricks Day DUI enforcement begins today.
The Saint Patrick's day DUI enforcement begins today and will run through next
wednesday, March 20th. For the next week, The Colorado Department of Transportation,
Colorado State Patrol, and 76 local law enforcement agencies will participate in the
enforcement period. Drivers may see sobriety checkpoints and additional law
enforcement on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers. Last year in Colorado,
276 DUI arrests were made during the St. Patrick's Day enforcement, a 60% increase from
the year before.
March 13th 2024
4th Congressional District US REP Buck resigning from congress.
4th Congressional District U.S. Representative Ken Buck of Colorado, a Republican,
announced yesterday that he is resigning from congress, effective next week. Buck's
decision to step down before the end of his term will trim republicans' slim edge to 218
seats over 213 for democrats, with three vacancies. With that breakdown, Republicans
could only afford to lose two votes to pass legislation on a party-line vote. Buck says he
thinks the system in how we choose candidates is broken and he wants to get involved in
that process. Buck announced last year that he would not seek reelection, citing
stagnation in congress and his party's election denialism as factors in his decision on to
run this year. Buck, who is a former prosecutor with the department of justice, was first
elected to congress in 2014.CO House passes bill to discourage lawsuits against approved land use decisions.
The Colorado House on Monday passed HB24-1107, a bill that aims to discourage
neighborhood groups from filing lawsuits against approved land use decisions. The bill
would require anyone who appeals an approved land use decision to a higher court under
rule 106 to pay for the city's attorneys fees if the group loses. Under current Colorado
law, rule 106 allows parties to appeal the decision of a lower body, like a city council, to
overturn approved projects. Proponents of the new bill argue that neighborhood groups
have filed "frivolous" lawsuits to delay needed projects. Opponents say the legislation is
unconstitutional and that neighborhood groups should be able to appeal land use
decisions, especially when residents are concerned about wildfire evacuation routes with
added housing. The bill now moves on to the Colorado State Senate for further
consideration there.Las Animas County Coroner issues statement.
Las Animas County Coroner Dominic Verquer, in a statement filed with the county, says
"although multiple bodies were buried in a single grave, it was done in compliance with
state statutes, and with all necessary and valid permits". Verquer, who is under
investigation for burying homeless people in mass graves in the starkville cemetery,
made the statement in response to an effort to recall him. It is illegal to bury two people
together in colorado without family consent. Both people found in a grave last
September were homeless. The exhumation in September prompted the Colorado Bureau
of Investigation to open an investigation into Verquer.Great Sand Dunes announces it will hold a public meeting.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has announced that it will hold public
meetings this week to discuss proposed transit ideas for the park. The planning effort
will focus on reducing congestion into and in the park. The first meeting will be held
tonight from 6 to 8pm at the Rio Grande water conservation district office at 8900
independence way in Alamosa. Tomorrow, a second meeting will be held from 6 to 8pm
at the Baca National Wildlife Refuge office at 69812 County Road T. A public comment
period will run through March 29th. A final decision is expected early next year.Major Winter Storm bearing down on Colorado.
A major winter storm is bearing down on Colorado, with the most snowfall predicted to
the east of the continental divide and along the front range. Snow is expected to begin in
the evening hours tonight with heavy snow forecast for tomorrow, possibly lingering
through Friday. A winter storm warning has been issued for much of the KSPK listening area.
The San Luis Valley is under a Winter Storm Watch. Pueblo and El Paso counties
are under a winter weather advisory. Snowfall totals are predicted to be 10-24 inches in
the mountains, 4-15 inches along the I-25 corridor, with a trace to 4 inches in Pueblo.
The San Luis Valley is expecting 3-6 inches of snow.
March 12th 2024
CO Gov Polis and legislators introduce bills to address workforce shortages.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, along with several state legislators, last week introduced
a comprehensive set of nine bills designed to address Colorado's workforce shortage.
While some of the bills have been introduced, others are brand new. The 9 bills are titled
as follows: continuing opportunity now program, strengthening post secondary
workforce initiatives, increasing access to apprenticeship opportunities, helping students
enter career and technical education apprenticeships, military family occupational
credentialing, colorado workforce demonstration grants pilot program, credential quality
apprenticeship classification, supporting the educator workforce and state funding for
higher education projects. Polis says that by increasing funding for apprenticeship and
workforce education initiatives, "unemployed Coloradans can get better jobs".3rd Rep Boebert drops protection order against ex-husband.
3rd Congressional District U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert, yesterday, dropped the
protection order she had against her ex-husband Jayson Boebert. Boebert appeared via
video link during a court hearing yesterday afternoon to make the request of the judge,
and added that the pair had reached a strict agreement making the protection order no
longer necessary. Jayson Boebert, who was in the courtroom, confirmed the agreement.
Lauren Boebert had obtained a temporary restraining order against her ex-husband in
February after she accused him of threatening to harm her and enter the family's home
without permission. The temporary order also included protections for three of Boebert's
children. Following the testimony yesterday, the judge dismissed the temporary order.City of Alamosa announces new Police Chief.
The City of Alamosa yesterday announced that it has chosen George Dingfelder as the
new Alamosa Police Chief. Chief Dingfelder has a long history of law enforcement
service that includes six years in the U.S. Army military police, 25 years in the Colorado
State Patrol, and four years as chief of police for the city of Monte Vista. Chief
Dingfelder brings not only a strong technical background to the position, but also brings
superb leadership skills and a strong moral code. Beyond his long history of law
enforcement, Chief Dingfelder also volunteers on state and local boards and committees.
Alamosa City Manager Heather Sanchez commended interim Chief Spangler who
allowed the city to take its time with the process and to allow time for Chief Dingfelder
to help the city of Monte Vista with the transition. Chief Dingfelder's first day with the
City of Alamosa will be May 6th.Colorado Springs Police department in identifying postal worker robber.
The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the
person who robbed a postal worker on Saturday near teal court and mallard drive in
Colorado Springs. The suspect allegedly approached a postal worker while he was
loading a community mailbox and robbed him at gunpoint, taking various keys around
10:54am Saturday. The suspect is described as a young, black male wearing a black
hoodie and grey pants. He is slim, approximately 160 lbs, and is 6-feet tall. The United
States Postal inspection service is offering a $150,000 reward for any information leading
up to his arrest. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 877-876-
2455 and reference case #4267547-robb.Rio Grande National Forest offering new online program.
Learn about aquatic and riparian systems on the Rio Grande National Forest and the
various ways they are monitored and restored in this month's forest specialist series. The
online program, hosted in partnership with the Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan
mountains association, will be held on Wednesday, March 27th, at 5pm. visit
www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande for more information.