August 7th 2025
CO Gov Polis calls special session yesterday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday called a special session for the Colorado
Legislature, citing the need to address impacts to the state budget following the passage
of the big beautiful bill earlier this summer. Polis says the state is facing a budget deficit
of about $780 million this fiscal year following the passage of HR1. Polis says that the
new deficit is despite beginning the year with a balanced state budget and projected tabor
surplus of $300 million dollars. Polis said yesterday that Colorado has to balance its
budget as per the Colorado Constitution, so he has called the General Assembly to
reconvene to find the best possible solution to the unexpected and immediate revenue
shortage caused by the passage of HR1. Polis says the special session will begin on
Thursday, August 21st, at 10am.
CPW announces new wolf mortality in Wyoming.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife yesterday announced the mortality of female gray wolf 2304
on July 24th in Wyoming. CPW has coordinated with Wyoming Game and Fish for the
return of its tracking collar, however, Wyoming state law prevents further detail from
being shared. 2304 was part of the group of wolves translocated to Colorado from
Oregon. Wolves are known to travel long distances to find food or mates, including to
other states. CPW says it does not comment on wildlife movements, operations or
regulations in other states. CPW has no further comment on the mortality as it took place
outside of Colorado. This is the third translocated wolf that has traveled north and died
in Wyoming since reintroduction efforts began. It is the first wolf that was brought to
Colorado from Oregon to die in 2025.
Unvaccinated bred mare dies in Las Animas County after contracting WNV.
An unvaccinated, 6-year-old standard bred mare in Las Animas County has died after
contracting West Nile Virus. The mare reportedly tested positive for West Nile virus on
July 29th. The horse developed clinical signs of the virus on July 24th, including weakness
and ataxia. West Nile Virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes,
much like humans. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, however, those that do
can exhibit: flulike signs, fine and coarse muscle twitching, hypersensitivity to touch and
sound, changes in mental activity, occasional drowsiness, propulsive walking, spinal
signs, and asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia. West Nile Virus has no cure. Some
horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30 to 40%.
Lawsuit against Acequia institute set for jury trial.
A lawsuit against the Acequia institute and its president and founder, Devon Pena, is set
for a jury trial this fall in Costilla County District Court. Addelina Lucero of Taos filed
the lawsuit under the Colorado anti-discrimination act, alleging discrimination due to sex
and race, workplace harassment, and breach of contract. Lucero says she "was subjected
to demeaning insults, verbal attacks and harassment..." Lucero was part of a team that
worked to obtain a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado health foundation to help
acquire, renovate and operate the former r&r market, now reopened as the San Luis
Peoples Market in San Luis. Pena declined to comment citing the active litigation. A
status hearing on the case is scheduled for September with a 4-day jury trail set for
November.
Colfax County NM announces County Road bridge temporary closure.
Colfax County, New Mexico, has announced that the County Road A-7 chico road bridge
will be closed temporarily on Monday, August 11th, from 8am until noon, for inspection
of the bridge. The New Mexico Department of Transportation will perform the
inspection on the bridge. Detours and signage will be in place to direct traffic around the
affected area. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time and to use alternate
routes when possible.
August 6th 2025
CPW confirmes depredation events in Rio Blanco County.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed that three depredation events took play on
July 20th, 22nd and August 2nd, by an uncollard wolf in Rio Blanco County. CPW says
that these attacks meet their definition of chronic depredation due to three confirmed
attacks within 30 days. Usually, the depredations would warrant lethal removal of the
wolf, according to CPW, however, the location of the depredations is currently under
evacuation due to the elk fire. CPW says they are continuing to monitor the situation
while working with emergency services to prioritize human safety and minimize loss of
livestock.
Many new Colorado laws going into effect today.
More than 200 new laws go into effect today in Colorado. The new laws include laws
regarding domestic violence, wildfires, tax incentives and education. Other new laws
concern enforcement of wage hour laws, a tax incentive for film festivals, community
integration for individuals with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation services, tax
incentives for employee-owned businesses, adding nuclear energy as a clean energy
resource, food waste reduction in public schools, limitations on local anti-growth land
use, limiting turf in new residential developments, eligibility redetermination for
medicaid members, misbranding cultivated meat products as meat, funeral services and
consumer protections, and limitations on restrictive employment agreements. A few
more laws passed this year will go into effect in September and October, followed by
more in January and February of next year.
US DOJ recognized Colorado as a sanctuary jurisdiction yesterday.
The U.S. Department of Justice, yesterday, recognized Colorado as a "sanctuary
jurisdiction". According to the DOJ, the cities, counties and states included in the list
have been "identified as having policies, laws or regulations that impede enforcement of
federal immigration laws". In addition to the 12 states identified, the list also includes
the District of Columbia, four counties and 18 cities across the country. Denver is the
only individual jurisdiction within Colorado that is also identified on the list. Colorado
Governor Jared Polis says that he does not believe Colorado is a sanctuary state, instead
saying that "Colorado prioritizes public safety, and local and state law enforcement work
closely with federal law enforcement to apprehend criminals, whether they are from this
country or not."
Lone Tree Police arrest suspect on impersonation charges.
Lone Tree Police have arrested Terry Pendleton, 58, after he allegedly impersonated
police to get through traffic on Interstate 25. According to the Lone Tree Police
Department, Pendleton's vehicle had been equipped with "police-like lights and sirens".
Pendleton owns a Black Ford Explorer fitted with red and blue lights, a siren and public
address system. While Pendleton has never been employed in law enforcement, he used
his vehicle's lights to maneuver through I-25 traffic. Pendleton was booked into The
Douglas County jail on charges of impersonating a police officer. Police believe
Pendleton may have been involved in other, similar incidents and are asking anyone who
may have information to call 720-509-1190.
Pueblo County Sheriff's Office asking for help locating missing person.
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating 14-year-old
Aubrie Vogel. Aubrie was last seen leaving her home on Wednesday of last week in the
2500 block of East Highway 96 in Pueblo. Aubrie was last seen wearing black shorts and
a pink shirt. She is 5-foot, 3-inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. Aubrie has red
hair and hazel eyes. If you have seen Aubrie or know where she is, you ae asked to call
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office at 719-583-6250.
August 5th 2025
Multiple wildfires burning across CO state and federal lands.
Nine wildfires are now burning across state and federal lands after at least five new
wildfires ignited along Colorado's western slope over the weekend. Almost 32,000 acres
of land have burned in separate wildfires in Delta, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose and Rio
Blanco counties, as well as in parts of eastern Utah, thanks in part to hot and dry
conditions. Fire officials say the 8 out of the 9 fires were lightning caused. The cause of
the 9th fire has not yet been determined. No lives have been lost, however, several
structures have been damaged or destroyed. Governor Jared Polis has issued disaster
declarations for several of the fires, which frees up state and federal resources. The fires
are: the elk fire, lee and grease fires, turner gulch fire, leroux fire, coulter creek fire,
wright draw fire, the deer creek fire, sowbelly fire, and the south rim fire.
Former RTN FH co-owner reverses plea.
Former Return To Nature funeral home co-owner Carie Hallford has reversed her plea in
the federal court case against her and is now facing more than a decade in prison on
financial crimes. Hallford had originally plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
in march, she changed her plea to not guilty and the case was set for trial. Last month,
Hallford announced she would change her plea again, and yesterday she had a "change of
plea hearing". Both sides have agreed to recommend a 15-year sentence in the case.
Sentencing won't take place until December 3rd. Carie's husband, Jon Hallford, was
sentenced to 20 years in prison for financial crimes in June, although he filed an appeal
last month. Both Hallfords have already plead guilty to state charges of abuse of a
corpse.
Climber rescued by ASR remains in critical condition.
The climber who was rescued by Alamosa Search and Rescue on little bear peak on July
27th has been identified by family as Ben Jamieson of Denver. The husband and father of
two young children sustained serious injuries after being struck by a large boulder near
the hourglass on the 14,037-foot mountain in the Sangre De Cristo's, causing him to
tumble about 30 feet down the steep slope. Jamieson is "fighting for his life" with a
"major injury to his skull and brain", according to a go fund me page set up by his
brother. Jamieson's family says he has come closer and closer to consciousness, and was
able to squeeze family members' hands yesterday. Jamieson is recovering at a hospital in
Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs man arrested on DUI charges from Chaffee County.
Jason Beltz, 49, of Colorado Springs, was arrested in Chaffee County over the weekend
after officials said that he drove a side-by-side UTV into the Arkansas River while drunk.
According to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement responded to the
Ruby Mountain Campground in Buena Vista on Sunday around 12:55pm after receiving
reports that a UTV was stuck in the river. After being rescued, an investigation revealed
that Beltz intentionally drove into the river and that alcohol was involved. Beltz was
taken into custody for DUI. Officials say a passenger, also in the UTV, is not facing any
charges and no injuries were reported.
Pueblo County announces new property tax payment method.
Pueblo County has announced that it is now offering residents of the county a new way to
pay their property taxes. The county has partnered with a private company, which will
allow property owners to pay their taxes monthly, instead of once or twice per year. The
option is open to anyone who lives within Pueblo County. El Paso County also
implemented a monthly payment option about a month ago.
August 4th 2025
CO US Senators announces money requests for major projects.
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet has announced that he has requested over $25
million for five major projects across Colorado. The five projects are as follows: $1.2
million for the Fairplay Police Station, $1 million for the Wellington Community services
center, $590,000 for the Gardner Community center construction, $529,000 for the
regional fire training tower in Teller County, and $22 million for the Ambulatory Care
center replacement in El Paso County. Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper had a joint
application process for the project requests. The money was requested through the
congressionally directed spending process, in the first round of appropriations bill passed
by the Senate.
CO Gov Polis declares disaster emergency for Elk Creek fire.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis yesterday declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Creek
fire burning in Rio Blanco county, southeast of meeker. according to polis' office, The
Rio Blanco Sheriff assumed responsibility for the fire from the local fire department and
requested assistance and support from the state. The order provides additional external
resources and state support to manage and suppress the fire as well as to protect at-risk
values. The fire is currently burning on private and state land and was estimated to be
around 600 acres as of last night. Interagency aviation and ground resources have been
mobilized to assist firefighting efforts, including Colorado division of fire prevention and
control air and overhead resources, and have been working the fire since Saturday. A
type 3 incident management team has been ordered to assume command of the fire.
Elevated fire weather and fire risk are forecast for the coming week in Northwest
Colorado.
Campground suspect arrested on assault charges.
Steven Sanguinetti, 36, has been arrested after a pair of campers at the Penitente Canyon
Campground say they were threatened by a man who was swinging an Axe. According
to the Saguache County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called out to the campground on
July 19th on the report of a male individual who was threatening campers. Two campers
told deputies that they saw a man rummaging through their personal belongings at their
campsite. After confronting him, the man left the immediate area but was later seen
watching them from a distance. As the pair were getting into their vehicle to leave, the
same man came at them with an Axe, swinging it at them. Sanguinetti is being held on
charges of felony menacing, harassment, assault in the first degree, criminal
impersonation, and criminal attempt. He is being held on $20,000 bond. His next court
appearance is on Thursday.
Alamosa Man in critical condition after Friday stabbing.
A 27-year-old man is in critical condition following a stabbing in Alamosa early Friday
morning. According to the Alamosa Police Department, officers responded to a stabbing
in the 400 block of 4th Street in Alamosa around 3:13am Friday and found the victim.
The victim was taken to SLV Health and was later flown to a front range hospital. He
remains in critical condition. Police say the believe this was an isolated incident and that
there is no threat to the community. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or
the incident is asked to call The Alamosa Police Department at 719-589-2548.
CPW seeking public input on deer management at next meeting.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking for public input on mule deer herd management at
their meeting that will take place in Pueblo on Thursday, August 7th. the meeting will
take place at the Rawlings Public Library at 100 east Abriendo Avenue in Pueblo
beginning at 6pm. The discussion will include management plans for herds west of I-25
in Chaffe, Park, Teller, Fremont, Eastern Costilla, Western Huerfano, Las Animas,
Custer, Pueblo and Western El Paso Counties. Anyone interested in herd management
and hunting is encouraged to attend.
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