SB24-033, the bill that would have increased property taxes for short-term rental properties has died in committee following testimony from property owners. The bill would have required short-term rentals that are leased for 90 or more days per year to be classified as lodging properties. Hours of testimony from those opposed to the bill was heard prior to the senate committee on finance voting to postpone the bill indefinitely. Those opposing the bill said that, if passed, rents could be increased and owners were considering selling their properties. Some short-term rental owners said they fear a study on the properties could also lead to extra fees. Danielle Anderson, a short-term rental host, said that hosts are just average everyday people who rent out a basement to offset their mortgage or own a dream house in the mountains, but need the short-term rental income to afford it.

CSP says commercial vehicle careless driving citations up.

The Colorado State Patrol says that careless driving citations issued to commercial vehicle drivers are on the rise in Colorado. According to the patrol, troopers issued 822 citation to commercial drivers for improper, reckless or careless driving in 2023, a 23% increase over 2022. Data shows that the winter months of January and December, when road conditions are particularly dangerous, were the busiest months for troopers writing citations last year. Troopers also identified the most common highways where these citations were issued. Interstate 25 and Interstate 70 were in the top 2 positions. Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the state patrol, said that "while any vehicle can cause death, the consequences of a crash are amplified when a commercial motor vehicle is involved..."

Man accused of driving into Pueblo Mall in court.

Mario Arellano, 30, of Pueblo, the man accused of driving a car into the Pueblo mall food court, was in court yesterday for a plea and sentencing hearing. During the hearing, Arellano indicated that he wants to plead not guilty by reason of insanity to his charges. Arellano is facing 15 charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder and assault on a police officer. Police evacuated the mall last November after a man had driven into the mall and then said he had bombs in his vehicle and in the mall building. Arellano asked if he could have a week to think it over after the judge told him if he made that plea, he would be held in custody until the results of the sanity evaluation were complete. The judge set Arellano's next hearing for next Wednesday, April 24th.

Trinidad Police alert residents to a scam.

Trinidad Police are alerting city residents that they have received reports that people are receiving phone calls from someone who is claiming to be a detective with the Trinidad Police Department. The person is asking for personal information during the call. Police say this is a scam. The Trinidad Police Department says that officers will never call you and ask for information unless you have called to speak to an officer or have already been contacted by an officer in relation to an incident.

Rio Grande Headwaters restoration project in the process of making restoration plans.

The Rio Grande Headwaters restoration project is in the process of making plans to restore the riparian corridor of the Rio Grande River in Alamosa. The plan includes recreational opportunities along the river at cole park, improving aging and hazardous agricultural diversion infrastructure and improving aquatic habitat. $310,000 of funding is available for planning and design for the project, which will also include community outreach and engagement events. Final construction costs will be determined based on the final designs for the project.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Monday signed HB24-1007, also known as the home act, into law. The new law aims to end "discriminatory" rules that limit how many unrelated people can live together. Polis said that "it's none of the government's business"... "if they get along and they're roommates and they want to be able to have their leases and live there together, of course, Coloradans should be able to do so." In many cities in Colorado, there are limits on how many unrelated people can live under one roof. Some lawmakers believe such occupancy limits are a form of discrimination. Polis said the legislation provides one more way to increase affordability, opponents, however, argued that the bill would have unintended consequences, like increasing rent. The new law will take effect on July 1st.

RTN Funeral Home demolition begins.

Demolition of the Return to Nature Funeral home in Penrose officially began yesterday following months of delays. Over 4 dozen families filed onto the property yesterday to get one final look at the building that once housed their deceased loved ones. A ceremony organized by Fremont County officials invited the families onto the property prior to the beginning of the demolition. The demolition is expected to take about 10 days to finish, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The debris from the building, as well as the topsoil from beneath the foundation, will be taken to the Otero County landfill in Eastern Colorado, the only landfill in the area that was willing to take the debris. In October of last year, investigators found 189 bodies improperly stored inside.

ICE operation leads to arrest of 9 noncitizens in CO and WY.

An ICE operation in Colorado and Wyoming has resulted in the arrest of 9 "noncitizens", according to the agency. Enforcement removal operations officers took the noncitizens into custody after they allegedly violated conditions of their release in the alternatives to detention program during an operation that took place between April 1st and 5th, according to a news release. The release says that "ice focuses on the arrests of noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws". The efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. Attorney's office. ICE encourages members of the public to report crimes and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423.

CO SOS announces State REP fails to qualify for 5th District seat ballot.

The Colorado Secretary of State's office announced on Tuesday that State Republican Representative Bob Gardner failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot for the House District 5 seat to replace Republican Representative Doug Lamborn. The seat represents the El Paso County Area. Gardner needed at least 1,500 signatures. His campaign submitted 2,230, however, 905 signatures for Gardner were rejected by The Secretary of State's office, bringing the accepted entries to 1,325, less than the 1,500 signatures needed. The announcement means that GOP Chairman Dave Williams and Jeff Crank will be the only two candidates for District 5 appearing on the June 25th primary ballot.

This week is National Public Safety telecommunications week.

This is national public safety telecommunications week, which is also known as dispatch week. Alamosa county commissioners last week presented a proclamation to local colorado state patrol dispatchers. The team is one of the few in Colorado that dispatch for emergency medical services, law enforcement and fire departments. The team also dispatch for the six San Luis Valley counties and multiple agencies of first responders. This was the first time that the team has been recognized locally.

The Colorado State House of Representatives on Sunday passed HB24-1292 that would ban so-called assault weapons in Colorado. The bill passed largely along party lines on a 35-27 vote. The bill would define "assault weapon" and would ban the manufacture, import, sale or purchase of such weapons in Colorado. It would also ban the possession of rapid-fire trigger activators, which are devices that can be attached to a gun to increase the speed at which the gun fires. State Representative Richard Holtorf, a Republican, said he doesn't believe many sheriff's in colorado will enforce the legislation, should it become law. The county sheriff's of Colorado opposes the bill. The bill now will now move on for consideration in the Senate where the future of the bill is unclear.

Bill in State legislature to require short term rentals to be classified as lodging properties.

A bill, SB24-033, making its way through the Colorado legislature would require short- term rentals that are leased for 90 or more days be classified as lodging properties, which would mean they would have to pay increased property taxes if the bill passes. State Senator Chris Hansen, of Denver, the bill's sponsor, says the lodging tax rate is about twice as much as a normal residential rate. He says he plans to amend his bill to increase the threshold for a lodging property from 90 to 200 days, but said there is not a clear consensus on that part of the bill. Hansen says the goal of the bill was properly categorizing lodging properties while creating a sustainable school funding system. Hansen's amendment would also require a study to be conducted to examine the economic and services impact of short-term rentals. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the senate finance committee this afternoon.

Bent county inmate captured in Raton New Mexico Monday.

Ronald Caillier, 38, an inmate in the Bent county jail who escaped late last Thursday from the Arkansas Valley Regional medical center in La Junta, was captured yesterday morning in Raton, New Mexico. Caillier was taken to the medical center for a medical emergency last Thursday. While there, his shackles were removed to perform certain tests. Following the tests, Caillier overpowered a deputy and security officer and ran away from the hospital. His escape led to a multi-agency manhunt across counties in Southern Colorado. Raton police arrested Caillier without incident around 10:30am yesterday morning. He is currently being held in the Colfax County Jail awaiting extradition back to Bent County. Caillier is expected to face additional charges for his escape.

Alamosa HS Seniors named initial winners of boettcher scholarship.

Three Alamosa High School graduating seniors have been named "initial winners" of the boettcher scholarship. Brock Benton and Jaymi Gile were recently notified that they have been offered the scholarship. Sienna Gallegos has been notified that she is an alternate. Recipients of "the boettcher" have their college education paid for with the cost of tuition, fees, books and other living expense covered for 4 years. Close to 2000 high school seniors in colorado submitted applications for the scholarship. Applicants are evaluated for their superior scholastic ability and intellectual curiosity, evidence of leadership and involvement, service to community and school and outstanding character.

New Mexico Carjacking victim identified.

David Adams of Colorado has been identified as the 79-year-old man who was stabbed to death on Sunday morning in Colfax County, New Mexico. according to New Mexico State Police, Adams and his wife were traveling from Colorado to New Mexico and had stopped to use the bathroom at a rest area on i-25 just south of Raton. When the wife came out, she said their vehicle was gone and her husband was on the ground covered in blood. The car was headed toward Las Vegas and was being driven by Dorien Ray, 21. authorities believe Ray stabbed Adams at the rest stop before stealing the car. A Toyota 4runner was also found in the rest area that was reported stolen out of aurora. It is believed that Ray carjacked a victim at knifepoint and took off with that vehicle, where it ended up in New Mexico. Ray is facing first-degree murder and armed robbery charges.

Nicholas Jordan, the man accused of killing two people in a dorm room at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in February has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial. The results of Jordan's competency evaluation, which was conducted at the state mental hospital in Pueblo, were disclosed at a court hearing that took place Friday morning. The prosecution on Friday requested a second competency evaluation with a doctor of the prosecution's choice. The defense argued that the prosecution should not be allowed to choose their own doctor for the second evaluation, by state statute. The judge ruled that it would not make sense for a different doctor at the state hospital to conduct another evaluation. Jordan is accused of killing his roommate, Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Montgomery, 26, on February 16th. His next scheduled court date is May 31st at 11am for a review hearing on the status of the second competency evaluation.

RTN owners back in El Paso County Jail.

Return To Nature Funeral Home owners Jon and Carie Hallford are back in the El Paso County jail after they were arrested by the federal bureau of investigation and placed on a hold. The Hallford's both previously posted surety bonds on their state charges, however the pair are back in custody. The FBI arrested the pair on a federal warrant. The Penrose funeral home was shut down last October after the Hallford's were found to be improperly storing 189 bodies at the funeral home between 2019 and 2023. 18 of the bodies remain to be identified. The Hallfords are facing 260 criminal charges, including abuse of a corpse, money laundering, forgery and theft. The Hallford's state arraignment has been re-scheduled for June 6th. Their state trial is set to begin on October 8th.

Otero County Sheriff's Office alerts public of escaped inmate.

The Otero County Sheriff's Office on Friday alerted the public that a man escaped custody on Friday morning. Ronald Caillier of Gillette, Wyoming, overpowered a deputy and security officer at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center and fled the hospital wearing a black and white striped jumpsuit and handcuffs. The incident took place around 11:39pm on Thursday night. Caillier is believed to have stolen and is driving a 2007 white dodge grand caravan with Colorado license plate BFM-W09. The van has some damage to the passenger side door and a cracked passenger side rear view mirror. Caillier was being held on charges of first degree burglary and assault in the third degree.

Alamosa City Council considering implementing City Park curfew.

The Alamosa City Council is considering implementing a 10pm curfew and prohibit guns and other "deadly weapons" for public parks and open spaces within the city. By adopting the ordinance, the city is hoping to create a safe environment in public recreation buildings, open spaces and parks. Alamosa's parks are currently open 24 hours per day, every day. City staff have proposed limiting parks and open spaces to 5am to 10pm. City councilors will take up the proposed ordinance on a first reading this Wednesday. If approved, the proposed ordinance will move to a public hearing in two weeks.

Body found in Colfax County leads to Police Pursuit.

The body of a man who was stabbed and killed in Colfax County was discovered yesterday morning. According to the Colfax County Sheriff's office, deputies were called to the scene where a stabbing victim was reported to be unconscious but still breathing. However, upon arrival, the 71-year-old male victim was determined to be deceased. Authorities discovered that the victim's vehicle was missing and located the vehicle along with a suspect near Wagon Mound, New Mexico. Following a pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody. No other information was provided.

A janitor in the Colorado State Capitol building discovered a firearm unattended on a shelf inside a restroom just before 9:30pm on Tuesday, April 9th. Colorado State Patrol troopers responded, unloaded and safely stored the weapon, a loaded 9mm glock. At 10:14pm Tuesday, Representative Don Wilson, who represents El Paso County, contacted the patrol to report leaving his firearm in the restroom. The gun was returned to Wilson at 10:20pm. According to video surveillance, Wilson exited the restroom at 8:58pm, meaning that the firearm was unattended for 23 minutes before being discovered. Following an investigation into the incident, capitol troopers determined that no state statutes were violated and no criminal charges are pending as a result of this incident. In a statement, representative Wilson said “this is a humbling experience and i will reaffirm my commitment to responsible handling procedures.”

CO Gov Polis renews opposition to safe injection site bill.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has renewed his opposition against a bill in the legislature that would create safe injection sites in the state. According to Polis' office, the governor has stated that he is opposed to this approach and believes this is not a constructive way to address substance abuse. Instead, the governor supports increasing access to treatment options for Coloradans, including funding for more capital construction to increase the number of beds available. A similar bill failed in a senate committee in 2023 after passing the house. HB24-1028 would authorize local municipalities to operate overdose prevention centers, where trained medical staff would supervise drug users to prevent overdose deaths. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the senate health and human services committee next week.

Town of Del Norte elects new mayor.

Shelly Burnett was elected mayor of the town of Del Norte last week. Burnett easily won over incumbent mayor Chris Trujillo and challenger Shawn Goforth in the mayor's race. Burnett received 205 votes, Chris Trujillo 36, and Shawn Goforth 29. Also elected as town trustees were Sarah A. White with 211 votes, Louie Velasquez with 148 votes, and Andrew Velasquez with 131 votes. Bobby Lopez received 123 votes and Jonathon Medina 113.

Pueblo County Sheriff's office asking for help in identifying suspect.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to identify 3 men who are suspects in a burglary at a Pueblo Elementary School. All three men were caught on security cameras. All three appear to be wearing sweat tops, jeans or seat pants and stocking caps, one in all black, one in all light gray or white and one in dark gray and black with yellow gloves. The sheriff's office did not specify what school was burglarized or when the burglary took place. Anyone with any information about the burlary or any of the men, is asked to call the sheriff's office at 719-583-6250, and reference case #8697.

CDOT to begin region wide chain station improvements.

The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin work on region-wide chain station improvements to help ensure that commercial drivers have a safe location to chain up or down while traveling in Colorado's high country. Work will begin this month along several mountain passes in Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, San Miguel and Mineral counties. The traveling public can expect daytime shoulder closures. Work will include chain station improvements on Lizard Head Pass, Lawson Hill near Telluride, Wolf Creek Pass, La Veta Pass, Monarch Pass and Cumbres Pass. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of this year.