KSPK NEWS
June 6th 2025
Gov Polis signs new gun theft penalty bill into law.
HB25-1062 was signed into law on Monday by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The new
law increases the penalty for gun theft to a felony, no matter the price of the stolen gun.
Under the previous law, the penalty for stealing a firearm that cost less than $2,000 was
considered a misdemeanor or a petty offense. The new law makes all firearm theft a
class 6 felony, which carries a 12-18 month prison sentence, a mandatory one-year parole
period, and fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. It is hoped that the new law will help
crack down on gun theft. The bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives says
that between 2019 and 2023, an average of 3,512 firearms were stolen from private
citizens each year in Colorado.
Director of Colorado DOLE launches lawsuit against CO Gov Polis.
Scott Moss, the Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's
division of labor standards and statistics, is suing Colorado Governor Jared Polis,
accusing him of ordering state workers to violate Colorado law by handing over personal
data about sponsors of undocumented children to federal immigration agents. The
lawsuit was filed in Denver district court on Wednesday. Moss alleges that a week after
Polis signed SB25-276, a law that expands the state's ban on sharing immigrants'
personally identifying information with federal immigration enforcement, the governor
ordered state employees to hand over information on dozens of individuals to ice agents
in response to an administrative subpoena, not one issued by a court. Moss claims the
directive goes against state laws, laws that Polis himself signed. Polis' office responded
in part that "child exploitation has no place in Colorado, and we are not a sanctuary
state".
CDOT announces US 160 traffic shift east of Fort Garland.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that traffic will be shifted to
a temporary bypass on U.S. 160 east of Fort Garland next Wednesday, June 11th, at 5pm.
Flagging operations will occur while crews install temporary striping and prepare for the
traffic shift on Monday, June 9th. Width restrictions of 11 feet will remain in place and
speed will be reduced to 40mph. This traffic shift will allow crews to remove the old
structure and build the new wildlife underpass. The traffic shift and temporary bypass
will be in place through the summer. The project area is located east of Fort Garland in
Costilla County on US 160 between Milemarkers 258 and 265. Travelers are urged to
plan ahead and expect short delays. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Pueblo man identified in Tuesday shoplifter incident.
Antonio Herrera, 36, of Pueblo, has been identified as the man who was killed after being
struck by a Pueblo Police vehicle on Tuesday. Pueblo Police attempted to contact
Herrera, an alleged shoplifter, at the famous footwear location at 5765 N. Elizabeth Street
about 1:23pm on Tuesday. Herrera allegedly fled on foot, at one point brandishing a
handgun. After allegedly failing to comply with officer's commands to drop the weapon,
Herrera was struck by a vehicle driven by a responding Pueblo Police officer. While
emergency medical aid was administered at the scene, Herrera was pronounced dead.
The Colorado State Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation.
CPW invites anglers to praticipate in free fishing weekend this weekend.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites resident and nonresident anglers of all ages to
participate in a free fishing weekend this weekend. Tomorrow and Sunday, June 7th and
8th, anyone can fish for free, and the fishing license and habitat stamp requirements are
waived for this weekend. Colorado offers a diverse range of fish species to catch,
including over 35 species in some of the most scenic bodies of water. Fish anywhere in
6,000 miles of streams and over 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. To find fishing locations,
stocking reports and resources, visit cpw.state.co.us/fishing.
June 5th 2025
Gov Polis signs Miranda Gorden justice act Tuesday.
Governor Jared Polis on Tuesday signed SB25-304, known as the "Miranda Gorden
justice for survivors act of 2025" to create the Colorado sexual assault forensic medical
evidence review board. The law is aimed at reducing the number of days it takes to
process rape kit backlogs, and issue that state lawmakers say has had devastating
consequences for survivors and victims of sexual assault. The new board will review and
evaluate how effective current protocols, standards and training practices are when it
comes to sexual reports across the state. The new law also mandates that law
enforcement agencies notify victims at least once every three months if they have
received DNA results for their case. The law also sets a 60-day goal for crime labs to
analyze and process rape kits. As of yesterday, about 1,300 sexual assault cases in
Colorado are still waiting for confirmatory testing.
4th plane passenger tests positive for measles.
A 4th passenger on the Turkish Airlines flight that landed at Denver International Airport
on May 13th has now tested positive for measles. According to the Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment, the person is a vaccinated resident of Denver County
and was a passenger on Turkish Airlines Flight 201. Seven cases of measles are now
associated with an out-of-state traveler who flew while contagious with measles. Four of
those were passengers on the flight while 3 were at DIA on May 13th and 14th.
CDOT supporting fellow agencies in new DUI enforcement period.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is supporting the Colorado State Patrol and
74 local law enforcement agencies for the heat is on summer blitz DUI enforcement
period. From now through June 18th, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety
checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting
impaired drivers. The period between memorial day and labor day – known as the 100
deadliest days of summer – historically sees a spike in roadway crashes and fatalities
across the state. Last year, 221 people were killed on Colorado roads during the 100
deadliest days period. 3,325 serious injuries also took place on Colorado roadways
during the same period. While most Coloradans choose to never drive impaired, there
were over 16,000 DUI arrests in all last year.
Arrest warrant issued for Alamosa man in sex assault case.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Martin Felix-Lopez of Alamosa after Felix-Lopez
failed to appear for a court hearing on April 27th for multiple violations of a protection
order in connection with the charges filed against him for the alleged sexual assault of a
child. Felix-Lopez was charged with one count of sexual assault by a person in a position
of trust with a victim who is younger than 15 years old, and pattern of abuse, on January
1st of 2024 by 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly. A protection order was also
issued in the case that prohibits Felix-Lopez from having any contact with the victim.
Charges were also filed on two additional alleged violations of the protection order last
year, one a first-degree misdemeanor and the other a second-degree misdeameanor.
Felix-Lopez also failed to appear in connection with those two charges.
CO DMV alerting Coloradans of new fraudulent text messages.
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is alerting Coloradans to a new wave of
fraudulent text messages. Scammers are now directly impersonating the DMV, falsely
claiming recipients have unpaid tickets and threatening severe consequences such as
prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration and revocation of driving privileges.
These claims are entirely false and designed to intimidate individuals into immediate
compliance. The texts appear as official communications from the Colorado DMV.
These messages are not from the Colorado DMV as the Colorado DMV does not initiate
contact via unsolicited text messages. If you're concerned about the status of your
driver's license, vehicle registration or any potential tickets, go to dmv.colorado.gov, or
call 303-205-5600.
June 4th 2025
Free access to State parks for CO Ute Tribes signed into law.
House Bill 25-1163, entitled "free access to state parks for Colorado Ute tribes" was
signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis last Thursday. The bill was signed by
both the president of the senate and the speaker of the house prior to Polis' signature.
The new law allows enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute
Mountain Ute Tribe to enter state parks in Colorado without paying the entrance fee.
Tribe members must have and show a current tribal identification card upon entrance.
The bill requires Colorado Parks and Wildlife to continue to engage tribal groups and
indigenous communities about opportunities connected with state parks, including the
free admission. Colorado currently has 43 state parks across the state.
Multiple people hospitalized after head on crash south of Walsenburg.
Seven people were hospitalized following a head on crash on Interstate 25, south of
Walsenburg, on Monday. According to the Colorado State Patrol, troopers responded to
the crash on I-25 near Milemarker 48 around 5:42pm. The crash occurred during an
active pursuit involving the Walsenburg Police Department and a 2008 Nissan Altima.
Troopers said that they had tried to pull the Nissan over for speeding, but the vehicle did
not pull over. Troopers did not pursue the vehicle. Later, Walsenburg Police pursued the
same vehicle. During the pursuit, the Nissan crossed the median on I-25 and collided
head-on with a 2018 Dodge Durango traveling southbound. Two people in the Nissan
were transported to the hospital with serious injuries, four people in the Durango were
transported with minor to moderate injures, and a Walsenburg Police Officer was
transported with minor injuries. CSP is investigating the crash.
Shoplifter dead after being struck by patrol car.
An armed shoplifter is dead after a Pueblo Police officer struck the shoplifter with a
patrol car. A police chase outside famous footwear in Pueblo yesterday turned deadly
when the shoplifting suspect pulled a gun on police. The incident began around 1:23pm
when police attempted to contact a shoplifting suspect at the famous footwear in the
Pueblo crossing shopping center. The suspect fled on foot. At one point, the suspect
drew a handgun. When the suspect failed to comply with demands to drop the weapon,
an officer struck the suspect with a patrol car. Officers administered medical aid at the
scene, however, the suspect was pronounced dead. The suspect has not yet been
identified.
Wetmore outbuildings destroyed in a fire Monday.
Two outbuildings in Wetmore were destroyed in a fire on Monday. According to The
Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department, the fire took place at a home in the greenwood area
of Wetmore. The Wetmore volunteer fire department says they responded with three
engines. The Custer County Sheriff's Office, Custer emergency medical services and
Custer county road and bridge also responded. Four state Wildland firefighters checked
for hotspots in the area. The outbuildings were a total loss. No people or animals were
injured in the incident.
Fort Garland museum hosting archaeology of the Fort event this Friday.
Children and their families are invited to join the staff of the Great Sand Dunes National
Park and preserve and the Fort Garland museum and cultural center this Friday, June 6th,
to learn about how archaeology has led to a deeper understanding of the fort's story.
Enjoy a guided tour of the fort and learn how the buildings were made by making your
own adobe bricks. The event will take place from 10am to 12:30pm on Friday at the Fort
Garland museum and cultural center at 29477 Highway 159 in Fort Garland. The
program is designed for children 8 years of age and older. Space is limited and
participants are required to register in advance by calling 719-378-6347.
June 3rd 2025
CPW announces Another Gray Wolf death.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced that it received a mortality alert for male
gray wolf 2507 on Saturday, May 31st. The mortality took place in Northwest Colorado.
Because gray wolves are listed under the endangered species act, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife service is investigating the death, and an official cause of death won't be
released until the investigation is complete. The death marks the 6th death of gray wolves
in Colorado this year. The wolf had been brought to Colorado from British Columbia in
January, the fifth wolf from the original 15 released in January that has died. The 6th wolf
was a year-old wolf from the Copper Creek pack that CPW officials killed last week that
has been involved in a series of livestock depredation incidents. CPW says it continues
to monitor four potential dens and expects there are an unknown number of new pups that
have been born this year.
New positive Measles case in El Paso County.
A third person has tested positive for measles in El Paso County, in connection to the
exposure earlier this month at Denver International Airport, according to an
announcement last night from the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment. Unlike the first two cases, this case was a vaccinated adult who is now
recovering at home. The first two cases are also connected to the exposure at DIA on
May 14th. Both were Unvaccinated. Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny
nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash that usually begins several days later on the face
and then spreads. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their health care
provider by phone immediately. The new case now brings the total cases connected to a
Turkish Airlines flight at DIA to seven, four passengers on the flight and three people
who were at DIA during the exposure period.
Multiple hikers rescued from Greenhorn Mountain Saturday afternoon.
Search and rescue crews were successful in rescuing 6 hikers from Greenhorn Mountain
on Saturday afternoon following a 25-hour search. According to the Pueblo County
Sheriff's office, the group of hikers, five juveniles and one adult from Texas, were
located about 4pm in steep and heavily wooded terrain. Two members of the group had
separated from the rest to seek help. They were located and reunited with the others. All
were exhausted but uninjured, however, a search and rescue team member did sustain
non-life-threatening injuries and was flown to a local hospital for treatment. According
to the sheriff's office, the hikers contacted them by phone about 7:30pm Friday to report
that they were lost, prompting the search, which continued overnight and into Saturday.
Alamosa School District announces salary freeze.
The Alamosa School District announced last week that it has instituted a salary freeze for
at least the remainder of 2025. The district is citing lower enrollment caused by a lower
birth rate and people having fewer kids, besides students choosing to go to other school
districts. The district says it is holding open houses and telling its story to regain the trust
of families to bring them back to Alamosa schools. According to the Colorado
Department of Education, enrollment in 100 school districts in Colorado declined during
the 2024 to 2025 school year, with statewide numbers being the lowest in a decade. The
district will sign a memorandum of understanding with the teachers union to reassess the
situation no later than January 15th of 2026.
Saguache Ranger District recruiting volunteers.
The Saguache Ranger District is recruiting volunteer "counters" to support the North
American butterfly association's annual butterfly count to be held on Saturday, June 21st.
The Saguache event will take place from 8am to 2pm and will begin with the volunteers
meeting at the intersection of County Road 41G and Forest Service road 720. For more
information, contact Brandon Skerbetz at 719-655-6126.
June 2nd 2025
CO US Republican Rep's defend support for spending bill.
Colorado Republican Congressman Gabe Evans and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert
defended their support for President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cut and spending bill
at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday. As the pair touted the bill's economic and
public safety benefits, they were met with constant chants and signs from protesters who
accused them of cutting vital programs like medicaid. Despite the protests, both Evans
and Boebert stood firm, describing the bill as a win for Coloradans, saying it would
extend tax cuts, boost tax credits for families, and increase funding for border security
and law enforcement. The lawmakers also pushed back on claims the bill would gut
medicaid saying that the legislation would strengthen the program by implementing work
requirements, eliminating coverage for gender transition care, and crack down on waste
and fraud. The bill passed the U.S. House last week and is now being considered by the
Senate.
CPW investigating fatal boating accident at Lake Pueblo State Park.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a fatal boating accident at Lake Pueblo State
Park after a boat with three anglers capsized in high winds on Friday evening. Two
adults were able to swim to shore. On adult victim was recovered by the CPW Marine
evidence recovery team and Lake Pueblo rangers following an almost 23-hour search. A
capsized boat in Bogg's Creek Cove was reported to CPW around 8pm Friday.
Following an intensive search, the victim was recovered around 6:30pm Saturday. No
one in the boat was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. The victim has been
identified as 28-year-old Derrick L. Vigil, Jr., of Pueblo. Family members say Vigil was
a devoted partner and father of two young children.
I-25 kidnapping suspect now facing new charge.
Shane Mcswane, the man who allegedly kidnapped a 22-year-old Denver woman and
drove her across the state on I-25 is now facing new charge. Mcswane is currently in the
Pueblo County Jail on charges that include kidnapping in the second degree, aggravated
robbery, unlawful sexual contact, motor vehicle theft in the second degree, two counts of
menacing with a deadly weapon, vehicular eluding, reckless driving and driving under
restraint. Mcswane was arrested in Huerfano County. The new charge is not connected
to the alleged kidnapping case, but instead concerns a warrant out of Lakewood for
attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Mcswane will be in
court again this week.
Gray Wolf removed by CPW in Pitkin County.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife lethally removed Gray Wolf 2405, a member of the Copper
Creek Pack, in Pitkin County on Thursday, after determining that livestock producers
there had experienced chronic wolf depredation despite implementing all reasonable non-
lethal deterrence measures and removing any attractants capable of luring wolves. The
action came after the agency confirmed four depredation events between May 17th and
25th, including three by clear and convincing evidence. CPW says it will now monitor
The Copper Creek Pack to determine whether the legal removal changes the pack's
behavior. CPW determined that the depredation events aligned with CPW's criteria for a
case of chronic depredation. CPW says removal of problem animals is unfortunate and
rare, but consistent with the colorado wolf restoration and management plan.
City of Alamosa announces intersection closure.
The City of Alamosa has announced that the intersection of State Avenue and Second
Street in Alamosa will be closed today through Wednesday, June 2nd through 4th. The
closure is a necessary step in the ongoing second street rebuild process. Please plan to
use alternate routes during this time. For questions, call Alamosa Public Works at 719-
589-6631.
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