June 26th 2025
Whistleblower in state case testified in court Tuesday.
Scott Moss, a whistleblower who accused Colorado Governor Jared Polis of ordering
state employees to hand over personal information to federal immigration officials
testified in court on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Moss, who is a licensed attorney and
the director of the division of labor standards and statistics in the Colorado Department of
Labor and Employement, filed a lawsuit in Denver County Court alleging that he was
ordered by the Governor to turn over information about people providing homes to
unaccompanied minors to immigration and customs enforcement in compliance with a
subpoena. Moss believes that giving ICE the information would violate state laws that
ban state and local governmental agencies from sharing personal information with federal
immigration officials. The Governor says the subpoena was concerning a criminal
investigation involving child exploitation. The Judge will decide whether or not state
employees must follow the subpoena.
CO AG Weiser announces grant provided to purchase fund.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced yesterday that his office is providing
a $3 million grant to the Naloxone bulk purchase fund. Established in 2019, the
Naloxone bulk purchase fund supplies Naloxone to schools, harm reduction organizations
and law enforcement agencies. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of
an opioid overdose, and can be given as a nasal spray or by injection. The funding was
secured through nationwide settlements with drug manufacturers that ignited the original
opioid crisis. According to officials, the $3 million will provide 91,000 Intranasal
Naloxone kits.
Firearms law to go into effect July 1st.
HB24-1353, which was signed into law last year by Governor Polis, goes into effect on
Tuesday, July 1st, and will require firearm dealers to have a state permit and to adhere to
stricter regulations. The permit costs $400, and failure to register could result in a felony
and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the law, firearm dealers will not be able to get a
license if they've been convicted of a crime involving the possession or sale of a firearm.
Democratic lawmakers say the law is an added layer of protection. Gun rights advocates
say the law adds state sanctioned harassment of what is an already highly regulated
business.
Semi-Truck accident closes South I-25 in Pueblo yesterday.
The Southbound lanes of Interstate 25 in Pueblo were closed for a time yesterday evening
between the Highway 50 bypass and the 13th Street exit. According to The Colorado
Department of Transportation, a semi-truck struck the Highway 50 bypass bridge, in the
southbound lanes, at exit 100. It is not known if anyone was injured. Traffic was being
diverted around the area during the closure as the crash was cleaned up. No further
information was made available and the interstate has been reopened.
Alamosa Woman's citizenship club hosting dedication this Saturday.
The Woman's citizenship club of Alamosa invites the public to the dedication of the "into
thin air" cranes in flight monument this Saturday, June 28th, from 3 to 5pm at The
Colorado Welcome Center at 610 State Street in Alamosa. The event will feature guest
speakers, live music and refreshments. The crane monument was created by well-known
wildlife artist Jocelyn Russell, who was born and raised in Alamosa. For more
information, call Theresa Rudder at 719-588-7913.
June 25th 2025
Common Sense Institute releases report on Colorado Fentanyl Crisis.
The Fentanyl Crisis in Colorado cost the state $13.1 billion last year, or $2,200 per
resident, according to a new report from the Common Sense Institute. The report shows
there were 1,631 overdose deaths from Fentanyl in Colorado last year, compared to 222
in 2019. The report also discusses the Fentanyl accountability and prevention act, which
was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in May of 2022. The bill elevated
possession of one to four grams of any drug containing fentanyl from a misdemeanor to a
level 4 drug felony, however, the new law had no effect on overdose deaths, according to
the study. The new report recommends that possession of any amount of fentanyl be
made a felony. The report also found that customs and border patrol seizures of fentanyl
are down at the southwestern border. Fiscal year seizures dropped 21% in 2024 and are
down 29% halfway through 2025.
RTN Funeral Home owner federal sentencing hearing this Friday.
Jon Hallford, one of the former owners of the Return To Nature Funeral Home in
Penrose, who is accused of improperly storing nearly 200 bodies, has a sentencing
hearing in his federal case on Friday. Earlier this year, Carie Hallford, Jon Hallford's
wife and co-owner of the funeral home, rejected a plea offer in her case. Jon Hallford,
however, is still accepting the federal plea offer in his case, according to court records,
and is set for sentencing in the case at 9am on Friday in Denver. In their federal cases,
the Hallfords are alleged to have misused about $880,000 in cares act funds, which were
federal funds meant to help small businesses during the pandemic. The two allegedly
used that money for things like luxury cars, vacations, cosmetic procedures and more.
Jon Hallford is asking for a 10 year prison sentence. The U.S. Attorney's Office is
asking for 15 years.
Shooting in Bent County leads to arrest.
Isaiah Burquez has been arrested following a shooting in Las Animas in Bent County.
According to the Bent County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the 700 block of
Grand Avenue in Las Animas to investigate the shooting. No further information was
given about the shooting other than that Burquez was arrested in connection with the
incident. He is facing charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault, shooting from a
public road, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment.
Burquez is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond.
CPW seeking bids to removal North marina at Lake Pueblo.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking bids for the removal of the existing north shore
marina infrastructure at Lake Pueblo State Park. The removal of the marina marks the
first step in a broader effort to build a new, revitalized marina at the site. CPW says it
remains firmly committed to supporting marina services at the north show and recognizes
the marina is a vital recreational amenity for park visitors and the greater Pueblo and
Southern Colorado community. More information can be found by going to
www.colorado.gov/vss and look for ifb1-pmaa-2025000215-1.
SLV Animal Center offering pets up for adoption.
Someone abandoned 8 dogs at Navajo State Park near Pagosa Springs on or before June
15th. Park rangers found the dogs at the Piedra River fishing access. After a week passed
with no one coming forward to claim them, wildlife officers worked to find a safe place
for the dogs to go, but multiple shelters turned them down due to a lack of space. After
spending two weeks at Navajo State Park, The San Luis Valley animal center offered to
take the dogs. If you can help give the dogs a new home, call The San Luis Valley
Animal Center at 719-212-6500.
June 24th 2025
CO Republican Reps sent letter to CO Gov Polis.
Republican Congressional Representatives Gabe Evans, Lauren Boebert and Jeff Crank,
have sent a letter to Colorado Governor Jared Polis criticizing him for using state funds
on undocumented immigrants. The letter says in part "each new dollar that we choose to
invest in care for illegal immigrants is a dollar that could go to supporting long-term care
for seniors or keeping our rural hospitals open". The lawmakers say that Colorado risks
losing federal funding if President Trump's "one big beautiful bill" passes because the
state provides care to undocumented immigrants. The letter says "as you know, this
change would pose significant budgetary challenges to Colorado – but only if the state
continues to pursue this policy". Polis' office said that the Governor is disappointed
these three lawmakers are trying to gut medicaid and kick people off private insurance.
Polis' office says the Governor continues to call on the senate to start from scratch with
this terrible bill.
Morphew suspect waives extradition hearing.
Barry Morphew, the husband of Suzanne Morphew, whose remains were found in a
shallow grave in Saguache County in 2023, has waived his extradition hearing and will
be returning to Colorado within the next month. Suzanne Morphew was reported missing
on May 10th of 2020, from her home in the Salida area. Her remains were found in
Saguache County during an unrelated search. Barry Morphew has been indicted by a 12th
Judicial District Grand Jury for the death of his wife. Morphew was taken into custody in
Arizona on Friday. He is being held on a $3 million cash-only bond.
Costilla County Sheriffs Office investigating San Luis case.
The Costilla County Sheriff's Office is investigating a case that involves a body that was
found at the stations of the Cross Shrine in San Luis yesterday morning. According to
The Costilla County Sheriffs Office, an unidentified body was found yesterday at the
shrine. The Costilla County Coroner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of
death and to positively identify the body. No further information was given other than to
say that there is no threat to the community. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is
helping with the investigation. Anyone who may have any information about the incident
is asked to call 719-672-0673.
Lake Pueblo State Park drowning victim identified.
22-year-old Victory Chinwendu Osuji of Richmond, Texas, has been identified as the
victim of a suspected drowning last Thursday Evening at Lake Pueblo State Park,
according to the Pueblo County Coroner. Wildlife officers were called to the scene
around 7:15pm Thursday. Officers said they recovered a body from the lake early Friday
morning. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said that a witness reported a person without a life
jacket flip off an inflatable tube and go underwater just after 7pm on Thursday. CPW is
encouraging all park visitors that participate in water recreation activities to always wear
a life jacket through the water recreation and boating season.
Essential air service program to be potential affected by cuts.
There is worry that cuts to the essential air service program under the Trump
Administration could potentially ground flights at the San Luis Valley Regional Airport.
The San Luis Valley Airport in Alamosa is currently served by Denver Air Connection
with flights to Denver. Denver Air also serves Pueblo and Cortez. In a statement,
Denver air says it recognizes that the current environment in Washington has a focus on
cost savings to taxpayers, and that it completely agrees that proper stewardship of
taxpayer dollars is a good thing. The airline says it is confident that our elected officials
in Colorado understand how "essential" the program is for the people of Alamosa and
that our representatives will continue to advocate for us.
June 23rd 2025
CO Lawmakers react to President Trump's order to strike Iran nuclear sites.
Colorado Lawmakers have been reacting to President Donald Trump's order for the U.S.
Military to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran. U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper said "while
I strongly believe that Iran can never be allowed to have nuclear weapons, I share many
American's concerns about direct U.S. involvement in the conflict". U.S. Senator
Michael Bennet said "for the sake of U.S. national security and the future of the middle
east, I have long believed that the Iranian regime must not acquire a nuclear weapon."
U.S. Representative Jason Crow said "Trump broke a promise to prevent America from
entering new conflicts". Representative Gabe Evans said "I'm glad to see [Trump] take
action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon". Representative Brittany
Pettersen said "only congress may authorize war. And the last person I would trust to lead
us through this is Donald Trump". Representative Jeff Crank said "President Trump took
decisive action to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon". Representative Diana
Degette said "Donald Trump's unauthorized strike against Iran is an act of war that
requires congressional approval". And Representative Jeff Hurd said "the world is safer
when America leads. And supports efforts to protect U.S. security and stand with our
allies".
CO Gov Polis reacts to bombings in Iran.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis also reacted to the bombings in Iran. He said "I met with
my public safety team this evening and directed that they coordinate with state, local and
federal partners and remain vigilant against all threats to Coloradans and the state's
infrastructure and military assets. The state is actively monitoring for any unusual or
heightened activity and threats." Following a briefing by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security yesterday, Polis said he is not aware of any Colorado-specific threats
at this time. Polis also clarified that the Colorado National Guard has not been activated.
12th Judicial District Attorney announce indictment in Morphew case.
12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly has announced that a 12th Judicial District
Grand Jury has indicted Barry Morphew with first degree murder for his alleged role in
the murder of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, in 2020. Suzanne Morphew went missing
from the Maysville area of Chaffee County on May 10th of 2020. In 2021, Barry
Morphew was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, tampering
with physical evidence and attempting to influence a public servant. However, the case
went cold until 2023 when Suzanne Morphew’s body was found near Moffat, Colorado,
in the San Luis Valley. Barry Morphew was taken into custody on Friday in Arizona.
He is being extradited back to Colorado. Following the discovery of new evidence, Barry
Morphew is charged with murder in the first degree. He is being held on a $3 million
cash-only bond.
Body of suspected drowning victim recovered at Lake Pueblo State Park Friday.
Following an extensive search, the body of a suspected drowning victim was recovered
early Friday morning at Lake Pueblo State Park. According to Colorado Parks and
Wildlife, officers responded to a report of a possible drowning at 7:15pm on Thursday
evening. A grid search with on-board sonar was initiated at 7:18pm. CPW's marine
evidence recovery team was called in and recovered a man's body about 1:30am on
Friday. The man was pronounced dead on the scene. Witnesses say that a person
without a life jacket had flipped off of an inflatable tube, and had gone underwater about
30 to 60 yards from shore in the south fishing area just after 7pm Thursday. The identity
of the man will be announced at a later time.
Alamosa shooting suspects to be charged in case.
Donovan Gonzales, 18, of Alamosa, and an unnamed juvenile, will be charged with
criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree with deliberation, in connection
with the shooting that took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14th, in
Alamosa. An unidentified 18-year-old male suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the
incident. Levi Turningrobe, 22, of Alamosa, will be charged with accessory to a crime.
All three are scheduled to appear in Alamosa District Court tomorrow.
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