June 13th 2025
CO AG Weiser announces joining of California's lawsuit.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, in a press release yesterday, announced that he is
joining attorneys general from 20 other states supporting California's request for a court
to block President Donald Trump’s deployment of California's National Guard. The
White House announced that Trump was deploying 2,000 California National Guard
troops to Los Angeles this week after clashes between protesters and federal immigration
authorities. The lawsuit claims that Trump's deployment of the troops is "unlawful,
unconstitutional and undemocratic". States involved in the lawsuit include Washington,
Delaware, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin and Kansas.
CPW officials confirm new wolf pups born.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have confirmed yesterday that they have seen new
wolf pups born this year after monitoring multiple den sites for the past several weeks.
four den sites in all are being monitored. The number of new pups has not been made
publicly available. No other details were made available yesterday about the new wolf
pups. Female wolves give birth to four to six pups on average. The female then spends
most of her time with the pups while her mate brings her food. Pups may start exploring
outside the den a month or so after birth. Pups then will move with their mother out of
the den a few months after birth, or in late June or July. After that, the pups start to travel
with the adults. About half the pups born in the spring will make it into next year.
CSP announces sobriety checkpoints this month.
The Colorado State Patrol has announced that it will conduct a pair of sobriety
checkpoints this month with the checkpoint locations chosen based on the history of DUI
crashes and arrests. Troopers will be looking for signs that a driver is under the influence
of alcohol and/or drugs, including certain prescription medications or over-the-counter
drugs that the agency says could interfere with driving. Drivers caught driving impaired
and placed under arrest can expect possible jail time, fines, DUI classes, fees and other
expenses that can exceed $13,000. The two checkpoints will be as follows: in Alamosa
County at 1315 17th street in Alamosa tomorrow, June 14th, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.
And, in Douglas County on E-470, toll plaza A, on June 20 and 21st, from 9pm to 2am.
Huerfano County Commissioners vote to approve non-sanctuary county resolution.
Huerfano County Commissioners this week voted unanimously to approve a resolution
stating that it is not a sanctuary county. The resolution says that Huerfano County cannot
afford sudden, unplanned and uninvited migration of any kind. Commissioners and
county staff authored the new resolution after a news article listed Huerfano County as a
sanctuary county. The resolution says that Huerfano County must prioritize its citizens
first and foremost.
Human remains discovered near Trinidad lake identified.
Human remains that were discovered last month near Trinidad lake have been identified
as Edward "Eddy" Santillanes. According to the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office,
Santillanes was reported missing on February 5th from his home near the lake. Hikers
discovered his body in a wooded area on May 24th. Santillanes was last seen on County
Road 20.8 on February 3rd. He left behind his phone and wallet. Foul play is not
considered a factor in his death. No further information was made available.
June 12th 2025
CSP announces decrease in distracted driving in Colorado.
In the first five months of 2025, The Colorado State Patrol has responded to 1,161
crashes involving inattentive driving, a 19% decrease from the 1,432 crashes that took
place during the same time period last year. Five months after implementing the new
hands-free law in Colorado, preliminary data shows that traffic deaths are down 11%
from this time last year. Since January, there have been 217 fatalities on Colorado roads.
The data follows the trend of declining traffic fatalities observed in Colorado since a peak
in 2022. Distracted driving remains the third leading cause of traffic crashes in Colorado.
CDOT urges all drivers to acquire hands-free accessories such as dashboard mounts and
car speakerphone systems to comply with the new law.
State of Colorado offering financial break for seniors and veterans in the state.
The State of Colorado is offering a financial break for seniors and veterans in the state by
assisting qualified candidates in paying their property taxes. A property tax exemption is
available for the following residents: senior citizens, veterans with a disability, surviving
spouses of gold star veterans, and surviving spouses of senior citizens or veterans with a
disability who were granted the exemption in the past. New this year are veterans who
do not have a 100% disability, but who have been recognized as unemployable by
veterans affairs are now eligible to apply. As long as the state budget allows, 50% of the
first $200,000 of the property value is tax-exempt. In order to apply for the program, you
must own your home. To apply for the program, go to dpt.colorado.gov. Under
"exemptions", go to the "access senior citizens and veterans exemption information link,
then fill out the application. Application deadline is July 1st.
SLV Board of County Commissioners met to discuss new jail.
The San Luis Valley Board of County Commissioners met to discuss the feasibility of
building a jail to meet the needs of the entire valley on Monday morning. Only three
counties have detention center currently, including Alamosa, Conejos and Rio Grande.
the idea was born out of the need for Rio Grande County to upgrade its jail. Some
resource sharing currently exists between Alamosa and Rio Grande counties and Rio
Grande county takes in prisoners from Saguache and Mineral counties. Conejos has its
own jail, and Costilla transports its prisoners to Archuleta county. The meeting ended
with a plan for the sheriff's to get together to take a closer look at how resources can best
and most efficiently be shared.
Former TSC wrestling coach wanted by Trinidad authorities.
John Lewis, 31, a former Trinidad State College men's and women's wrestling coach, is
wanted by Trinidad authorities for allegedly tampering with a witness or victim, criminal
extortion, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing alcohol to minors.
Lewis is alleged to have invited a number of students to his home in Trinidad for a house-
packing session on January 31st of this year. Lewis allegedly invited as many as 20
students ranging in age from 17 to 20 and offered to provide pizza, wings and drinks for
their help. Marijuana was also allegedly provided. Lewis also allegedly reduced
student's scholarship funds if they reported his inappropriate behavior or did not do what
he wanted. Lewis took a coaching job in Missouri earlier this year, and is expected to be
arrested there.
Alamosa Detention Center Inmate dies at Hospital.
A female inmate being held in the Alamosa County Detention Center died on June 5th.
According to the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office, a female inmate from the Alamosa
County Jail was transported to San Luis Valley Health on June 5th about 1:02pm, after
reporting medical issues. Following arrival at the hospital, the woman suffered a critical
medical event. Hospital staff immediately initiated life-saving measures, however, the
woman was pronounced dead at 2:26pm. No further information was provided. The
incident remains under investigation.
June 11th 2025
CO US Senator Bennet introduces lead exposure bill.
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, along with Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia,
has introduced a new bill to reduce exposure to lead in old water pipes. What is being
called the flow act will help cities and public water utilities issue tax-exempt bonds to
help pay for removing and replacing both public and private lead service lines. A 2024
statewide study showed that 23 Colorado cities have about 20,000 aging lead water
delivery pipes that could taint drinking water. Bennet and Justice say that privately
owned pipes serving residences have been slower to remove and replace lines than public
utility lines due to the cost of replacing the lead service lines. The legislation is based on
Denver water, a public utility that finances the removal of all public and private lead
service lines within its service area by issuing tax-exempt bonds at no cost to its
customers.
CO Gov Polis facing criticism over ICE directive.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is facing criticism for a directive he issued to state
employees late last month that orders them to cooperate with an administrative subpoena
from federal immigration authorities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (or ICE) is
looking for personal information about Coloradans who had sponsored and agreed to care
for undocumented immigrant children. A lawsuit filed last week accuses the Governor of
violating state laws that are meant to protect the privacy of undocumented immigrants.
State Senator Julie Gonzales, who sponsored the immigrant privacy bills that Polis
signed, said the Governor had broken the trust of Colorado's civil servants and the
immigrant community. Gonzales said she didn't know how Polis could continue to lead
the state's Democratic Party or the state itself. Lawyers for Polis say he won't comply
with the ICE subpoena until at least June 23rd. The lawsuit asks the judge to block Polis
from forcing state employees to produce the information ICE has requested.
Pueblo County man airlifted to Hospital following ATV crash.
A 35-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries following an ATV
crash in a remote location in Pueblo County yesterday. According to the Pueblo County
sheriff's office, the crash took place on the southern end of the Pueblo Motorsports Park
property, located between the City of Pueblo and Pueblo West. It took rescuers some
time to reach the man due to the remote location where the crash occurred. Once
rescuers reached him, they were able to transport him to a waiting helicopter. The man
suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The man was not identified.
CO State Land Board commission to consider ownership transfer.
This week, the Colorado State Land Board commission will consider a direct ownership
transfer of 45,000 acres of state-owned public lands to the forest service and bureau of
land management. The land surrounds the La Jara Reservoir in Conejos County. The
U.S. Forest Service will acquire the western 21,800 acres while the Bureau of Land
Management will acquire the eastern 21,700 acres. The remaining acreage will come
under the control of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Altogether, the two federal agencies
will pay Colorado $43.5 million to gain management of the public lands that lead into the
La Jara Reservoir.
Pueblo man identified in burning car incident.
The man who was found dead in a burning car south of Pueblo on May 26th has been
identified as 47-year-old Shawn John Solano of Pueblo. The Pueblo County Coroner
made the announcement yesterday. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, a
report was received on May 26th regarding a car fully engulfed in flames along the
frontage road parallel to Interstate 25 near mile marker 92, just after 1am. The Pueblo
Fire Department responded to and extinguished the fire, later finding a body inside the
vehicle the CBI has taken over the investigation into Solano's death.
June 10th 2025
CO AG Weiser announces joining of lawsuit against ATF.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is joining 15 other states in suing the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives over its plans to redistribute thousands of
seized machine gun conversion devices to communities across the United States. The
ATF's plans involve forced reset triggers, which increase the firing rate of semiautomatic
weapons, allowing them to function like machine guns. The multi-state litigation is
aiming to prevent the redistribution. Weiser's office says that in recent years, machine
gun conversion devices such as FRT's have often been used in violent crimes and mass
shootings across the nation. Weiser is joining the Attorneys General of Delaware, the
District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
CO State Senate Minority Leader announces resignation.
Colorado State Senator Paul Lundeen announced yesterday that he is resigning from The
Colorado Senate and from his position as Senate Minority Leader. Lundeen, who
represented El Paso County, served seven sessions in the state legislature and has served
as Minority Leader since 2022. He also served four sessions in the Colorado House and
four years on the Colorado State Board of education. Lundeen's office says that he is
resigning to "pursue new opportunities as leader of a national effort to promote personal
freedom, economic opportunity and common-sense conservative values". Senate
Republicans issued a statement saying they are "grateful for his many years of dedicated
public service... We wish him well and are excited to see him succeed in his next
endeavor". The Republican caucus will elect the next Minority Leader Thursday
evening.
Las Animas County Emergency manager issues warning statement.
Following the cancellation of the Apogaea Festival last weekend near Trinidad, Las
Animas County Emergency manger Joe Richards is warning the public about being
drugged without knowing it. Several people attending the festival were "gifted" fentanyl
and another noticed a capsule in their water bottle that tested positive for fentanyl.
Richards says that in today's world, you need to know where you are, what you're doing
and where your children are. Know where you put your water bottle, your wallet, your
purse, because there are bad people out there and you just never know when they might
take advantage of your inattention. Be aware of your situation, and when there's a
problem, say something.
CDPHE announces more positive measles cases.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed two more
measles cases, one in Colorado Springs and one in Aurora. The Colorado Springs case
involves a child under 5 who recently traveled with family to Ontario, Canada, where
there is an ongoing measles outbreak. The child had only had one dose of the MMR
vaccine. The Aurora case involves an unvaccinated adult who was at Denver
International Airport on May 13th. If you think you might be infected, monitor yourself
for symptoms for 21 days following your possible exposure.
US Fish and Wildlife Service announces planned burns.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service will burn slash piles of natural materials on the
Alamosa, Baca and Monte Vista national wildlife refuges this summer in an effort to
clean up woody debris left over from dead trees, fallen tree limbs and brush. The slash
piles will be burned only as weather conditions allow. Burns will take place this month,
during July, August and September. Limited smoke will be visible to local residents,
towns and highways during the day and may last for a few days following burning
operations. For more information, call 719-589-4021, extension 1008.
June 9th 2025
CO US Senator Hickenlooper calls for fired NWS & NOAA workers to be reinstated.
Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper on Friday demanded that the Trump
administration "fully reinstate all fired employees" at the National Weather Service and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hundreds of employees from the
NWS and NOAA were laid off in late February to cut federal spending. The layoffs
garnered backlash from leaders from around the country. The weather service is
reportedly reinstating 126 positions for the upcoming storm season. Hickenlooper says,
however, that the effort "falls short of what's needed to keep Colorado safe". As storm
season begins for several states across the U.S. Hickenlooper and 14 other U.S. Senators
wrote a letter to the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, demanding answers on
how the staffing issues will impact states.
Trinidad Apogaea Festival cut short due to alleged drugging.
The Apogaea Festival that was set to be held June 4th through the 8th near Trinidad, was
cut short due to an alleged non-consensual drugging that involved fentanyl. The festival,
known as a Colorado burning man regional event, was expected to be a weekend full of
art and music. Festival organizers say that two festival goers came to a department tent
on Thursday Afternoon saying they had been gifted a substance that they tested positive
for fentanyl. They say a volunteer notified the Apogaea Incident Command System,
which in turn alerted The Las Animas County Emergency Coordinator. On Friday, a
participant noticed an undissolved gelcap in their clear water bottle. The gelcap tested
positive for fentanyl. Organizers say they worked with The Las Animas County Sheriff's
Office to come to the decision to close the event. No suspects have been identified in
connection with the incident.
CPW rangers respond to drowning at Lake Pueblo State Park.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers at Lake Pueblo State Park responded to a 911 call at
2:11pm Saturday. Reports indicate that a group of people were swimming and skiing in
rock creek cove when one member, an adult male, jumped into the water because he was
hot. The group soon saw the man floating unconscious and with the help of a nearby
boater, pulled the man into the boat and began CPR before calling 911. Life-saving
efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim
was not wearing a life jacket. The Pueblo County Coroner is investigating the official
cause of death.
Rafting accident near Buena Vista claims one life Friday.
A rafting accident near Buena Vista on Friday claimed the life of one person. Rangers
from the Arkansas headwaters recreation area responded to a call after two boaters in
inflatable kayaks capsized on a trip down the Arkansas river. One kayaker was able to
swim to shore while the other became unconscious. Bystanders pulled the victim to
shore and began CPR around 3:15pm Friday. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful,
and the 35-year-old man was pronounced dead by The Chaffee County Coroner. Both
kayakers had appropriate safety equipment, including dry suits, personal flotation devices
and helmets.
Hiker resuced from Mt. Lindsey Thursday.
A hiker was rescued from Mt. Lindsey on Thursday after falling several hundred feet and
sustaining injuries. According to Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue, the climber fell
after a boulder gave way while the climber was ascending the northwest ridge approach
of the peak near the summit of Mt. Lindsey. Due to weather conditions and the hiker's
injuries, a helicopter was called in to extract the hiker. The helicopter team made contact
with the climber about 1:20pm Thursday and was headed back to the Mt. Blanca helipad
with the hiker by 1:40pm. The hiker was then taken to the Alamosa Hospital for
treatment.
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