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A University of Colorado Leeds school of business report released on Monday says that while Colorado's economy is still growing, it’s doing so at a slower pace. The 60th annual Colorado business economic outlook says that, when compared to the prior 15 years, this year's economic growth has fallen significantly, from 5th in the nation to 41st. The report shows that Colorado's employment, personal income and population growth rankings also fell. The report says that Colorado's performance has slipped in the rankings and that slower growth "may be the new reality for Colorado as population growth, especially through net migration, remains slow, creating headwinds for the labor force and job growth." The slowdown is being blamed on several factors. One is that the cost of living in Colorado is much higher than in other places. The other is that Colorado ranks 6th in the nation for regulations on businesses with nearly 200,000 restrictions on businesses in the state.

Albertsons backs out of proposed Kroger merger yesterday.

The proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger appears to be dead after one of the companies backed out of the merger yesterday. Albertsons announced yesterday that it was terminating its merger with Kroger following two losses in court on Tuesday, and that it is now suing Kroger. According to a statement, Albertsons is charging that Kroger didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for their nearly $25 billion unification, and said that Kroger willfully breached the merger agreement in several key ways, including by repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators' feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons. The merger between the two supermarket giants was hotly contested from the moment it was originally announced in 2022.

Colorado Joint Budget Committee staff looking for ways to fill hole in CO Budget.

Colorado Joint Budget Committee staff are looking for ways to fill a $1 billion hole in the 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget. One option being considered is to delay introducing wolves on the western slope in 2025-26, which could save about $2.1 million in general fund dollars. Budget analysis also suggested that the committee look at a 50% cut in the compensation paid to ranchers who lose livestock to wolves, from $350,000 to $175,000, as well as in general fund dollars. Gov. Jared Polis has recommended an overall budget reduction of almost $10 million for the department of natural resources, which is about 22% of the agency's general fund appropriations.

Enthusiasts in SLV invited to join annual Christmas bird count.

Birders and nature enthusiasts in the San Luis Valley are invited to join in for the annual Christmas bird count at the great sand dunes national park and preserve on Tuesday, December 31st, beginning at 7:45am. Volunteers of all skill levels and ages are welcome and encouraged to take part in the event. To join the bird count at the great sand dunes, individuals must register as park volunteers. Interested participants should contact Park Biologist Dewane Mosher at 719-378-6363 or dewane_mosher@nps.gov to sign up. Registered volunteers will receive a waiver for the park entrance fee on the day of the event.

Experts release endangered black footed ferrets into wild near Las Animas.

This fall, volunteers and conservation experts gathered near Las Animas to release 33 endangered black-footed ferrets into the wild, including some that were born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. According to the zoo, black-footed ferrets were considered extinct until 1981 when one was caught in Wyoming. Since then, conservation efforts have been made to recover the species. 647 kits have been born at the Cheyenne Mountain zoo in the past 33 years with 2024 being a record-breaking year, with a total of 37 kits born so far this year. As part of the recovery effort, the zoo is releasing black footed ferrets into protected wild places in Colorado every year.

The proposed merger between grocery store giants Kroger and Albertsons was blocked by a federal judge yesterday. Another judge in a separate lawsuit on the merger in Washington State also ruled against the merger. A ruling has not yet been made in a similar case in Colorado. The rules could end the possibility of the merger altogether. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the federal ruling "a victory" and grocery store workers and farms praised the rulings. Kroger and Albertsons argued that the merger was needed for the businesses to compete with major retailers like Wal-mart and Amazon. The nearly $25 billion acquisition would have made it the largest grocery store merger in history.

Pueblo Health Department announces work with biobot analytics.

The Pueblo Health Department has announced that it will be working with biobot analytics to test the city's wastewater to detect the types of illegal drugs that residents are using. Biobot will test the city's sewer water for high-risk substances like cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine as well as the substance use treatment medicine known as naloxone, and will then provide the findings to the health department to share publicly. A pilot project allowing biobot to collect wastewater and present their findings has been underway for the past year. Grant funding will allow the health department to access and publish the data through September of next year. The substance use data will be accessible on the Pueblo health department's website. The Pueblo health department says that the website is updated about every two weeks.

Great Outdoors Colorado awardes Conejos and Costilla counties Grant.

Great outdoors Colorado has awarded just over $350,000 to Conejos and Costilla counties to help install interpretive signage and add a concrete boat ramp to access the Rio Grande at Lobatos bridge. The two counties, along with the Federal Bureau of Land Mangement, Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area, San Luis Valley great outdoors and other partners, have been working to establish the lobatos bridge recreation and interpretive area to increase awareness of the historic passageway. The GOCO grant will help finish the project that will feature a boat ramp to facilitate river access, a trail with 14 educational signs, picnic areas, shade structures and improved parking facilities.

CDOT announces Christmas DUI enforcement period.

Beginning tomorrow and running through Christmas, The Colorado Department of Transportation, The Colorado State Patrol, and 75 local law enforcement agencies will hold the heat is on holiday parties DUI enforcement period. Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers. As travel increases during the holidays, Colorado tends to see a spike in impaired driving-related crashes and fatalities. So far this year, 190 fatalities on Colorado roads have involved an impaired driver, 30% of all traffic fatalities this year. CDOT says: drive sober, follow the speed limit, put distractions away and wear your seat belt. Those are the best ways to keep yourself and others safe on the roadway.

Colorado Snow Totals Monday.

So, just how much snow fell on Monday? Colorado Springs received 3.2 inches, Pueblo came in at 2.2 inches. Alamosa received 3.9 inches. Canon City, Rye and Walsenburg received 4 inches. Beulah and Woodland Park came in at 6.3 inches, Westcliffe 7 inches, and Winter Park at 8 inches. And the most snowfall in the state goes to Ouray that received 12.5 inches of snow on Monday.

Baird Quinn, LLC, the firm that was hired to conduct a third-party investigation into how a spreadsheet of voting system passwords ended up on the Colorado Secretary of State's website ahead of the November 5th election, has concluded that the passwords were "mistakenly, unknowingly and unintentionally" posted online. The Colorado Secretary of State's office revealed the leak in late October, just prior to the election. Baird Quinn, LLC’s report, released yesterday, found that the "unique set of circumstances would have been difficult to anticipate" and that "on an organizational level, the secretary of state... consistently took significant and appropriate measures to protect state information, including the bios passwords". Notably, the report determine there was a policy failure to adequately "review the posted document to ensure that non-public information would not be disclosed". In a statement, Secretary of State Jena Griswold said the department will commit to implement all seven recommendations in the report "as soon as practicable".

I-25 reopened at Colorado City after crash yesterday.

The North and South-bound lanes of Interstate 25 at Colorado City were closed late yesterday afternoon due to a crash. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the crash took place between Exit 71 at Graneros road and Colorado 165 at Colorado City, Mile marker 74. A semi-truck and a 2010 GMC sierra were involved in the accident. No specific details were given, but the roadway was icy and snowpacked with heavy snowfall. Two people were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to the hospital. Both north and southbound lanes remained closed at 6:25pm last night. The southbound lanes reopened some time later with the northbound lanes remaining closed until the crash site was cleared.

CPW operational planning underway for second gray wolf release.

Operational planning is underway for the second capture and release season in support of the Colorado Gray wolf restoration and management plan. The operation is focusing on translocating up to 15 gray wolves from British Columbia to Colorado between January and March of next year. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been listening to the concerns and recommendations of all stakeholders through the first year of gray wolf restoration. The agency says it has incorporated this feedback into an expanded and improved conflict minimization program for colorado livestock producers. CPW says it continues to meet with local communities and elected officials for open discussions about potential release locations and how to prepare to live with wolves. CPW says it will continue to update the public on restoration activities throughout this capture and release season.

US 160 over La Veta Pass back open after safety concerns closure yesterday.

U.S. 160 was closed around 7:43pm last night from bear creek road on the west side of Walsenburg to Carson Avenue in Fort Garland due to safety concerns. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, road conditions which were likely poor due to heavy snowfall, were the reason for the closure and drivers were urged to stay off of the roadways. At the time of the closure, CDOT expected a lengthy closure and delays, however, the highway was reopened around 9:15pm last night.

CPW asking residents to keep Wildlife in mind this holiday.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking residents to keep Colorado's wildlife in mind when decorating for the holidays. CPW says that while deer are curious and tangle hazards can present themselves at any time, bucks may also spar with and become tangled in swing sets, volleyball nets, bicycles, vegetable wire cages, hoses and more. CPW says the public can help by making sure holiday decorations and lights are attached firmly to structures and strung at least 8 feet off of the ground. And, if you see an animal tangled in anything, contact CPW or local law enforcement.

Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero has filed a lawsuit against the State of Colorado and several state agencies. According to the lawsuit, Lucero is claiming that a Colorado law that allows state employees to collectively bargain should not apply to elected sheriffs. Lucero is arguing that sheriffs cannot participate in collective bargaining as it may affect their ability to keep the peace. He is claiming that if he were to negotiate on certain items like hours, staffing levels or wages, those negotiations could inhibit his responsibility to protect and serve the public. Lucero is asking the court for a ruling that the collective bargaining law should not apply to the sheriff's offices in the state of Colorado.

Suspicious fire destroys garage Thursday night in Alamosa County.

What is being called a "suspicious" fire destroyed a garage Thursday night in Alamosa County. According to the Alamosa Fire Department, firefighters were called to 5483 Griego Road in Alamosa County at 5:22pm on Thursday, December 5th. Upon arrival, firefighters identified the fire as involving an out building, or specifically a garage that was not attached to the residence on the property. The garage and its contents were a total loss. The incident is being investigated by the division of fire prevention and control and by the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office to establish the origin of the fire and whether or not the fire was set intentionally or was accidental. No one is believed to have been injured in the blaze. Firefighters were still on the scene of the fire on Friday morning to prevent any flare-ups.

CDOT announces completion of repairs on US 50 Lake Fork Bridge.

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced on Friday afternoon that the US Highway 50 Lake Fork Bridge over the Blue Mesa Reservoir has reopened to normal two-way travel. The US 50 middle bridge, which is located five miles east of the lake fork bridge, reopened for two-way travel on November 13th. Crews finished removing the temporary scaffolding structures from beneath the lake fork bridge last Wednesday. Repairs to the lake fork bridge involved fabricating 182-ton plates, 915 steel plates total, and using 20,500 bolts in areas that posed an imminent risk to the bridge's structural integrity. Work will be officially complete in the spring after the final coat of paint is applied to both bridges.

Alamosa County Assessor announces retirement.

Long-time Alamosa County Assessor Sandra Hostetter, has announced that she will retire at the end of the year. Hostetter has served as the Alamosa County Assessor since 2003. Prior to being elected, Hostetter worked as an appraiser in the office. Hostetter has served the citizens of Alamosa county for the past 32 years. During her tenure, Alamosa County has seen substantial growth and change. Hostetter says she is looking forward to spending more time with her children and grandchildren.

Latest US Drought Monitor numbers for Colorado.

The latest U.S Drought Monitor released last week now shows that the state of Colorado is 76.8% drought free. The only areas of concern in Colorado are areas along Interstate 25 north of Denver where severe and some extreme drought still exist. The Denver metro area is still showing moderate drought. The northwest and extreme northeast parts of Colorado are mostly showing dry conditions. The rest of the state, including the entire KSPK listening area, is now officially drought free, thanks in most part to the moisture we received in November. Precipitation in the past 30 days is over 300% of normal for all of the eastern plains, Pueblo and Trinidad. 254% for Colorado Springs, 237% for Walsenburg and 207% for Alamosa.

According to court documents, Fremont, Chaffee and Custer Counties have all entered into a lawsuit against disbarred 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley. In the lawsuit, the counties claim that Stanley used taxpayer money to cover her personal attorney’s fees as well as attorney's fees for other members of her staff. The lawsuit says that Stanley used more than $100,000 to fight ethics and professional conduct complaints. The lawsuit also alleges that Stanley failed to disclose to county commissioners that she used funds from her budget to pay those fees. Stanley was disbarred and removed as district attorney in the 11th Judicial District in October following a ruling from the Colorado State Supreme Court’s disciplinary board that she violated attorney conduct rules in two cases.

Walsenburg City Council approves agreement with Huerfano County.

The Walsenburg City Council this week has unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with Huerfano County for law enforcement services to be provided for the next 26 days. The city and county have been working without an agreement since the end of last year. The city still intends to build its own municipal police force, however, the process is expected to be gradual, spanning multiple years. A proposed contract between the city and county for 2025 is reportedly still in draft form. As for a new Walsenburg Police Department, the city is looking at plans to hire a police chief as soon as possible, followed by a subordinate officer and a part-time secretary.

Pueblo Fire Department respondes to fires yesterday.

The Pueblo Fire Department responded to several fires yesterday afternoon. According to the Pueblo Fire Department, fire crews responded to a propane tank explosion on the porch of a home in the 1500 block of Cedar street around 4pm. The explosion caused a structure fire that was quickly extinguished. No injures were reported. At about the same time, a wildland fire began on the north side of Pueblo, east of fountain creek. The fire, which is burning near fountain creek, was estimated to be about 1 acre in size. No structures were threatened. The fire has been extinguished. Both fires remain under investigation.

Alamosa City Council approves new building ordinance.

The Alamosa City Council has approved an ordinance that will impose a fee on vacant buildings downtown. Owners of such vacant buildings will now have to pay a fee to register their vacant properties each year. The annual fee of $500 will be required from property owners who own buildings that have been vacant for more than 30 days in a single given year. The collected fees will be funneled into the city's general fund. The fee is designed to be an "inconvenience" for property owners who are sitting on buildings. The fee will begin to be collected after the beginning of the new year.

US 287 closed yesterday due to moving accident.

U.S. 287 between Lamar and Springfield was shut down early yesterday after a passenger on a greyhound bus traveling northbound jumped out of the moving vehicle just after 4am. According to the Colorado State Patrol, after jumping out of the bus, the man was hit by an oncoming semi in the southbound lanes and was killed. The highway was initially shut down for a few miles south of Lamar, however, just before 6am, the closure was extended to Springfield, closing a major southeast Colorado artery. The highway was closed for the investigation into the incident. The investigation was completed, and the highway reopened at about 10am yesterday.

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