February 25th 2026
Senate Bill to require license plate reader warrants passed committee Monday.
Senate Bill 26-070, a bill that would require warrants for license plate reader searches,
passed out of the senate judiciary committee on Monday evening following about 5 hours
of testimony on both sides of the issue. Those supporting the legislation say that striking
the balance between privacy and technology is at the heart of the bill. The bill would
require law enforcement to obtain a warrant to search automatic license plate reader
databases if more than 72 hours have passed since the organization was alerted to a
crime. There ware no restrictions on the first 72 hours following an incident, a change
from the original version of the bill, which would account for emergency situations.
Policies would have to be adopted by entities that collect data from license plate readers
to maintain compliance with the legislation. Law enforcement has argued against the
bill. The bill now heads to the appropriations committee.
Measure to allow people to sue Federal immigration agents in Colorado passed state senate yesterday.
SB26-005, a measure that is aimed at paving a path to allow people to sue federal
immigration agents in Colorado, passed the state senate yesterday morning. If passed, the
measure would give individuals the legal right to sue a person who hurts them or violates
their rights during immigration enforcement. Violators could be held liable for anything
a judge rules to be "equitable relief". Supporters say the bill will help protect certain
constitutional rights for Coloradans. Opponents say the bill could increase harm against
law enforcement. The bill now moves on to the Colorado State House for consideration
there.
CDPHE announces possible measles exposure this past weekend.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is notifying the public of
possible measles exposures this past Saturday and Sunday, February 21st & 22nd. An out-
of-state traveler with a confirmed case of measles traveled through Denver international
airport and attended a church service in colorado while infectious. The individual arrived
on frontier flight 1279 from Miami at gate A83 at 9:15am Saturday and departed on
frontier flight 1280 to Miami from gate A76 at 11:29pm on Sunday. The person attended
a church service and reception at St. Mary's catholic church on prince street in Littleton
between 9:30am and 2pm on Sunday. If you believe you may have symptoms of
measles, contact your health care provider via phone before visiting in person.
Lascar Fire in Huerfano County contained yesterday.
What is being called "The Lascar Fire" broke out about 2:47am yesterday morning in the
area of County Road 651 in Huerfano County. The Huerfano County Fire Department,
La Veta Fire, Gardner Fire, Rye Fire, and The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office responded
due to the size and rapid growth of the fire. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention
and control and steel city hot shots were also called in to assist. The fire was declared
100% contained at approximately 5am yesterday morning. The fire burned
approximately 50 acres. Firefighters remained on scene yesterday in case there were any
flare ups.
Family continues to ask for public's help in locating missing person.
The family of Angelica Sandoval continues to ask for the public's help in locating their
daughter. This month marks 15 years since the 21-year-old disappeared. The Colorado
Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation after Alamosa Police responded to
715 13th Street in Alamosa on February 23rd, 2011, regarding a missing person. CBI says
officers determined that Sandoval arrived home after doing laundry. She then took a load
of items into her residence, went back outside, and has not been seen since. Anyone with
any information regarding Angelica Sandoval or her disappearance is asked to call The
Alamosa Police Department at 719-589-2548.
February 24th 2026
New lottery online sales ban facing bipartisan Feedback.
A new bill in the Colorado State Legislature, SB26-117, would ban online sales and
return lottery purchases to cash only. The bill comes after the Colorado lottery
commission approved online lottery sales and credit card purchases last November, in
spite of pushback from both Democrats and Republicans. The Colorado Lottery says that
commissioners approved the rule changes in an effort to modernize the state’s lottery
system. Legislators have argued that a change of this magnitude should require
legislative review or even a statewide vote. If the bill passes, lottery tickets would once
again only be available at physical retail locations, such as grocery stores or gasoline
stations. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to consider the bill at March 3rd.
Bill to reallocate funds passes CO State House.
A new bill being considered in The Colorado State House, HB26-1003, the small
business recovery modifications act, would allocate $5 million from the state's climber
loan program to the existing Colorado startup loan fund. The climber loan program was
launched during the Covid-19 pandemic to help businesses recover from economic
shutdowns. The bill would also allow a deferral for circumstances of hardship and
repeals the requirement that the hardship must be caused by The Covid-19 pandemic, or
ongoing economic conditions. The bill passed The State House earlier this month by a
vote of 50 to 15. The bill is now scheduled for a hearing before The Senate Finance
Committee on March 10th.
Nextera Energy proposing 2,578 acre facility in SLV.
Nextera Energy is proposing a 2,578 acre, 600 megawatt solar energy and 600 megawatt
battery storage facility to be located along Colorado 17, North of Alamosa between the
Stanley road and the 5 north, just south and west of Mosca. dubbed the "spud valley
energy center", the facility will be the largest in The San Luis Valley and one of
Colorado's biggest. The plan is to build an initial 200 megawatts of solar, along with 200
megawatts of battery storage, then to eventually expand to expand to 600 megawatts of
each. Alamosa County is currently reviewing Nextera Energy's 1041 permit application
and will eventually hold public hearings at the county planning level, and then before the
county commissioners. The company hopes to begin construction next year and tie into
the neighboring substation by the end of 2029.
CPW announces bear sightings up in 2025.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 5,299 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears
in 2025, which is 15% higher than during the previous 6 years. CPW says that trash
continues to be the number one source of conflicts between humans and bears. Of the
5,299 reports, 2,448 resulted in property damage to a shed, garage, home, vehicle, fence
and more. Over 57% were linked to trash, 18% to livestock, chickens and beehives, and
15% to bird seed, pet food, barbeque grills, coolers and refrigerators. CPW encourages
residents and visitors to be bearwise and never feed or approach bears; secure food,
garbage and recycling; remove bird feeders when bears are active; never leave food
outside; clean & store grills; and, alert neighbors to bear activity.
CDOT announces I-25 Colorado Springs lane closures.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it will have lane closures
on north- and southbound Interstate 25 between Mile Marker 144 near Fillmore Street
and Mile Marker 146 near Garden of The Gods Road, beginning tonight at 7pm. There
will be northbound lane closures Tonight and Thursday. Southbound lane closures will
take place tomorrow night and Friday, all beginning at 7pm. All lanes will reopen by
5am the following morning. Work will include construction of a new median shoulder
and roadway restriping.
February 23rd 2026
US President Trump withdraws endorsement for 3rd District Rep Hurd.
U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his endorsement of 3rd Congressional
District U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd, a Republican. Trump's action comes after Hurd
was one of 6 Republicans who joined Democrats earlier this month to pass a resolution to
repeal Trump's tariffs on Canada. Instead, trump has thrown his support behind GOP
Challenger Hope Scheppelman, saying he wants her to be the next representative from
Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Hurd says he has the "responsibility to defend the
separation of powers regardless of political convenience" after his vote to defy the
President. Hurd is in his first term as the Representative from Colorado's 3rd
Congressional District after defeating Democratic challenger Adam Frisch in 2024.
Bill to raise marriage age to 18 making its way through state legislature.
A new bill making its way through the Colorado State Legislature, SB26-048, the
"remove exception to marry with judicial approval" act, would set the marriage age in
Colorado at 18. Before 2019, teens younger than 16 could marry with both parental and
judicial consent. However, a new 2019 law barred anyone under 16 from marrying,
while 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds can marry with a judge's approval. Proponents say
that children should have the full protection of being a child until they reach the age of
maturity. Opponents say if there is a teen pregnancy, and the couple wants to marry, the
bill would prevent them from marrying. Opponents say they are also concerned about
unintended consequences with the bill. The bill cleared the committee on appropriations
last week on a 3-2 party-line vote.
Custer County suspect sentenced in Custer County shooting case.
Hanme Clark, of Custer County, received three consecutive life sentences in the deaths of
Robert and Beth Wade Geers and James Daulton, in Fremont District Court on Friday
morning. He was also sentenced to 48 years with five years probation for attempted
murder and assault, as well as three years with two years probation for felony menacing,
all consecutive. A jury on Thursday found Clark guilty of three counts of first-degree
murder, one count of attempted murder, assault with serious bodily injury and menacing
with a firearm, in connection with a shooting in November 2023 where Clark shot and
killed his neighbors over a land dispute. Clark fled before sheriff's deputies arrived, but
was arrested in New Mexico the next day. He was later extradited back to Colorado to
face charges.
Hearing took place last week regarding Costilla County buffer zone.
A three day hearing took place last week in Costilla County court in San Luis regarding a
233.6-acre buffer zone that would surround the proposed construction site of a future
home for the owner of the Cielo Vista Ranch. Special Master David Tenner listened to
testimony from locals who represent the land use access holders and from ranch attorneys
as to whether or not approving the buffer zone takes away from the reasonable access
granted to historical land users. Land grant heirs fear the buffer zone will cut off access
to more than 3,000 acres of prime livestock grazing territory. Tenner asked for briefs
from both sides at the end of the hearing and will deliver his order in a few weeks.
Grass fire along I-25 extinguished quickly Thursday.
A grass fire along the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 was quickly extinguished on
Thursday. According to The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office, The Huerfano County
Fire Department responded to a brush fire around 10:40am on Thursday near mile marker
61. The fire was said to have been "growing rapidly" and was "threatening to spread east
onto the plains". However, once firefighters arrived, the flames were quickly contained.
A cigarette butt was found to be the cause of the fire. Firefighters ask that if you smoke,
please dispose of your cigarettes properly.
Click here
