July 22nd 2026
Containment on Aspen Acres Fire holding steady.
The Aspen Acres fire grew to 101,546 acres as of last night and remained at 61%
containment. According to fire officials, the fire has generally remained contained and
with moisture moving through the area this week is likely to see decreasing fire activity.
However, the fire did cross primary containment lines in small areas southwest of the San
Isabel area. Mandatory evacuations were lifted for zones FS-3 and FS-4 in Pueblo
County yesterday. Pre-evacuations were also lifted for zones P-2 and P-3. The Custer
County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday that The Aspen Acres area, along with evacuation
zones C-3 and C-4 will reopen to residents today. Anyone re-entering must do so using
Colorado 96 to Mckenzie Junction to Highway 165. Residents re-entering also must have
a re-entry card to be allowed into the area.
US District Court Judge dismisses challenge to CO immigration law.
U.S. District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher last week dismissed a challenge from The
Mesa County Sheriff's Office to a Colorado law that limits public employees'
cooperation with immigration authorities, concluding that the plaintiffs did not allege that
they engage in any conduct that the law would prohibit. In his ruling, Gallagher noted
that lawmakers only forbade the sharing of personal information "for the purpose of"
immigration enforcement. Even then, the law contains exceptions for authorized criminal
investigations or necessary duties. The plaintiffs alleged that the law, known as article
74, is unconstitutionally vague as to whether they would face liability for sharing
personal identifying information in the course of their duties. The Colorado Attorney
General's Office sought to dismiss the case.
Full containment expected today on Schrader Creek Fire.
The Schrader Creek Fire burning near Bennett Peak above Del Norte was first reported
around 2pm on Sunday afternoon. According to The Rio Grande National Forest, the fire
has been successfully mapped and is currently at nine acres in size and is exhibiting
minimal fire behavior. Firefighting resources are working to contain the fire and
emergency personnel are closely monitoring the fire. Local hotshot crews and regional
fire rescue teams are also on high alert as Southern Colorado faces a multi-day stretch of
critical fire weather. The Schrader Creek Fire did not grow in size yesterday and 100%
containment is expected some time today.
CDPHE report finds rural counties have worse outcomes on health indicators.
A report released by The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
yesterday finds that rural counties in Colorado have worse outcomes than urban counties
on 75% of health indicators, with notable exceptions in resort communities. Southern
and Eastern Colorado generally saw the worst outcomes. Major issues in rural areas
include higher uninsured rates and less access to routine care, as well as limited access to
maternity care and behavior health services. Economic factors like higher rates of
poverty and food insecurity in rural areas is also a factor in those health outcomes. The
report says that medicaid changes are likely to increase uninsured rates.
CDOT announces equipment to be replaced at Trinidad Weigh Station.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it is replacing aging
weigh-in-motion equipment at the Trinidad weigh station this week. Single lane and
shoulder closures should be expected on Northbound I-25 at Mile Marker 10.5 for
approximately a half mile from 8am to 6pm today through Friday, allowing crews to
relocate the existing cabinet, the mast arm pole and to install new weigh-in-motion
scales.
July 21st 2026
New mandatory evacuations issued in Aspen Acres Fire.
The Custer County Sheriff's Office has issued new mandatory evacuations for Custer
Zone C4, which is now back under mandatory evacuation. Custer Zone C10 is also under
mandatory evacuation, although there are no homes in C10. Custer County Zone C3 was
supposed to be repopulated today. That repopulation has been canceled. The changes are
necessary due to recent increased fire movement, according to the sheriff's office. In
Pueblo County, the north creek area and the 2600 block of siloam road have been
downgraded to pre-evacuations and residents may return to their homes. The fire stands
at 100,756 acres and 61% containment as of last night. With the heat over the past few
days, fire crews have been working to minimize fire growth and to expand and strengthen
containment lines along the western and southwestern flanks. Ground operations are also
being supported by aircraft delivering water to hotspots. For those concerned in the
Gardner area, the fire remains very active on the east side of the wet mountains in very
high rugged terrain, but has not crossed to the west side of the mountains as of yet, even
though the majority of the smoke is moving toward Gardner and The Upper Huerfano
and into The San Luis Valley. If conditions change, we will again provide more fire
updates for those living in The Gardner and Upper Huerfano areas.
US Senator Hickenlooper holds large fundraising advantage over opponent.
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper's reelection campaign raised just over $1.3 million
during the second quarter, finishing with $2 million in the bank. That leaves
Hickenlooper with almost 80 times as much cash on hand as his Republican challenger.
According to last week's campaign finance filings, Hickenlooper has raised nearly $10.3
million since launching his bid for a second, six-year term. State Senator Mark Baisley
of Woodland Park, the Republican nominee, reported raising just under $80,000 during
2nd quarter and reported starting July with $26,729 on hand. Baisley's fundraising since
he launched his campaign totals just over $110,000.
Wrong way driver in Friday night Pueblo crash identified.
John P. Morrone, 67, of Pueblo, has been identified as the wrong-way driver who was
killed in a crash Friday night on Interstate 25 near the City Center exit in Pueblo. The
crash closed the interstate for several hours. According to Pueblo Police, the crash took
place when Morrone was traveling southbound in the Northbound lanes of I-25 just south
of the 13th street off ramp. Morrone was driving a Black Nissan Altima that struck a Blue
Ford SUV head-on. Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Morrone was
pronounced dead at the scene. The only occupant of the ford was extricated and taken to
the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. This crash marks the 12th fatal traffic crash
in Pueblo in 2026.
CDOT announces US 160 Fort Garland mitigation project now complete.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that the U.S. 160 Fort
Garland safety mitigation project is now complete. The project involved wildlife safety
improvements including construction of three wildlife underpasses, installation of seven
miles of deer fencing along both sides of the highway, earthen escape ramps throughout
the fenced corridor, and deer guards or gates at highway access points. The project was
completed ahead of schedule and under budget, according to CDOT.
Crash closed southbound I-25 south of Trinidad yesterday.
A crash in the Southbound lanes of Interstate 25 yesterday afternoon closed the interstate
for a time south of Trinidad. According to CDOT, the crash took pace around 12:38pm
yesterday in the southbound lanes between Exit 8, Spring Creek, and Exit 6, Gallinas,
two miles south of the Starkville area at mile marker 7. It appeared that a large vehicle
had rolled onto its side on one of the turns. No further information about the crash or any
injuries involved has been made available.
July 20th 2026
Crews continue work on Aspen Acres Fire.
The Aspen Acres remained at 100,224 acres burned as of last night, but now with 61%
containment. Firefighters worked over the weekend to prevent any additional growth for
the fire and to protect the town of Rye from the remaining threat to the west of town. The
Custer County Sheriff announced yesterday that Custer County zone four will be allowed
to return home today. Re-entry cards are required to pass through traffic control points.
Zone C4 is now in pre-evacuation status and residents should be aware that they may
need to leave again if unsafe conditions return. Dumpsters for spoiled food are available
at Mckenzie Junction for food spoiled during power outages. Officials ask that only
spoiled food be deposited in the dumpsters, no household trash or debris. Pueblo County
Sheriff David Lucero said that 241 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the fire
in Pueblo County. He said that number includes 208 in Beulah, 28 in Rye and two in
Colorado City, and three in unincorporated Pueblo County.
City of Monte Vista appointed full time police chief Thursday.
The City of Monte Vista on Thursday appointed interim Monte Vista Police Chief
Charlie Schoepflin to be its full time police chief. Schoepflin was appointed interim
chief following the resignation of former police chief Tyler Harford last December.
Schoepflin is originally from Commerce City, where he worked as police commander of
the support operations bureau as well as gained experience as a member of the swat team
and had supervised its K-9 unit. According to reports, Schoepflin has added stability and
structure to the department that has been lacking and others like working with him and
his professionalism.
Fatal crash closed I-25 in Pueblo Friday.
Interstate 25 was closed in Pueblo for several hours on Friday night following a fatal
crash. According to Pueblo Police, the crash took place in the Northbound lanes of I-25
at the City Center exit around 9:20pm Friday. Police say the driver was traveling
southbound in the northbound lanes when the vehicle struck another vehicle. The wrong-
way driver died at the scene. The other driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-
threatening injuries. The deceased driver was not identified and no further information
about what led up to the crash was made available.
LSP Martin Lake Swim Beach closed temporarily.
The Martin Lake Swim Beach at Lathrop State Park west of Walsenburg has been closed
temporarily after water at the beach tested higher for e-coli than permitted Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment levels. The designated swim beach on
Martin Lake is the only area routinely tested because it's the only area where swimming
is allowed at the park. The swim beach is tested weekly and results are "typically way
below the standard allowed levels for e-coli". The beach will remain closed until tests
"return to permitted levels", according to CPW.
Saturday's Manassa Pioneer Days 5K winners.
The Manassa Pioneer Days 5K took place on Saturday with 556 people registered and
507 finishers. Overall winners were Lincoln Bagwell of Sanford and Shae Romero of
Alamosa. First place winners by age group were: 4 and under – Gus King of Millsap
Texas & Maisie Martin of Fort Worth Texas. 5 to 8 – Rolly Bush of Alamosa & Cambrie
Polkowske of La Jara. 9 to 12 – Greyson Romero of Alamosa & Diem Romero of
Alamosa. 13 to 15 – Ethan Martinez of Antonito & Avery Duran of Antonito.
16 to 19 –Jacob Passey of Evanston Wyoming & Rylie Mccarroll of La Jara. 20 to 24 – Josh
Nelson of Rocky Ford & Abby Crowther of Manassa. 25 to 29 – Brian Shawcroft of
Lindon Utah & Brittany Lopez of Manassa. 30 to 34 – Spencer Baker of Bluffdale Utah
& Alyssa Miller of Sanford. 35 to 39 – Gilbert Rodriguez of Crestone & Miriam Romero
of Alamosa. 40 to 44 – Ren Johnson of Sanford & Jill Sego of Albuquerque. 45 to 49 –
Kermit Snyder of Rocky Ford & April Mccarroll of La Jara. 50 to 54 – Steve Gilcrist of
Fort Collins & Cynthia Mcdaniel of Manassa. 55 to 59 – Kelby Pepper of Center &
Stephanie Bagwell of Tooele Utah. 60 to 64 – James Gutierrez of Bosque Farms New
Mexico & Angela Hernandez of Pueblo West. 65 to 69 – David Jackson of La Jara &
Brenda Wilson of Alamosa. and 70 and over – Jose Fernandez of Monte Vista and Grace
Bagwell of Manassa.
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