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U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his endorsement of 3rd Congressional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.
February 20th 2026
US Senator Bennet announces support for suspending Wolf reintroduction program.
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who is running to be Colorado's next Governor, says that
he favors suspending Colorado's wolf reintroduction program, although he back-peddled
a few days later. Bennet told the Durango Herald last Friday that the program should be
suspended for now to see if there's a way to get back to a place where we're
implementing the original plan with fidelity. But, if we're not able to implement with
fidelity, then we shouldn't continue. However, in a different interview on Monday,
bennet said the pause for 2026 "was appropriate and could give the state time to 'regroup
and reconsider how to go forward'". One of the most contentious issues in Colorado,
Wolf Reintroduction has been responsible for nearly 100 livestock and working dog
deaths in 2024 and 2025. Wolves most recently killed a dog in Jackson County.
Democratic aligned group files redistricting 2026 ballot measure Tuesday.
A Democratic-aligned group backed by the House Majority PAC filed four versions of a
2026 ballot measure on Tuesday that would temporarily suspend Colorado's Independent
Congressional Redistricting commission and redraw the state's map in an effort to flip
three Republican-held U.S. House Seats in 2028. The group called "Coloradans for a
level playing field" is pushing for the ballot measure amid the national debate over
redistricting. The republican seats being targeted by the ballot measures are in
Colorado's 3rd, 5th and 8th Congressional Districts. Advance Colorado's Michael Fields
says his group is prepared to challenge the ballot measures when they get to the state's
title board and is planning to take the matter all the way to The State Supreme Court if
necessary.
Pueblo County High Speed chase ends in crash.
A high speed chase on U.S. 50 ended in Pueblo County after the suspect's vehicle rolled,
resulting in him being ejected. According to The Otero County Sheriff's Office, a
vehicle chase began following a traffic stop by La Junta Police near U.S. 50 and Dalton
Avenue. The driver, Ikxander Richard Figueroa Maldonado, allegedly led law
enforcement officers through multiple towns while exceeding 100mph through oncoming
traffic. Maldonado continued even after multiple tires were deflated with the use of spike
strips. The Colorado State Patrol conducted a tactical vehicle intervention in Pueblo
County, which caused the vehicle to roll, ejecting Maldonado. Maldonado was seriously
injured and remains in critical condition. He had multiple active felony warrants and was
driving under suspension.
Custer County shooting suspect found guilty.
Hanme Clark, of Custer County, has been found guilty of killing three people in Custer
County before going on the run in November of 2023. A jury found Clark guilty of three
counts of 1st degree murder, attempted murder, assault with serious bodily injury and
menacing with a firearm. Clark shot and killed Rob Geers, Beth Geers and James
Daulton and injured Patty Daulton, all his neighbors, over a land dispute that had been
going on for years. Clark then fled the scene before Custer County Sheriff's Deputies
arrived, prompting a multi-state manhunt. Clark and his girlfriend, Nancy Rae Medina-
Kochi, were located and arrested in New Mexico. Clark was then extradited back to
Colorado to face charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced today.
Some Colorado Mountains see improvement in snowpack after Winter Storm.
While Eastern Colorado has been dealing with wind, Western and Central Colorado has
made up some ground this week in snowfall totals, thanks to the storm system currently
over the state. Statewide, median snowpack has jumped from 52% last week to 58% this
week. Still low, but an improvement. Snowpack by river basin as of Tuesday is as
follows: 69% in The North Platte, 65% in the Yampa & White, 61% in The Gunnison,
58% in The South Platte, 57% in The Colorado, 53% in The San Juan and Dolores, 51%
in the Upper Rio Grande, and 44% in The Arkansas River Basin.
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