August 7th 2026
Citizen initiative to ensure right to natural gas qualifies for November Ballot.
Initiative 177, a citizen initiative that would enshrine the right to natural gas, has
qualified for the November Ballot, according to The Colorado Secretary of State's Office.
146,165 of the 189,508 signatures collected were validated, surpassing the threshold to
qualify for the ballot. The initiative from Advance Colorado would establish consumers'
right to purchase natural gas for cooking and heating their homes and businesses, as well
as the right to distributors and utilities to sell natural gas to homes and businesses. The
initiative is the group's response to a palpable shift in state policy to turn away from
fossil fuel, notably including natural gas. Critics contend that that shift places a financial
strain on households and reflect ideological goals more than practical planning.
NPS investigating hit and run on Medano Pass Primitive road.
The National Park Service is investigating a hit & run involving off-highway vehicles on
The Medano Pass Primitive road of The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
The crash took place on Saturday, August 1st, at about 2:15pm. Park officials are seeking
information on the identity of the individuals who were involved in the crash. Tips can
be anonymous, and witnesses are asked to share tips to help the park protect visitors,
wildlife and natural resources. If you were in the area or have any information about the
crash, please contact Alamosa Dispatch by calling 719-589-5807. Off-highway vehicles
are not allowed to be operated within The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Warrants issued in July 16th Walsenburg drug case.
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Robyn O'Brien and Adonis Eugene Ortiz-
Lopez in connection with a July 16th seizure of illegal narcotics and a firearm during a
domestic disturbance that took place at The Love's Travel Stop in Walsenburg.
According to Walsenburg Police, during the investigation, officers developed information
that indicated a firearm and illegal narcotics were located inside a vehicle associated with
the incident. Police then searched the car and recovered about 240 grams of suspected
methamphetamine, about 100 fentanyl pills, one handgun and about $440 in cash.
Investigators believe the evidence is consistent with the distribution of illegal controlled
substances. O'brien and Ortiz-Lopez remain at large.
Trinidad man identified as Monument Lake drowning victim.
Harold Rowe, 45, of Trinidad, has been identified by The Las Animas County Coroner's
Office as the man who drowned on Monday at Monument Lake near Weston in Las
Animas County. The accident took place on a pontoon boat when Rowe was reportedly
helping his children get back onto the boat, and after getting them to safety, went under
water himself and didn't come back up. Three others on the boat were taken to the
hospital. The coroner's office has not yet announced an official cause of death.
Florida man identified as body found in Trinidad last Sunday.
Thomas Michael Romans, 70, of Umatilla, Florida, has been identified as the man whose
body was found near The Linden Street Bridge last Sunday in Trinidad. According to
The Las Animas County Coroner's Office, county authorities received a call on Sunday,
August 2nd, when the body of a male was found deceased near the bridge. Romans was
pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of Romans' death remains under
investigation.
August 6th 2026
CO US Senator Bennet's Gov campaign agrees to settlement in finance case.
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet's Gubernatorial Campaign has agreed to pay a
$7,433 fine for using Bennet's senate campaign account to pay for gubernatorial
campaign travel expenses. The settlement, which was reached on July 31st, also includes
an admission by Bennet and his campaign that they violated state campaign finance laws.
The settlement is tied to multiple complaints saying that Bennet traveled for his
gubernatorial campaign in 2025, paying for it with funds from his U.S. Senate Campaign
account, a total of 39 travel-related expenses totaling $24,440.59 in payments. Those
payments represented prohibited contributions from the senate committee, according to
Colorado's elections division. The campaign "cured" the violations, according to the
analysis. The settlement was signed by Bennet, his registered agent Timothy Gebhardt,
and Colorado's campaign finance enforcement manager, on July 21st.
CPW announces another lethal removal of a uncollared wolf.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced yesterday that agents lethally removed an
uncollared male yearling wolf in Grand County on Tuesday. The action was taken in
response to four confirmed depredation events involving four calves, according to CPW.
The wolf was a member of the one ear park. The first depredation was confirmed on
June 29th in Jackson County. Consecutive events were also confirmed on July 26th, July
31st and August 1st, also all in Grand County. The events occurred despite the producers
pursuing non-lethal conflict minimization efforts, according to CPW. conflict
minimization efforts included conducting a site assessment, deploying range riders, the
use of scare devices, active human presence and applying for injurious non-lethal hazing
permits.
Colorado City MD announced stage 4 water restrictions yesterday.
The Colorado City Metropolitan District announced yesterday afternoon that Colorado
City is now under level four water restrictions, meaning that outdoor watering is now
prohibited. District officials said yesterday that plants, gardens, landscaping and other
vegetation can only be watered between 5am and 7am, and between 7pm and 9pm, and
only with a watering can or with a hose with a shut-off nozzle. Residents could receive a
written notice and a $100 fine on the first violations. For a second violation, residents
may receive a written notice and a $250 fine. After more than 2 violations, officials say a
district manager can suspend service to the location and/or issue a $500 fine. Questions
can be directed to the district at 719-676-3396.
Hiker rescued by Alamosa VSR after fall Sunday.
Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue responded on Sunday to a report that an
experienced climber had fallen and came to a stop on a narrow ledge with exposure,
creating a risk of a second fall, while traveling between Little Bear Peak and Blanca
Peak. Crews said the witness reported that the climber's lower leg was fractured with
severe bleeding. Due to the terrain and the patient's unstable location, air support was
requested from the Colorado Army National Guard. A technical hoist was used to
evacuate the patient and the reporting party from the mountain, taking them to the
Alamosa Airport. No emergency crews were injured during the rescue.
Custer County Sheriff's Deputies rescued baby bear found along the Highway.
After receiving reports of a dog on the road, Custer County Sheriff's Deputies rescued a
baby bear from the side of a highway. The bear was found malnourished and dehydrated
near airport road. The bear is a female who also had an injured foot. CPW picked up the
bear and took it to the CPW facility near Del Norte for rehab and veterinary care.
Officials say, following the winter, the bear will be released into the wilderness. Another
bear was herded out of the town of Westcliffe yesterday as well. CPW has set a trap for
that bear, so that it can be relocated.