August 10th 2026
Citizen led PC find several CO Judges did not meet performance standards.
A citizen-led performance commission has found that of the 123 Colorado judges who
are standing for retention in November, 3 did not meet the required performance
standards. Under Colorado's system of selecting judges, the governor appoints new
judges from a short-list created by a citizen nominating commission. Judges serve for at
least 2 years before voters decide whether or not to retain them to terms of varying
lengths. To help voters make retention decisions, performance commissions issue
narratives about each judge's performance. The following 3 judges have been
recommended for votes against retention: 13th Judicial District Court Judge Dina M.
Christiansen due to "significant concerns" about Christiansen's temperament, legal
analysis and courtroom management. 16th Judicial District Crowley County Court Judge
Jeremy P. Boyce due to being highly inefficient, failing to issue orders in a timely
manner and disregarding established law. And, 10th Judicial District Court Judge William
Alexander due to concerns that Alexander could be rude and potentially biased.
Beulah residents requesting additional resources for potential flooding.
Beulah residents are asking for additional resources as they prepare for continued
flooding concerns following the Aspen Acres Fire. Over the past 2 weeks, rain has hit
the region with more expected in the coming days. Residents say they have been filling
sandbags and are working together to protect homes and other property, but they say
more resources are needed, including additional flood-mitigation resources like concrete
barriers and heavy equipment, to help slow the water and protect homes, roads and other
infrastructure. Residents say they are hopeful they will receive the resources they need,
but say that whatever comes next, they plan to continue relying on one another.
Rio Grande County Commissioners approve moratorium on Data Centers.
The Rio Grande County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday voted
unanimously to implement a temporary 12-month moratorium on data center applications
and permanently prohibit hyperscale data center projects within the unincorporated
portions of Rio Grande County. The vote comes following growing public concern over
the consumption of local resources as well as over environmental impacts. The board's
actions reflect a growing region-wide movement across The San Luis Valley, where
municipal and county governments are taking formal action to regulate or halt high-
density digital infrastructure developments.
Walsenburg City Council voted to implement Stage 3 water restrictions last week.
The Walsenburg City Council voted last week to place the City of Walsenburg on stage 3
water restrictions due to the extreme drought. Under state 3 restrictions, watering
outdoor plants is prohibited for both residential and commercial customers. However,
plants growing in containers, flower gardens or food gardens may still be watered by
hand with a watering can. The city will still sell water for hauling, but only from 8am to
4:30pm, Monday through Friday, and for domestic cisterns only. The city will not sell
hauled water for any commercial, horticultural or agricultural purpose except for
watering livestock.
CPW announces Fishers Peak State Park summit trail reopened.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced that The Fishers Peak State Park's summit
trail has officially reopened after this year's peregrine falcons have successfully fledged
and have now left the rest. During the closure, CPW's resource stewardship team
monitor the nest from a distance. Once CPW clears the trail to reopen, park staff, trail
specialists and volunteers help to prep the summit for reopening. The Fishers Peak
Summit Trail is now open every day from 5am to 10pm.
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.