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.
February 19th 2026
5th person has died following Pueblo I-25 multi car collision.
A 5th person has died following the 36-vehicle collision that took place in the Northbound
Lanes of Interstate 25, just south of Pueblo, on Tuesday. The 5th victim has been
identified as Thomas Thayer of Rye. Thayer was pronounced dead at Parkview Medical
Center late Tuesday Night. A total of 36 vehicles crashed in both the Northbound and
Southbound lanes just after 10am on Tuesday due to dangerous wind conditions and
blowing dust causing low visibility in the area. The bigger pileup, involving most of the
vehicles, took place in the northbound lanes. The smaller crash took place in the
southbound lanes. The Colorado State Patrol said that "results of the preliminary
investigation show that the four fatalities and 29 injured parties all came from the
northbound crash. The Southbound I-25 crash was property damage only". The death
toll since then has now risen to five.
Colorado based medical device company admits to participating in fraud.
Zynex, a Colorado-based medical device company, has admitted to participating in a
conspiracy to commit health care fraud, securities fraud, mail fraud and more. The U.S.
Justice Department said in a statement that Zynex has admitted to: fraudulently obtaining
millions of dollars from government and private health care payers and patients, has
collected more than $873 million for its products, including more than $600 million for
supplies, the vast majority of which were the result of fraud, shipped and billed for
medically unnecessary supplies, and mislead investors by concealing that its revenues
were driven by fraudulent billing practices. The company will pay between $5 million
and $12.5 million in fines as part of a non-prosecution agreement.
Alamosa man arrested in Holly on multiple violations.
Matthew Griffith of Alamosa has been arrested in Holly, Colorado, for attempted
homicide and multiple gun related violations. A 911 call originating in Coolidge,
Kansas, was received by The Prowers County Communications Center on Saturday at
approximately 6:45pm regarding a drive-by shooting. While responding, deputies were
advised of a victim being shot just inside Colorado with multiple parties in Holly
reporting shots fired. Following a short pursuit, the suspect's vehicle finally stopped
inside the holly town limits and Griffith was arrested. It is believed that the incident may
have begun in Garden City, Kansas. Griffith is being held at The Prowers County Jail
without bond. Additional charges are pending from Kansas.
Pueblo D70 School Board President announces new appointment.
Pueblo District 70 School Board President Ann Bennett has decided to appoint Susie
Carnes as a new board director without board consensus saying that the board of
education was unable to agree on a board director appointment in 60 days. Carnes was
one of four candidates for the seat that was vacated on December 16th, 2025, by the
resignation of Anne Ochs. Under Colorado revised statutes, the President of a School
Board is permitted to fill a vacancy if an appointment has not been made by the board
within 60 days. An email announcing Bennett’s decision to appoint Carnes was shared
with Pueblo District 70 community members and staff on February 16th.
Death investigation underway after unresponsive person report in Walsenburg Tuesday.
Walsenburg Police received a report of an unresponsive person in the 400 block of East
7th Street on Tuesday about 10:15am. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man that had
apparently been deceased for several days in a camper trailer. Officers said the man had
substantial injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as
Robert Arthur Garcia, 37, of Walsenburg. The body was taken to The El Paso County
Coroner's office where an autopsy will be performed. The incident remains under
investigation.
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 yesterday 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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