April 2nd 2026
CO Politicians criticizing new executive order on voting.
Colorado politicians are criticizing President Donald Trump's new executive order issued
on Tuesday, saying that the order's creation of a national voter-eligibility list and new
limits on mail voting violate states' constitutional authority to run their own elections.
HB26-1113, new legislation that has already passed the State House, would prohibit
polling centers from closing early and allow them to stay open longer. It would also
require the state to mail ballots earlier so voters have more time to return them. The bill
is expected to be heard by the senate state, veterans and military affairs committee next
week. Amendments are currently being drafted for the bill in response to Trump's
Executive Order.
Custer County suspect in custody following burglary.
A suspect is in custody following a burglary, including stealing a surveillance camera, in
southeast Custer County on Tuesday morning. According to The Custer County Sheriff's
office, deputies arrested a suspect after stopping the suspect's vehicle and recovering
stolen property from the burglary near Lake Isabel on Angel Road. Deputies were alerted
to a burglary in progress around 9:45am on Tuesday. The person reporting the incident
monitored the burglary with surveillance cameras installed on the property and provided
deputies with updates. The suspect was taken to The Fremont County Jail on a class 3
felony charge. The suspect's name has not been released.
12th Judicial District Attorney's Office hosting open forum tonight.
The 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office is hosting an open forum tonight at The
Alamosa County Courthouse to hear from The Costilla County Community regarding
concerns of negative interactions with The Costilla County Sheriff's Office. The forum
will be held from 6 to 8pm. The DA's office has issued indictments against the now
former sheriff, undersheriff and three deputies in Costilla County. Former Sheriff Danny
Sanchez resigned his position on Saturday. The others were placed on administrative
leave. Costilla County Commissioners appointed deputy Joe Smith to be the interim
sheriff on Monday. Tonight's meeting is for the general public. It will be held at The
Alamosa County Courthouse at 8955 Independence Way in Alamosa, again from 6 to
8pm.
Following search warrant multiple Center suspects taken into custody.
Crystal Marquez, John Gardner Sr., John Gardner Jr., Donnie Jaramillo and Katherine
Garcia were all taken into custody last Thursday by Saguache County Sheriff's Deputies
during execution of a high-risk search warrant. The search warrant was executed on
miles street in Center, Colorado, with assistance from the Center and Del Norte Police
Departments. Deputies seized around 65 grams of methamphetamine, 15 grams of
fentanyl, 3 grams of heroin, various high-risk prescription medications and money
believed to be proceeds from illicit drug distribution. The case remains under
investigation.
Colorado's Snowpack significantly reduced following record warmth.
Thanks to what was the warmest march on record, and no snow in more than three weeks,
Colorado's Snowpack only has about three inches of liquid water remaining as of
yesterday, with the state only reporting a total statewide snowpack of 22%. By river
basin, The North Platte is currently reporting 38% of snowpack. The South Platte is at
35%. The Yampa & White is at 28% of snowpack. The Colorado is at 26%. The
Gunnison is at 16%. The San Juan & Dolores and Arkansas River basins are both at
10%. and, The Upper Rio Grande River Basin is at the bottom with 9% of snowpack as
of yesterday.
April 1st 2026
US Supreme Court strikes down Colorado's conversion therapy ban.
The United States Supreme Court, yesterday, in an 8-1 decision, has struck down
Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors, saying that the law discriminates
against a viewpoint. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the court's lone dissenter. The
main litigant in the case, Kaley Chiles, a Colorado Springs Christian Therapist, said she
was happy about the ruling, saying it was a decisive win for free speech, families and
common sense. The ruling is expected to have impacts throughout The U.S. 27 states,
plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, have banned conversion therapy. Colorado
passed its ban on conversion therapy in 2019. Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a
statement saying "I am evaluating The U.S. Supreme Court ruling and working to figure
out how to better protect LGBTQ youth and free speech in Colorado." He said "we are
fighting for everyone's right to be who you are in our Colorado for all".
CO Gov Polis signes vaccine expansion bill into law.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis last week signed SB26-032, a bill that expands vaccine
access and protects state vaccine policy from federal changes under the Trump
Administration. The new law will allow Colorado's board of health to consider vaccine
recommendations beyond those of the advisory committee on immunization practices, a
center for disease control committee that provides vaccine guidance. The state may now
also consider recommendations from The American Academy of Pediatrics, The
American Academy of Family Physicians, The American College of obstetricians and
gynecologists, and The American College of Physicians. Vaccine advocates are
applauding the new law. The new law also codifies pharmacists' authority to continue
prescribing and administering vaccines.
Remaining deputies walk out appointment of interim Costilla County Sheriff.
Following the appointment of interim Costilla County Sheriff Joe Smith, the remaining
two deputies employed by the sheriff's office walked out, leaving smith as the only
employee in the sheriff's office. Smith was appointed sheriff by Costilla County
Commissioners on Monday after a grand jury indicted former Sheriff Danny Sanchez, the
undersheriff, two deputies and a former deputy. The 12th Judicial District DA's Office
says that 911 calls will still be answered at Alamosa dispatch, and nearby jurisdictions
have agreed to assist. Sheriff Smith said last night that the county has already secured the
immediate boots-on-the-ground support necessary to keep the county safe. The Colorado
State Patrol has said that they'll assist the community by responding to life-safety
emergencies to ensure immediate protection of the public "for as long as necessary".
Two Democrats chosen to run in Dem Primary for US House District 3.
Alex Kelloff and Dwayne Romero have been chosen as the two Democrats to run in The
Democratic Primary for this year's U.S. House of Representatives election for Colorado
District 3. Kelloff, a businessman and 4th-generation Coloradan, received the most
delegate votes at the Democratic party assembly last weekend. Romero, a combat
veteran and real estate management CEO was in 2nd place, clearing the 30% threshold for
primary ballot access. On The Republican Side, incumbent Jeff Hurd is being challenged
by Hope Scheppelman in the primary election in June.
CPW reminding hunters of big game draw application deadline.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding hunters that the deadline to submit a big-game
draw application in the primary draw in approaching fast. Hunters should submit their
application at cpwshop.com by April 7th at 8pm mountain standard time to be eligible to
participate. If you have already submitted your application, CPW encourages you to
review your receipt to make sure it was submitted correctly. Corrections are allowed up
to the April 7th deadline through your cpwshop.com account.
March 31st 2026
CO Gov Polis signes social media warrant bill.
Governor Jared Polis signed SB26-011 into law yesterday, giving Colorado law
enforcement faster access to digital evidence by requiring social media companies to
acknowledge and respond to search warrants on a tight timeline. The new law also
requires social media platforms to establish a hotline for Colorado law enforcement to
contact them about new and ongoing search warrants. Platforms will be required to
acknowledge receipt of a search warrant within 8 hours and provide status updates to law
enforcement as the warrant is carried out. Last session, Polis vetoed SB25-086, which
established certain requirements for social media platforms to protect minor users,
including a requirement that the tech companies respond to search warrants within 72
hours. Polis said last year's bill had good intentions, but failed to guarantee the safety of
minors or adults. This year's bill was significantly narrowed and mirrors a policy
enacted in California last summer.
Morphew daughters withdraw motion to get mother's remains back.
The daughters of Suzanne Morphew yesterday withdrew the motion they filed last month
to get their mother's remains back so that her body could be cremated. Their father,
Barry Morphew, is facing a first degree murder charge in connection with Suzanne's
death. A hearing was scheduled yesterday in Alamosa District Court to hear the motion,
however, the motion was withdrawn before the judge could render a decision. No reason
was given as to why the motion was withdrawn. 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne
Kelly was fighting the request arguing that the body is material evidence in the case.
Barry Morphew chose not to take a side in the dispute. Suzanne Morphew's remains will
now stay with the state as evidence. Barry Morphew was indicted by a 12th Judicial
District Grand Jury after Suzanne's remains were found near Moffat in Saguache County.
His trial is scheduled to begin in mid-October.
CBI announces reward in Center death Investigation.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced yesterday, alongside The Saguache
County Sheriff's Office and The Saguache County Board of Commissioners, that a
reward of $2,000 is now being offered for tips that lead to the arrest of the person
responsible for the death of 78-year-old Charles William "bill" Mcclure on December
23rd of last year. Center Police officers found Mcclure dead inside his home off of east
Highway 112 on the morning of December 23rd. Officers responded to the home after
local construction workers reported that they had not seen Mcclure in days. Investigators
are seeking any information regarding suspicious activity between December 19th and
23rd. Tips can be reported anonymously by calling 719-589-4111. If your tip leads to an
arrest, you could be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
Costilla County Commissioners appoint interim County Sheriff yesterday.
Costilla County Commissioners, during a special meeting yesterday, appointed deputy
Joe Smith to the position of interim Costilla County Sheriff. Smith replaces former
sheriff Danny Sanchez, who resigned on Saturday after being indicted on a number of
charges, along with the undersheriff and three deputies. Smith, one other deputy, and an
inmate transportation officer are now the only current employees of the sheriff's office.
Smith will hold the position of sheriff until a new sheriff can be elected later this year.
I-25BL Walsenburg Northlands closure began yesterday.
The Interstate 25 business loop through the north part of Walsenburg, also known as The
Northlands, or mile markers 2.3 to 3, was closed yesterday and will remain closed
through Friday. Crews are installing a stormwater pipe under the roadway, bringing
about the complete closure. Traffic will be detoured onto I-25. Motorists traveling on
north and southbound I-25 will need to use Exit 49 or Exit 50 to access the City of
Walsenburg and West US 160. Full access to businesses along the closure will be
maintained, according to CDOT.
March 30th 2026
CO AG and Gov candidate Weiser secures top line on primary ballot.
Colorado Attorney General, and Gubernatorial Candidate, Phil Weiser earned 90% of
party delegates and secured the top line on the Democratic primary ballot for Governor
for The June 30th primary. The win comes after Weiser delivered a speech at The
Democratic assembly in Pueblo where he highlighted his record against President Trump
and corporations that have taken advantage of Colorado. Democratic Senator Michael
Bennet, announced last week that he had garnered enough valid signatures to become the
first gubernatorial candidate to make the primary ballot this year. Following Bennet's
announcement, Weiser's campaign stepped up the rhetoric and sharply criticized the
three-term senator, saying that Weiser is not relying on out-of-state billionaires to back
his campaign, but is powered by the people of Colorado. Bennet's campaign fired back
saying it was his strong grassroots team that propelled him to be the first candidate to
make the ballot.
Costilla County Sheriff resigned Saturday after indictment.
Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez resigned on Saturday after he was indicted on
Friday. A 12th Judicial District Grand Jury has issued indictments for the sheriff,
undersheriff and three deputies in Costilla County. Costilla County Sheriff Danny
Sanchez and Former Deputy Keith Schultz were indicted on five counts of official
misconduct and one count of abuse of a corpse for their handling of the discovery of
unidentified human remains in the wild horse mesa area in October of 2024. Sergeant
Caleb Sanchez and Deputy Roland Riley were indicted on counts of second and third-
degree assault for use of force in an incident involving a community member having a
mental health crisis. Undersheriff Cruz Soto was also indicted on two counts of failing to
intervene and one count of third-degree assault related to the same incident. The Costilla
County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting today to consider the
appointment of a new county sheriff.
24 fire pre-evacuation status no longer in effect.
The pre-evacuation status for residents within the two-mile radius of Fremont County
Road F45 and Colorado 115 is no longer in effect. Fort Carson fire officials have
reported that the fire is now 86% contained. Officials say that fire crews continue to
patrol and monitor control lines. Officials also remind travelers in the area that they
should proceed with caution while driving on Highway 115 to avoid any distracted
driving while emergency services monitor containment lines. Smoke will still be visible
from the road, but does not require notification to emergency services, according to
officials.
City of Walsenburg boil water advisory lifted Friday night.
The City of Walsenburg announced late Friday night that the boil water advisory for the
city has been lifted. Once chlorine levels were found to be down on Thursday night, the
city sent off water samples to the state to be tested. The boil water advisory was placed
in effect after at least 3 massive leaks were found in Walsenburg's water system,
effectively shutting down the entire system over 2 weeks ago now. The City of
Walsenburg is now considering covering 25% of people's water bills due to the water
main break and the boil order, saying it’s the right thing to do. The Walsenburg City
Council is scheduled to vote on the matter at their meeting on April 7th.
CSU Extension hosting AG business management workshop tomorrow.
CSU Extension is hosting an AG business management workshop tomorrow, March 31st,
and Wednesday, April 1st, at The Rio Grande Water Conservation District, 8805
independence way, in Alamosa. Tomorrow will be "build your own enterprise analysis
with csu extension help from 6 to 8pm. Wednesday from 10:30am to noon will be cow-
calf enterprise budgets, followed by lunch and budgets for potatoes, barley, alfalfa,
quinoa and cover crops. Registration fee is $20. Be sure to preregister today, March 30th.
call Larry or Jennifer at 719-852-7381.
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