March 25th 2026
CPW seeking twice as much in funds this fiscal year as last fiscal year.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking $450,000 in general funds for fiscal year 2026-
27, twice what it spent in 2025, to acquire more wolves, even though the agency has not
identified where the animals will come from. The request comes as Colorado is facing a
projected $1.5 billion shortfall in the general fund budget in next year's spending plan.
Joint budget committee staff had recommended creating a separate budget line beginning
in 2026-27 to clearly show the state's spending on wolf acquisitions. Currently, those
costs are included in a broader wildlife operations line item. CPW has maintained that its
annual wolf report provides sufficient transparency, although the most recent report did
not disclose the cost of acquiring 15 wolves from British Columbia last year. Of the 25
wolves imported to Colorado since 2023, 14 have died, a survival rate of only 44%. The
state’s wolf plan estimated the survival rate at between 70% and 85% in the early years.
Potential cause of the 24 fire released.
The 24 fire burning to the east of Colorado 115 has not grown in size since Sunday Night
and remains at 7,385 acres and was 30% contained as of last night. The fire is believed to
have been "accidental", caused by a vehicle malfunction. No structures have been
damaged or burned according to Fort Carson officials, who have taken control of the fire.
A pre-evacuation notice remains in place in a two-mile radius of County Road F-45 and
Highway 115. While officials say that the fire could continue to burn for several more
days or weeks, they say they do have it under control.
March 24th 2026
House bill introduced to rename March 31st state holiday.
House Bill 26-1339, introduced on Friday, would rename the March 31st state holiday
from Cesar Chavez day to farm workers day, following a national shift prompted by
sexual abuse allegations against Chavez. The House state, civic, veterans and military
affairs committee heard and forwarded the bill yesterday on a vote of 11-0. The change
comes in the wake of a report last week that revealed years of sexual abuse by the
founder of united farm workers of America against minor girls and young women who
were involved in the movement. Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66. Cesar Chavez
day was declared a national holiday in 2014 by President Barack Obama. The allegations
have led to the cancellation of celebrations, marches and other events honoring Chavez
across the nation. Chavez's bust and his name were removed from a park in Northwest
Denver last week.
24 fire continues to grow in size.
The 24 fire burning along Colorado 115 in Fremont County has now grown to 7,385
acres in size and is now 24% contained. The gain in total size includes fire crews
conducting back-burning operations to help stop the fire. The Fremont County Sheriff's
Department says that all evacuations due to the fire have been lifted and the now-former
evacuation areas have returned to pre-evacuation status. El Paso County has also lifted
its pre-evacuation warnings for the sandy creek ranch heights area. Highway 115 will
remain closed at least until Friday, although that will be reevaluated daily, according to
Fort Carson officials. The fire began around 9:50am last Wednesday along Highway 115
at Mile Marker 24, and crossed onto Fort Carson line about 20 miles south of The Main
Post.
One person injured after Custer County grass fire Saturday.
One person was injured following a grass fire that started on Saturday in Custer County.
According to The Custer County Sheriff's Office, emergency crews responded to a grass
fire along haven road, south of Lake Deweese. Deputies said that one civilian was
injured, although it was not clear if the injures were severe or just who was injured. As
of late Saturday, The Sheriff's Office announced that the fire was 100% contained and
that about five acres in all had burned. No structures were lost in the fire. The sheriff's
office issued a court summons for the person involved for violating fire restrictions. The
person was not identified.
CSP announces that new court scam is not real.
The Colorado State Patrol says that a new text scam is not real. The text reportedly
includes a document that looks official and reads "notice of default" and "enforcement
action initiated". The document states that immediate action is required and says people
need to "remit full payment" or appear before the court. CSP advises Colorado to not
click on any links or send any money. Colorado courts will not contact you by text
message demanding payment. If you receive something that looks official but are not
sure that it's really, look up the court's official phone number on line and call them
directly during normal business hours to verify that what you received is, in fact, real.
CDOT announces US 50 resurfacing project in Pueblo County.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that it will begin a
resurfacing project along US Highway 50 from the Pueblo-Fremont County line to
Purcell Boulevard in Pueblo West. The project will improve approximately 13 miles of
US50 from mile marker 296.2 to mile marker 309.3. Work will include milling old
asphalt, paving with new asphalt, bridge repairs and guardrail replacement. Beginning on
April 6th, motorists should plan for daytime and nighttime work along the corridor. The
project is scheduled for completion in the fall.
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