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Former President Donald Trump's campaign announced yesterday that Donald Trump will hold a rally in Aurora on Friday at the Gaylord Rockies resort and convention center. doors will open at 10am. The rally will begin at 1pm. The visit comes just over three weeks after the Former President vowed to visit Aurora during a New York rally on September 18th, where he said the city had seen an "influx of violent Venezuelan prison gang members". Attention to the presence of Venezuelan gang members came to light when a video went viral showing armed men breaking into an apartment in Aurora. Police say the video is connected to a shooting that took place on August 18th. Friday will be Trump's 2nd visit to Colorado in 3 months. He was in Aspen in August for a fundraising event. Those wishing to attend must register in advance by going to event.donaldjtrump.com.

Capulin man arrested charged with murder.

David O'Brien, 50, of Capulin, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and domestic violence in connection with the death of his wife last weekend. According to the Conejos County Sheriff's Office, the homicide took place on the outskirts of Capulin in Conejos County. Deputies were dispatched at 2:30am Friday morning to the Conejos County Hospital where a stabbing victim had been pronounced deceased in the emergency room. O'brien had reportedly admitted to one of the doctors that he had stabbed his wife. O'brien was arrested Saturday and was booked into the Conejos County jail.

Proposition 127 on the Colorado November Ballot.

Today we take a look at Proposition 127 which was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative and will pass with a majority vote. Proposition 127 would prohibit intentionally killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping or discharging a deadly weapon at bobcats, lynx, and mountain lions in Colorado, regardless of intent. Convictions would carry up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 or both. A "no" vote would continue to allow hunting of such animals in Colorado. Proponents say bobcat and mountain lion hunting causes the animals pain and trauma and that hunting and trapping these animals, often for trophies or the commercial fur trade, is an unnecessary practice. Opponents say the measure restricts the ability of wildlife management experts to make science-based decisions to achieve the state's ecological objectives. They say the state currently manages a healthy population of bobcats and mountain lions, which prove its current management practices are working. Further, hunting lynx is already illegal.

Sargent School District Parents notified of teacher termination.

Parents of students in the Sargent School District were notified yesterday that the district terminated a teacher after a claim of sexual harassment was declared to be valid by the district. The email sent to parents by Sargent Superintendent Andrea Davis said in part that "a claim of sexual harassment made by a student against one of our teachers has been substantiated". Citing privacy and employment laws, the identity of the teacher was not disclosed by the district.

Remains found in Pueblo County possibly connected to missing persons case.

Remains were found in Pueblo County yesterday after several agencies were investigating possible human remains connected to a missing persons case in Colorado Springs. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, the investigation is taking place in the 1400 block of 2nd road, located near the Pueblo Boulevard and Highway 50 interchange. No further information about the case was provided. If the remains are proven to be human, the name of the deceased and cause of death will be released at a later time. No suspects had been named in the case as of late yesterday.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released more than 600 pages of evidence that was gathered during the investigation into the train derailment north of Pueblo a year ago that collapsed a railroad bridge over I-25 and killed a truck driver who was passing below. The derailment fully closed the interstate for days for clean up. The NTSB Project summary includes interviews with the train's engineer and conductor, a welder and track supervisor. The NTSB identified three segments of rail related to the two field welds involved in the accident. BNSF estimates that track damage from the derailment cost more than $10 million and that mechanical damage cost more than $2 million. It is not yet known if anyone will be held accountable for the derailment.

Center Police Chief/Sargent on leave charged with theft.

Center Police Chief Aaron Fresquez and his brother Sargent Adam Fresquez, have both been charged with theft. Chief Fresquez was also cited with a misdemeanor count of official misconduct, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The 35-year-old brothers are accused of operating a private K-9 training business during their on-duty hours, using city resources. The two men allegedly trained K-9 dogs for other police agencies and then pocketed the proceeds that instead should have gone to the town of Center. The charges follow a year-long investigation by CBI at the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly. The 6th Judicial District Attorney's office will act as special prosecutors to avoid any conflict of interest. The Town of Center has placed the brothers on administrative leave.

Proposition KK on the Colorado November Ballot.

Continuing our look at ballot measures on November's ballot, we look at Proposition KK. Proposition KK was placed on the ballot by the legislature and will pass with a majority vote. Proposition KK would create a new state tax on firearms sellers equal to 6.5% of their sales of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition, and exempts monies collected from Colorado's revenue limit as a voter-approved revenue change. The new tax revenue would fund crime victim support services, mental health services for veterans and youth and school safety programs. A "no" vote would mean Colorado's taxation of firearms and ammunition will not change. Proponents say gun violence causes substantial physical, mental, emotional and financial harm, and that taxing firearm and ammunition sellers is an appropriate way to fund programs that reduce the impacts of gun violence. Opponents say this measure places an additional burden on the ability of law- abiding Coloradans to exercise their 2nd amendment rights. They say legal firearm sales should not be taxed to address problems caused by the illegal use of firearms.

Single car crash in Pueblo yesterday closes I-25 Sunday.

The Southbound lanes of Interstate 25 were closed yesterday at 29th street as fire crews responded to a one-car crash. According to the Pueblo Fire Department, the single-car rollover took place just prior to 11:30am yesterday, closing the southbound lanes. Crews worked to clean up the accident and the southbound lanes were reopened around 12:15pm.

Lake City man injured after bear breaks into home.

A 74-year-old Lake City Man suffered significant wounds to his head, neck, both arms, lower abdomen, shoulder and calf after he was attacked by a black bear with three cubs in his home. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the incident took place around 8:30pm last Thursday, when the bears broke through a sliding glass door. The man tried to force the bear back out using a chair, but the bear charged him. All four bears were captured and euthanized following the attack.

Smoky skies in Colorado.

And, if you're wondering why our skies have been rather smokey for the past few days, there are no active wildfires burning in Colorado currently. Instead, smoke is traveling into our state from the yellow lake fire which is burning about 20 miles southeast of Park City in the Wasatch Mountains. The fire is currently 15,106 acres in size and 7% contained.

Colorado State Lawmakers are already working on legislation to help people living with severe mental illness. While the legislative session is still three months away, the treatment of persons with behavioral health disorders in the criminal and juvenile justice systems interim committee advanced a slate of bills this week that are aimed at helping people with mental illness stay out of the criminal justice system, and instead, to ensure those who do end up behind bars get the treatment they need. National alliance on mental illness data shows that roughly 2 in 5 people in America's jails and prisons have a history of mental illness. Bills advanced this week would help young Coloradans with mental illness potentially avoid jail by doing things like setting up community deflection programs and making sure courts follow juvenile competency proceedings.

Fire breaks out on Fort Carson yesterday.

What is being called the "White Butte fire" broke out on Fort Carson yesterday afternoon near range 143, which is located just south of the main post. According to Fort Carson officials, the fire started about 1:45pm yesterday and is about 40 acres in size and is currently 0% contained. Four Fort Carson units are fighting the fire, along with four mutual aid units from Security, Monument, Colorado Springs, and The El Paso County Wildland fire team.

Custer County Search and Rescue called to assist in recovery.

Custer County Search and Rescue was called to assist the wet mountain fire protection district on Sunday around 2:30pm for a woman who had been injured in an ATV accident on the rainbow trail north of the Gibson Trailhead and down a steep embankment. Search and rescue reported that with the help of the other agencies, they were able to find the rider and hoist her back up to the trail. Once back on the rainbow trail, the woman was transported with an ATV to meet emergency personnel. The woman's condition was not made available.

Proposition JJ on the Colorado November Ballot.

Today we take a look at Proposition JJ that was placed on November's ballot by the legislature and will pass with a majority vote. If approved, Proposition JJ will allow the state to keep sports betting tax revenue above the amount that was previously approved by voters, and then use the money for water projects, rather than refunding it to casinos and sports betting operators. A "no" vote would mean that the state will pay refunds to casinos and sports betting operations when sports betting tax revenue is greater than the amount previously approved by voters. Proponents say Proposition JJ allows the state to retain additional sports revenue already being collected under the current tax rate to support much needed water projects. Opponents say Proposition JJ is effectively a tax increase. State water projects already receive the full amount of money previously approved by voters with Proposition DD.

SLV Trout Unlimited issues invitation to estate.

San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited would like to invite everyone to the Kay Watkins Fishing estate sale, plus garage sale, tonight at 6pm at the Colorado Farm Brewery. The event will honor the life of Kay Watkins, who's fishing equipment and fly-tying supplies will be featured in a low-key silent auction format sale. Items will include spin fishing gear, fly fishing equipment and a wide variety of fly-tying supplies. Proceeds will go to the SLV trout unlimited scholarship fund to send local youth to the annual Colorado trout unlimited river conservation and fly fishing youth camp. For more information, call 719- 588-7678.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are investigating after a mountain lion was killed by a man near Canon City last month. The incident took place a week ago on September 26th after a CPW officer responded to a report of an aggressive mountain lion that was killed by a man with a shovel. The officer found the man with a dead mountain lion on the hood of his car at a campground west of Canon City. According to CPW, the man told them he was sitting outside with his dog on the night of September 25th when the mountain lion approached. The man told CPW that the mountain lion got within 10 feet and his dog engaged. The man said he then struck the mountain lion in the head with the shovel. CPW says the officer found the man was in fear of his life and acted in self- defense because the mountain lion was acting unusual and extremely aggressive. The mountain lion was a female who weighed about 95 pounds.

Fatal motorcycle crash causes US 50 closure Tuesday.

A motorcyclist died Tuesday evening following a crash on U.S. 50 at Wills Boulevard. According to Pueblo Police, the crash involved the motorcyclist and another vehicle. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not clear if anyone in the vehicle was injured. Two westbound lanes of U.S. 50 were closed during the investigation and clean up on scene. The name of the motorcyclist has not been released. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Vehicle fire causes I-25 closure south of Colorado Springs yesterday.

The Colorado Department of Transportation closed both directions of Interstate 25 south of Colorado Springs yesterday. The closure was specifically between U.S. 85 and Mesa Ridge Parkway and was due to a vehicle fire. The interstate was reopened some time after 1:30pm after firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Amendment 80 on the Colorado November Ballot.

Today we take a look at Amendment 80. Amendment 80 was placed on the November Ballot by citizen initiative and needs 55% of the vote to pass. Amendment 80 creates the right to school choice for children in kindergarten through 12th grade and creates the right for parents to direct the eduction of their children. Amendment 80 also defines school choice to include public neighborhood and charter schools, private schools, home schools, open enrollment options and future innovations in education. A "no" vote would maintain the current system of school choice in Colorado. Proponents say Amendment 80 guarantees that school choice is a right of parents and children. A constitutional measure ensures this right cannot be taken away by future legislatures. Opponents say the Colorado constitution already guarantees a free public education, and that Colorado already has robust school choice laws that allow parents to choose from many public school options, or choose to educate their children in private or home schools.

National Forests and Grasslands plan to conduct prescribed pile burns.

The Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands plan to conduct prescribed pile burning on national forest system lands on all ranger districts beginning next month and running through the spring of next year, as conditions allow. Prescribed burning of slash piles will take place at locations including: the northside of rampart reservoir, northeast of the town of divide, southwest of crystal reservoir, black mountain north of Gardner, south of Cuchara, along the crest of the wet mountains, north of San Isabel, and south of the picket wire corrals in Las Animas County.

The Colorado Cattlemen's Association has announced that more than two dozen organizations that represent agriculture and livestock producers in Colorado, have filed a petition to delay future gray wolf reintroductions until depredations are addressed and mitigation tactics are fully implemented. The petition, which is addressed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission, was filed on Monday. The petition asks the CPW commission to adopt a rule that would "pause further wolf introductions until specific wolf-livestock conflict mitigation strategies are fully funded, developed and implemented". Colorado cattlemen say this will "ensure that CPW is equipped to manage wolf depredation and provide livestock producers with the necessary tools and resources before any wolves are put on the ground". They have asked CPW to take up the petition at its meeting tomorrow.

Special meeting to discuss Law Enforcement in City of Walsenburg.

A special meeting to discuss the future of law enforcement in the City of Walsenburg will be held tomorrow evening at 6pm at the Walsenburg City Hall. The special meeting was set yesterday following the announcement last Friday from Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman that his deputies are unable to spend adequate time in the county as they are stretched thin, so they will no longer patrol the City of Walsenburg beginning on January 1st. Newman's announcement comes after negotiations have been taking place since June, when the sheriff's contract with the city expired. Newman says his deputies will continue to assist in the city until the city is able to find another solution.

11th Judicial District Attorney appeals disbarment by state board.

11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley has filed to appeal the ruling by a state disciplinary board that ruled to disbar her last month. State disciplinary judges ruled that Stanley made at least three inappropriate statements to the media during the prosecution of Barry Morphew, failed to supervise the case, and opened a retaliatory criminal investigation into the judge over rulings he made against her team. Stanley filed the notice of appeal on Monday. The appeal says that Stanley plans to challenge whether or not there is clear and convincing evidence that she violated the rules of professional conduct, and whether the sanction disbarment ordered by two of the three judges was warranted.

Amendment 79 on the Colorado November Ballot.

Today we take a look at Amendment 79, which will appear on this November's ballot. Amendment 79 was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative and must receive 55% of the vote to pass. a "yes" vote on amendment 79 will make abortion a constitutional right in Colorado and will prohibit state and local goverments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against exercising that right. Amendment 79 also repeals any existing Colorado constitutional provision that bans the use of public funds for abortion services. A "no" vote continues the ban on funding and maintains the authority of the state legislature to determine the legality of abortion in Colorado. Proponents say passing Amendment 79 protects abortion access in Colorado and ensures abortion will be available regardless of changing political climates. Opponents say Amendment 79 is extremely broad and could prevent Colorado from passing statutes in the future to regulate or restrict abortion in any way. Opponents say abortion is already legal in Colorado and taxpayers should not be forced to pay for services to which they morally object.

Greater Pueblo COC and League of Women voters hosting another debate tonight.

Once again we will carry audio from the debates taking place tonight at Pueblo Community College's Hoag theater, live tonight, beginning at 5pm. The debates are sponsored by the greater pueblo chamber of commerce, the league of women voters of pueblo and PCC. Tonight's debates will feature candidates from Pueblo County commissioner district 1 at 5pm. Candidates from Pueblo County Commissioner District 2 will take the stage at 6pm. Steve Henson will once again serve as moderator. That’s tonight, beginning at 5pm, live, right here on KSPK-FM.

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