February 2nd 2026
Top fundraisers begin to emerge in CO Gubernatorial Race.
With 46 active candidates in Colorado's Gubernatorial Race, some are beginning to
emerge as the top fundraisers. According to The Colorado Secretary of State's website,
the top fundraisers on the Democratic side are Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser
who has raised $4,669,051. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet comes in 2nd at $3,479,745.
Labor Leader Anthony Martinez rounds out the top 3 with $200,450 raised thus far. On
the Republican side, Victor Marx, a former marine & entrepreneuer, has raised $625,193.
State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer comes in second with $381,466. And, Robert Moore, an
army veteran and entrepreneur comes in 3rd with $208,308 raised thus far.
Colorado caregivers to testify at State Capitol today.
Caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those with
medically complex conditions, say they plan to testify at the Colorado State Capitol
today. A large group is planning to attend the joint budget committee meeting at 1:30pm
in person and virtually to share their stories with the committee. This comes after
Governor Jared Polis signed executive orders that will cut paid caregiving hours for
adults with disabilities by 50% beginning April 1st. Polis says the cuts will help to ensure
the long-term sustainability of Colorado's medicaid program as the state continues to face
an estimated $850 million budget shortfall.
PFAS chemicals found in Baxter water and services system.
State health officials say that elevated levels of PFAS chemicals have been found in the
Baxter water and services system, located east of Pueblo. The Baxter water and services
system serves around 350 people, who were notified last week after state testing found
PFAS levels above the federal drinking water standard. PFAS chemicals are often
refereed to as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the
environment. Studies have shown that some PFAS compounds lead to an increased
cancer risk, immune system effects and developmental risks in children. The company
plans to issue PFAS-approved pitcher filters to each affected household while it works
with CDPHE to determine the next steps.
January 30th 2026
Colorado paid caregivers could see funding cuts.
Paid caregivers in Colorado could see cuts to their medicaid funding in an effort to get
the state's budget under control. Beginning April 1st, Colorado will cut the maximum
number of paid caregiver hours per week from 112 hours to 56. The new limit will
impact home health aides, personal care, HMA and nursing services. Paid homemaker
hours for legally responsible persons, typically parents, will also be reduced by half from
ten to five. The changes were announced by the Polis administration last year as part of
the effort to balance the state's overall budget. The new cap on weekly caregiving hours
is expected to save the state $1.1 million in the next fiscal year.
Walsenburg suspect arrested by US Marshalls.
Travis Glenn Gerdes, 30, of Walsenburg, was taken into custody by The U.S. Marshalls
service on a Pueblo County warrant issued last march for alleged assault with a deadly
weapon. Marshalls were called in after Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman said his
office was not successful in serving the warrant. The arrest took place at 515 N. Harrison
Street. The U.S. Marshall's Service said that The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office,
Colorado Bureau of Investigaion, Fountain Police Department and Colorado Department
of Corrections were involved in serving the warrant and making the arrest. Gerdes was
booked into the Pueblo County Detention Center. He was later released on $40,000
bond.
Rocky Ford suspect pleads guilty in case.
27-year-old Mario Rocha, of Rocky Ford, has plead guilty to multiple charges of illegal
firearms possession and drug trafficking, including possessing controlled substances with
the intent to distribute, knowingly being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition,
and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Investigators found that
Rocha was distributing large amounts of fentanyl, meth and cocaine out of his Rocky
Ford home last August. Rocha's sentencing is scheduled for May 29th.
Interview with Colorado District 47 State Representative Ty Winter.
Continuing with my conversation with District 47 State Representative Ty Winter from
Wednesday, Ty talks about more bills that he is working on this session... (cart cut 1)
District 47 State Representative Ty Winter. I'll have the last part of our conversation on
Monday.
January 29th 2026
Alamosa County elected officials announce intentions to seek re-election.
Four Alamosa County elected officials, Two Republicans and Two Democrats, held a
press conference yesterday to announce each of their intentions to seek re-election.
Republican Arlan Van Ry announced he is running for re-election as an Alamosa County
Commissioner. Republican Amy Mckinley announced she will run for re-election as
Alamosa County Treasurer. Democrat Jason Duncan announced he is running to hold his
appointed position as Alamosa County Assessor following the mid-term resignation of
Sandra Hostetter. and, Democrat Robert Jackson has announced he will seek another
term as Alamosa County Sheriff.
U.S. Census Bureau announces new State of Colorado population number's.
The State of Colorado's population has officially exceeded six million people for the first
time ever, according to The U.S. Census Bureau. As of July 1st of 2025, the census
bureau estimates that the total population of Colorado has reached 6,012,561 people.
That number is estimated to be more than 24,000 more people in Colorado than in 2024.
Since 2020, data shows the population of Colorado has been growing steadily, at a rate of
about a .92% increase year-over-year.
Colorado's snowpack remains at record low levels.
Last weekend's snowstorm did slightly raise the snowpack percentages in Colorado, with
the state now at 58% of median, up from 57% last week, but even with some of the
mountains receiving over a foot of snow, Colorado's snowpack remains at record lows.
By river basin, snowpack currently sits at 68% in the North Platte, 66% in the Yampa &
White, 62% in the South Platte, 60% in The Gunnison, 57% in the Colorado, 53% in The
Upper Rio Grande, 51% in The San Juan & Dolores, and 50% in The Arkansas River
Basin.
Interview with Colorado District 47 State Representative Ty Winter.
I spoke with Colorado District 47 State Representative Ty Winter yesterday. Ty spoke
about this year's legislative session and some of the bills he's sponsoring this year...
(cart cut 1) And we'll have more from State Representative Ty Winter over the next couple of days.