March 5th 2026
CO Gov Polis started political firestorm Tuesday Night over Tina Peters case.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis started a political firestorm Tuesday Night with a post on
his personal X account regarding two former Colorado officials, a Democrat and a
Republican. Polis said that last week, Former State Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a
Democrat, was sentenced to probation and community service after being convicted of
four felonies, including attempt to influence a public official. She must serve two years
of probation, 150 hours of community service and pay a $3,000 fine, to be waived if she
completes an additional 100 hours of community service. Polis notes that Former Mesa
County Clerk Tina Peters, a Republican, was convicted of the exact same felony charge
of attempting to influence a public official, yet peters received a nine year prison
sentence. Polis said that "justice in Colorado and America needs to be applied evenly".
The post is the latest indicator that Polis is leaning toward offering clemency to Peters.
CO State Lawmakers introduce bill to bar Electric Company property takings.
Following months of backlash over Xcel Energy's use of eminent domain in Eastern
Colorado, state lawmakers are advancing legislation that would bar utilities from
initiating property takings until they've secured state approval and all required local
permits. HB26-1278, would require utilities to receive a certificate of public convenience
and necessity from the public utilities commission, as well as all necessary local land use
approvals and permits, before initiating eminent domain proceedings. The legislation has
arisen following Xcel's announced plans for "Colorado's power pathway", a $1.7 billion,
550-mile high-voltage transmission line that would connect the eastern plains to Denver.
Commissioners in both Elbert and El Paso Counties denied Xcel's permit applications
last July. Following the denial, it was discovered that Xcel had already begun eminent
domain proceedings to take resident's property in the path of the proposed line.
Vehicle accident/fire closes North I-25 on Raton Pass yesterday.
The Northbound lanes of Interstate 25 were closed for several hours yesterday afternoon
following a 3 vehicle accident near the top of Raton Pass in New Mexico. According to
Raton fire, firefighters responded to a vehicle fire about 2:30pm yesterday. Upon arrival,
firefighters found a semi-truck and SUV on fire with fuel leaking from the fuel tank on
the semi. Also involved in the accident was a semi carrying a very large steel drag line
bucket. The rear escort vehicle for the wide load was the SUV that was involved in the
accident and fire. The wide load and escort vehicle were reportedly parked on the east
side of the roadway when another northbound semi experienced mechanical issues and
struck the wide load truck and escort vehicle. Four individuals were taken to the hospital
– two with serous injures and two with moderate injuries. The scene was cleared and I-
25 reopened about 5:26pm.
Arrests made in connection to Huerfano County fire.
Collin Bates and Jana Dunn were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the "lascar fire"
in Huerfano County. According to The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office, arrest warrants
were obtained for Bates and Dunn who are believed to be responsible for the fire. The
pair are facing charges of recklessly starting a fire, criminal mischief, second-degree
arson, fourth-degree arson and third-degree trespass. The Lascar Fire was reported just
before 3am on Tuesday, February 24th, off of County Road 651 in a rural part of
Huerfano County south of Rye and northwest of Walsenburg. The investigation into the
fire remains ongoing.
Huerfano County Democratic Caucus to be held this Saturday.
The Huerfano County Democratic Caucus and Assembly will be held this Saturday,
March 7th, at The Huerfano Community Center at 9th and Russell in Walsenburg. All
Huerfano County Democrats are urged to attend. Doors open at 8:30am to register and
the caucus will begin at 9:30am.
March 4th 2026
Legislative leave for State Lawmakers introduced in State Legislature.
Senate Bill 26-087, which was recently introduced into The Colorado State Legislature,
would establish legislative leave protections for members of The Colorado General
Assembly who work other jobs. The bill would require employers to allow lawmakers to
take a leave of absence during the legislative session. Whether that leave is paid or
unpaid is up to the employer, but they would be prohibited from terminating a legislator's
employment for requesting legislative leave. The Colorado Legislative session lasts for
120 days, so lawmakers are not tied to the state capitol all year long. Lawmakers who
began their term before 2025 are paid $43,977, while those who started after receive
$47,561. The bill was assigned to the state, veterans & military affairs committee who
voted yesterday 3-2 to advance the bill to the floor of the senate.
Victim in Alamosa shooting identified.
The victim in the shooting that took place in Alamosa on Sunday, March 1st, has been
identified as Ryan Barnes, 49, of Alamosa. The Alamosa Sheriff's Office and The
Colorado Bureau of Investigation have identified Fernando Rodriguez, 44, of Alamosa,
as a suspect in the shooting. Alamosa County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a
residence in the 3000 block of Lincoln Avenue about 6:20pm on March 1st on the report
of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased male, now identified as Barnes.
Investigators are actively searching for Rodriguez, who is believed to be driving a green
1995 Subaru Station Wagon with Colorado License plate AXO-F61. if you have
information about the incident or the whereabouts of Rodriguez, you’re asked to contact
The Alamosa Sheriff's Office at 719-589-5807.
Silver Cliff woman awarded small claims judgement.
Deborah "Debby" Paraday, of Silver Cliff, was awarded a small claims judgement
yesterday against Cotter family funeral services and Davis mortuary inc., in the amount
of $3,105, which she had previously paid for cremation services to be performed at the
time of her death. Paraday told the court that she had entered into a contract for pre-paid
cremation services on August 21st, 2024. In his ruling, Pueblo County Judge Steven
fieldman stated that while the contract had technically not been breached since Paraday is
not dead, it is clear that Davis Mortuary will be unable to fulfill its contractual
obligations. While Paraday received the judgement, she will now have to find a way to
collect the amount owed.
Dem HD62 Rep Martinez announces re - election campaign.
Democrat Matthew Martinez, from Monte Vista, has announced that he is running for re-
election in Colorado House District 62, which includes The San Luis Valley, Huerfano
County and part of the City of Pueblo. Martinez says he wants to continue being a
"strong voice" for Southern Colorado during, what would be his 3rd two-year term at the
Colorado State Capitol. Evans Gonzalez, the owner of Super Market Gonzalez in Pueblo,
a Republican, has announced his bid to challenge Martinez for the seat. Running a
downtown Pueblo business, Gonzalez says he is concerned that state legislation has made
it difficult for local law enforcement to do their jobs.
CDOT issues reminder that chain laws still in effect.
The Colorado Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers who fall under
Colorado's chain laws that those laws are still very much in effect in spite of the fact that
Colorado hasn't seen that much snow this season. Under Colorado's chain law and
passenger vehicle traction law, truckers are required to carry chains and ATD’s on the
following roads, regardless of weather, though May 31st: I-70 from Morrison to Utah,
Colorado 9 from Frisco to Fairplay, US40 from Empire to Utah, US50 from Salida to
Utah, US160 from Walsenburg to the New Mexico border, US285 from Morrison to New
Mexico, and all of US550.
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