February 12th 2026
3rd Congressional US Rep Hurd joins vote to rescind tariffs on Canada.
3rd Congressional U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd joined with 5 other Republicans last
night to vote to end President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada. The House passed a
resolution disapproving of the emergency that underlies Trump's 25% tariff placed on
Canada by a vote of 219 to 211. The six Republicans voted with almost all Democrats
for the resolution. Hurd said that he had heard from a lot of farmers, agricultural
producers, and manufacturers across the 3rd District that the tariffs are not good for
Colorado. Colorado's other Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank and
Gabe Evans all voted to keep tariffs on Canada in place. All of Colorado's Democratic
house members voted to rescind the tariffs. The resolution now heads to the Senate for
consideration there. If the resolution makes it to the President's desk, it is likely it will be
vetoed.
CO Gov Polis announces appointments to state boards and commissions Monday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced appointments to state boards and commissions
on Monday. Those appointed from our area are as follows: to the automobile theft
prevention board - Brent Nelson and Martin Trujillo, both of Colorado Springs. To the
Colorado aeronautical board - Gigi Dennis of Monte Vista. To the Colorado Scenic and
historic byways commission - Mary Blickham of Pueblo West and Julie Chacon of
Alamosa. To the Colorado Water Conservation Board - Alan Ward of Pueblo, Lorelei
Cloud of Ignacio, and Nathan Coombs of La Jara. To the minority business advisory
council - Julie Rodriguez of Pueblo. To the state board of The Great Outdoors Colorado
trust fund - Krithika Prashant of Colorado Springs. To the 4th Judicial District Judicial
nominating Commission - Ian Kalmanowitz and Audrey Ramos, both of Colorado
Springs. And, to the 10th Judicial District judicial nominating commission - Danita
Alderton and Alexis Romero Stewart, both of Pueblo, and Shawn Contioe Pueblo West.
Custer County student injured by K9 last Thursday.
A Custer County student received minor injuries after being bitten by one of the Custer
County Sheriff's Office K-9s last Thursday. According to The Sheriff's Office, during
an event at the school, several students ran near the K-9 team, startling Zara. Zara then
bit one student, causing minor wounds. The student was checked out at a local medical
clinic. The incident has been reported to The Custer County Public Health Department
and Zara is currently under a standard quarantine period. Zara has had no prior history of
aggression toward children or the public. The sheriff's office says it is reviewing its
policy regarding K-9's at school events.
Well known SLV Accountant cause of death ruled a homicide.
Charles William "Bill" Mcclure, a former Center Town Trustee and well known San Luis
Valley Accountant, died from blunt force injuries to his head. His death has been ruled a
homicide by The El Paso County Coroner's office. According to the report, Mcclure
suffered multiple contusions and abrasions to the front, side and back of his head. He
also had multiple contusions and abrasions on the back of his right hand. The
investigation into Mcclure's killing is continuing, although no new information has been
made available.
Colorado's Snowpack crisis continues to deepen.
With unusually warm temperatures and dry conditions, Colorado's Snowpack crisis
continues to deepen with statewide levels dropping to 52% of median, with The Arkansas
River Basin reaching record-low territory. By river basin, The North Platte is at 63% of
average, The Yampa & White at 60%, The South Platte at 55%, The Gunnison at 53%,
The Colorado at 51%, The Upper Rio Grande at 45%, The San Juan & Dolores at 44%
and The Arkansas at 42% of average. The good news is that not only is snow predicted
to arrive, but a favorable storm track is expected to persist for at least the next two weeks.
February 11th 2026
New bill introduced would ban municipalities from imposing harsher sentences.
A new bill making its way through The Colorado Legislature, HB 1134, has been
introduced by sponsors of last year's HB1147, which was vetoed by Governor Jared
Polis. The vetoed bill would have prevented municipalities from imposing harsher
sentences than the state for the same crimes. The Colorado State Supreme Court ruled in
December that municipalities could not impose harsher sentences than the state. This
year's bill includes provisions from HB1147 not covered in the supreme court case,
including clarifying that municipal court defendants have the same right to counsel as
state-level defendants and requiring that all municipal court proceedings be open to the
public. HB1134, this year's bill, has been assigned to The House Judiciary Committee.
Opponents to proposed ballot measure may head to State Supreme Court.
The Colorado title board, the body that determines whether or not a ballot measure
contains a single subject, has rejected challenges to 8 versions of a push to change
Colorado's flat rate tax to a graduated income tax, thereby increasing taxes on higher
income earners. Opponents argue that the proposal wouldn't just hike taxes on higher-
income individuals, but also on certain small- and medium-sized businesses, and
addresses at least 5 different subjects in the same measure. The proposal would raise
taxes from higher-income earners to pay for K-12 education, child care and health care.
The ballot measure would seek to change both state law and the state constitution,
including a partial repeal of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or Tabor, which mandates a
statewide flat tax rate. Opponents are likely to head to The Colorado Supreme Court to
seek its opinion.
State HAE response officials conclude pathogenic avian influenza response.
State Health, Agriculture and Emergency response officials have concluded their
coordinated response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza detection at a commercial
egg layer operation in Weld County. Official response to the incident wrapped up this
past weekend after disposal activities concluded and no human cases of avian influenza
were identified. As part of precautionary monitoring, The Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment tested four workers who reported mild symptoms. All
test results were negative for Avian flu. There have been no confirmed human cases of
Avian Flu in Colorado since 2024. For more information about avian flu, go to cdphe’s
website at cdphe.colorado.gov.
Huerfano County Democratic Party announces 2026 County caucus and assembly.
The Huerfano County Democratic Party is inviting County Democrats to take part in its
2026 county caucus and assembly, where community members will help shape the future
of the party and decide which candidates move forward to the Democratic Primary
Ballot. Democrats will meet for their county caucus and assembly on Saturday, March
7th. registration will begin at 9am at The Huerfano County Community Center. All
County Democrats are urged to attend. To participate in the caucus, voters must be
registered as Democrats by tomorrow, February 12th. To learn more, visit
huerfanodems.com or contact Larry Patrick at 719-859-2701.
CAIC and CPW highlighting international snowmobile week.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are
highlighting international snowmobile ride day on Saturday, February 14th, and take a
friend snowmobiling week, this week, as a reminder that sharing the sport also means
sharing the responsibility to ride safely. In Colorado, snowmobilers account for about
22% of avalanche fatalities over the past decade, while nationally, that number is closer
to 33%. Before snowmobiling, check out the avalanche forecast by going to
colorado.gov/avalanche, then plan your routes accordingly.