April 14th 2026
House Bill to prohibit colorimetric field test arrests passes CO Legislature.
House Bill 26-1020, a bill that prohibits law enforcement from arresting an individual for
a level 1 drug misdemeanor based solely on a positive colorimetric field drug test, was
signed into law last month after passing both the State House and Senate unanimously,
making Colorado the first state in the nation to prohibit arrests based solely on
colorimetric drug tests, also known as field drug tests. To conduct these tests, the
suspected substance is placed into a small bag and shaken. The contents of the bag
change color if an illicit substance is identified. However, research has found false-
positive rates as high as almost 40% in some cases. It is estimated that about 300
Coloradans have been arrested on drug charges each year resulting from the tests’ use.
The new law now prohibits law enforcement from arresting an individual based solely on
a positive colorimetric field drug test.
Gov Polis issues disaster emergency for Schwachheim Fire.
Governor Jared Polis yesterday afternoon issued a disaster emergency in response to a
fire that is burning south of Trinidad near the Colorado-New Mexico border. What is
being called the "Schwachheim fire" began on Sunday in Las Animas County and has
since grown to more than 450 acres. The fire, located in the Lake Dorothy State Wildlife
area, is being battled by firefighters from The Hoehne Fire Protection District and The
Raton Fire Department. The verbal disaster emergency declaration activates the state
emergency operations plan and directs the department of public safety to take the
necessary actions to assist in response, recovery and mitigation efforts. That support
includes engine and hand crews, aerial resources and a type three incident management
team to manage incident response efforts. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed The
Lake Dorothy State Wildlife area to the public, effective immediately.
Custer County Commissioner arrested on tax evasion charges.
Custer County Commissioner Bill Canda has been arrested on a felony tax evasion
charge following a months-long investigation by The Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
According to The Custer County Sheriff's Office, a warrant was issued Friday for Canda
who later turned himself in to The Custer County Jail. Canda was then charged with one
count of tax evasion, a class 6 felony, and was released after posting a $1,250 bond. The
arrest stems from an investigation by CBIi, which began back in August of 2025, at the
request of The Custer County Sheriff's Office. According to CBI, the allegations against
Canda center around whether he improperly used a county tax-exempt certificate to
purchase materials for his private business, talon earthworks, rather than for public use.
City of Raton announces opening of baby box.
The City of Raton announced yesterday that it has opened its first baby box at Raton Fire
Rescue on Clark Avenue. The box gives parents a safe way to give up a baby when they
can no longer care for the baby. The climate-controlled box has an alarm system that
alerts people inside the fire station when someone places a baby inside. It also dispenses
resource packets for parents after they close the door. The box is the 15th baby box in the
State of New Mexico. There are almost 500 baby boxes located across the United States.
CDLA announces rental assistance applications being taken.
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs has announced that applications for the April
round of emergency rental assistance in Colorado are now being taken. The program
helps Coloradans who've fallen behind on rent. You can receive up to 7 months of rent,
or $10,000. Your income cannot exceed 60% of the median income. Applicants are
entered into a random selection and then will be sent an email to complete a full
application on the online portal. The window is open now until 5pm tomorrow. To fill
out an application, go to doh.colorado.gov/emergency-rental-assistance.
April 13th 2026
CO Rep Bottoms and Victor Marx win spots on Republican Primary ballot.
State Rep. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx both of Colorado Springs, both won spots in
The Colorado Republican Party's Gubernatorial primary at the party assembly held on
Saturday in Pueblo. State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer of Brighton is also running for
Governor but didn't participate in the party assembly. Instead she has submitted
signatures to qualify for the primary. Bottoms finished with 45% of the delegate vote.
Marx came in second at 39%, both above the 30% required to make the ballot. Teller
County Sheriff Jason Mikesell received 12%. The remaining candidates all came in
under 1%. The Republican who wins the June 30th primary will face the winner of the
Democratic primary, pitting U.S. Senator Michael Bennet against Attorney General Phil
Weiser, in the fall. Current Governor Jared Polis is term limited.
CO State House passes state budget Saturday.
The Colorado State House on Saturday, after four days of work, passed the $46.8 billion
2026-27 state budget, contained in House bill 1410, along with 64 accompanying
measures designed to help balance the budget, by a vote of 43-19. Joint budget
committee member Rep. Rick Taggart, of Grand Junction, was the only Republican in the
house to vote for the bill. One of those amendments was offered by Assistant Minority
Leader Rep. Ty Winter of Trinidad and Rep. Megan Lukens, of Steamboat Springs, and
would remove the ability of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to use $264,238 in general fund
dollars to acquire more wolves for the state's troubled wolf reintroduction program.
CPW would still retain those funds, but could only use them for wolf program
management, including conflict minimization. Winter called the program a failure and
said people were lied to about the program. The amendment passed. The bill now moves
on the State Senate for consideration there.
NPS break ground on Great Sand Dunes project Friday.
The National Park Service broke ground on Friday on an approximately $14 million
project to rehabilitate employee housing at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and
Preserve. Funded by the Great American Outdoors act legacy restoration fund, the
project will rehabilitate 13 existing park housing units located within the park. These
units, originally built in the 1960s, support more than 25 park employees and their
families. The project will upgrade fire protection and wastewater systems, address water
damage, update both interior and exterior finishes, and ensure units meet accessibility
standards.
Contractors to spray forest sites in Pike National forest.
Contractors will be spraying 17 forest service recreation sites on the Pike National Forest
in an effort to minimize impact from mountain pine beetles. Treatment is expected to
begin as soon as today, weather dependent, and last until April 23rd. Many of the sites are
campgrounds, which are currently closed for the season, so impacts to visitors should be
minimal. Forest service staff will be on site during spraying operations for safety and
contract inspection. Trees were selected for protection based on tree health, aesthetic
value and the ability to provide shade and animal habitat. During the treatment, the
public will be asked to avoid each area for 24 hours after spraying.
Alamosa PD participating in DEA Drug take back day this Saturday.
The Alamosa Police Department is participating in The DEA National Prescription Drug
take back day on Saturday, April 25th, from 10am to 2pm. Safely and anonymously
dispose of unneeded medications at City Market at 131 Market Street in Alamosa, or at
Walgreens at 1203 Main Street in Alamosa. For more details, visit deatakeback.com or
contact the Alamosa Police Department by calling 719-589-2548.
April 10th 2026
US Senator Hickenlooper's campaign announces campaign finances.
United States Senator John Hickenlooper's campaign has announced that it raised almost
$1.4 million in the first quarter of this year, and that it plans to report more than $4
million on hand as the campaign heads into Colorado's June Primary. Hickenlooper, a
first-term Democrat, has raised a total of about $9 million since Hickenlooper took office
in 2021. Hickenlooper is facing a primary against State Senator Julie Gonzales of
Denver who reported raising nearly $180,000 in the final quarter of 2025. Gonzales has
not yet filed a fundraising report for 1st quarter. Six Republicans are also running for the
seat. The top fundraiser among them reported raising less than $500,000 last year. None
have yet filed a report covering 1st quarter. First quarter fundraising reports aren't due to
the federal election commission until April 15th.
Former State Rep Hanks announces primary challenger to Rep Hurd.
Former Republican State Representative Ron Hanks says he plans to challenge first-term
U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd in the 3rd Congressional District Primary by seeking a spot
on the June ballot at the Republican District Assembly in Pueblo today. Hanks lost the
nomination to Hurd in the 2024 primary. Hanks described Hurd as opposed to President
Trump and says the district's delegates are "furious" at Hurd's record. Hurd has opted to
submit petition signatures to qualify for the primary. With Hurd not going through the
assembly process, that leaves an opening for another Republican, and Hanks says he's
taking it. Alex Kelloff, a former investment executive, and Dwayne Romero, a business
owner, are facing off in the Democratic Primary for the 3rd district.
I-25 accident north of Walsenburg claims life of child.
A child died as part of an accident on Interstate 25 about 8 miles north of Walsenburg
yesterday afternoon. According to The Colorado State Patrol, troopers responded to a
one-vehicle crash near The Huerfano Butte around 3:15pm yesterday. The 2024 Jeep
Compass was northbound when the vehicle failed to navigate a right-hand curve and
traveled off the left side of the road. The left rear door was damaged and opened up, and
a female child who was not buckled in was thrown from the vehicle. She died at the
scene. The jeep then reportedly continued forward before coming to a stop in the center
median. The driver, a 31-year-old woman, and a juvenile male were both taken to the
hospital with unknown injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Alamosa man arrested in connection to Maverik robbery.
Sergio Mauri, 35, of Alamosa, was arrested in connection with a robbery that took place
at The Maverik Convenience Store at 3141 Main Street in Alamosa, during the early
morning hours of Wednesday, April 8th. According to Alamosa Police, officers were
dispatched to the store about 2:07am Wednesday after receiving a report of a robbery that
had just occurred. An employee reported that a male entered the store wearing a black
hoodie and black sweatpants. He appeared to be concealing a rifle on his back
underneath his clothing. He approached the counter, demanded access to the cash
register and requested cigarettes. When the employee refused to open the register, the
man went behind the counter, took approximately 5 packs of cigarettes, and left the store
on foot. Mauri was identified as the suspect. He was arrested at 9:46pm Wednesday
night at a residence in the 800 block of Maroon Drive. He has been charged with
aggravated robbery, theft, and violating a restraining order.
Huerfano County Firefighters responded to structure fire in Walsenburg Tuesday Night.
Huerfano County Firefighters responded to a structure fire around 8:55pm on Tuesday in
The City of Walsenburg. Upon arrival on the scene, firefighters found the house at 713
S. Hendren engulfed in fire. The house has reportedly been vacant for years and
squatters are reported to have occupied the structure from time to time. The garage and
the rear part of the house were a total loss, with significant damage to the entire structure.
the fire was extinguished by 10:30pm Tuesday. The cause of the fire has not yet been
determined.
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