February 13th 2025
State of Colorado officially terminates contract with medride once again.
Following a suspension of service, then a reinstatement, the State of Colorado has now
terminated its contract with medride entirely. The Colorado Department of Health Care
policy and financing put medride on a corrective performance plan in November with
time to correct specific issues, however, the state says it did not correct the problems.
The state is accusing medride of engaging in a "pattern of abuse". The department is also
accusing medride of failing to submit documentation for more than 5,000 insurance
claims and things like incomplete paperwork on eligibility of patients, duplicate claims,
incorrect birth dates, and members who weren't covered by their claim. Medride has
been providing medicaid patients with non-emergency rides to doctors' appointments and
other medical services. Medride is allowed to appeal the termination within the next 30
days.
Colorado State legislature update with CO House D47 Rep Winter.
I spoke with Colorado House District 47 Representative Ty Winter yesterday regarding
some of the legislation making its way through the state legislature this year. Here’s
what Ty said about energy in Southern Colorado… (Interview Segment 1). and we’ll have more of
the conversation with Ty Winter tomorrow.
Semi versus snow plow crash on I-25 leaves one dead.
A semi-truck driver is dead following a crash with a snow plow just before 5am
yesterday morning on interstate 25 just north of Walsenburg. According to the colorado
State Patrol, the preliminary investigation revealed that the semi-truck driver struck the
back of the CDOT snow plow on I-25 near milemarker 57. The driver of the semi was
pronounced dead at the scene. The snow plow driver was taken to the hospital. CSP is
asking that anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have any information that hasn't
been shared with investigators, please call CSP Dispatch at 719-544-2424. Neither driver
involved in the crash has been identified. The CSP vehicular crimes unit is conducting
the investigation into the cause of the crash.
House first south of Pueblo fully destroys home Tuesday night.
A house fire south of Pueblo, and fully visible to drivers on Interstate 25, fully destroyed
a home on Tuesday night on wantland lane, just south of the Burnt Mill Road exit.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, deputies and firefighters arrived on
scene shortly after 5pm Tuesday, finding the home already fully engulfed in flames. It
took firefighters several hours to get the fire under control. No one was at home at the
time the fire broke out and no injures have been reported. The home is a total loss.
While the fire investigation is not yet complete, investigators say the fire appears to have
begun in the area of the chimney.
February 12th 2025
Harsher penalties on fentanyl offenses bill postponed indefinitely by Senate committee.
A bill that would have proposed harsher criminal penalties on offenses involving fentanyl
was postponed indefinitely on Monday night by a vote of 4-3 in the Senate Judiciary
Committee. SB25-044, the synthetic opiates criminal penalties bill, aimed to increase the
penalties for people accused of manufacturing, selling or distributing, or possession with
intent to distribute, anything that contained Fentanyl, Carfentanil or Benzimidazole
Opiate. If passed, those accused of such crimes would have faced a level 1 drug felony.
The bill also set out to remove provisions in the law that could reduce criminal penalties.
Proponents say the state needs harsher penalties to better hold drug dealers accountable.
Opponents say harsher penalties would only add to a harmful cycle of incarceration and
make the problem worse. The bill was postponed, in part, due to the projected financial
impact, accounting for tens of millions of dollars over the next few years.
CO Gov Polis, CPW and GOC announced grant recipients yesterday.
Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado
yesterday announced grant recipients for the outdoor regional partnerships initiative
awarding $1.17 million to coalitions around the state to ensure that Colorado's wildlife,
recreation opportunities and outdoor resources thrive into the future. This round of
awards will support 8 regional partnerships located across the state. In our area, grants
included: $181,000 to San Luis Valley great outdoors to support partnership
coordination, marketing and communication; $250,000 to the Spanish Peaks Outdoor
Coalition to develop a comprehensive, community-driven plan for wildlife and cultural
heritage preservation; and, $126,825 to the wet mountain valley outdoors coalition to
support a facilitated process to establish the new coalition.
Bombs found inside storage container in Hooper this week.
Two bombs were found inside a storage container in Hooper this week after an individual
purchased the contents of the storage container sight unseen. According to the Alamosa
County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the hooper area on the report of
several bombs being discovered, a 60 mm mortar and a pipe bomb. The Pueblo police
department bomb squad and several members of the U.S. Air Force were called in for
detonation. Both bombs were safely removed from the storage unit and were taken to an
isolated area where they were safely detonated. No one was injured in the incident. The
incident is currently under investigation.
Alamosa Police search warrant leads to arrest.
Shawn Dashen, 48, of Trinidad, has been arrested for manslaughter of an at-risk adult.
According to Trinidad police, police received a call about a person asking for medical
assistance along church street in Trinidad on December 21st. That person, Joseph
Michael, 78, later died as a result of their injuries. After reviewing security footage of
the area and conducting an investigation, investigators identified Dashen as their main
suspect. The Las Animas County Coroner ruled that Michael died as a result of blunt
force trauma to the head. Dashen is being held at the Las Animas County Detention
Center on charges of manslaughter and crimes against an at-risk adult, both class 4
felonies. He is being held on $20,000 bond.
City of Alamosa announces walmart intersection to become 4 way stop.
The City of Alamosa has announced that, beginning next Tuesday, February 18th, the
intersection of Clark street and Del Sol drive near Walmart will become a four-way stop.
two new stop signs will be installed at the intersection, in addition to the two that are
already in place. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution due to the change in traffic
flow. For questions and more information, contact the Alamosa Public Works
Department by calling 719-589-6631.
February 11th 2025
Gun owners met in Lakewood to oppose new Senate bill Saturday.
Gun owners met in Lakewood on Saturday morning to oppose Colorado Senate bill 25-
003, the semiautomatic firearms & rapid-fire devices bill, that aims to ban semi-
automatic guns with detachable magazines. The bill is sponsored by Democratic State
Senators Tom Sullivan and Julie Gonzales and is the first of its kind in the U.S. Under
the proposed legislation, so-called assault weapons would be allowed as long as they
have fixed magazines. Proponents say it will make Colorado safer. Opponents say the
change in the assault weapon's design is a safety concern for users. The bill is also
experiencing some difficulties as it moves through the legislature - lawmakers postponed
the bill's second hearing and it has already lost support from one democratic co-sponsor.
the bill's next hearing will take place on Thursday.
CDHC lifts suspension on medrides yesterday.
The Colorado Department of health care policy and financing yesterday officially lifted
its suspension on medrides, according to a company spokesperson. Medride provides
medicaid patients with non-emergency rides to doctors' appointments and other medical
services. Last week, health first Colorado suspended its contract with Medride after
documents showed that HCPF believed the company had been committing fraud, and
allegedly found filed claims had been missing member signatures, missing dates and
times, or were missing entire columns. Medride says that while the suspension has been
lifted, it working closely with HCPF to be fully reinstated as a medicaid transportation
service provider and resume its medicaid service offerings.
Global Business Development Divison announces expansion into Colorado Springs.
The global business development division of the Colorado office of economic
development and international trade and Governor Jared Polis announced yesterday that
Digantara, an international space company, has chosen to expand in Colorado Springs.
Polis says that Digantara is a leading space surveillance and intelligence company that
specializes in space domain awareness. The company, which is based in India, develops
space surveillance systems that manage increasing orbital traffic and enhances space
operations through orbital insights. The company will bring 61 new jobs to Colorado
Springs. The job additions will include software engineers, systems engineers, business
developers, human resources and financial roles.
Alamosa Police search warrant leads to arrest.
Three people were arrested after Alamosa Police executed a search warrant at 513 Brown
Avenue last Thursday. The residence was under investigation after police received
multiple complaints of heavy foot and vehicle traffic, indicative of drug dealing activity,
and observing known drug associates frequenting the location. Detectives discovered
stolen property, high-capacity rifle magazines, drug paraphernalia and items used in the
distribution of narcotics at the residence. During the operation, Susan Gonzales, 57, of
Alamosa, was arrested and charged with shoplifting from a separate incident. Perry
Lovato, 49, of New Mexico, was arrested on an active felony warrant and possession of a
controlled substance. Matthew Cantu, 42, of Alamosa, was arrested on multiple active
felony warrants. All were taken to the Alamosa County Jail. The investigation into the
residence and those involved is ongoing.
CPW temporarily designates golden mussels a highly invasive species.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife last week temporarily designated golden mussels a highly
invasive mussel species, as an acquatic nuisance species. While golden mussels have not
yet been found in Colorado, the designation will provide CPW with the necessary
authority to prevent its introduction into the state. The temporary designation will last 9
months. During that time, CPW will consider more long-term regulatory solutions.
February 10th 2025
Solo Gray Wolf entered Teller County Saturday Night.
A solo female gray wolf entered Teller County on Saturday night and was last tracked in
the Florissant Fossil beds area yesterday, according to a Teller County resident and
hunting guide. Colorado Parks and Wildlife would only confirm that a wolf has made
movements into southeast region watersheds that include Park, Teller and Fremont
Counties. Information as to whether or not the wolf has remained in the area was not
made available. While at least one wolf had been tracked in the Canon City area last
month, this is the first time a wolf has been spotted in Teller County. CPW completed its
second release for the state’s gray wolf reintroduction plan on January 19th. CPW says it
expects wolves to expand their distribution throughout Colorado widely over time as their
population numbers grow.
Alamosa City Council unanimously approves new ordinance.
The Alamosa City Council last week approved ordinance number 1-2025 by a unanimous
vote. The new ordinance creates a regional swat team. Prior to the vote, Alamosa Police
officers briefed the council again on the origin of the proposal for a regional swat team.
The Alamosa Police Department swat team is already functioning as an inter agency
governmental team and assists law enforcement across the San Luis Valley. The new
ordinance formalizes the existing swat team as an inter agency governmental team and
therefore opens up other revenue streams, brings in more funding, brings in more officers
and increases buy-in. No comments were received from the public prior to the vote.
Pueblo Police Department offering tips to avoid credit card skimmers.
Following the discovery of multiple credit card skimmers around the City of Pueblo, the
Pueblo Police Department is offering tips on how you can protect yourself from credit
card skimmers. Card skimmers capture data from your credit or ebit cards via a device
that is hidden on legitimate card readers. Pueblo police say... always use the tap-to-pay
option whenever possible, always check for tampering on card readers, cover your pin
when entering, use atm's located in secure areas, report any suspicious activity
immediately, and sign up for alerts from your bank to stay informed.
Colorado City death being attributed to a dog attack.
The death of Lavonne Hoff, 76, of Colorado City, is being attributed to a dog attack,
according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. Sheriffs deputies arrived at a residence
in the 4800 block of Jefferson Boulevard in Colorado City last Monday around 5:30pm
and found Hoff "unresponsive". Deputies found several dogs loose inside the home and
at least a dozen more dogs in cages. The animals have been taken in by animal law
enforcement in collaboration with the sheriff's office. The investigation into Hoff's
death remains ongoing and no further information was released.
Las Animas County Sheriffs Office asking for public's help in locating missing man.
The Las Animas County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a
missing man. According to the sheriff's office, 39-year-old Eddy Santillanes was last
seen a week ago yesterday in the 34000 block of County Road 20.8, southwest of the City
of Trinidad. Santillanes has a tattoo of a wolf on the right side of his neck, a pine tree on
his outer right hand, three dots on his forehead and several other tattoos on his hands and
arms. If you have information about Santillanes, or know his whereabouts, you are asked
to call the Las Animas County Sheriff's office at 719-846-2211, or dial 911.
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