KSPK NEWS
September 16th 2026
CO Rep Gov Candidate Marx explained potential fines campaign is facing yesterday.
Colorado Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Victor Marx yesterday took to X to
explain the potential $51,000 in fines his campaign is facing from The Colorado
Secretary of State for excessive contributions. Marx says he hates that his campaign
finance troubles have become a "distraction". The Secretary of State alleges that Marx's
campaign accepted at least 204 contributions over Colorado's $1,450 per-person
contribution limit, totaling $83,560 from 111 different contributors. Marx says "we're
not going to pretend we're perfect, or we're not going to pretend we've been anything but
honest". After receiving more than 44,000 contributions, Marx explained that he has
only two people handling his campaign finances. Marx says his campaign "disclosed the
problem, we worked to fix it, we'll return the money and we'll continue to be transparent
about it". Marx's campaign violation hearing concluded on Monday, with a final
decision expected in the next week. The state is asking for a base penalty of $28,767 for
the contribution-limit violations plus a 75% aggravating fee, and an additional $1,104 is
due for the excessive cash donations, bringing the total fine being sought to $51,427.
FEMA approves millions in post disaster funding for Colorado.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has approved $90 million in
post-disaster funding for projects across Colorado. The funding is through the public
assistance program and hazard mitigation grant program. Projects to be funded in our
area include: $2.6 million to the city of Colorado Springs for multiple projects to repair a
water drainage system and embankments. More than $8 million to Colorado Springs for
the cottonwood creek floodplain restoration project. And, more than $2.9 million for the
Monument creek stabilization project to reduce severe erosion and flood risks for the
community and to improve water quality.
CO Judicial Department temporarily suspended livestreaming of criminal proceedings yesterday.
The Colorado Judicial Department yesterday temporarily suspended the livestreaming of
criminal proceedings in state trial courts, citing the misuse of livestream content and
growing disruptions to virtual courtrooms. Colorado State Supreme Court Chief Justince
Monica Marques issued the directive yesterday, establishing a 90-day, statewide pause in
the livestreaming of criminal proceedings. The temporary pause is intended to give
officials time to address problems that have worsened over the past two years, including
the misuse of livestreamed court content and disruptions to virtual proceedings. Officials
say they will provide updates throughout the 90-day period and will continue working
with members of the media covering the state court system.
CDPHE announces potential measles exposure from international visitor.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is alerting Coloradans after
an international visitor to the state had a confirmed case of measles. According to
CDPHE, the visitor had been in several places in Boulder, Westminster and Lafeyette
between Tuesday, September 8th and Friday, September 11th. Symptoms of measles
usually start with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. It is then followed by a rash
that usually begins on the face and spreads down the body. Go to the CDPHE website for
more information on exposure locations at cdphe.colorado.gov.
Crowley County officials announces Pueblo sewage spill has arrived in Lake Meredith.
Crowley County officials on Monday announced that the sewage spill from the City of
Pueblo's wastewater facility has traveled from The Arkansas River to Lake Meredith in
Ordway. Out of an abundance of caution, Crowley County is advising the public to avoid
contact with the water at Lake Meredith, including swimming, wading, fishing or other
recreational activities. The notice will be updated when additional information or testing
becomes available.
September 15th 2026
US Supreme Court leaves mail in voting unchanged for this year's election.
The United States Supreme Court yesterday decided to put off considering the restrictions
the Trump Administration wanted put on mail-in voting for this year's midterm election,
meaning that Colorado mail voting will be unchanged for the November 3rd election.
Currently, nearly one-third of the nation, including Colorado, votes by mail. The Trump
Administration had sought to require The U.S. Postal Service to add special labeling to
mail-in ballots, to require states to adopt a uniform envelope style and submit lists of
eligible voters to an online portal. Election officials have said that there was no way to
carry out a complete overhaul in the weeks prior to the midterms. The Trump
Administration maintains that mail-in voting creates more opportunities for corruption
and fraud. The high court may take up the case again following the election.
Colorado joins another lawsuit against the Trump Administration.
Colorado has joined 21 other states and The District of Columbia in another lawsuit
against The Trump Administration that targets a rule that allows immigration agents to
consider more factors in deciding green card applications. The proposed rule change
centers on "public charge", which allows the government to deny a green card to a person
who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for assistance.
Immigration officers have weighed only cash benefits previously. The Trump
Administration would broaden what officers can consider. The lawsuit argues that the
administration exceeded its authority by attempting to rewrite more than 140 years of
immigration law. The new rule takes effect on Friday. It is unclear if the lawsuit will
delay its implementation.
Pueblo officials released more information about the August sewage discharge yesterday.
Pueblo officials released more information about the unplanned sewage discharge into
The Arkansas River last month yesterday. According to city officials,the discharge was
discovered when the monitored average flow at the treatment plant was 3 million gallons
lower than what it should have been for August 26th. This was discovered on August 27th.
After the city was able to identify the cause for the missing flow volume, it took two
hours to divert and stop the release of untreated sewage into The Arkansas River. A
release then occurred due to the configuration of two sewer pipes: a 48-inch sanitary
sewer pipe installed inside a 102-inch brick storm sewer pipe. The unplanned sewage
discharge occurred after the 48-inch pipe was put under pressure, causing a patch to fail.
CDPHE says there is no threat to drinking water supplies.
CPW officers investigating multiple reported black bear attacks.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating two reported black bear attacks
that took place last weekend. According to CPW, the first incident was reported around
6:22am on Friday, September 11th, after a woman called The South Fork Police
Department saying she had been bitten earlier that morning. The woman told officers she
was inside her tent at the park creek campground when she was bitten through the fabric.
A puncture wound on her right arm was consistent with a black bear bite. The second
incident took place in Durango at a condo on Escalante Drive near Home Depot. A 17-
year-old woman reported that around 2am Sunday, a black bear entered her bedroom
window that was cracked open. After the bear sniffed and swiped at her, she screamed,
causing the bear to go back outside, although he then came back in again, but exited the
room following more screaming and yelling. Neither bear has been caught.
Carson NF managers seeking public comments on headwaters project.
Carson National Forest managers are seeking public comments on the proposed action
and draft environmental assessment for The Truchas to Upper Costilla headwaters active
management project. Comments can be submitted through October 8th by going to
www.fs.usda.gov/ro3/carson/projects/377818.
September 14th 2026
Prop 81 Opponents gathered outside CO State Capitol Thursday.
Opponents of Proposition 81 gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday to
oppose a ballot measure that would require state and local law enforcement to cooperate
with federal immigration authorities, if it is approved by voters in November. Put
forward by Advance Colorado, Proposition 81 would require local law enforcement
agencies to notify immigration and customs enforcement when they charge a person who
is in the country illegally with a violent crime or when the individual has previously been
charged with a felony. The requirement also applies when the person's legal status
cannot be determined. Advance Colorado says that under a recent state law, an officer
faces a fine of up to $50,000 for choosing to report a violent offender to federal
authorities. The Colorado ACLU says approving Proposition 81 would make
communities less safe, particularly under the current administration.
Black Hills Energy announces Pueblo battery storage build to move Forward.
Black Hills Energy has announced that it is moving forward with construction of a 50-
megawatt battery storage facility at its Pueblo airport generating station. The project,
called the Pueblo Battery resource, was approved by the Colorado Public Utilities
commission in 2025 as part of the company's 2022 clean energy plan filing, according to
the announcement. With 50 megawatts of battery storage capacity, the four-hour battery
storage system will be charged with excess renewable energy provided by other Black
Hills Energy renewable resource generation, the company said. Each day, the cost-
effective resource will be charged and available to serve 200 megawatt-hours of customer
peak demand, according to the company.
Del Norte BOT approved moratorium on use of flock cameras.
The Del Norte Board of Trustees has approved a multi-year moratorium on the
installation and use of license plate reader cameras in the town of Del Norte while
officials take a closer look at the technology, its accuracy and the legal questions
surrounding its use. The decision comes after such cameras have become a growing
topic of conversation in communities across Colorado. Del Norte Police Chief Frank
Archuleta told the board that he has no intention of requesting the use of or installation of
flock cameras any time soon. The board indicated that the moratorium will allow the
town time to gather more information before making any long-term decision on whether
or not the cameras should be allowed within the town limits.
Tunnel to towers foundation announced late EMS Paramedic home mortgage paid off Friday.
The tunnel to towers foundation announced on Friday that it has paid off the mortgage on
the home of Custer County EMS Paramedic Alfredo Fernandez who died in a crash in
2024. Fernandez was killed on his way to work on October 19th of 2024 when he was
involved in a car crash. He had served for more than 10 years working in Florida,
Denver and as a flight medic for flight for life in Colorado before he came to Custer
County. He left behind his wife and daughter. In all, the foundation paid off homes for
55 families in 18 states to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th.
Bear reports see drastic increase this year due to extraordinary drought and fire year.
Given the extraordinary drought and fire year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have
been responding to a drastic increase in bear reports from the public. While wildlife
officers work to manage and mitigate human-bear interactions statewide, relocation and
euthanization options are exercised for bears that have been hit by motor vehicles, are
found suffering from poor health and body condition, have attacked humans, or have
entered homes or other structures. There have been 8,672 reports of bear-related
sightings and incidents as of the end of august, compared to 3,680 reports through last
August. This year, 98 bears have been relocated, compared to 33 bears last year. 294
bears have been euthanized this year, compared to 83 bears last year.
September 11th 2026
Denver judge rules CO SOS Libertarian nominee will appear on ballot.
A Denver judge ruled last week that The Colorado Libertarian Party's pick for Secretary
of State will appear on the November ballot after the party's original nominee withdrew
one day after the deadline to replace minor party candidates. Denver District Court Judge
Adam J. Espinosa approved a motion filed by Sean Vadney asking that state election
officials list the 26-year-old highlands ranch resident as the libertarian nominee,
concluding that the party met the appropriate "substantial compliance" standard with
legal requirements for parties to fill ballot vacancies. Vadney will face Democrat
Amanda Gonzales, the Jefferson County Clerk, and Republican James Wiley, a former
libertarian, for the office held by term-limited Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
Candidates for The American Constitution Party and Forward Party will also be included
on ballots.
CPW announces another wolf killing yesterday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced yesterday that staff has killed an uncollared
female yearling wolf from the one ear pack after confirming that she had been killing
livestock in Grand County. That makes 3 wolves from 3 separate packs having been
killed in the past three days. The 3 new deaths bring Colorado's two-year wolf mortality
total to 20. CPW says the yearling wolf was killed as a management action after
continued depredation during an evaluation period following a previous removal on
August 4th, despite producers using all available nonlethal deterrents. Officials had hoped
that the August removal would curb the pack's behavior, but it did not. The wolf killed
Wednesday was responsible for seven livestock deaths that occurred after the first
removal from the pack.
Alamosa County Democrats to host fundraiser next Saturday.
Alamosa County Democrats will host its second annual potluck dinner and decadent
dessert fundraiser on Saturday, September 19th, from 5:30pm to 8pm at The Shooting
Stars Cultural Center in Alamosa at 807 Ross Avenue. Admission is $20 per person. To
donate food items to the potluck and/or dessert auction, contact Mary Delorenzo at
marydelorenzo01@msn.com, or call 505-660-7816.
CPW euthanize lethargic bear in Durango.
A bear in Durango was euthanized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials after they say
it ingested too much trash. According to CPW, the bear was incredibly bloated and
weighed around 300 pounds. CPW officers took a report on Saturday of a black bear
behind someone's home that appeared lethargic. When officers arrived, they noticed the
bear moaning, and unable to move other than standing up and pivoting. Officers decided
to euthanize the bear. Then, officers conducted a field necropsy and found the bear's
stomach and upper intestine completely blocked with trash. The bear was around 18
years old. CPW reminds all Coloradans to properly secure trash to avoid any human-bear
conflicts.
Trinidad Middle School teacher one of 8 finalists for CO Teacher Of The Year Award.
Jessie Russett, a sixth-grade english language arts teacher at Trinidad Middle School, was
informed in her classroom on September 1st that she is one of 8 finalists for the 2027
Colorado teacher of the year award. Only 8 finalists were selected for the award by The
Colorado Department of Education from 300 applications across 76 school districts.
Russett is being recognized for her dedication to students and her contributions to the
school community. The announcement of the winner will take place next month.
September 10th 2026
State of Colorado joins new lawsuits against the Trump Administration.
The State of Colorado has joined a coalition of states to challenge the Trump
Administration - this time on proposed rules regarding the endangered species act. The
pair of lawsuits challenge new rules that, the lawsuits say, would make it easier for
private companies to modify or degrade the habitats of threatened and endangered
species. The first lawsuit challenges a recent rule that changed the definition of "harm"
under the endangered species act. The second lawsuit challenges two proposed rule
changes that seek to rescind regulations that automatically protect newly listed threatened
species and create a new process for designating areas as "critical habitat". To date,
Colorado has filed, or joined 82 lawsuits against The Trump Administration since
January of 2025.
Alamosa County Commissioners approved new data center build yesterday.
Alamosa County Commissioners yesterday approved a container-based data center
proposed by Strata Inc. of Boulder for the Mosca-Hooper area. Commissioners listened
to testimony from residents concerned that approval would lead to more and larger data
centers, along with others who supported Strata and its approach to constructing data
centers. Strata plans to construct an initial 12 containers, with a full build-out of 21
containers, that would consume a total of 3 megawatts of power. The data center will be
constructed 1.75 miles southeast of Hooper on two acres of an 80-acre parcel. The exact
customer base for the data center has not yet been determined. Commissioners Lori
Laske and Vern Heersink voted for the project. Arlan Van Ry, who is up for re-election
in November, was the lone vote in opposition.
Custer County and Saguache County SAR rescue climber after a fall Monday.
Custer County Search and Rescue, along with Saguache County Search and Rescue,
performed a technical rope rescue on Monday after a climber fell on Crestone Needle.
According to Custer County, a man was with a group of five people descending from the
summit when he was seriously injured in a fall around 11am. Other members of his
group and nearby climbers witnessed the fall, called 911, and also provided assistance.
When search and rescue crews reached the climber, he was unconscious, but was still
breathing. Flight for life helped the technical rope rescue team at Cottonwood Lake
begin the ascent to reach the injured man. The team safely extracted the man by 3:44pm.
No details about the climber's condition have been released.
Natural gas leak that occured in Walsenburg yesterday now fixed.
A natural gas leak in the vicinity of west 7th and 8th Streets in Walsenburg yesterday was
actively being worked by the Huerfano County Fire Department and the Walsenburg
Police Department. Black Hills Energy was also called in to find and stop the leak. Fire
and police planned to go door-to-door to households that were impacted if any
evacuations were necessary. Huerfano County announced that the gas leak had been
resolved by late yesterday. No further information about the leak was made available.
Alamosa Police asking for assistance in locating missing man.
The Alamosa Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Louis Chavez,
who was last seen on or around Saturday, September 5th. Chavez was last known to be in
Saguache County around 10:45pm on Sunday, September 6th. He is believed to be
driving a Grey 2021 Jeep Gladiator with Colorado License Plate FXB-F16. Anyone with
any information regarding the whereabouts of Louis Chavez or his vehicle is asked to call
Alamosa Police at 719-589-2548, or Alamosa Dispatch at 719-589-5807.
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