KSPK NEWS
July 15th 2026
Crews continue work on Aspen Acres Fire.
The Aspen Acres Fire has burned just over 99,000 acres with 36% containment as of last
night. There are currently 1,900 fire fighters working on the fire and the northern rockies
team 6 will take over control of the fire this morning. All evacuation orders have been
lifted for the Beulah area, meaning that re-entry cards are no longer needed there. As the
fire burns into the mountains and to the west, Huerfano County has now placed all pre-
evacuation areas now on mandatory evacuation. All areas within The US Forest Service
areas to the east of the area where William Creek crosses into the National Forest are now
on evacuation status. Evacuation orders are also now in place "following Williams Creek
North to where Williams Creek intersects with County road 630 and following County
road 630 generally north to where County road 630 intersects with County road 636 and
continuing to follow County road 630 west to where it intersects with County road 634,
the Gardner road, then running due north to the county line". The Custer County Sheriff
yesterday reopened Colorado 96 from Pueblo to Westcliffe and residents of Wetmore and
Greenwood are now on pre-evacuation status and can return home.
New report shows CO families struggling to afford essentials.
A new report released by The Colorado Children's campaign says that Colorado families
are struggling to afford essentials like food, housing, health care and child care. The
campaign's annual "kids count report" says that nearly 30% of Colorado households with
children and nearly 70% of single mother experience financial hardship. Colorado's
child poverty rate, which is equal to $31,200 in annual income for a family of four, has
decreased from about 15% in 2014 to 11% in 2024. However, in certain parts of the
state, like The San Luis Valley, more than one-third of children still live in poverty and
nearly 75% of families with children experience financial hardship. The average
Colorado family of four with one infant and one preschooler needs about $94,500 per
year to meet basic needs, according to the report.
Custer County SNR rescued injured hiker Sunday.
Custer County Search and Rescue on Sunday rescued a hiker with a knee injury just
below broken hand pass. According to search and rescue officials, Chaffee County
Search and Rescue and flight for life Colorado assisted. 15 ground team members
headed to the location on foot. While the plan was for a day trip, the hiker was prepared
for the emergency with warm clothing, food, water, a phone, a battery bank, headlamp,
helmet, an emergency bivy and a garmin inreach. Officials say all of the equipment was
critical for the duration of the rescue, which amounted to nearly 48 hours in the
backcounty. Following an all-night trek, all team members and the hiker were out of the
field by 6am on Monday.
Ballot measure to remove 12th DA term limits added to Nov Ballot.
San Luis Valley County Commissioners have overwhelmingly voted to add a ballot
measure to the November ballot to ask voters if they want to remove term limits on the
office of district attorney in the 12th Judicial District. If the measure is successful in
November, term limits for the DA's position in the San Luis Valley will be removed,
effective immediately, and implemented with the next general election in 2028.
Currently, with term limits, Current DA Anne Kelly could be re-elected in 2028, but that
would be the last time she could run for district attorney in the 12th Judicial District.
City of Alamosa announces work to complete reconstruction project.
The City of Alamosa has announced that beginning on Monday, July 20th, city crews will
be working on 11th Street and Hunt Avenue to complete a street reconstruction project
funded by the Boyd School adoptive reuse grant. Temporary closures will take place on
11th Street and Hunt Avenue during the duration of the project. Work is scheduled to be
complete by early October.
July 14th 2026
Crews continue work on Aspen Acres Fire.
The Aspen Acres Fire now stands at 98,752 acres in size and is 36% contained as of last
night. There are currently 1,915 fire personnel working on the fire. Heavy equipment
and crews are constructing a robust fire line on the west side of Rye to defend the
community from the active fire currently taking place near north muddy creek, according
to officials. Most of the east side of the fire is contained, however, a challenging area
remains uncontained on the northeast side. Containment lines are expected to be tested
by hot, dry conditions in the forecast this week. The Fremont County Sheriff yesterday
moved areas in Fremont County under pre-evacuation status to "awareness" status due to
progress made by firefighters. Huerfano County, late yesterday, announced new pre-
evacuation notices for all forest service land north of Colorado 69 to the northern-most
Huerfano County line, county road 630 north of county road 630.1, and county road 634
north of 634.2, as well as for the entirety of the greenhorn wilderness area. The Bartlett
trail subdivision area was already under mandatory evacuation and that order remains at
this time.
CPW announces lethal action against uncollared wolf yesterday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced yesterday that some of its officers had to take
lethal action against an uncollared wolf in Routt County. Officers say they have
collected evidence that confirmed that the wolf was connected to multiple livestock
killings throughout Rio Blanco County in 2025 and early 2026. Since last summer, the
wolf had been involved in 10 confirmed events involving 22 sheep, with the latest being
two in Routt County on June 10th and 11th. CPW said they attempted minimization
efforts, but the wolf was not deterred. The wolf was originally part of the copper creek
pack, but had not been a part of the pack since June.
CDR announces tax filing extension for wildfire affected counties.
The Colorado Department of Revenue announced yesterday that it is offering an
extension on tax filing deadlines to taxpayers affected by the wildfires in the state. The
agency says that all residents and businesses in Dolores, Montezuma, Lake, Mesa,
Pueblo, Custer, Ouray, Las Animas, Baca, Routt, San Miguel and Huerfano counties are
eligible for a tax filing extension. Taxpayers in affected counties will have until
December 31st to file income and sales tax filings, which are usually due in October and
between July and October, respectively. Taxpayers can contact the revenue agency to
request penalty waivers for other taxes and fees due in October.
Water trail over amended plan continued in Alamosa yesterday.
The water trial taking place in Alamosa over the fourth amended plan of water
management for subdistrict 1 continued yesterday with testimony from state water
engineer Jason Ullman. Ullman said it is his view that the fourth amended plan is the
"most reasonable plan I can think of that would be likely to cause the aquifer to increase
in level". He said that while the decision has consequences, there's pretty significant
consequences to not doing something. With Ullman’s testimony complete, the trial now
shifts to the sustainable water augmentation group and its protest of the new plan.
Division 3 Water Court Judge Michael Gonzales is hearing the case and will make the
decision to implement the plan, or not.
Otero County Sheriff announces arrest of detention deputy.
Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley announced yesterday afternoon the arrest of Valarie
Alvarez, who was employed as a detention deputy. The arrest was made by The La Junta
Police Department. Mobley cited domestic violence charges stemming from April of this
year as the reason for the arrest. Mobley said Alvarez was "terminated effective
immediately not only for the violation of law, but also for violation of several sections of
the sheriff's office policy.
July 13th 2026
More Aspen Acres Fire evacuees being allowed to return Today.
The Aspen Acres Fire now stands at 98,100 acres and is now 35% contained. With the
progress on the fire and with the fire’s growth now slowed, some Beulah residents are
being allowed back into the area beginning today. Evacuees must have a re-entry card
and must enter the area through Highway 78 at the 3R road control point. Anyone who
has lost their home will be allowed in first. After that, residents will be let back in on a
schedule, depending on the location of their home. Officials say that anyone living
beyond 4632 north creek road and residents in the north creek road area near the county
line remain under evacuation as crews continue working in that area. Officials ask that
you do not enter before your scheduled time and that you stay off of roadways unless
necessary to allow fire crews to pass through. The Custer County Sheriff also announced
yesterday that Wetmore evacuees will be allowed to return home today. Residents will
still be under pre-evacuation status, but things are "much, much safer" than they were
when the evacuation order was issued, according to the sheriff.
Huerfano County and Pueblo based HCPF to pay settlement in 2023 case.
Huerfano County and Pueblo-based health care partners foundation, inc., will pay $10.2
million to the estate of Michael Burch, 69, who died inside The Huerfano County
Detention Center in Walsenburg on April 4th, 2023, from complications of blunt force
trauma to his chest, according to the coroner. Burch suffered six badly broken ribs, a
collapsed lung, internal bleeding and bruised intestines after a jail detention officer
tackled him into a metal bench on March 28th of 2023. Huerfano County and The
Sheriff's Office will pay Burch's estate $9.2 million, while health care partners
foundation inc. - the healthcare provider for the jail at the time - will pay an additional
$1 million, according to a settlement agreement. Burch was in the middle of a mental
health crisis when he was jailed. He was tackled over the use of a pencil inside the jail
cell. His requests for medical treatment were largely ignored. He collapsed and died a
week after the incident.
New wildlife report brings San Luis battle to a halt.
A newly released 83-page joint wildlife report has brought the ongoing battle between
local property owners in San Luis and Billionaire William Harrison to a halt. The report
points out the environmental stakes, revealing that a massive 8-foot fence threatens more
than 30 wildlife species, including the federally protected Canadian lynx and silverspot
butterfly. Harrison has reportedly refused to accept or implement the study's
recommendations. Further, state lawmakers have pushed back against HB25-1023, a bill
aimed to restrict large fences on the land grant, arguing private property rights. With
mediation stalled, the fate of the fence now rests in the hands of a district court judge.
CO officials announces new look for high speed rail project.
Colorado officials yesterday announced a new look for "COCO", the new Colorado
connector, a high-speed passenger rail project that will connect Pueblo to Fort Collins.
COCO's new fox mascot is rendered in vibrant colors and a simple style that the front
range passenger rail district says will help travelers feel welcome. The rail line is
expected to open in 2029 with the initial 8 stops stretching from Denver's Union Station
north to Fort Collins.
CDHE announces 90 cases of cyclospora in CO so far this year.
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment says there have been 90 cases of
cyclospora reported so far in Colorado this year. Cyclospora is a parasitic infection that
can cause weeks of gastrointestinal symptoms. The vast majority of cases this year are
associated with food exposures during international travel. Still, health officials
recommend thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables before eating them.
July 10th 2026
More Aspen Acres Fire evacuations may be lifted today in Pueblo County.
Weather yesterday prohibited fire officials from getting a new updated reading on the
fire, so The Aspen Acres fire still stands at 96,121 acres burned. Fire officials did say
that the fire has now reached 20% containment and 1,883 personnel are currently
working on the fire. Yesterday, crews said that rain has helped improve conditions on the
fire, however, they are still worried about the struggles that return when heat and dry
conditions return in the coming days. Crews say that life and property continue to be the
biggest focus, prioritizing people's homes before anything else. Officials say they
believe that the fire will be around for a while. Yesterday, The Fremont County Sheriff's
office moved all areas in Fremont County that were on evacuation status to pre-
evacuation status. Yesterday afternoon, The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office announced
that it anticipates lifting evacuations in most areas of the southern part of Pueblo County
beginning today, although information about which areas would be impacted was not
shared. Re-entry cards for evacuees can be obtained by going to the disaster assistance
center, which is located at The Pueblo Academy of Arts, formerly Pitts Middle School, at
29 Lehigh Avenue in Pueblo.
Republican Victor Marx has won CO GOP Gov Nomination.
Following more than a week of county clerks finishing their final, unofficial vote totals
yesterday, Republican Victor Marx has won Colorado's Republican Gubernatorial
Nomination after maintaining a razor-thin lead over State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer.
Marx, a first-time candidate, will face Democratic Nominee Attorney General Phil
Weiser in November for the governor's office. Current Governor Jared Polis is term-
limited. Weiser defeated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in The Democratic Primary by
almost 14 points. Marx prevailed over Kirkmeyer by a little over 2,500 votes, or by
about 0.5%.
Huerfano County officials announce Pole Canyon Fire 100% contained.
Huerfano County officials yesterday afternoon reported that The Pole canyon Fire
burning near Greenhorn Mountain is now 100% contained. Cal Fire, The Department of
Fire Prevention and Control, hotshot crews and Cheyenne Fire assisted in getting the fire
under control, according to the county. While the cause of the fire has not been
confirmed, firefighters said it was nature-caused, not human error.
Walsenburg City Council votes to begin negotiating sale of Lathrop Youth Ranch property.
Following a failed attempt to sell the former Lathrop Youth Ranch property to the
adjacent Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, The Walsenburg City Council voted
unanimously on Tuesday to begin negotiating a sale of the 18-acre property to mission
team impact. The Colorado Springs non-profit has agreed to purchase the property for
$1.1 million. Mission Team Impact had originally approached the city with a purchase
offer last year. It says it wants to purchase the property to develop a "holistic youth re-
entry initiative", which is a program that would support incarcerated youth "in their
successful reintegration into society".
CDOT announces increased CO 69 traffic this weekend.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is advising motorists that Colorado 69
between Walsenburg and Texas Creek will see increased numbers of traffic today
through Sunday for The Bluegrass Festival taking place in Westcliffe. Alternate routes to
Westcliffe are currently closed due to the Aspen Acres Fire. Colorado 69 is accessible
from the north side of Walsenburg and from U.S. 50 at Texas Creek. Colorado 96 is
closed west of Pueblo due to The Aspen Acres Fire.
July 9th 2026
Fire crews hoping for quieter fire activity on the Aspen Acres Fire today.
The Aspen Acres Fire now stands at 96,031 acres burned with 16% containment as of last
night. Today there are 1,677 personnel working on the fire. Yesterday firefighters made
progress on the northwest and eastern sides of the fire toward Rye and Colorado City.
Firefighters have had limited access to the western side due to the steeper terrain and
limited access in the area. Slow progress has been made on the Lake Isabel side due to
the terrain. Pueblo County officials say most of the homes impacted by the fire are in
Beulah, with 192 homes and four commercial structures lost in the county. However,
Pueblo County has only assessed 67% of the affected homes, so that number is expected
to grow. In Custer County, 83 total homes were destroyed in the fire. The Fremont
County Sheriff yesterday said that the towns of Rockvale, Coal Creek and Williamsburg
have been downgraded to pre-evacuation status. The area north of the Fremont County
line is still under mandatory evacuation, however, and is still threatened by the fire. Fire
officials say that, in the next 48 to 72 hours, more evacuations are expected to be lifted,
but could change depending on fire conditions. Fire crews are hoping for quieter fire
activity today due to the precipitation received over the fire area last night. While the fire
has not received enough rain to put the fire out, the rain, humidity and cooler
temperatures are enough to give crews a break from the recent high fire activity.
New wildfire spotted in Huerfano County yesterday.
What's being called the "Pole Canyon Fire" was spotted yesterday morning around
9:30am in the area southeast of greenhorn mountain in Huerfano County. Firefighters
responded to the area to investigate smoke and have been working to contain the fire. As
of yesterday afternoon, the fire had burned a little less than 2 acres. No structures are
threatened. Air support has been assisting with water drops as crews work to contain the
fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Much Police activity took place in Walsenburg yesterday afternoon.
Much police activity took place in Walsenburg yesterday afternoon with police
surrounding the laundromat at the corner of 6th and Hendren, as well as police detaining a
man across the street from 7-Eleven. Most of the activity, however, was centered around
Seventh Street just west of City Park with police cordoning off much of the block
between Olive Street and Ash Avenue. A sheet-draped body could be seen on the
sidewalk in front of 811 west 7th. Police would only comment that officers were securing
the scene while they waited for the arrival of an outside investigative agency.
Missing prospector found safe in Mineral County Tuesday.
Marvin Lord, a missing prospector who vanished during what was supposed to be a short
hike in Mineral County was found safe Tuesday after wandering the rugged Colorado
wilderness for over two days. Lord was reported missing on Sunday at 11:30pm while
prospecting near Fox Mountain Road, also known as Forest Service Road 381. A multi
agency search effort began on Monday. A breakthrough came Tuesday Afternoon when
two women reported they had seen a man walking near Tucker Ponds on Pass Creek
Road. Lord was found uninjured and has been reunited with his family.
Town of La Veta announces Stage 4 Water Restrictions.
The Town of La Veta has announced that they have implemented Stage 4 Water
Restrictions due to a critical shortage of water. With stage 4 water restrictions, the
following is prohibited: no outdoor watering, no washing of vehicles, and no filling of
swimming pools, hot tubs or fountains. The town says the restrictions are mandatory and
will be enforced for all businesses and community members. For more information, call
The La Veta Town Hall at 719-742-3631.
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