July 30th 2026
CO Rep Gov Candidate Marx announces he will only participate in one debate.
Colorado Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Victor Marx said Tuesday that he will
only participate in one debate with Democratic Candidate Phil Weiser prior to the
November election. Marx also challenged Weiser to hold the event without a moderator.
Marx noted that this is the same approach he took in the GOP primary. A spokesman for
Weiser's campaign dismissed the proposal saying the campaign only considers serious
offers for serious debates. The Marx campaign has reportedly declined an invitation to
participate in a debate on August 27th. Weiser, along with Independent Candidate Greg
Lopez, have both confirmed that they will participate in the debate, which organizers say
will proceed without Victor Marx.
Crews continue work on the Aspen Acres Fire.
The Aspen Acres Fire remained at 101,921 acres yesterday with 66% containment
currently. Fire behavior has been minimal due to rain and cloud cover. Fire officials say
that firefighters took advantage of the limited fire activity to assess possible strategic
containment lines in difficult and dangerous terrain. In the area northwest of Rye, fire
officials said crews continue to hold and improve the lines protecting the community. A
flash flood warning was issued around 6pm last night for the burn scar in Beulah,
advising residents in low lying areas to seek higher ground. Reports were that there was
extreme danger along Colorado 78 with water compromising fox lane and continuing
toward central avenue and Highway 78.
Heavy rain lead to flooding in Beulah last night.
With heavy rain fall over the Aspen Acres burn scar in Beulah last night, the pine drive
water treatment plant saw significant flooding with debris and ash left behind by the fire.
Interim District Water Manager Charissa Fryberger said that all of the watersheds in the
district were impacted in the fire. Fryberger said that while the infrastructure can be
fixed, the watershed cannot, and the district will have to deal with whatever comes down
the hill. It is hoped that the flooding didn't push back the progress made in trying to get
water back to the residents, who haven't had water for weeks now. The fire burned 70 of
the district's 166 water taps, essentially emptying the water supply. Pine Drive water
district staff have been working to get back to meeting state standards so that they can get
the treatment facility up and running once again.
CDPHE alerting Coloradans about salmonella cases in the state.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is alerting Coloradans about
what they are calling a "significant" increase in salmonella cases in the state. As of
Tuesday, health officials said more than 250 salmonella cases have been reported in
Colorado since the beginning of July, which is twice the normal rate. Symptoms of
salmonella can include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Anyone
experiencing these symptoms should contact their health care provider.
CPW's new firearms safety system application now open.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife's new firearms safety system application is now open ahead
of Saturday's implementation of SB25-003. The new law establishes firearms safety
training requirements for the purchase or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms in
Colorado. Beginning Saturday, August 1st, individuals seeking to purchase or transfer a
specified semiautomatic firearm must apply to the county sheriff's office for an eligibility
card and then successfully complete an in-person firearms safety course within five years
of the transaction. More information on the firearms safety program can be found on
CPW's website.
July 29th 2026
UA Gov Candidate Lopez has qualified for the Nov ballot.
Unaffiliated Gubernatorial Candidate Greg Lopez has qualified for the November ballot
by submitting enough petition signatures, according to The Colorado Secretary of State's
Office. Lopez is a former republican congressman from Elizabeth who served the last six
months of 2024 in the 4th District to fill the vacancy created when former U.S.
Representative Ken Buck resigned mid-term. Lopez didn't seek election again for the
seat, which was won by Rep. Lauren Boebert. Lopez left the Republican party to run as
an independent and turned in 14,723 signatures from registered voters throughout the
state to make the statewide ballot. He has chosen Taralyn Romero, a Jefferson County
property rights activist and health care worker for his lieutenant governor. Lopez will
face Democrat Phil Weiser and Republican Victor Marx in the fall.
Heavy rains lead to Flash Flooding on Aspen Acres burn scare yesterday.
The Aspen Acres Fire remains at 101,921 acres in size with 66% containment as of last
night. Firefighters west of Lake Isabel and south of Saint Charles Peak continue to
improve indirect line and continue assessing options for enduring strategy to protect the
values at Lake Isabel, according to fire officials. Beulah officials announced flash
flooding that was taking place late yesterday afternoon following heavy rainfall, asking
people in the area to seek higher ground. Significant debris flows were reported as
coming down Northcreek and Northcreek cutoff, as well as south pine drive near the
mountain park. Heavy flooding was also reported between Highway 78 and Lake Isabel.
residents in those areas are also urged to use caution in the area.
Broce Fire near Kim now 60% contained.
The Broce Fire burning north of Kim was 60% contained as of last night, according to the
Kim fire chief, and has been measured at 220 acres in size. No evacuations have been
issued and no structures have been impacted. The fire began due to lightning and trees,
juniper and grass are burning in the blaze. The fire sparked to live around 6:30pm
Monday Night and was originally thought to be 400 to 600 acres in size. Crews
continued to monitor the fire throughout the night last night.
Missing Woman recovered at LPSP has been identified.
Jacqueline C. Montez, 34, has been identified by The Pueblo County Coroner as the
missing woman who's body was recovered at Lake Pueblo State Park on Monday
Evening. The cause of her death remains under investigation. Colorado Parks and
Wildlife says that officers were alerted to a missing woman, later identified as Montez,
around noon on Monday. Officers located her fishing pole and belongings on a cliff near
yucca flats campground. Divers located Montez's body shortly after 5pm on Monday.
DRGW 168 to pull the Centennial State Limited this weekend.
Denver and Rio Grande Western 168, a T-12 4-6-0 steam locomotive, will pull The
Centennial State Limited, a special departure in honor of Colorado's 150th and America's
250th birthday celebrations this weekend. The train will depart from Antonito on Friday
and head to The Big Horn Wye turnaround in New Mexico. On Saturday, the train will
depart from Antonito and make the trip to Osier. Engine 168 was built by the Baldwin
locomotive works in 1883. It was at the head of a special train carrying President
William Howard Taft to the opening of the Gunnison tunnel in 1909. The engine was
retired in 1938 and placed in Antlers Park in Colorado Springs. It was removed for
restoration in 2016 and that restoration was completed in 2019, costing $508,000.
July 28th 2026
New Management to take over Aspen Acres Fire today.
The Aspen Acres Fire now stands at 101,921 acres as of last night and is 66% contained.
Management of the fire will now transfer from the Northern Rockies Team 6 to the
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management team 3 today. Fire officials said that 85
volunteers in Custer County helped fill and load sandbags on Sunday to help protect
against flooding. Homeowners are encouraged to pick up sand bags in The San Isabel
and Aspen Acres areas in order to place them around their property. Fire officials also
said that multiple new starts by lightning were contained by firefighters within the last
week. While fire activity has been minimal, fire crews continue to work to strengthen
primary and secondary fire lines around the west perimeter of the fire.
Alamosa VSR rescue teen on Blanca mastiff.
A 15-year-old hiker had to be rescued after sliding 200 feed down a snowfield during a
three-day backpacking trip on the Blanca mastiff. According to Alamosa Volunteer
Search and Rescue, the hiker sustained significant abrasions and was unable to walk after
slipping in the outward bound couloir located between Kit Carson Peak and Columbia
point. A helicopter dropped search and rescue personnel into the willow lake basin so
that they could hike up to the hiker's location. The teen was located about halfway down
the couloir. The teen reported that the slide took place after he dropped his backpack and
slid down the snowfield while attempting to retrieve it. Once off the snowfield, the teen
was airlifted to the Alamosa Hospital for evaluation.
Missing woman recovered at Lake Pueblo State Park yesterday.
The body of a missing woman was recovered at Lake Pueblo State Park yesterday
evening. according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, officers were alerted to a missing
woman in her mid-30s around noon yesterday. She had not been seen since Sunday
evening, according to family members. CPW officers located her fishing pole and
belongings on the north side of Lake Pueblo on a cliff near yucca flats campground.
Officer’s located the woman's body just after 5pm yesterday and her body was recovered
by The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office dive team. The woman's name and cause of
death has not yet been released.
New wildfire breaks out north of Kim last night.
A wildfire broke out north of Kim last night. What is being called the "Broce fire" is
located north of Kim and west of 109. The fire was first reported around 6:30pm. The
Kim area volunteer fire department said just before 10pm last night that the fire was
approximately 400 to 600 acres in size and is believed to have been caused by lightning.
Some containment had been made on the fire as of last night, but no containment
numbers were made available. Fire crews planned to remain on scene throughout the
night last night.
CPW asking all park visitors to cut down on litter.
As more people head outdoors during the warmer months, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is
asking anglers and all park visitors to help cut down on litter at local lakes and parks.
CPW says the most common item left behind by anglers is fishing line. Doing so creates
hazards for fish, other aquatic species and even other anglers. CPW is urging anglers to
pack out their trash, use fishing-line drop-off stations when available and open new lure
packaging at home instead of at the shoreline. CPW also encourages hikers and other
park users to do their part as well by picking up litter they see and focusing on what they
can control.
July 27th 2026
Aspen Acres Fire containment and acreage holding steady.
The Aspen Acres Fire is holding steady at 101,738 acres and remains at 61%
containment. All evacuation zones for the fire have now been downgraded to either
pre-evacuation or to "cleared" status, and all residents have been allowed to
return home as of Saturday morning. All evacuation centers have now also been
closed as they are no longer needed, although centers will remain on standby to
reopen if conditions change. Any evacuee who needs services may visit the recovery
assistance center at Beulah Heights Elementary School at 2670 Delphnium Street in
Beulah. The recovery assistance center is open Monday through Friday from noon to
6pm. Fire officials say that fire activity has been minimal due to rain and
increased humidity. However, heavy fuels are still burning and are expected to
remain active despite the rain.
US DOJ files complaint against Colorado Thursday.
The United States Department of Justice on Thursday filed a complaint in U.S.
District Court in Denver against the state of Colorado alleging that Colorado's
laws granting in-state tuition and certain financial aid benefits to undocumented
students violates The U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit says that federal law
prohibits states from giving postsecondary education benefits to people "not
lawfully present' in The U.S. based on state residency unless the same benefits are
available to all U.S. citizens regardless of where they live. The lawsuit targets
Colorado's 2013 voter-approved asset act and related statutes. The act allows
undocumented students who attend colorado high schools or who have lived in the
state long enough to qualify for resident tuition to be eligible for in-state
tuition and state aid, such as the Colorado application for state financial aid.
The DOJ argues that these benefits are tied to Colorado residency and therefore
conflict with federal law.
Custer County Sheriff’s Office responded to new fire southwest of Wetmore Friday.
The Custer County Sheriff's Office responded to a new fire alongside The U.S.
Forest Service and local fire crews on Friday Afternoon. According to county
officials, the fire was burning near The Lewis Creek trailhead southwest of the
town of Wetmore and was estimated to be a quarter acre in size as of 3:50pm Friday.
Air operations were underway Friday to drop water on the blaze. Officials said
that no evacuations were planned in connection to the fire. The cause of the fire
remains under investigation.
Florence FPD responded to fire near CO 115 Saturday.
The Florence Fire Protection District responded to a fire that sparked to life near
Colorado 115 in Fremont County on Saturday. According to the fire protection
district, crews responded to an area north of Penrose and west of Highway 115,
around 5:20pm. Firefighters said that the fire didn't threaten any structures and
that they did not need to closed Highway 115 as they responded and extinguished the
fire. The fire was estimated to be about 6 acres in size.
CPW announced investigation into new wolf mortality Friday.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced on Friday that it is currently investigating
the mortality of an uncollared wolf in Northwest Colorado. A final determination
of the cause of death will not be made until the investigation is completed,
including the necropsy, which is a foundational component of the overall
investigation process. No additional information from CPW was released pending the
outcome of the investigation.
July 24th 2026
Rest of evacuation orders downgraded on Aspen Acres Fire.
The Aspen Acres fire remains at 101,546 acres and was 61% contained as of last night.
Residents evacuated from all three of Huerfano County's mandatory evacuations zones
may now return home as all 3 areas have been moved to pre-evacuation status. Officials
do remind residents that pre-evacuation status does mean to still be prepared to leave in
the event the situation changes for the worst. The Custer County Sheriff announced
yesterday that residents in the San Isabel area will be downgraded to pre-evacuation
status today. The sheriff says that the only way to access the area will be through
Mckenzie Junction. A Custer County deputy will be stationed in the area at all times
while there is no cellphone service. Deputies say there is no cellphone service in the area
and no power in zone C2. The Sheriff's Department said that drinking water will be
available across the highway from the Aspen Acres Campground.
US DHHS says CO failed to follow requirements for certain payments.
A report from The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that Colorado
failed to follow federal and state requirements for certain medicaid personal care service
payments, and, as such, the department is now seeking an $8 million repayment from the
state. HHS is also restricting another $45.7 million in federal payments while Colorado
and the centers for medicare and medicaid services review those payments to determine
allowability. The Colorado Department of Health care policy and financing, which
administers medicaid in Colorado, says that it disagrees with most of the audit findings
and that most of the audit's findings were "isolated documentation issues, not evidence
that services were not delivered or that caregivers were ineligible to provide care". State
officials say they view audits as a chance to strengthen oversight and engage
constructively with federal partners, but also say Colorado was treated differently than
other states.
Pueblo County SD70 announces delay to School year for certain schools.
Pueblo County School District 70 announced yesterday that The Greenhorn Valley
Schools will start the school year a week late due to The Aspen Acres Fire. Rye
Elementary, Craver Middle School and Rye High School will hold a transition day for
preschoolers, sixth grade and ninth grade on Monday, August 17th, followed by the first
day of school on Tuesday, August 18th. District 70 says it made the decision to support
ongoing emergency response efforts, complete facility preparations and to ensure that
students and staff can return safely.
Walsenburg City Council implemented stage 2 water restrictions Tuesday.
The Walsenburg City Council on Tuesday evening implemented stage 2 water
restrictions, which means that Walsenburg residents can only water their lawns and
gardens one day per week. City officials say it is likely that The City Council will
implement stage 3 restrictions at a special meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, July 28th.
Stage 3 restrictions mean no outdoor watering except by hand via a watering can.
CDOT and CSP announce new Click it or Ticket enforcement period.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and The Colorado State Patrol have
announced that a new click it or ticket enforcement period is currently underway across
Colorado with increased patrols and a focus on seat belt violations. CDOT says 74
people have died on Colorado roads this year while not wearing a seat belt. CDOT says
that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by up to 65%.
While many people choose not to buckle up because they are only driving a short
distance, crashes can happen anywhere. The enforcement period runs through the end of
the month.
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