October 23rd 2026
Heavy rains led to evacuation orders being issued in Rio Grande County yesterday.
With heavy rainfall in the area, residents of South Fork along The Rio Grande River,
from the River Green Subdivision at the confluence of the South Fork and Rio Grande
rivers, to the rest area, were placed under mandatory evacuation last night due to rising
river levels and flooding. Residents were directed to go to the South Fork Community
Building. Residents along the South Fork of the Rio Grande from the Wolf Creek Tunnel
east to Fun Valley were also under evacuation orders last night. U.S. 160 was closed
between South Fork and the summit of Wolf Creek Pass due to 8 to 10 inches of water
and debris flowing over the highway at the park creek bridge intersection. Colorado
Governor Jared Polis issued a disaster emergency late yesterday in response to the
flooding in multiple Southwest Colorado counties.
Ballot Issue 7A on the Colorado November Ballot.
Today we take a look at Front Range Passenger Rail District Ballot Issue 7A to increase
taxes and increase debt in the district. This issue will only appear on ballots for voters
inside The Front Range Passenger Rail District, which includes the municipalities of:
Arvada, Boulder, Broomfield, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Denver, Englewood, Fort
Collins, Glendale, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Louisville, Loveland, Manitou
Springs, Pueblo, Starkville and Trinidad. Ballot Issue 7A asks those in the district if
taxes should be increased by $295 million annually, and by whatever amounts are raised
annually thereafter, and if debt in the district should be increased by $580 million, with a
repayment cost of $785 million. The increase in tax would come in the form of a 1/3-
cent sales and use tax within the district. The issue also allows the district to retain all
such revenues, public and private contributions, and any investment income over and
above the Tabor cap. Proponents say The Colorado Connector (or COCO) will link
communities from Pueblo to Fort Collins with a reliable alterative to driving along The
Front Range, and will help to reduce traffic on Interstate 25. Opponents say the issue will
impose a permanent 1/3-cent sales and use tax throughout the district whether or not
residents ride the train, and that tax continues indefinitely without a sunset provision. A
"yes" vote authorizes the new sales and use tax, increases debt for the district, and raises
the Tabor cap for residents of the district. A "no" vote leaves things as they are. My
commentary? I don’t live in the district, but I do love trains, and it sounds like a really
neat idea. But, while such a train should work well in The Denver Metro Area stretching
to Fort Collins, it falls apart in the smaller and rural areas. And while taxes will be raised,
the extension of train service remains largely in doubt, yet, you'll be paying for it
anyway.
Former US Senator/SLV resident Ken Salazar announces opposition to Amendment 87.
Former U.S. Senator, and San Luis Valley resident, Ken Salazar, a Democrat, has come
out against Amendment 87, the proposal for a graduated income tax in Colorado, arguing
that it would hurt workers in a recent ad. Critics of the amendment say it could make
Colorado less economically competitive and question whether voters should amend the
state constitution to create a tax system that does not automatically adjust its income
thresholds for inflation. The ad drew criticism from State Senator Julie Gonzales, also a
Democrat, who said "tax the rich their fair share while providing a tax break to 97% of
Coloradans."
Las Animas County announces end of Flock camera use in the County.
Less than two months after Las Animas County activated its flock safety license plate
readers, The Sheriff's Office has announced that it has shut down the system. The
Sheriff's Office has cited cost, public feedback and legal concerns for taking the action.