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US Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat, held a press conference yesterday, saying that Buckley Space Force base won't house immigrant detainees. Questions have been raised since the Trump administration announced plans to use Buckley Space force base as part of its mass deportation efforts. According to a spokesperson, Buckley has provided facilities at the request of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE will set up a "temporary operations center, staging area, and a temporary holding location for the receiving, holding and processing" of detainees. Crow says officials at the base, including a special agent in charge, told him the base was indeed being used for homeland security, specifically ice operations. Crow was told, however, that the base would not be used for immigrant detention. Crow said he would be concerned about law-abiding immigrants potentially being detained at the base if that information changes.

Pueblo School D70 holds special work session last night.

Pueblo School District 70 held a special work session last night to discuss possible measures that the district could consider if Governor Jared Polis's proposed budget cuts to education are approved by the legislature. The meeting was open to the public. According to a statement from District 70, "Pueblo County School District 70 remains one of the lowest-funded districts in Colorado. Following the narrow defeat of the mill levy override in November and changes to the state funding formula, the district is now forced to explore all options to reduce expenditures because of reduced revenues from the state". While no decisions have been made as of yet, the district wants to hear from those in the community with suggestions and recommendations to help with their budget challenges. To share your recommendations, go to www.district70.org/apps/contact.

Florida Homicide suspect arrested in Colorado Springs yesterday.

A homicide suspect from Florida was arrested yesterday at a Big R Store in Colorado Springs. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, a vehicle that took off out of Denver and headed towards Colorado Springs yesterday afternoon, was being tracked by the Marshall's Service. The car was tracked to the parking lot of BIG R off of Widefield and Fontaine Boulevard. Two people got out of the vehicle and attempted to run, but were apprehended. 28-year-old De Sean Phang was arrested on a warrant out of Miramar, Florida, for second-degree homicide with a firearm. He is awaiting extradition. The second individual has not been identified.

Trinidad Ambulance district announces new alert system for drivers.

The Trinidad Ambulance district has announced that it is implementing an alert system so that drivers can be warned when they are approaching emergency vehicles. According to the ambulance district, HAAS alert's safety cloud is a collision prevention service that enables the delivery of real-time alerts to drivers when emergency services are active in the area. The district says "safety cloud boosts driver compliance with move over laws by dispatching real-time notifications when responders are enroute to on-scene". Alerts are sent immediately to warn drivers of their proximity to emergency vehicles. The notifications are accessible via the waze navigation app or google maps, and can be integrated into the dashboard of many modern vehicles.

NWS issues red flag warning for parts of SOCO today.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for parts of Southern Colorado today, effective from 10am to 6pm. The warning covers Huerfano, Las Animas and Baca counties. According to the weather service, west winds of 20 to 30 mph are possible with gusts up to 50 mph near the mountains. That, combined with relative humidity as low as 12%, will create critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite could spread rapidly, making outdoor burning extremely dangerous. Residents are urged to avoid any activities that could spark fires during the day today.

The Colorado House Agriculture, water and natural resources committee yesterday passed HB25-1009, a bill meant to prevent and mitigate wildfires in Colorado, by a vote of 9-4. what is titled the "vegetative fuel mitigation" bill, would give fire protection and metropolitan districts tools to mitigate fire risks locally and encourage local governments to create programs to help property owners reduce dead or dry vegetation. A fire district that creates a vegetative fuel program is required to adopt policies consistent with the 2024 international wildland-urban interface code or the standeards and codes adopted or issued by the Colorado wildfire resiliency code board. The bill is sponsored by Representative Tisha Mauro and Senator Lisa Cutter. The bill now moves on to the full Colorado House for consideration there.

Garage and contents destroyed in garage fire in Raton yesterday.

A garage fire yesterday afternoon in Raton destroyed the garage and two vehicles. Raton fire fighters were called to the 100 block of hill drive in east Raton about 3:15pm yesterday. Upon arriving on the scene, they found the garage at the residence fully engulfed in flames. Fire fighters had the fire controlled in about 15 minutes, however, the garage and a classic pickup inside the garage were destroyed. A vehicle just outside the garage was also heavily damaged. Rags or a welder in the garage are considered a possible source of the fire.

CPW announces increase in bald eagle population in Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it has been noticing a steady increase in the bald eagle population throughout Colorado. CPW officials say they have noticed an increase in occupied bald eagle nests, with at least 300 last year. Barr Lake in Adams County has been known for its bald eagle population. CPW estimates there were between 80 and 90 bald eagles in the park as of yesterday. Wildlife officials say that scientists estimate there were only 400 nesting bald eagle pairs left in the United States in the 1960's. As of this year, there are reportedly between 14,000 and 15,000 nesting pairs in the country.

Saguache Ranger district announces new plans for prescribed burn.

The Saguache Ranger district announced yesterday new plans for the Laughlin Gulch prescribed fire project west of Saguache. Occasional burning could begin as early as next Monday and will continue through the spring months as conditions allow. With this tactic, firefighters will strategically apply fire to small portions of the project area that are snow free. Ignitions will take place only if burning is determined to have a high probability of meeting treatment objectives. The Laughlin gulch prescribed fire aims to treat approximately 1,240 acres of slash, grass and needle cast and is designed to improve winter range habitat. Smoke may be visible from around the San Luis Valley and may be heavier locally. No significant smoke impacts are expected.

Cielo Vista Ranch hires new community liaison.

Kate Perdoni has been hired as the community liaison for the Cielo Vista Ranch in Costilla County. According to an announcement from the ranch, Perdoni will facilitate communications and special projects with community members, including families with access rights to graze livestock and collect firewood and timber on the ranch property. Perdoni is meeting with watershed residents, access rights holders, county staff, local agencies and organizations by appointment. You can contact Perdoni by calling 719- 680-1027 or email kperdoni@cathexis.com.

The Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor on Thursday forwarded HB25-1001, the enforcement wage hour laws bill, to the finance committee on Thursday. The bill aims to help employees and punish employers who don't pay their workers. Governor Jared Polis vetoed a wage theft bill last year, angering labor groups. He said that bill would have made general contractors liable for wages not paid by subcontractors, essentially forcing general contractors to pay for the same work twice. Following the veto, the bill's sponsors began working with the Governor's team to craft a new bill. The new bill would allow employees to get up to $13,000 in lost wages and would increase penalties for employers. HB25-1001 passed the house business affairs and labor committee by a vote of 8 to 5.

Suspect arrested in Alamosa Big R robbery Thursday.

Bobby Montoya, 23, of La Jara, was arrested late Thursday following the report of an armed robbery at Big R in Alamosa. According to Alamosa Police, officers responded to the report about 6:25pm Thursday at 148 Craft Drive. Montoya allegedly stole two boxes of ammunition and a flashlight, then brandished a handgun when confronted by a store employee. After receiving a description of Montoya's vehicle, Alamosa Police coordinated with Conejos County Sheriff's deputies and La Jara Police. Deputies located the vehicle at a residence in La Jara where Montoya was taken into custody following a brief confrontation. A search warrant was executed at the residence and officers located three boxes of ammunition, two of which matched the stolen items. Officers also found narcotics and fentanyl pills at the residence. Officers also located the stolen firearm from a recycling bin at Boyd Park in Alamosa. Montoya was booked into the Alamosa County jail on charges of aggravated robbery, theft, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

CSUP President resigns from position Friday following Investigation.

Armando Valdez resigned his position of President at Colorado State University in Pueblo on Friday, effective immediately. According to a news release from CSU Pueblo, "following an independent investigation, Mr. Valdez was found to have violated a university policy. While Mr. Valdez disagrees with the conclusions of that investigation, he recognizes that it has caused him to lose the confidence of the Board of Governors and CSU system leadership. As a result, to allow the University to move forward, he resigned his role". Rico Munn, the former Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, has been selected to serve as CSU Pueblo's Interim President. Valdez took over as CSU Pueblo's 16th President on February 1st of last year, succeeding Former President Timothy Mottet.

Autopsy results from Costilla County Animal attack may not be public for weeks.

The Costilla County Coroner's Office says that results from the autopsy of the woman's body who was found in the Sangre De Cristo Ranches Area of Costilla County will most likely not be made public for 6 weeks. The coroner added that the El Paso County Coroner is conducting the autopsy and the process that includes compiling a written report, typically takes that long. The woman's body was found near Platten road. Marks on her body indicate that there was a possible attack by some kind of animal which left bite marks and scratches on her body. The Costilla County Sheriff's office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are all participating in the investigation. None of them have been willing to identify the type of animal that was involved in the attack. The woman's identity also has not yet been released.

Pueblo County Sheriff's office search and rescue responded to fallen hiker Friday.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office emergency services and search and rescue responded to a hiker who had fallen off of a cliff at Lake Pueblo State Park on Friday. According to the sheriff's office, a passerby heard screaming and immediately contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Responders went in on foot to locate the hiker and brought her to a waiting helicopter which transported her to a hospital in Colorado Springs. The hiker suffered serious injuries. No further information as to the woman's condition or identity was provided.

The Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced a bill to establish 29 new Colorado judgeships by a vote of 6-1. SB25-024 would create 26 new trial court judgeships and three new slots on the court of appeals over a two-year period. The request from the judicial department comes in the wake of multiple workload studies confirming that Colorado's court system is understaffed. The studies estimated that Colorado needs approximately 43 more district judges, 20 more county judges and six appellate judges. When fully implemented, SB25-024 would cost $26.1 million annually with $18.1 million going directly to the judicial department for judges and staff. An additional $7 million would be needed for public defenders. Plus, $10 million for district attorneys' offices, which are funded by the counties. The bill now moves on to the Senate appropriations committee.

Crash involving snowplow results in a death.

The driver of a Subaru Outback died yesterday morning following a crash with a snowplow. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the report of an accident came in about 7:19am yesterday involving a male driver in the Subaru and a snowplow. The snowplow was reportedly traveling south on Colorado 115, near Milemarker 18, north of Penrose, removing snow from the highway, while the outback was traveling north. The outback lost control on the “snow-packed and slushy road” when his vehicle rotated into the southbound lanes. The driver’s side of the outback struck the front of the snowplow before eventually stopping on the east side of the roadway. The snowplow driver received minor injuries but refused medical aid. The outback driver died at the scene. He has only been identified as a 45-year-old man from Canon City.

Fort Carson announces nightly artillery training to begin next week.

Fort Carson has announced that soldiers from the 2nd Stryker brigade combat team, 4th infrantry division, will begin nightly artillery training beginning next Tuesday, February 4th. The nightly training will end on Friday, February 7th. The training is required to "validate field artillery crews and is a regular part of the training cycle". The training is expected to make noise in the surrounding neighborhoods. Noise complaints can be directed to the Fort Carson public affairs office by calling 719-526-9849.

Chaffee County Sheriff expresses disappointed in drug sentence.

Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich said he was disappointed with the sentence handed down in connection with the largest fentanyl bust in the history of the Chaffee County sheriff's office. The comments came after 50-year-old Christopher Foreman was sentenced to 90 days in jail and four years probation. Sheriff's deputies received a search warrant for foreman's home, located north of Buena Vista, where they found around 600 fentanyl pills and several firearms, including one stolen handgun. Foreman was charged with 3 drug felony 1's, 1 drug felony 4 and a misdemeanor 2. He plead guilty to a drug felony 2. Foreman was sentence to 90 days in jail and 4 years probation by District Judge Dayna Vise.

Colorado snow totals from yesterday's storm.

Heavy, wet snow finally found it’s way to Colorado yesterday, bringing with it winter driving conditions and causing accidents throughout Southern Colorado. Taking a look at some snow totals from around our area... The Air Force Academy received 8 inches, Alamosa 1 inch, Black Forest 10.4 inches, Chama Colorado 4 inches, Colorado Springs 7 inches, Cuchara 14.5 inches, Gulnare 13.5 inches, Pueblo 3 inches, Pueblo West 6.5 inches, Rye 8 inches, and Walsenburg 5 inches.

A bill that is expected to be introduced in the Colorado State Legislature would require Colorado schools to implement a policy that would limit students' cellphone use. The policies would be decided on by each school district and would be catered to fit the school's size, location and unique problems they may face when it comes to smartphones. The bill's sponsors are State Representative and former high school teacher Meghan Lukens, a Democrat, and State Senator Lisa Frizell, a Republican. Lukens says "we're just trying to help maximize student learning potential, and I personally saw cellphones taking away from that." The bill is expected to be introduced soon. If the bill does become law, Colorado school districts would have until July 2026 to develop a plan.

Bill to ban "specified semiautomatic firearms" advances to full Senate for consideration.

SB25-003, a bill that would ban the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale or purchase of a "specified semiautomatic firearm", advanced in the state, veterans & military affairs committee yesterday by a vote of 3-2, following a 9-hour hearing. The bill, if passed, would ban certain semi-automatic firearms, which includes semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, along with gas-iperated semiautomatic handguns that have a detachable ammunition magazine. Violations would be considered a misdemeanor offense. A second violation would escalate to a felony charge. The bill would also prohibit the possession of a dangerous weapon, a category that includes rapid-fire devices. Large crowds gathered yesterday at the state capitol, both in support of and against the bill. The bill now moves on to the full Colorado Senate for consideration.

Rocky Mountain DEA announces several operations in Colorado.

The Rocky Mountain drug enforcement administration said yesterday that special agents have been on several drug operations since Sunday. According to the DEA, agents have seized over 130,000 fentanyl pills, cocaine, crack, heroin and "tusi" pink cocaine. They also seized weapons and ammunition and have arrested multiple people, including some tren de aragua gang members. The DEA has not released exactly where the operations have taken place, however, the DEA, along with the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives were seen conducting an operation yesterday near the intersection of tenth street and north salem on Pueblo's east side. No further information about the operation was made available.

Woodland Park School Board votes to recognize only two genders.

The Woodland Park School Board last night voted to recognize only two genders and to reject all other gender ideology moving forward. With the 4-1 vote, officials are now to recognize only male and female genders within the Woodland Park schools. Woodland Park School Board President Mick Bates recited the new executive order signed by President Trump that recognizes only female and male sexes at the federal level. The new rules in Woodland Park schools are effective immediately.

CDOT warns of fraudulent messages being sent to some CO residents.

The Colorado Department of Transportation yesterday warned of fraudulent messages that are being sent via text to some Colorado residents. People have reportedly received texts that claim that the receiver needs to click a link to pay express lane tolls or fines. CDOT says that colorado does not collect express lane tolls or fines via text. Colorado express lane and express toll fees are instead billed and paid through your express toll account.

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