The Denver Nuggets revealed new uniforms Monday that will honor the 50th anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger.

According to the Nuggets, the new uniforms are part of a season-long celebration to honor the merger, which brought the Nuggets into the NBA.

The new uniforms will be worn for nine games this season, according to the team, with seven of those games played at Ball Arena.

Check out the uniform below

The ABA franchise was established in 1967 as the Denver Rockets, and the nickname was changed to the Nuggets in 1974 in anticipation of a merger to avoid a conflict with the NBA's Houston Rockets.

The new uniforms are a modernized take on the Denver Rockets' orange road uniform and feature the Rockets original logo on the shorts and the arched "Denver" on the jersey.

The team will also have a special court for the games.

Merchandise with the ABA-inspired colors will also go on sale Monday, Oct. 19.

The games when the uniforms will be worn are:

Dec. 27 vs. Indiana Jan. 21 vs. Washington Feb. 4 vs. Dallas Feb. 11 vs. Chicago March 1 vs. Brooklyn March 3 vs. San Antonio April 8 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is looking for volunteers for the Sportsperson's Roundtable to share insights on wildlife management and recreation issues across the state.

According to CPW, the department depends on feedback from hunters and anglers to make decisions about managing fish, wildlife and habitat. That's where the Sportsperson's Roundtable comes in.

The department said that the roundtable gathers to discuss issues and gather ideas, and provides a forum for the hunting, angling and trapping communities to share information

CPW is looking for people from the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest regions to maintain a geographically diverse membership.

People who are accepted to the group will serve two-year terms. Responsibilities include:

Participating in a half- to full-day in-person meeting twice a year and occasional virtual meetings. Travel to in-person meetings is at the members expense. Attending regional CPW Sportspersons meetings and other meetings with hunters, anglers, and trappers in your area. Maintaining strong relationships with fellow sportspeople and staying informed about current events and emerging issues. Identifying topics for discussion at Roundtable meetings, and actively sharing information and ideas with Roundtable members and CPW staff during and between meetings. Providing your contact information on the CPW Roundtable webpage and being available to sportspersons around the state to discuss information pertinent to the Roundtable.

Those interested can fill out the application on the CPW website and haven until Monday, Nov. 2.

Pueblo West High School was evacuated on Monday morning due to an unidentified odor, a District 70 spokesperson confirmed to KOAA.

According to the spokesperson, the school is now doing an early release for students, which is under way.

Students can be picked up at the stadium, and buses are on the way for bus riders. Officials say no lunch will be served.

According to the spokesperson, the fire department is on site investigating, but the exact cause of the odor is unknown.

KOAA will update this story as we learn more.

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A Colorado mother is raising awareness about the dangers of kratom, a legal product that can have opioid-like effects, after losing her 19-year-old son to kratom toxicity.

Masen Campbell played football for Severance High School in northern Colorado and was preparing to continue his athletic career at Feather River College in California. His mother, Ashley Campbell, remembers him as a loving son and a great big brother.

News5 reporter Meghan Glova has this mother's warning in the video below:

Colorado mother warns of kratom dangers after 19-year-old son's death

Masen died on May 31st. Before his death, Campbell says her son was given kratom by a friend.

He was snoring really really weird," Campbell said. "I hate myself for not trying to wake him up or anything, but I thought, hes just sleeping.

Hours later, Masen's family tried to wake him. Campbell says Masen's sister performed CPR on him and that he did not respond to Narcan.

I went down there and he had bubbles coming out of nose and his lips were a little purple," Campbell said. "His body was cold and he wasnt breathing.

Campbell says an autopsy later revealed kratom-toxicity as Masen's cause of death and that the combination of kratom and alcohol killed her son.

According to El Paso County Coroner and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Emily Russell-Kinsley, kratom is a product that is derived from the leaves of a plant from Southeast Asia.

"It's got a lot of alkaloids or compounds in it," Dr. Russell-Kinsley said. "The most prevalent one is called mitragynine.

Dr. Russell-Kinsley says 41 deaths were associated with kratom or mitragynine products in Colorado in 2025. She explains, at a higher dose, the chemical mitragynine has an opioid-like effect. The risk of overdose with pure kratom or mitragynine is low. However, products with additional alkaloids, like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), can be more dangerous.

Thats actually much stronger than morphine," Dr. Russell-Kinsley said. "That 7-hydroxy, its being manufactured and its present in higher amounts than you would see naturally.

Masen's autopsy revealed that he had 7-OH in his system.

When you read about the populations that this drug is impacting, its predominantly younger white males," Dr. Russell-Kinsley said. "It's folks who are struggling with opioid dependence or issues with pain, issues with anxiety."

Last month, two University of Mississippi students, including one from Colorado, were found dead in separate locations. Police found kratom at both scenes, but it is still unclear if kratom played a part in their deaths.

In Oxford, the possession, distribution, and sale of kratom is prohibited. In Colorado, it is legal, but heavily regulated.

A 2025 Colorado law has increased kratom regulation in Colorado. It prohibits the story or display of kratom products that would allow it to be accessed by individuals under 21-years-old. It also prohibits selling a kratom product that mimics candy or appeals to children.

They produce a product that is difficult to divide into, what they say, is the appropriate dose in a package," Dr. Russell-Kinsley said.

Campbell says, according to Masen's friend, the kratom given to her son was in a pink pill.

"It came in 40 milligrams and you were only supposed to take 10," Campbell said. "He gave him half of it.

Campbell is now warning others about kratom and its risks on social media, including a TikTok video that reached more than a million viewers.

I was legitimately just to save anybody I possibly could," Campbell said. "I would give anything to have known this and couldve saved my son. Anything.

Campbell also shared her family's story with Representative Lauren Boebert's team, hoping even further kratom regulations could be possible in Colorado. News5 is waiting for a response on whether this is something Rep. Boebert will pursue.

No parent thinks that this is going to be something that they face, but its happening everywhere," Campbell said. "All over, not just Colorado.

For individuals struggling with an emotional, mental health, or substance use concern, Dr. Russell-Kinsley recommends the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. Call or text 988 for free, immediate, and confidental support 24/7.

Email Senior Reporter Meghan Glova at

meghan.glova@koaa.com

.Follow

Meghan Glova KOAA

on Facebook.

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Colorado Springs proposed 2027 budget includes about $91,000 to reopen park restrooms closed because of this years budget cuts. For families using the parks, that could mean more time outside and fewer trips elsewhere to find a bathroom.

Ten neighborhood park restrooms were kept closed for the 2026 season, including Golden Hills, Bonfort, Boulder, Dublin, Ford Frick, Golden Hills, Pion Valley, Sandstone, Thorndale, Wasson and Westmoor parks.

Dylon Myller, who visits parks with his 2-year-old son, said the closures have made it harder to find a private place to change his child.

It actually has dictated how long I will stay at a park, Myller said.

Watch the video report below: Colorado Springs proposes $91K to reopen park restrooms closed by budget cuts

He said restoring access would make him want to bring his son to parks more often to play and meet other kids.

Michele Wiesemann said her family visits parks every weekend for sports or relaxation. Bathroom availability helps determine where they go.

You might have to cut a practice short. You might have to cut your enjoyment outdoors short because you're going to have to get in the car, load everybody up, drive to a different bathroom, Wiesemann said.

She welcomes the proposed reopening but wants maintenance to remain a priority.

However, I do have the concern of what condition they would be in if we're using them and they're not being stocked, supplied, cleaned, she said.

Wiesemann suggested regular checks, keeping toilet paper and hand-cleaning supplies available and locking restrooms after park hours. She also encourages parents to accompany children into public restrooms to check the facilities. Those suggestions are her recommendations, rather than confirmed measures in the budget proposal.

The funding still needs city council approval. A reopening date has not been confirmed.

Residents can review the proposed budget at ColoradoSprings.gov/Budget.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Police in Colorado Springs are investigating after a man was seriously injured in a shooting near Roosevelt Charter Academy on Sunday night.

The shooting was reported shortly before 9 p.m. along N. Murray Boulevard near the intersection with Pikes Peak Avenue.

At the scene, Sand Creek Division officers found a man suffering from obvious gunshot wounds, according to a news release.

The man whose identity has not been released was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

An investigation is underway to identify the suspect(s) involved.

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Todays Forecast:

Dry and breezy conditions move into Colorado. Gusts will approach 40mph for a couple of areas along I-25. Afternoon highs will still be on the warm side in the 70s and 80s.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 78; Low: 49.

Colorado Springs will have lows this morning in the upper 40s. Winds are already gusty this morning, and that will continue over the next several hours. Afternoon highs will soar into the 70s.

Pueblo forecast: High: 83; Low: 53.

Pueblo will have temperatures this morning in the lower 50s. Skies will remain mostly clear and breezy conditions will pick up in the afternoon. Along with breezy conditions, warm temperatures will continue. Highs will reach the lower 80s.

Canon City forecast: High: 78; Low: 51.

Canon City will wake up to temperatures this morning in the 60s. Bright and sunny conditions will last throughout the day. Winds will be on the gusty side reaching 20mph at times. Highs will still be warm in the upper 70s.

Woodland Park forecast: High:66; Low: 41.

Woodland Park this morning will have temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Winds will be breezy with gusts approaching 30mph at times. This streak of warmer weather will continue with highs reaching the mid-60s. Later on this week there will be a big drop in temperatures and overnight lows will eventually get into the lower 30s.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 72; Low: 47.

Monument and the surrounding area has temperatures in the 40s this morning. Warm weather is back in the forecast this afternoon with highs getting into the lower 70s. With this next system getting closer to Colorado, it will amplify those wind gusts. Gusts will get close to 35mph at times.

Plains forecast: High: 80s; Low: 50s.

The eastern plains will have temperatures in the 50s this morning. Once the sun rises, temperatures will rise quickly. Afternoon highs will stay warm, getting into the 80s. Winds will be strong at times and humidity values will be low, so fire danger will be a concern.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High:74/80; Low: 50.

The southern portion of I-25 will have temperatures in the 50s this morning. We are still expecting temperatures to warm rapidly and highs will reach the 70s and 80s. The warmest temperatures will be closer to Trinidad and the southern most portion of I-25.

Mountains forecast: High: 60s & 70s; Low: 40s.

The mountains will have an active week ahead with the possibility of snow towards the higher elevations. Moisture will arrive towards Tuesday and will last throughout the week. Showers will be active this week. Afternoon highs on Monday will get into the 60s and 70s.

Extended outlook forecast:

Active weather arrives by Wednesday with afternoon showers picking up across I-25. Temperatures will also take quite a hit with highs only reaching the 50s. Overnight lows will also drop very close to freezing towards the higher terrain. We are looking at the potential for our first freeze this week for a few areas. It will be interesting to see with this moisture on the way. Higher peaks will likely have more snow move in. Mountain passes may also get hit.

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At least one person is dead after a vehicle crashed into a concrete pylon and caught fire early Monday morning in Colorado Springs, according to police.

The Colorado Springs Police Department received a call just before 3 a.m. Monday about a vehicle fire in the 5300 block of Mark Dabling Boulevard, according to the duty lieutenant.

A person riding a bicycle spotted the burning vehicle after it had struck a concrete pylon beneath the roadway, police said. Officers and Colorado Springs Fire Department crews responded to the scene. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, and at least one person was inside.

Both directions of Mark Dabling Boulevard were closed between Rockrimmon Boulevard and Enterprise Road, just north of Garden of the Gods Road. Local traffic will be allowed through to reach homes in the area. The closure was still in place as of 4 a.m.

The road closure is expected to last for several hours.

As more information becomes available, this article will be updated.

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Tonight's Forecast:

Overnight lows will be in the 50s for most along I-25 with the higher elevations seeing s 30s and 40s. A few stronger storms are possible in the high country tonight while I-25 and eastward stay mostly dry.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Mid to upper 70s are ahead for Colorado Springs on Monday with a slight cool down by Tuesday. Conditions still stay dry and mostly sunny. Wednesday brings in temperatures in the 50s with widespread rain. Estimated accumulation totals to come...

Pueblo forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Pueblo will see more temperatures above averages for Monday and Tuesday with dry time and mostly sunny skies. Wednesday drops into the 50s like the rest of the forecast region with rain chances. I expect southern areas to receive less moisture than the Pikes Peak Region and northward.

Canon City forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Monday and Tuesday still stay above averages in the 70s for Canon City. Mostly sunny skies are expected and by Wednesday, temperatures will drop significantly with highs in the 50s. The middle of the week brings rain chances in too.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

A warm start of the week is expected in the 60s in Woodland Park. Tuesday may bring in a few chances at showers with more widespread rain by Wednesday. Temperatures will drop significantly into the 40s on Wednesday and will stay cool through the end of the week. A few snowflakes may be possible as cold temperatures continue through the end of the week.

Extended outlook forecast:

After the warm start of the week moves out, southern Colorado will drop ten to fifteen degrees below averages on Wednesday with widespread rain expected. The mountains may see a bit of snow too. The afternoon highs through the end of the week will be well below averages in the 40s and 50s in southern Colorado. Total rain accumulations will likely be about a quarter of an inch around the Pikes Peak Region with lesser amounts across the southern and eastern portions of the state.

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Water service was restored to residents of a southeast Colorado Springs neighborhood on Saturday.

Colorado Springs Utilities said they were able to restore service around 2 p.m. This is after a water main break on Friday near Airport Road and Murray Boulevard that resulted in services being stopped and some areas being flooded.

As far as a cause, Utilities said it was likely an aging pipe, but it is still being looked into.

But detours will remain in place until Thursday, they said. Murray Boulevard will remain closed between Airport Road and Dewey Drive as crews work to repair the road in the area, according to Utilities.

Utilities asks drivers in that area to proceed with caution as those crews work.

This same area saw another water main break earlier this year, but Utilities said they arent able to say yet whether it was the same main that broke this time, nor how that incident ties into this most recent break, if at all.

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Two Pueblo officers were injured in a shooting late Saturday night after responding to a reported home invasion, according to police. The suspect died at the scene.

Police received a call about a home invasion at about 11:09 p.m. in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. The neighborhood is northwest of Lake Minnequa. While officers were responding, they learned the suspect had fled in a Dodge Ram, according to a department news release.

Officers located the vehicle near Jones and Brimmer avenues and began pursuing it. The suspect abandoned the vehicle along Regency Boulevard on the west side of the city near Lehigh Park and ran into a nearby apartment complex.

Officers followed the suspect to an upstairs apartment and knocked on the door while identifying themselves as police, according to the release. The suspect opened the door, and an exchange of gunfire followed.

Two officers were injured. One was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. The other officer's condition was not immediately available.

The suspect received medical treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene. The Pueblo County Coroner's Office identified the person who died as 36-year-old Luis Antonio Morales.

The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team has been activated to investigate the shooting. The officers involved and dispatchers have been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with department policy.

The investigation remains active. Police said no additional information would be released at this time.

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One person was taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries following a three-vehicle crash in Colorado Springs on Saturday morning, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

The crash happened around 7:49 a.m. near South Circle Drive and East Pikes Peak Avenue after CSPD said a driver traveling eastbound ran a red light and was then hit by a southbound vehicle, which then hit a third vehicle that was traveling northbound.

When CSPD officers arrived on the scene, police said they found one person trapped and two others injured.

All three were taken to the hospital. CSPD said that one of the drivers was seriously injured with life-threatening injuries. Their current condition is not known.

Police said speed and alcohol are not being investigated as contributing factors to this crash at this time.

CSPD did not say whether any of the drivers would face citations or charges related to the crash.

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado State Patrol is looking for witnesses to a possible crash on Friday.

They said a trooper was patrolling the area of Highway 94 north of Schriever Space Force Base on Friday around 8:30 p.m.As the trooper was patrolling, they said they noticed a man walking in the road with serious injuries.

That man was taken to the hospital. Colorado State Patrol said that trooper did not see any vehicles in the area at the time.

As troopers investigate what might have led to that mans injuries, they are asking anyone who was in the area between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Friday night to give them a call. State Patrol said this was likely on or around westbound Highway 94 between milepost 8 and 9, and they believe it could have been a crash involving the pedestrian.

If you have any information about what happened, you can call them at (719) 544-2424. The case number is VC260371.Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.

The Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District's Big Fall Book Sale is offering book lovers the chance to fill their shelves for under $3 a book and every dollar spent goes directly back to funding the library programs and initiatives that make reading accessible to everyone.

Watch Liv Wood's report in the video player below: Friends of PPLD book sale supports literacy programs

Last year, more than $160,000 was given back to the library, with some of that funding coming from the book sale. The other funds came from three regional library bookstores, online sales, branch bookstores, donations, membership fees, and the spring book sale.

Children's books, mystery novels and cookbooks are among the many genres on display at the four-day event. Purchasing a book doesn't just score shoppers a great deal it also fuels the programs that bring more people to the page.

Tracia and Edward Bell had been anticipating the event for months, marking it on their calendar at home and bringing their three children along for a family outing.

"I literally had it on the refrigerator, marking this day on the calendar like, 'We're gonna be there,'" Tracia Bell said.

"She was talking about it for months," said Edward Bell.

For the Bell family, reading is at the center of their home life.

"This is probably one of the first PPLD libraries that they've got exposed to because they love the children area, so we come, and they have fun and do their thing," Tracia Bell said. "At home we literally have bookshelves everywhere. We're not big TV people, and so we just dive in all genres, really."

Every purchase made at the sale and at branch library book sales throughout the district is funneled back to the Pikes Peak Library District. Rita Jordan, president of the Friends of PPLD, explained why that sustained funding is so critical.

"It's great to have programs, but you don't know if next year are we going to be able to have money to continue these programs?" Rita Jordan said.

The Friends of PPLD supports programs including:

Summer Adventure All Pikes Peak Reads Mountain of Authors Regional History Symposium Adult Winter Reading Program BookBrowse, a digital resource for readers and book clubs

"Because of the low cost, they are accessible, these books are accessible to everybody," Jordan said. "We want to be able to say you can get books here so that you have them on your shelf. You do not have to return them; they are yours, especially for kids, which is so important for literacy."

The Big Fall Book Sale is just one chapter of many that make reading more accessible to families like the Bells.

"We're thankful. This is here and that we can pull different topics and keep expanding our minds," Edward Bell said.

If you couldn't make it to the Saturday sale, the bargain bag sale begins at 11:00 am on Sunday. It is $6 per bag of books for members and $7 for non-members.

Todays Forecast: It will be a warm and sunny start to the weekend across southern Colorado. Temperatures will be above the seasonal average once again. Highs will top out in the 70s, 80s, and near 90 in the eastern Plains. They will top out near 80 degrees in Colorado Springs and mid-to-upper 80s in Pueblo, while the high valleys reach the 60s to lower 70s. Southwest flow aloft is helping to draw in Pacific moisture. This could lead to a few showers and storms over the high country and mountains this afternoon/evening. East of the I-25 corridor could see a few clouds in the afternoon but should remain dry.

Extended outlook forecast: Warm temperatures will continue through Monday. Highs will still be in the 70s and 80s. There will be continued showers and storms over the San Juans and the high country. The rest of the region should see plenty of sunshine. By Tuesday a cold front moves through the region as a large system shifts into the area. Exact timing of the front is still in question as it depends on the speed of the overall system. Temperatures drop into the 70s region wide. Winds and isolated shower chances return by Tuesday evening. Snow could start to fall across the higher elevations. For the rest of the week, temperatures will finally feel like fall and where they should for October. Highs will drop into the 50 and 60s for the region. High valleys could see their first freeze Wednesday night!

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KOAA News5 is the proud Southern Colorado home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks!

KOAA will stream all non-nationally exclusive Switchbacks FC matches on our mobile app, connected TV apps, and website for Southern Coloradans to enjoy.

Saturday night, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks will be in California to take on the Sacramento Republic FC. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m.

More information about watching the games live can be found on our website.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Friday Football Fever continues this week! The games kick off Thursday night, followed by plenty of action on Friday.

Get the latest scores and highlights in the video player below:

Friday Football Fever 2026: Week 6 Highlights and Scores from across Southern Colorado

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More than 53,000 people across Colorado are facing homelessness, according to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. In El Paso County alone, more than 1,400 people have experienced homelessness this year according to the 2026 Point In Time survey.

See more about the 2026 Point In Time survey: El Paso County Point in Time Count tallies more than 1,400 experiencing homelessness

But I had the chance to sit down with Springs Rescue Mission CEO Travis Williams, who spent 24 hours on a bench raising awareness about the issue. It marks the second year he has taken on the challenge.

Williams said the experience was far from easy and that the first hour was the hardest.

"It also was a reminder to me, almost a metaphor for what our guests go through, is that you hit those hard times and it's that initial start that's often the hardest," Williams said.

I spent 30 minutes on the bench during our conversation a fraction of the 24 hours Williams committed to the cause.

Working as a reporter in downtown Colorado Springs, I've seen the reality of homelessness firsthand from people resting in Acacia Park to conversations that have been truly eye-opening.

Williams said the conversations happening on the bench have resonated with those who were watching nearby, not just the two of us.

"There's a space where we've had different guests and particularly last night after we wrapped up a little bit, I was talking with some of the guests and they were, they were saying how these conversations have unlocked something new for them," Williams said.

One of those people is Danie Delice, who says what she witnessed hit close to home.

"When I see everybody moving around, it is not just about themselves, it's about someone else and it's that selfless behavior and character that I love and I really resonate with that because I am a servant at heart," Delice said.

Delice says she experienced homelessness for months.

"I've experienced what it feels like to not have a support system and to not have a way to get out of that," Delice said.

She didn't just share her story with me she also shared it with Williams on the bench. She said through programs at the Rescue Mission, Delice gained skills she didn't have before.

"There was a program here going into the educational opportunities that is offered. Before I came here, I didn't know how to drive a forklift, but I know how to drive a forklift. So that's one of the positions I would be looking for when I'm ready to apply," Delice said.

Now, she hopes to continue giving back to the community that helped her.

"I would like to continue to create impact in the community that has helped me previously and continues to help others, and give them a sense of purpose, because we all have a purpose," Delice said.

Williams says many people have a narrow picture of what homelessness looks like and people who are served at Springs Rescue Mission tell him they want to change that perspective.

"They go that's not me. Like I could be your sister, I could be your brother, I could be your grandmother, and I want you to see me," Williams said.

And I agree. Through many stories I've covered about Springs Rescue Mission, I think of the people who have moved past homelessness and are now thriving.

Watch the stories of people who have grown since getting out of homelessness: 'Look at Where You Are Now': The Stories Behind These Powerful Portraits

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) The Colorado High School Activities Association on Friday addressed mounting pressure to investigate racist incidents reportedly coming from students of a private Christian school in Parker during recent football games at two Colorado Springs-area schools.

The alleged racist incidents occurred while visiting Lutheran High School played against Sand Creek High on Sept. 24 and Rampart High School on Oct. 2 and 3.

Watch News5's most recent update on this story in the video below:

Air Academy forfeits homecoming football game

Families who reached out to News5 about the racist incidents said Black cheerleaders from Sand Creek High were subjected to racial slurs during the game and were even called Harriet Tubman by Lutheran High students. The Denver Post reports the racist harassment was so severe Sand Creek cheerleading coach Sanaa Ford had to escort a group of Black cheerleaders to their cars before the game was even over while students made monkey noises at them.

News5 took those families concerns to Lutheran High School executive director Dan Gehrke, who said he was aware of the allegations and was actively investigating them.

But just three days after another racist incident occurred at Rampart High that reportedly involved the LuHi Lions, Air Academy High School announced it was forfeiting its homecoming football game scheduled for this Friday against the private Christian school. School officials cited a coaching shortage as the reason for the forfeit and said they would instead schedule a flag football game versus TCA for Oct. 9.

In their statement, Air Academy High did not address the controversy over the racist allegations that now plague Lutheran High, only saying the school was committed to a safe and supportive environment for all students.

The lack of clarity forced Academy District 20, the school district under which Air Academy High School operates, to provide a statement of their own.

Academy District 20 believes racism in any form should never be tolerated. Any credible concerns of racist remarks should be taken seriously and fully investigated, district officials said.

In their statement, district officials said that conversations between Lutheran High and Air Academy High had taken place earlier this week and both had agreed to limit fan attendance only to family members of both schools as well as add security enhancements.

Ultimately, individual decisions affected the level of coaching participation available. Given those circumstances, Air Academy was not in a position to safely field and support a varsity football contest, district officials said.

Watch News5's first story on these allegations in the video below:

School districts respond to racist incidents at high school football games

Not long after that statement was released, CHSAA officials announced they would be meeting with school officials from Lutheran, Sand Creek and Rampart High to discuss these recent racist incidents.

These conversations were about more than any single incident, a CHSAA spokesperson said in a statement to News5 Friday. CHSAA is committed to an environment free from racism and discrimination, and that requires more than responding to individual reports.

CHSAA officials said that besides their own investigation into these allegations, the three schools affected by reports of racist behavior are also conducting investigations of their own and added that they will review their findings before making any decisions on potential punitive action.

We understand the desire for immediate action. But decisions of this weight must be based on complete information, and acting before we have it would not serve student participants or our member schools, officials said. If CHSAA bylaws are determined to have been violated, consequences will be determined according to those bylaws.

This isnt the first time Lutheran High School students have been under the spotlight for alleged racist behavior.

In 2021, an investigation for unsportsmanlike conduct was launched against the LuHi Lions after an Evergreen High School parent alleged Lutheran High football players used racist slurs against Evergreens minority players and said, We will bury you like your dead coach, after a coach on the Jefferson County team had died, according to Denver7.

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Brooklyn has transformed the Palmer High School volleyball program from the ground up ending an eight-year postseason drought and helping propel the Terrors to a 9-1 start this season.

After the program failed to reach the postseason for eight consecutive years, Brooklyn helped lead the Terrors to a regional tournament appearance in 2025. Head coach Adrianne Dettler said she recognized Brooklyn's potential from the moment she joined the program as a freshman.

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"Just starting her freshman year you could tell she was a little different. Her IQ even at a young age was kind of beyond what we've had here at Palmer, so overall experience of volleyball, you could tell there was a difference," Dettler said.

Now in her second year as team captain, Brooklyn has found the balance between leading and being supportive.

"I think my teammates would describe me as like someone who's encouraging in like the tough moments but also can give tough feedback when it's needed and when it's due like, but ultimately a pretty encouraging person," Brooklyn said.

Dettler has watched that leadership continue to develop.

"Last year she's like, 'I'm ready to be a leader.' And this year she has taken that on. Not afraid to have the hard conversations, not afraid to get on her teammates if they're slacking, but they respect it because she brings it as well," Dettler said.

Brooklyn backs up her leadership with production on the court. She is top 3 on the team in every statistical category and recorded 25 kills against Elizabeth, leading the Terrors to victory after trailing by two sets.

For Brooklyn, individual numbers take a back seat to team success.

"I would love a good stat line and to show I'm a good player, but honestly our team just does such a good job that it doesn't really matter," Brooklyn said.

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