Buc-ees is moving forward with developing a site in El Paso County.

On Monday, El Paso County officials posted to their website about the plans, saying the site development plan is an administrative review and approval process. They say county staff will review the proposal.

While the plan was not on the website, it does say the plan includes lighting, landscaping, parking, traffic, required roadway improvements, and other applicable technical design requirements.

After searching for county records, we were able to find the submitted plans on the EDARPs website here. Shown uploaded Monday are floor plans, elevation plans, and the application.

Watch below: Legal challenge to proposed Buc-ees

Legal challenge to proposed Buc-ees

County officials write on the website, If the site development plan satisfies all applicable technical design requirements, it will be approved administratively. The site development plan does not return to the Board of County Commissioners for approval, and there is no appeal of that administrative approval to the Board of County Commissioners.

Watch below: Tri-Lakes civility meeting aims to heal community divisions fueled by contentious Buc-ees debate

Tri-Lakes civility meeting aims to heal community divisions fueled by contentious Buc-ees debate

In August, the Board of Commissioners determined Buc-ees application met the criteria for an allowed use on the land along County Line Road near I-25 in northern El Paso County.

In a statement, Mark Waller, a consultant for Buc-ee's, said, "Were excited to be at this step and look forward to continuing our work with El Paso County as we move our way through their land planning process."

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Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday that confirmed that he has lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said Tuesday.

The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.

The 71-year-old was in the operating room for about 3 hours, the statement said. The surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the statement said.

Leo had walked into Rome's Gemelli hospital through the main entrance earlier in the day and waved to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The Vatican said the surgery would be performed by a team led by Gemelli's chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora.

RELATED STORY | Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lung

The American pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.

Oncologists said prior to the operation that even if the nodule turned out to be cancerous, Leo's prognosis is "excellent" since it will have been removed at an early stage.

The Vatican on Monday canceled all Leo's audiences through Oct. 20.

While Gemelli has a specific papal apartment that past popes have used, complete with a private chapel on the 10th floor, Leo will actually be staying in a nearby room since the papal apartment is currently undergoing renovations, according to the Vatican press office.

The first snow of the season has fallen at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort and Butte Mountain Resort.

According to officials, Vail Mountain received nearly three inches of snow and Beaver Creek got around an inch of snow. Additional snowfall is in the forecast, and teams will begin snowmaking this week.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort also got a dusting of snow, officials said. The resort's 65th season will kick off on Nov. 25.

Vail is targeting an opening date for Nov. 13 while Beaver Creek is looking to open Nov. 25.

Watch below: One more day of dry and sunny conditions before mountain snow and rain move in One More Day of Dry and Sunny Conditions Before Mountain Snow and Rain Move In

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is remembering the incredible life of Kimba, a 48-year-old African elephant who passed away this week.

According to zoo officials, Kimba was considered geriatric for an African elephant and was the second oldest in the zoo's herd of aging female elephants.

Officials said that Kima had occasionally dealt with lethargy and decreased appetite at times, but starting having more off days recently.

"Despite receiving dedicated care and treatments that helped previously, this time Kimba did not recover to the quality of health she deserved. Kimbas care team made the emotionally difficult and compassionate decision to humanely euthanize her, surrounded by her trusted care team, on Mon., Oct. 12," the zoo said in a statement.

Kimba came to the CMZoo in 1981 at just three years long with her lifelong bestie, Lucky, who is now 46 and still living at the CMZoo.

Kimba was the first elephant I trained in a shared space, back when sharing space was the standard practice, Ilana Cobban, elephant care manager at CMZoo, said in a statement. She weighed 11,000 pounds at the time, and I was all of five-feet-and-five-inches tall. She was just massive, and she taught me so much about elephant behavior and how to work with them as individuals.

More than 13 years ago, the zoo decided to develop the specialized staff, housing and expertise to care for the aging elephants. It even built what it calls a "retirement community" for the elephants, allowing them to flourish.

"Kimba spent her Last Best Day on Sunday doing her favorite things. She and Lucky enjoyed hours together in the vacation yard, soaking up the sunshine and grazing on grass. Kimba was surrounded by her devoted animal care team, including several keepers who had cared for her for more than 20 years. Though her absence will be deeply felt, the lessons she shared with us over the years will remain an important part of her legacy," the zoo said in a statement.

Kimba's herdmates were given access to her shortly after her passing to help them process the loss, according to the zoo. The team will continue to monitor her best friend, Lucky, closely, along with the entire herd.

"When Lucky shows the team shes ready, they will offer her social opportunities with other members of the herd," the zoo said.

You can read more on the zoo's tribute here.

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PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) Pueblo Police are sharing an update on the officers who were injured over the weekend in an officer-involved shooting.

Saturday night, officers were called to the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue, northwest of Lake Minnequa. Police say a suspect had driven away from the area and the vehicle was found on Regency Boulevard on the west side of the city near Lehigh Park. They say the suspect, identified as Luis Antonio Morales, 36, ran into a nearby apartment complex and thats where Morales and police exchanged gunfire.

Watch the latest update on this story in the video below:

2 officers injured and suspect dead following a reported home invasion in Pueblo

Police say two officers were injured and Morales died at the scene from his injuries.

Pueblo Police have released an update on those two officers. They say one officer, Officer Justin Ortiz, had a graze wound to the ankle. They say the other officer, Officer Jonathon Woehler, was shot in both legs and was taken to a local hospital. Woehler was released from the hospital Monday.

The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to investigate this incident.

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Todays Forecast:

We have one more day of above average temperatures and sunny conditions before rain and snow moves in. Winds will still be breezy this afternoon and highs will rise into the 70s and 80s. The warmest temperatures will be east of I-25. Higher elevations will have highs in the 60s.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 71; Low: 43.

Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the lower 40s. These temperatures will rise quickly and eventually get into the lower 70s. Winds won't be as breezy as yesterday, but will slightly increase in the afternoon. Overnight lows headed into Wednesday morning will drop into the lower 40s.

Pueblo forecast: High: 79; Low: 46.

Pueblo will wake up to temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning. We have another day of bright and sunny conditions. Still tracking above average highs with temperatures breaking back into the 70s. This is the last day before cold temperatures move in over the next few days.

Canon City forecast: High: 73; Low: 48.

Canon City will have morning temperatures in the 40s. There will be a few clouds with rain off towards the west. Not expecting rainfall in the area today and afternoon highs will reach the lower 70s. Winds will be light coming out of the southwest between 5-15mph.

Woodland Park forecast: High: 62; Low: 38.

Temperatures this morning are sitting in the upper 30s, so a jacket may be needed. There are a couple of sprinkles from passing showers, but this will clear out. Still tracking sunny conditions today and above average temperatures. Highs will get back into the 60s.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 64; Low: 41.

Monument and the surrounding areas will have temperatures in the lower 40s this morning. These temperatures will rise pretty quickly. Afternoon highs will get into the 60s. Winds will be light coming out of the southwest between 5-15mph. Changes will arrive on Wednesday.

Plains forecast: High: 70s & 80s; Low: 40s.

The eastern plains have calm and clear conditions today and that will last into the afternoon. Temperatures this morning are sitting in the 50s and 60s. We will continue to see a rise in our temperatures as the sun comes out. Afternoon highs will get into the 70s and 80s.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 672/78; Low: 45/42.

This morning temperatures are sitting in the 50s for the southern portion of I-25. Bright and sunny conditions will continue throughout the day and help temperatures to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s. The warmest temperatures will be located near Trinidad. Rain will move in on Wednesday.

Mountains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 30s.

The mountains already have some moisture moving in with rain ongoing. As this low-pressure system moves in it will bring some cooler temperatures and drop snow levels down to 8,000 feet. The ski resorts have a chance to get a couple of inches of snow and for most of the central mountains. This afternoon will still be warm with highs reaching the 60s.

Extended outlook forecast:

This low pressure system is slowing moving towards Colorado and this will bring much cooler temperatures. Highs will take quite a dip with parts of I-25 dropping into the 40s and 50s. Along with this incoming system, there will be some moisture that moves in. Snow will move in for the mountains and will be possible as low as 8,000 feet. Parts of Teller county could wake up to a dusting Thursday morning. Overnight lows will drop into the 30s and 40s. Temperatures will eventually warm back into the 60s and 70s by the weekend.

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The Colorado Heart Gallery is using the power of photography and storytelling to help children and teens in foster care find permanent, adoptive families.

Founded in 2005 as a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Human Services, nonprofit partners and volunteer photographers, the Colorado Heart Gallery features professional portraits, videos and personal narratives of youth awaiting adoption.

The images are displayed online and in traveling exhibits across the state, giving prospective parents a chance to connect with children on a more personal level.

One of the youth looking for a forever family is Troy.

Troy's bio from the Colorado Heart Gallery is below:

Calm, caring, and considerate are just a few words that describe Troy. When a subject catches his attention, he dives in with laser-like focus. Troy is passionate about gaming and loves interacting with horses and other animals. Among his animal friends, pit bulls and reptiles hold a special place in his heart, and forming attachments to them comes effortlessly to him. He finds solace in drawing and enjoys the thrill of sports and video games. Fruits, especially watermelon and mango, are his favorite snacks; he often enjoys them while listening to music. Troy has an appreciation for nature and enjoys going for walks and hikes. If he could choose superpowers, he would pick invisibility and X-ray vision. His favorite colors are red and black. Troy aspires to hit the open road as a truck driver when he grows up.This tenth grader's most liked subject is math.Troy would like to live in a home with pets, where he can have his own room and be the only child; however, his caseworker will consider all family types. He has significant connections to maintain following placement. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services.

Families interested in learning more about Charlie or other children available for adoption and fostering can contact the Colorado Heart Gallery. You can also call (303)755-4756 for more information.

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The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (CDFPC) has published the initial report on one of Colorado's most destructive wildfires since the Marshall Fire in 2021.

On Monday, the Scripps News Group acquired the CDFPC report from attorneys representing victims of the Aspen Acres Fire. According to the report, it began roughly 200 feet west of Colorado Highway 165 at mile marker 17, southwest of the intersection of Colorado Highway 165 and Custer Drive.

The report concludes that the fire was caused by an aspen tree falling onto a power line. The tree was blown over by high winds and fell on overhead power lines, investigators said. The impact of the falling tree forced the power lines down to about three feet above the ground.

Watch the Latest Coverage in the Video Player Below

Evidence that the report uses to make its case includes eyewitness accounts, fire effects, fire patterns, and the actual aspen tree resting on a power line with burn marks.

The aspen tree trunk was in contact with both the hot and neutral conductor, according to the report. The tree also had visible heat damage where the tree was in contact with the lines, including charring and burn marks. The lines themselves also had arcing, melting, and charring, according to the report.

The lines heated the tree bark and nearby vegetation to a point where they could ignite. Melted aluminum was also found under the area where the tree rested against the line, which should be considered as a contributor to the fire's ignition, the report said.

The report also provides evidence in the form of fire behavior and indicators, observed in the burn patterns. When burning in a particular direction, fire leaves signs of its direction of movement and its intensity. These patterns in the burned foliage, the report says, indicate that the fire advanced from the general origin area and spread west and south while also burning more intensely away from the origin area.

Other possible ignition sources were explored by investigators, including lightning, discarded smoking material, or an intentionally set fire.

Lightning was discarded as an explanation by investigators because they found that no lightning was recorded, no physical evidence of a strike was found, and no one reported lightning on that day. Not only that, a five-mile-wide report by STRIKEnet of the area found there were zero cloud-to-ground strikes detected by lightning sensors within five miles of the origin area.

Discarded smoking materials were discarded as an explanation because no smoking materials were found in the area by investigators. Additionally, investigators determined that the conditions in the area would make a fire caused by smoking materials "inconsistent and not viable given the data collected during this investigation."

Intentionally set fires do not necessarily mean arson they simply include fires that were set intentionally and not necessarily maliciously. These include open flames like candles, matches, lighters, pilot lights, and oil lamps. However, investigators found that the fire did not originate anywhere near structures with open flames.

The ignition, which the report says took place in the general area of a series of utility poles, was also witnessed by a local resident at 5:45 a.m. on June 29. It immediately began to spread westward up the hill and towards the south, according to the testimony provided in the report.

The Aspen Acres Fire began on June 29 and remains active with 82% containment. It has burned 102,007 acres as of Oct. 2, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Read the Full Report Below For Yourself

The fire destroyed over 200 homes and evacuated thousands of people across the fire, which burned in Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, and Custer Counties.

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A man was injured during a shooting involving police on the Colorado State University Fort Collins Campus Monday.

Campus police received a report around 5:35 p.m. of a man who was behaving erratically and approached a university officer with a handgun near Newton Plaza.

Gunfire occurred and the suspect was shot, according to campus officials. It is unclear at this time if the man shot himself or if he was struck by the officer's shot.

Aid was rendered and the man was taken to a local hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

The public was asked to avoid the area around the chemistry and microbiology buildings.

The identity of that person has not yet been released. Their current condition is unknown.

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Were hearing reports of a police presence on the CSU campus. A friend of mine, a Ph.D. student on campus, received a notification around 6:02 p.m. He also told me over the phone that he heard gunshots. Were working to get more information from CSU Police. @DenverChannel https://t.co/bSsjJQVXfh Peter W. Choi (@peterwjchoi) October 13, 2026

Denver7 is working to learn more about the incident, but according to the campus alert system, it was all clear as of 6:50 p.m. Police remained in the area Monday night.

The Fort Collins Police Department is leading the investigation. As the department shares more information, we will provide more information

Colorado voters will decide this November whether to add a new identification requirement for mail ballots.

Amendment 84 would require mail voters to write the last 4 digits of their Social Security number or driver's license number on the outside of their ballot envelope.

The measure would apply to federal and statewide elections and would keep the existing signature requirement. Amendment 84 needs 55 percent of the vote to pass. The measure does not change identification requirements for people voting in person.

Supporters say the change adds another layer of verification.

"Signatures used to be the gold standard, and now everything that you see that has security attached to it is a two-factor authentication and one of those factors is always going to be something that's subjective, said Suzanne Taheri one of the initiative's proponents.

She says signatures can change, particularly among younger and older voters.

For older people, it's because I think their writing styles sometimes change as they get older. For younger people you don't sign that many documents," Taheri said.

Some voters say they may be open to the idea.

"As long as it's private, you know, not the whole world to see it. Yes, I'm OK with it," Princella Carvin said.

But opponents say Colorado already has a system for checking those signatures.

"I've worked as an election judge, it's been proven to be a reliable way to make sure these are valid ballots, said Jessica Delos Reyes the executive director of Citizens Project. She says the added requirement could create another way for a legitimate ballot to be rejected.

The thing is if you don't provide that information, your vote will not be counted, this is just going to keep more people away from voting and stoke even more distrust in a system that's actually very secure," Delos Reyes said.

Other voters say they see value in having another way to verify who's casting a ballot.

"Having something to show 'OK this is who I am and this is how I'm voting I was here today' uh just makes sense to me," Meg Provencher said.

For some, the concern is whether voters need to provide more personal information.

"We have already got our Social Security in the system as far as they know who we are, I feel like how many ways do we need to have our identifying name address phone number all the other things that we have?" Heidi Marquess said.

Tonight's Forecast:

Overnight will be relatively dry, mild, and breezy with overnight lows staying in the upper 40s to low 50s across Southern Colorado. Persistent southwesterly flow will keep overnight temperatures around 5 to 10 degrees above normal for mid-October under mostly clear skies.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 48; High: 71;

Tuesday will bring cooler temperatures compared to Monday as high pressure weakens and a surface cold front approaches. Expect afternoon highs in the low 70s with gusty breezes. Rain shower chances increase across the Pikes Peak region into the evening hours.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 53; High: 78;

Pueblo will see highs in the upper 70s to near 80 on Tuesday. Dry and breezy conditions will dominate through most of the daytime hours before cooler air and increased rain chances arrive heading into Wednesday.

Canon City forecast: Low: 52; High: 73;

Highs in Canon City will reach the mid-70s on Tuesday with breezy southwesterly winds. Clouds will build through the afternoon, with scattered showers developing west of Fremont County along the higher terrain.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 44; High: 61;

Woodland Park will see highs around 60 degrees on Tuesday. Shower activity will ramp up across Teller County during the afternoon and evening hours as mid-level energy moves in from the west.

Extended Forecast:

A major pattern change takes hold across Southern Colorado Tuesday night through Thursday as an upper-level low and cold front pass through.

Rain showers will transition to snow along the high-elevation mountain passes (such as Wolf Creek and Monarch) with light to moderate accumulations possible. Across the eastern plains and I-25 corridor, noticeably cooler, Fall-like weather arrives Wednesday into Thursday. Daytime highs dropping into the 50s alongside scattered rain showers. The San Luis Valley will likely see its first freeze Wednesday night, with frost or a light freeze spreading across portions of the eastern plains Thursday and Friday nights. Dry and seasonal weather returns by the weekend.

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Curious about the First Alert 5 Weather Storm Impact Scale? Check out our cheatsheet explainer.

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DENVER State health officials are urging Coloradans to get vaccinated against flu now instead of waiting a few more weeks to do so as the number of influenza cases and hospitalizations defy seasonal norms.

The early rise in cases comes after Colorado saw a record-breaking flu season last year, with 5,931 flu-related hospitalizations across the state the highest annual total since the state began tracking the disease in 2004. Of those, 1,169 were among children. Eight of those children died from flu last year, according to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment spokeswoman Hope Shuler.

Denver7 reported on Colorados record-breaking flu season earlier this year. Watch that story in the video below:

A Colorado hospital brought back mask mandates as flu hospitalizations surged. Will others follow?

Though the viral respiratory season has already started in Colorado (flu season typically runs from the beginning of October through late May), several key indicators like positive flu tests and flu-related hospitalizations are showing steep increases across the state.

As of last week, Colorado had reported 46 hospitalizations for the flu compared to 8 at the beginning of September, with emergency department visits also seeing a marked increase. Compared to last year, flu-related emergency department visits did not reach current levels until the first week of November, according to state data.

Last years record hospitalizations were a sobering reminder of how serious the flu can be, especially for young children, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer. With flu activity in the state picking up, parents have a critical window right now to protect their families before virus transmission surges.

State health officials say the best way Coloradans can protect themselves from severe illness caused by flu is to get vaccinated.

Early vaccination is especially important for individuals at higher risk of serious illness, such as infants and young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with underlying health conditions, Shuler said.

The CDPHE recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible ideally by the end of October, state health officials said, since it takes two weeks for full protection to build.

Anyone wishing to get vaccinated can go to their nearest pharmacy, primary care physician, their local public health agency or community health center.

State health officials said most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and CHP+, cover the full cost of flu vaccines so families pay nothing when visiting providers that accept their health plans. Families without health insurance can get free or low-cost vaccines for their children at nearly 600 locations across the state.

Besides enhancing your immunity by eating well, getting enough sleep, staying active and avoiding stress as much as possible, health officials say there are other things you can do to stay ahead of a potential infection whether thats flu, COVID or RSV this fall and winter.

The CDC recommends a multi-layered approach that includes not just getting vaccinated, but wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in crowded settings, testing before gatherings, ventilating indoor spaces, practicing proper hand hygiene, and following CDC quarantine guidance if you test positive for any of these respiratory viruses.

Coloradans who have questions about this years flu vaccine are encouraged to talk to their doctor or local pharmacist before scheduling an appointment.

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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