The nationally No. 4-ranked CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves return to action this Saturday for their homecoming game against New Mexico Highlands, looking to remain perfect on the season.

Coming off a bye week following a win at Adams State, head coach Philip Vigil said the team chose to practice and improve rather than take an extended break.

Watch Dante Williams' report in the video player below: No. 4 CSU Pueblo enters back half of the season with focus on improvement

First off, you have to lean into what got you to 6-0, and that's just focusing on every single day. So last week, yes, it was a bye week, but we practiced and we made a determination that we're going to find a way to improve and get better over the bye week, and that was really our goal, Vigil said. Give the guys a couple of days off over the weekend, and as you can see this morning they're back at it and energized and ready to rock and roll.

Vigil said physicality is the defining characteristic of this team on both sides of the ball.

"I think first and foremost it's physical, you know? I think you turn on the tape, you're going to see guys that are running to the football on defense hitting people. Then on offense, you're going to see an offensive line, a tight end group, a running back group that is physically imposing their will, Vigil said. Physical football teams win games, and that's the thing that I'm most proud about this group because I think they're very, very physical on both sides of football.

With the season at the halfway point, Vigil acknowledged there are still areas to address particularly eliminating turnovers.

There's little things that we have to fine-tune and get better at. You know, you look at our tackling on defense from the first part of the season to where it's at right now; that's an improvement, but it's always going to be better. You look at offensively, some of the procedural penalties that we're making early in the season; that has improved it tremendously. We haven't had a game yet where we haven't turned the ball over. So there's always going to be areas where we can improve and find ways to get better, and every unit, every position, every player knows what that is, and they got to attack it every day," Vigil said.

CSU Pueblo will host New Mexico Highlands in their homecoming game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Allegations of racist behavior coming from students and spectators of a private Christian school in Parker at Colorado high school football games could jeopardize the schools athletic programs indefinitely if it fails to implement immediate changes to its culture, officials from the Colorado High School Activities Association warned Thursday.

Lutheran High School, which has been embroiled in controversy over reported racist incidents at football games for nearly a month, is now facing suspension from CHSAA-sponsored games and other activities unless it completes a corrective action plan that addresses game management, spectator conduct, staff training and school culture.

In the meantime, CHSAA has placed the schools athletic department on probation for at least 12 months after determining that racist and discriminatory language and unacceptable behavior occurred at Lutheran athletic events.

Racism and discrimination have no place in our schools or at our events. CHSAA takes sportsmanship, crowd control and the treatment of every participant at our events seriously, and every member school is responsible for the conduct of its coaches, players and spectators, officials said in a statement Thursday.

Officials from the states governing body for high school athletics said they were forced to consider suspending Lutheran High Schools membership in the Association following a comprehensive review of documentation, official game reports, and first-hand accounts that member schools gathered from their students and communities.

The 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.

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 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, according to The Denver Post.

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

School districts respond to racist incidents at high school football games

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 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 its 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 last 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.

On Monday, School District 11 announced it, too, had decided that Coronado High School would also forfeit its game against Lutheran scheduled for this Thursday after both Lutheran and CHSAA failed to provide a statement to the district denouncing racist behavior ahead of the scheduled game.

Our athletic programs should reflect respect, dignity, and a commitment to equal and fair play, School District 11 officials said. In the absence of the requested statements, we do not believe proceeding with Thursdays game is consistent with those expectations.

CHSAA officials defended their delayed response in implementing disciplinary action against Lutheran in a statement last week, saying any disciplinary action required more than responding to individual reports.

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.

If Lutheran fails to meet the requirements set forth by CHSAAs corrective action plan, the states governing body will recommend the Board of Directors suspend Lutherans membership for a length of time determined by the Board.

Gehrke, the LuHi Lions' executive director, said in a statement to families obtained by Denver7 later Thursday that Lutheran High "condemns racism in any form," adding the school will complete "every requirement CHSAA has set."

"We are disappointed that CHSAA reached its determination before our own review is complete and before it could consider our findings," Gehrke said. "In the meantime, I humbly ask that you keep our students, families, coaches and staff in your prayers, along with everyone affected."

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.

Montrose High School, which is expected to face Lutheran High on Oct. 23, announced later Thursday their game against the school was still on, but said in a statement that their decision to compete "should not be interpreted as minimizing the seriousness of these allegations or condoning the behavior described."

"Montrose County School District unequivocally condemns racism and discrimination in any form," Montrose High School Principal Heidi Voehringer said in a statement obtained by News5. "We remain committed to representing our school and community with the character, integrity, and respect we expect of all Red Hawks."

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Fans looking to get season tickets to the new Colorado Springs UFL team can do so later this month.

The league announced that season tickets for the Colorado Springs team will go on sale at the team launch event on Oct. 25 at Weidner Field. They will then go on sale the following day at www.theufl.com/colorado.

Each team will play five home games during the 2027 season, and season ticket packages start at under $100 per ticket in every market, officials say.

Season ticket members will also get a member gift, 20% discount to merchandise, invitations to events and more.

The UFL season will kick off on March 26 and the full schedule will be released at a later date.

The Loveland Ski Area began snowmaking operations on Wednesday night, becoming the latest resort in the mountains to start making snow amid colder temperatures and the first natural snowfall.

According to officials, snowmaking began at 7:04 p.m. and crews are working to build a base of snow ahead of opening day.

See the operations in the video below Loveland Ski Area begins snowmaking operations for 2026-27 season

Small-scale snowmaking began at Loveland in 1966 and during the 1967-68 season, officials said that Loveland became the first major ski area in Colorado with snowmaking capabilities.

Now, Loveland's snowmaking system covers more than 240 acres of terrain.

"For 60 years, generations of Loveland snowmakers have worked through cold nights, early mornings, high winds, and challenging mountain conditions to prepare the slopes for skiers and snowboarders," they said in a statement. "At Loveland, the start of snowmaking marks the beginning of the ski season. Once temperatures cooperate, crews work around the clock to prepare the mountain for opening day."

The first goal is to establish a top-to-bottom run with tree-to-tree coverage and an approximately 18-inch base of packed snow. Snowmaking usually continues into early to mid December.

Loveland is hoping to open in either late October or early November, depending on conditions. It opened on Nov. 8 last year.

The team's initial goal is to establish a top-to-bottom run with tree-to-tree coverage and an approximately 18-inch base of packed snow. Loveland's high elevation and experienced snowmaking crew have helped establish a long tradition of early-season skiing and snowboarding.

Snowmaking typically continues into early to mid-December as crews expand coverage across the mountain and supplement natural snowfall.

Loveland is targeting an opening between late October and early November, weather and conditions permitting. Last season, Loveland opened on November 8.

Parents at Bricker, Oak Creek and Turman elementary schools were invited to meetings Wednesday evening to hear directly from Harrison School District 2 leaders about major changes planned for their schools.

At Turman Elementary, about 30 parents attended a meeting where district leaders announced plans to close the school beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Students would transition to either Giberson Elementary or Soaring Eagles Community School.

Staff members also learned about the planned closure shortly before the meeting.

The district is also proposing to combine Oak Creek Elementary with Fox Meadow Middle School and Bricker Elementary with Panorama Middle School. Both campuses would become K-8 schools.

For families at Turman, the announcement came as a shock.

Yeah, it is shocking, said Ruben Bet, a Turman Elementary parent.

A little bit scary because we moved to this community because we wanted to go to Turman, Said Israel Riva, another parent at Turman.

Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, School Board President Michelle Wills-Hill and Turman Elementary Principal Mickee Witt attended the meeting to explain the proposed changes and answer parents' questions.

During the meeting, district leaders pointed to declining enrollment as a key factor behind the planned changes. Turman currently has fewer than 150 students, according to the district.

Leaders also cited rising living costs and fewer children entering the community as contributing factors.

But parents said they still have questions about how the changes will affect students, teachers and families.

The big question is how will the district accommodate all these students in different schools and also the teachers, Bet said.

Parents also raised concerns about transportation, class sizes and whether schools receiving students will have enough teachers and counselors to support them.

For Riva, the announcement came with little time to process what it could mean for his family.

This is so new that it just hit us like out of nowhere, so, um, we would have to see, but I don't know, we really like the school, Riva said.

District leaders said employees will have an opportunity to apply and interview for positions at the receiving schools as the district works through staffing plans.

The district expects that process to begin January 11, when the interview pool opens.

Parents also asked what will happen to the Turman Elementary building after the school closes. Some said they do not want the property to sit vacant.

One idea raised during the meeting was converting the building into the Deerfield Hills Community Center. District leaders said community input will play a significant role in determining the building's future.

Still, some parents hope the school can be saved.

If there is any way to save the school or to make a petition to save that school because it's a great school and the teachers are great, the principal is a great principal, Riva said.

Harrison School District 2 said it plans to support students and families throughout the transition.

District leaders also reminded parents that the district operates under a school-choice model, meaning families can choose which school their children attend next year.

The proposed changes are planned to take effect in August 2027, at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

For now, questions remain about how students will transition, how staffing will be handled and what will ultimately happen to the Turman Elementary building.

If your ballot hasnt arrived, or youve filled it out and arent sure where to take it, El Paso County election officials have resources to help you take the next step.

Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker encourages voters to address problems early rather than wait until Election Day.

What if your ballot hasnt arrived?

Contact the El Paso County Elections Department at 719-575-VOTE (8683) or elections@elpasoco.com.

Schleiker said staff can check its status, cancel the original ballot, and issue a replacement.

If you recently moved, check or update your voter registration at GoVoteColorado.gov.

Can you still register?

Yes. Oct. 26 is the deadline to register or update your registration to have a ballot mailed to you.

After that, eligible voters can register and receive a ballot in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center through Election Day, Nov. 3.

So as long as youre in line, you know, on or before 7 p.m. on election night, youre gonna be able to participate, Schleiker said.

The Citizens Service Center at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road already offers in-person services. Additional centers open in phases beginning Oct. 19. Check locations and operating hours here.

Where do you return your ballot?

Before returning it, take your own ballot envelope and sign it. Each voters ballot needs its own envelope.

Your envelope is to you as a particular voter, dont put two ballots in one envelope, Schleiker said.

Return it at one of the countys 44 secure ballot drop boxes or an open Voter Service and Polling Center. Find drop-box addresses and vote center locations here.

If mailing your ballot, Schleiker recommends mailing it by Oct. 26. After that, use a drop box or vote center.

For voters returning a regular domestic mail ballot, it must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. A postmark does not count.

How do you know it arrived?

Sign up for El Paso Countys BallotTrax to receive notifications when your ballot is mailed, received, and processed for counting.

For Schleiker, voting also carries a personal meaning.

Every time I vote is I am sitting here, um, honoring those that have basically sacrificed to protect that right.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Walkers and runners using the Greenway Trail in Monument Valley Park will need to take a different route while crews work on a historic bridge.

The temporary closure began Oct. 12 and is expected to last up to four weeks. It affects the west side of Monument Creek between the Duck Pond and the pickleball courts.

Crews need the space to use a crane to lift concrete deck panels into place on the 90-year-old Cache La Poudre Street/Mesa Road Bridge and perform other heavy construction.

For Brandon Eleuterio, who drives from Briargate about once a week to run, the park offers something he appreciates.

It gives me access to just some nice smooth dirt to run on, a nice soft surface, uh, and a little bit of nature inside the city, Eleuterio said.

The existing bridge closure has already changed his usual running route, but he said he has gotten used to taking another path.

How to get around the trail closure

The eastern leg of the Greenway Trail remains open, with an existing short pedestrian detour.

Heading south: Cross Monument Creek using the Uintah Street bridge. Heading north: Cross at the pedestrian bridge near the south end of the park.

Visitors can still reach the pickleball courts and Horticultural Art Society Demonstration Gardens by vehicle via Glen Avenue. The courts also remain accessible by trail from the south.

Asher Nofziger, a local resident, said the bridges road closure has made reaching parking and getting around the area more difficult. He looks forward to having that access restored.

I think itll be relieving, you know, getting rid of these road closed signs and being able to, you know, go where we want, Nofziger said.

Bridge construction began in April. Along with replacing the deck, crews are improving drainage and lighting and restoring the bridges Art Deco features.

The four-week estimate applies to the temporary trail closure. More information and a closure map are available on the citys project website.

Tonight's Forecast:

Over the San Luis Valley there is a freeze warning active tonight into early Thursday morning as temperatures drop into the subfreezing range. Elsewhere, 30s and 40s are expected across the region. Showers linger for the plains tonight while the I-25 corridor dries out. The mountains will see some lingering snow too.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 37; High: 52;

Overnight lows are expected to be colder than averages in the 30s as showers clear out. Dry time is expected overnight with mostly sunny skies in store for Thursday. Winds on Thursday will be very strong with gusts up the 45 MPH. Colder than average afternoon highs are expected into Thursday and Friday before things rebound into the weekend.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 39; High: 59;

Wednesday night will stay below averages with lows in the 40s. Thursday will be cooler than averages again with mostly dry conditions. The end of the week on Friday will begin to rebound slightly with a warmer and more seasonal weekend ahead too.

Canon City forecast: Low: 38; High: 60;

Temperatures will stay below averages for Wednesday night and into the coming days as the week wraps up. The weekend will be more seasonal in the 60s and 70s with dry time too.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 28; High: 38;

A few more snowflakes are possible for Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning. That's ahead of rebounding temperatures into Friday and the weekend. More sunshine returns for Woodland Park by the weekend too.

Mountains forecast: Low: 30; High: 54;

The central and southern mountains will be in the subfreezing range tonight and into the coming days. More snow is likely overnight with more expected into Thursday too. That's ahead of a drier trend into the weekend.

Extended outlook forecast:

By Friday southern Colorado can expect temperatures to start to rebound. The weekend will be much more seasonal in the 60s and 70s across the area. The drier and sunnier trend continues into early next week too.

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

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Residents in Pueblos Bessemer neighborhood are raising concerns about vehicle and property safety after the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) repaired a damaged chain-link fence separating homes from Interstate 25.

The fence was knocked down by what CDOT described as a likely errant driver on the city side of the interstate.

Crews later patched the damaged section after obtaining the necessary materials, but neighbors say the repair does not provide enough protection for the homes just feet from the busy highway.

Marty Harvey, a Bessemer resident who previously expressed concern about a hole in the fence, said she worries a vehicle could leave the roadway and strike nearby homes.

Its like they threw up paper towels or Kleenex. This is not fixing the problem, Harvey said of the repair. This is not going to stop a car. This is not going to stop a semi.

The homes sit close to southbound I-25, along the 2400 block of East Evans Avenue, with a narrow alley separating the residential properties from the interstate. Harvey said the limited space leaves little room for error if a driver loses control.

CDOT needs to come down here for themselves. Stand where Im standing, Harvey said. This alley is probably only 10 ft wide, so youve got less than 20 ft before you hit houses.

Harveys neighbor and friend, Cindy, said she appreciates that CDOT responded to the damaged fence but believes a more substantial safety measure is needed.

Im grateful they did come up and put a temporary solution on it, Cindy said. We need a sound barrier. We need a little bit more cushion for safety reasons, and its just a hazard that needs to be addressed.

When asked whether the agency plans to install a more secure barrier or sound wall along that section of I-25, CDOT said there are currently no plans to do so.

At this time, there are no plans to install a sound wall along this stretch of I-25 in Pueblo, the agency said.

The response has done little to ease residents concerns, particularly as traffic continues moving along the interstate in close proximity to their homes.

Harvey said she does not feel safe living so close to the highway, noting that distracted driving and poor weather conditions can increase the risks.

You never know, she said.

For residents, the repaired fence is a temporary fix to what they see as a larger safety issue. They want transportation officials to evaluate the narrow space between the interstate and their homes and consider additional protection.

An accident is just waiting, Harvey said. Its a matter of when.

For now, the chain-link fence has been repaired, but residents say they remain concerned about whether it would offer meaningful protection if another vehicle leaves the roadway.

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The Palmer Lake Art Group, a community dedicated to fostering artistic connection in northern El Paso County, hosted a silent auction this past Saturday to raise additional funding for its long-running scholarship program aimed at supporting graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue art.

Since the 1970s, the group has awarded scholarships to high school seniors in District 38 who have demonstrated a commitment to art and plan to continue their studies. The program has awarded more than $90,000 total, typically distributing two or three scholarships each year.

"Just this last year, we had two students who were awarded those scholarships, one at Lewis Palmer High School and one at Palmer Ridge," said Kathleen Seelye of the Palmer Lake Art Group.

Learn More in the Video Player Below

"We believe that the investment into these young students is so important in helping them see an opportunity for art in their career," Seelye said.

This year, the group added a silent auction to its typical funding efforts, with members donating art and art supplies to benefit the program. The goal is to grow the auction format year over year and eventually open it to the public.

"We'd really like to be able to grow beyond the three to five thousand dollars a year that we give in our programs, and this is one of those vehicles that we think we could do that with," Seelye said.

Former scholarship recipient Micaela Cimino said the award helped launch her career. Now, more than two decades later, she owns a gallery and frame shop in Monument.

"I used that money to go to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, [a] very good art school, which was super fun and amazing, and it kind of got me my start to a whole world and lifetime now of doing art for a living, which has been great," Cimino said.

Cimino said the scholarship also gave her an early opportunity to share her work with the public.

"That was the first time that I got to showcase my work to the public, and you have this confidence boost because you did win," Cimino said.

Today, she gives back to the same program that helped her get started.

"Yeah, you just pay it forward, but they're the best. I think that what they're doing is really important for kids and for the future of artists, and just giving them representation and confidence and a little financial support," Cimino commented.

More information about the scholarship program and the Palmer Lake Art Group is available here.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Colorado Springs City Council member Dave Donelson has confirmed he will be running for mayor in the next city election.

Questions arose after Donelson's Facebook page changed from "Dave Donelson for City Council District 1" to "Dave Donelson Mayor for the people".

Donelson confirmed that he will be running, sending the Scripps News Group the following statement:

An official announcement of my candidacy will be released in the next few weeks. Because of the interest by media in the name change of my Facebook page from Dave Donelson for City Council District 1 to Dave Donelson Mayor for the people I am releasing this brief statement. As a Colorado Springs City Councilman, over the last five and a half years I have earned the reputation of being the councilman who actually listens to the citizens. I have become known for integrity, transparency, and fighting for the interests of our citizens, their neighborhoods, and businesses. Now we need a mayor who has those values. This current City Councilman, father, recent grandfather, and former Green Beret looks forward to working for the citizens of Colorado Springs as their Mayor for the People!

The next Colorado Springs Municipal Election is scheduled for April 7, 2027. The Mayor's office will be up for election, including three at-large city council seats.

Donelson was elected to represent Colorado Springs City Council District 1 in 2021, and was reelected to the seat in 2025.

According to KOAA's news partner at The Gazette, based on early campaign finance reports, four additional candidates have already filed to run for mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who took over the office in 2023, and three other candidates Stan VanderWerf, John Tig Tiegen, and Democrat Glen Shaw.

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PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) Pueblo city officials are reassuring residents that their drinking water is safe following two wastewater discharges earlier this week, but advised people to avoid recreational contact with the water in Pest House Gulch, Wild Horse Creek, and the immediate downstream areas for the time being.

Officials from the Pueblo West Metropolitan District said the wastewater discharges occurred Tuesday during planned infrastructure upgrades at the districts wastewater treatment facility, which is undergoing improvements to modernize its ultraviolet disinfection system.

The first discharge occurred at around 1:13 a.m., according to a news release.

In that first incident, district operators responded to an alert indicating a temporary failure of a contractor-operated bypass pumping system. Officials said that during that brief failure, approximately 54,000 gallons of fully treated but non-disinfected wastewater was discharged through the plant outfall into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek before district personnel restored operation of the facilitys primary UV disinfection system.

A second operational complication occurred later that day during ongoing system adjustments associated with the upgrade project that released approximately 185,000 gallons of partially treated and partially disinfected wastewater into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to officials.

District officials said personnel immediately responded to both incidents, restoring treatment processes and implementing operational measures to stabilize system performance. Both incidents were reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, officials said, and the district is working closely with the contractor to implement additional redundancy measures and safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Officials said water quality samples were collected and laboratory analysis for E. coli is currently underway but reassured the public drinking water is safe.

Pueblo Wests drinking water remains safe and unaffected, a spokesperson for the district said in a statement. These incidents involved treated wastewater discharges and do not impact the Districts drinking water treatment facilities, distribution system, or drinking water resources.

Though Pueblos drinking water is safe, officials are asking that out of an abundance of caution, people avoid recreational contact with the water in Pest House Gulch, Wild Horse Creek, and the immediate downstream areas while water quality monitoring and testing continue.

District officials said they will provide updates as more information and water quality monitoring results become available.

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ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. Colorado State Patrol crime investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to a deadly crash on Interstate 70 east of Byers Wednesday morning.

The fatal crash happened while CSP troopers were investigating a single-vehicle, property-damage-only semi crash on westbound I-70 near milepost 321 at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Watch the latest headlines from Denver7 in the video player below: top-stories.mp4

As troopers were working the scene, one of their patrol cars was struck by a Ford F-150, according to a news release.

Initial reports show the trooper was partially blocking the left lane of travel while tow trucks were removing the semi from the center median when the Ford F-150, driven by an 18-year-old man, lost control, striking the patrol vehicle and sideswiping the passenger side. The F-150 continued westbound, entering the center median, striking the guardrail, and then striking the rear driver's side of the semi-trailer.

The 18-year-old driver of the F-150 was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries. The passenger of the pickup, a 19-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, according to the release.

The trooper involved was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation; no injuries were reported at the scene.

The name of the 19-year-old will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner once family has been notified.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating this crash.

DENVER Ice Castles, the family-friendly winter wonderland experience that drove thousands to Cripple Creek and Silverthorne each year, will not be returning to Colorado for the 2026-2027 winter season after the state experienced one of its worst winters on record.

While Wednesdays announcement does not explicitly state that Colorados record-low snowpack was a reason for cancelling the event this year, Cripple Creek officials said earlier this month that organizers cited operational and business considerations as the reason behind the decision.

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

ice Castles will not return to Cripple Creek for 2026 - 27 Season

Mild weather last season throughout the country were challenges for the organization, Cripple Creek officials said. As a result, they will be scaling back on the number of sites they will be opening this coming season.

City officials also cited significant water issues in Teller County as another contributing factor for cancelling Ice Castles in Colorado this winter.

We're deeply grateful to the Town of Silverthorne and the Outlets at Silverthorne, and to the City of Cripple Creek and the property owners who hosted us there, along with the guests and communities across Summit and Teller counties and the greater Front Range who made Ice Castles part of their winter tradition, said Andrew Child, a spokesperson for the Ice Castles in a statement.

Though Ice Castles is canceled this winter, organizers said they hope to return in the future to the Centennial State.

Ice Castles first made its debut in Colorado in 2017 and has been a staple for thousands of people each winter. The last time the massive frozen tourist attraction canceled its season in Colorado was in 2021.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is praising deputies for helping stop a wrong-way driver on I-25 early Tuesday morning.

According to the sheriff's office, dispatch received reports of a car traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-25 in Castle Rock around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday.

See the dashcam video bleow Video shows DougCo deputies stop wrong-way driver on I-25 who had 7 prior DUI convictions

Deputies attempted to stop the car, but it fled at speeds exceeding 80 mph while continuing to travel in the wrong direction.

The Lone Tree Police Department worked with the sheriff's office to close the highway ahead of the suspect.

Deputies continued a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the suspect initially refused to exit before the suspect was taken into custody.

According to the sheriff's office, there were multiple indicators of possible impairment, and the suspect refused testing at the hospital to determine his blood alcohol level.

Deputies also determined the suspect has a long criminal record in Colorado, with seven prior DUI convictions across several decades. The suspect also had a suspended license

"Wrong-way drivers create an immediate and potentially catastrophic danger for everyone on the roadway, Sheriff Darren Weekly said in a statement. I'm proud of the quick decisions, teamwork, and professionalism demonstrated by our deputies and our partners at the Lone Tree Police Department. Their actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome and kept our community safe. Let me be clear: we will not tolerate impaired driving in Douglas County. Time and again, impaired drivers put innocent lives at risk, and our deputies remain committed to holding those who make that dangerous choice accountable while doing everything possible to protect the public."

Colorado diesel prices have climbed to a record $6.31 per gallon on average, as refinery maintenance and global supply disruptions push fuel costs higher, according to GasBuddy.

On Tuesday, News5 saw several stations with diesel prices more than $6.50 in the Colorado Springs area, including one priced at $6.79.

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddys head of petroleum analysis, said the states average diesel price has surpassed previous records, including a high of $5.66 set earlier this year and $5.53 in 2022. The latest spike comes as diesel supplies remain tight both in the United States and overseas. De Haan said seasonal refinery maintenance following the summer driving season is contributing to price volatility in Colorado, where the market is particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Colorado has only one oil refinery, meaning maintenance or other disruptions can have an outsized impact on the states fuel supply and prices.

It's just all about refineries right now and not enough diesel supply, De Haan explained.

Global conflicts are adding to the pressure. Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have affected diesel supplies, while disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz and reduced exports from Chinese refineries have further constrained the global market, De Haan said.

Although President Donald Trump recently announced a potential deal involving Russian fuel supplies, De Haan said it is unclear whether Russia can provide additional diesel. He noted that Russia has restricted diesel exports since July amid supply challenges.

The United States already exports about 1.5 million barrels of excess diesel per day, according to De Haan, raising questions about whether a potential deal with Russia would significantly increase the amount of fuel available globally.

Colorado's efforts to ease prices

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently signed an executive order intended to provide relief from high fuel prices by allowing certain changes involving dyed diesel and transportation requirements. Dyed diesel is typically reserved for off-road uses, such as farming and construction, where it receives different tax treatment. Allowing its use on public roads under specified conditions could offer some tax-related relief, De Haan said, but it would not increase the overall supply of diesel. He also cautioned that truckers traveling across state lines could face complications if neighboring states have different rules governing dyed diesel.

The biggest problem here is none of these levers are meaningfully adding diesel supply to the global market, De Haan added.

More price increases possible

De Haan said he does not expect meaningful short-term relief unless global supply conditions improve.

Diesel is also used as heating oil, particularly in parts of the northeastern United States where natural gas is not available. As temperatures drop, increased demand for heating oil could put additional pressure on diesel supplies. If winter weather is especially cold, De Haan said diesel prices could approach $7 per gallon in some areas. He said the outlook will depend largely on refinery operations, global fuel supplies and geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine and Iran.

Click here for more on fuel rewards programs in Colorado to save at the pump.

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UCHealth broke ground on a major expansion project at Memorial Hospital North on Tuesday. The project will nearly double the hospital's size.

According to UCHealth, the expansion includes a new six-story in-patient tower that will add 36 medical-surgical beds and 14 intensive care unit beds when it opens.

That tower will increase the hospital's capacity from 140 beds to 190 beds with the ability to grow to 320 beds as the demand for care increases.

This groundbreaking represents more than the beginning of a new building, UCHealth President and CEO Elizabeth B. Concordia said in a statement. The Memorial Hospital North expansion is a major investment in our community and our mission, strengthening access to high-quality care and ensuring patients throughout southern Colorado can benefit from the nationally recognized specialists and services offered across UCHealth.

Other aspects of the $463 million expansion include:

Four new operating rooms in phase one, with four more planned for future phases, bringing the eventual total to 18 ORs Parking structure with 875 parking stalls Expanded kitchen and dining space for patients, visitors and staff Renovation of the main lobby to incorporate the new tower Space for more emergency department exam rooms Laboratory expansion

The expansion comes amid a growing demand for healthcare in the Colorado Springs & Pueblo regions. According to officials, hospitalizations at Memorial Hospital North increased 25% from 2020-2025, emergency department visits increased 41% and the number of surgeries grew 59%.

Memorial Hospital North has been operating at or near capacity for several years, and these investments will substantially increase our ability to meet the growing demand for inpatient, surgical and specialty care in northern El Paso County, UCHealths southern Colorado region President and CEO Lonnie Cramer added in a statement.

According to officials, the project spans 308,000 square feet of new construction. About 45% of the space will be built out for immediate use, while the rest will be shell space for future growth.

Construction will take place in phases, and the new parking garage is the first project set to be complete i the spring of 2028.

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Todays Forecast:

Fog will be possible this morning and it will be misty in the Pikes Peak Region. Temperatures won't rise much today with highs in the 40s and 50s. Heavy rain will be possible in the afternoon as this low-pressure system pushes eastward. Overnight lows into Thursday morning will drop into the 30s and 40s.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 47; Low: 38.

Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the upper 40s. There will be some fog that also sticks around through the morning. Winds will eventually shift out of the south to help push some of that fog out around 5-15mph. Afternoon highs will be on the cooler side getting into the upper 40s. Rain will also move in during the afternoon.

Pueblo forecast: High: 52; Low: 40.

Pueblo is waking up to some fog this morning and that will last until the afternoon. Temperatures won't warm up too much with highs only reaching the lower 50s. This will be the coolest day over the next 7 days. Rain moves in during the afternoon. Winds will be coming out of the south between 5-15mph. Thunderstorms may increase those winds.

Canon City forecast: High: 50; Low: 41.

Canon City will wake up to temperatures in the lower 40s. Fog is already starting to let up, and will clear out by the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will be on the cooler side today only getting into the lower 50s. Rain will be possible in the afternoon.

Woodland Park forecast: High: 42; Low: 31.

Woodland Park is chilly this morning with temperatures in the lower 40s. We aren't expecting a big jump in temperatures. You will want to make sure you grab a waterproof jacket as you head out the door. Rain will be possible this afternoon. As this moisture continues to move in and temperatures drop, there will be some flurries Thursday morning. Not expecting much for accumulations, and just a dusting over grassy surfaces.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 45; Low: 34.

The Monument area will have temperatures in the 40s today. There won't be much of a warm up throughout the day. Rain also moves in during the afternoon hours. Winds will be coming out of the south between 5-10mph. Lows going into Thursday morning will be in the 30s.

Plains forecast: High: 50s; Low: 40s.

The eastern plains has a little bit of fog this morning and that will clear out before noon. Winds will eventually shift out of the south and thunderstorms will move in by the afternoon. Some heavy rain is possible with a few of these storms. Highs will be on the cooler side today in the 50s.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 49/58; Low: 40/38.

The southern portion of I-25 will have some fog this morning, but will clear out before the afternoon. Temperatures won't warm much with this cold front that has moved through. Highs will only reach the upper 40s and lower 50s. Rain will move in during the afternoon.

Mountains forecast: High: 40s; Low: 20s.

The mountains have winter weather advisories in place through Thursday morning. Visibility may be reduced along mountain passes. Highs today will be in the 40s. Snow levels will eventually drop to around 8,000 feet early Thursday morning.

Extended outlook forecast:

These cold temperatures won't stick around because by the time we get into Friday highs will ready be back in the 60s. We aren't stopping there, highs will eventually get into the 70s by Sunday. Early next week looks calm with plenty of sunshine.

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A program in El Paso County is offering local restaurant owners mentorship, community connections, and a cash boost with no loan required.

Exponential Impact (XI) is now accepting applications for the XI Survive & Thrive 2027 SPICE Program, which is an initiative designed to help restaurants across El Paso County thrive.

Instead of traditional loans, the program buys between $3,000 and $17,500 worth of gift cards from participating restaurants and distributes them to the community through local nonprofits. Those gift cards eventually find their way back to the restaurant, bringing in new customers and new revenue. The restaurants also receive a stipend.

"Those gift cards will then go out into the community and the various nonprofits, which is helpful to the community. In any case, those gift cards will end up back in the restaurant, so they're getting new customers, getting a cash injection. That's like a perfect thing. I think it's a win," Eric Brenner said.

Owners also must attend a six week cohort of other local restaurant owners. But Brenner says it is worth it.

Brenner is the chef and owner of Red Gravy restaurant and a mentor for the SPICE Program. He says the goal is to help restaurant owners identify their own gaps or "blind spots" before they become costly problems.

"People might be really good at their job and think they can open a restaurant and they do and they have some success, but they may have a blind spot in say accounting or marketing or even creating a menu," Brenner said.

He says there is one key factor to having a successful business: consistency.

"It's just a matter of listening to your guests at that point and giving them what they want, and just doing it consistently. Consistency is really rewarded in the city and I think a lot of businesses aren't set up necessarily for that," Brenner said.

The program also includes coaching on negotiating leases and finding the right location.

Samantha Lang knows firsthand what it feels like to watch restaurants come and go. The owner of Cacao Chemistry was part of the first cohort of the SPICE Program.

"I have seen so much turnover, people coming and going all the time and it's a shame too, because I see some of them suffering from pain points that, I'm like, I know what you could do about that! I wish I could jump in and help you but you're not asking me. More programs like this would be really beneficial," Lang said.

Lang says the struggle of running a small business in a competitive city is very real.

"I know it's a mid-sized city, but it can feel really big. Sometimes you feel a little bit like a number, you see competition popping up all around you, and you just sometimes you can feel like you're drowning," Lang said.

But the program helped change that perspective. Lang says she didn't just receive guidance on how to keep growing her chocolate shop she also made community connections with other downtown restaurants.

"To be in a room with a lot of the movers and shakers who have been in this for a really long time was transformative."

Lang said.

Businesses can apply now to participate in the SPICE Program. Applications close Nov. 1.

The Colorado Springs Police Department had issued a shelter-in-place order for homes and businesses along Wood Avenue in Colorado Springs Tuesday night.

According to police, a call first came in from a reported shooting inside a home in the area. Police learned once they arrived that no one was hurt and the threat was not credible.

The department said the order was for a quarter-mile radius around the 3100 block of Wood Avenue due to law enforcement activity. Near the Fillmore and Cascade Avenue intersection.

"The Colorado Springs Police Department has issued a SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER for residents within a 1/4 mile radius of 3100 Wood Ave due to LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY near 3100 Wood Ave. SECURE your home/business and STAY AWAY from doors and windows. SHELTER in a safe place until further notice. You will receive an alert when the order is lifted," read the Peak Alert Tuesday night.

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