Southern Colorado will be much nicer for Saturday with highs in the 60s and 70s. That will set us up back above averages for most. A bit of a breeze will shift in, but should only be gusting up to 15 MPH. The plains will see some stronger gusts at times. Lows improve significantly tonight too.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 74; Low: 47.
After a few colder than average days, southern Colorado begins to rebound for Saturday with highs returning back above averages. That sets up Colorado Springs to be in the low to mid 70s. Colorado Springs will see a light breeze Saturday afternoon with more sunshine.
Pueblo forecast: High: 76; Low: 42.
Pueblo will likely see some mid 70s for Saturday with a bit of a breeze. Plenty of sunshine is expected across the area too. More sunshine and warm temperatures are expected into Sunday and early next week too.
Canon City forecast:High: 77; Low: 50.
A much warmer day is ahead for Saturday with more sunshine. The warmer, sunnier trend continues into Sunday and early next week.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 65; Low: 38.
Temperatures rebound to be back above averages in the mid 60s for Woodland Park. A light breeze is expected with sunshine too. More chances for a loose shower move in Sunday, Monday and Thursday in Woodland Park too.
Extended outlook forecast:
The rest of the week will stay above averages by 8 to 10 degrees. The plains will be gusty, but otherwise a light breeze is expected. The calmer trend continues into early next week for southern Colorado. The mountains will see showers, but most in southern Colorado will stay dry.
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Two people were killed after Pueblo police said a car caught fire after the driver crashed into a building along West 4th Street on Friday night.
Officers responded to the crash just after 11 p.m. There, police said the officers found a Dodge Avenger on its side, crashed into the Pueblo Imports building at the Midtown Circle Drive intersection.
Police found a person inside the car who appeared to be severely injured and unresponsive, but police said the car caught on fire as officers were trying to get to them.
According to police, the fire quickly spread, forcing the officers out of the building.
After the fire was extinguished by the Pueblo Fire Department, police said they found two people inside the vehicle who were pronounced dead. Police said the identities of the people killed in the crash will be released by the Pueblo County Coroners Office following appropriate notifications.
What led up to the crash is still under investigation. Police said the crash marks the 15th fatal crash and 16th traffic-related fatality in the City of Pueblo in 2026.
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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:
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DENVER (AP) Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and a power-play goal, Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.
T.J. Hughes scored his first NHL goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood settled in after a shaky start to stop 29 shots.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead after scoring 29 seconds apart midway through the first period. The Avalanche erupted for five straight tallies, including three in the second period.
Colorado finished 1 of 4 on the power play in the Avalanche debut of assistant coach Brett McLean. Hes in charge of the unit after Dave Hakstol left to take over as head coach of the mens hockey program at Arizona State.
Lehkonens second goal tied it 25 seconds into the second period. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal nearly four minutes later for his 83rd career go-ahead score. Hes tied with Mikko Rantanen for sixth-most in Avalanche history. Hall of Famer Joe Sakic tops the list with 210.
DENVER (AP) Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and a power-play goal, Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.
T.J. Hughes scored his first NHL goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood settled in after a shaky start to stop 29 shots.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead after scoring 29 seconds apart midway through the first period. The Avalanche erupted for five straight tallies, including three in the second period.
Colorado finished 1 of 4 on the power play in the Avalanche debut of assistant coach Brett McLean. Hes in charge of the unit after Dave Hakstol left to take over as head coach of the mens hockey program at Arizona State.
Lehkonens second goal tied it 25 seconds into the second period. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal nearly four minutes later for his 83rd career go-ahead score. Hes tied with Mikko Rantanen for sixth-most in Avalanche history. Hall of Famer Joe Sakic tops the list with 210.
When a hard freeze warning hits Colorado Springs, the stakes get especially high for unhoused residents and for the pets they say keep them alive.
Every other Wednesday, a bright blue van parks alongside a row of tents outside the People's Church in downtown Colorado Springs. It's a free mobile vet clinic and resource pickup run by The Pet Cross, built specifically for low-income and unhoused pet owners who have few other places to turn.
I went inside the clinic to meet the people who rely on it and the volunteers who keep it running.
Learn More about the Clinic in the Video Below
For those who show up, their animals are family.
"Everything in the world. She's my best friend," Craig Doty said.
Doty has a seven-year-old dog named Rose. He brought her in to the clinic because he was worried she had ring worm/
"If anything happened to her, I don't know what happened to me. I'd lose it," Corey Haight said.
Haight got his dog, Aurora, spayed. Her recovery has been quick, and he said it is a blessing.
Lisa Thompson, The Pet Cross founder, said those bonds are exactly what the organization was built to support.
"They have this pet and that's their family and they want to take care of them and, you know, there's just, like I said, not a lot of options. So, I do what I can for them," Thompson said.
The Pet Cross partners with Pay It Fur-Ward for the clinic, and they provide dog beds, blankets, food, and vaccines all free of charge. Kimberly Bolding, The Pet Cross director of operations, said her team goes out of their way to gather supplies for both animals and their owners.
"We have people on our team that go out and spend time trying to rile up and get what we can get to get warm clothing for the dogs, cats, and the owners. We've even found that our pet beds have become so valuable because the unhoused could sleep on a pet bed," Bolding said.
The depth of that need, she said, can't be overstated.
"People come and are begging for food for them or they'll feed their animals their food before they would have their pet go without. The same thing with keeping them warm, getting the meds that they can, and they don't have money, so it's pretty tough, but these people look at their animals as the thing that's kept them alive," Bolding said.
Bolding has experience herself. Her son was an animal lover himself before he passed away.
"I had a son that was unhoused on the streets and he was killed 12 days living on the streets. He was an animal lover like big time. I can look at all the people here now and see my son's face, my son's life in there," Bolding said, "They're not just clients, they're people with stories, real struggles, a real life, and I think they deserve to be supported just as much as anyone else. You learn to love these people."
For Doty, traditional vet costs are simply out of reach.
"I'm scared to death of what the vet's ever going to charge. So yes, it's a resource that I can actually use," Doty said.
He said he originally didn't know if what his dog had was contagious. But he said he would rather put his safety at risk than let her be alone and scared.
It's a similar feeling for Haight. He lived on the trails for more than 4 years. He knows what it means to be outside when temperatures drop.
"At night we're looking at close to 30 or below at night when it gets to winter, and that's freezing temperature and if you don't have the right equipment you will freeze to death and die," Haight said.
He credits his pet and the organization, Pay It Fur-Ward, with helping him survive.
"If I didn't have them, I didn't know what I was going to do the next day, to be honest," Haight said.
Now Haight volunteers with Pay It Fur-Ward, heading back out along the trails to hand out supplies to those still living outside.
"We have kennels, we have crates, we have dog food, we have cat food, we have toys, we have a few coats for animals but not much at the moment but during this time of year we kind of hand out most of our inventory because there's dogs and cats out here that need to be warm," Haight said.
Both organizations are always looking for volunteers, donations, and more people to serve.
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 Monterey to take on Monterey Bay FC.
More information about watching the games live can be found on our website.
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The team investigating a police shooting at Colorado State University earlier this week issued an update Friday night.
The Eighth Judicial District Critica Incident Response Team said a CSU police sergeant was sent to a report of a person behaving erratically near Newton Plaza.
Investigators said Brooks Bottenhorn, 22, allegedly fired a round into the west side of the microbiology building before walking toward the sergeant while still carrying a handgun. Police said the sergeant then fired multiple shots, striking Bottenhorn.
Police said the sergeant immediately rendered first aid. Bottenhorn was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was seriously injured but is expected to survive.
According to police, Bottenhorn is a student at CSU.
The Larimer County District Attorney's Office has charged Bottenhorn with criminal mischief, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, unlawfully carrying a weapon, prohibited use of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.
Two Pueblo police officers who were shot during an officer-involved shooting over the weekend were struck by friendly fire from fellow officers, police said.
The shooting happened the night of Saturday, October 10. Officers say they were responding to a home invasion call on Gaylord Avenue.
Previous coverage below
The suspect in the home invasion was armed and led police on a chase to a nearby apartment complex. Police eventually shot and killed 36-year-old Luis Morales.
While officers exchanged gunfire, two officers were hit by gunfire. Officer Jonathon Woehler was shot in both legs, and Officer Justin Ortiz suffered a graze wound to the ankle. Both are expected to be OK.
Details surrounding how the officers managed to hit each other have not been released at the time of this update.
The Pueblo police chief says the department strives to grow and learn from the incident to become a better agency.
As the facts are established, we will examine the incident carefully, including tactics, positioning, communication and decision-making. Then this will determine how we improve our training, equipment and procedure for the betterment of the Pueblo Police Department and the community we serve, said Pueblo Police Department Chief Chris Noeller in part in a news release Friday.
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Public safety was one of the many issues Colorado Springs' mayor addressed in Friday's State of the City speech.
Mayor Yemi Mobolade talked about increasing the police force and using technology to keep the city safe. The police department's Real Time Crime Center uses technology such as drones and red light cameras.
He also highlighted crime prevention partnerships with organizations like Men of Influence and Kingdom Builders Family Life Center.
"These organizations are mentoring young people, interrupting violence and helping people leaving incarceration find a better path because the most effective way to prevent crime, to fight crime, is to prevent it," Mobolade said.
The mayor also focused on the city's growth, the business climate, and affordability and child care issues both families and facilities face.
Watch the Full Story in the Video Player Below
For Wayne Carbowski, the Lighthouse Early Care and Education Center was the best option.
"It's the closest one," Carbowski said.
Carbowski applied for the Universal Preschool Program for his son.
"It helps parents because it provides at least 15 free hours a week, you know, and then if you want extra on top of that you gotta pay extra for that," Carbowski said.
He says without state help, he'd have to find other care.
"I'm not gonna spend $1500 to send my kid here. I can't even make bills, so I, I understand that the 15 free hours was, was a big thing for me," Carbowski said.
For the center providing that care, keeping the doors open isn't so simple.
At the State of the City, Mobolade said El Paso County has about 47,000 children under 5, but only 18,000 licensed child care spaces.
"That is why city council and I modernized zoning rules this year to make it easier to open childcare facilities," Mobolade said.
Annisa Aldaz runs the center and says opening a center takes more than changing the zoning.
"You don't have staff you're not open yet these are barriers that you're going over, paying rent and things before you're even staffed and open and operating," Aldaz said.
She says when families can't afford care, providers feel it, too.
"Parents are paying like $400 a week, parents are basically working to have us watch their kids, and that's not fair," Aldaz said.
Aldaz says more funding could help centers serve families and cover the costs of staffing and operating.
"It might take those city officials to come in and actually see what we're doing, we're looked at as like we're a luxury and really I think we're a necessity," Aldaz said.
Most of Southeastern Colorado is under a Freeze Warning overnight into early Saturday morning. Well see our lows tonight drop into the low-30s and upper-20s for most, before a nice warm-up this weekend. Saturday will bring us back up around 70 degrees for the Pikes Peak Region, under sunny skies.
Colorado Springs Forecast: High: 72; Low: 32
Cold start before sunshine and a quick warm-up. Climbing to above average temperatures in the afternoon.
Pueblo Forecast: High: 72; Low: 29
Another morning around freezing, with sunshine and 70s on tap for the afternoon.
Canon City Forecast: High: 72; Low: 36
Cold start before the weekend warms up nicely. Temperatures jump 30 degrees or more by the mid-afternoon.
Woodland Park Forecast: High: 65; Low: 32
Morning temperatures near freezing before a much milder afternoon and lots of sunshine.
Mountain Forecast: High: 60; Low: 27
Cold start before a very mild afternoon, with highs climbing to the 50s and 60s.
Extended Forecast: Sunday will trend warmer with more cloud cover. Well see mostly quiet weather around the Pikes Peak Region into early next week, with chances for spotty showers across the high country. Highs will stay mostly in the low-70s through the middle of next week. Toward the end of next week, were tracking a system that should knock temperatures down and bring another chance for mountain rain and snow.
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GRAND COUNTY, Colo. Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a driver with several counts of criminally negligent homicide in connection with a head-on crash that killed an entire family south of Kremmling last year.
Samuel Roland Conger, 26, is facing five counts of criminally negligent homicide for the deaths of 34-year-old Manuel Cabral-Torres, 30-year-old Andrea Banuelos-Salazar, and their three children 12-year-old Maria Cabral-Banuelos, 5-year-old Manuel Cabral-Banuelos, and 2-year-old Andres Cabral-Banuelos.
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Details about the cause of the deadly crash remained hidden from public view for months as investigators worked to develop probable cause to make an arrest in the case.
But on the anniversary of the crash, the Colorado State Patrol said it had presented their investigative findings to the 14th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Grand County for review and filing of charges a step that signaled prosecutors were close to revealing what happened on Aug. 4, 2025.
In an unsealed affidavit obtained by Denver7 Friday, a witness to the crash said he was driving the morning of Aug. 24 along Highway 9 near milepost 136 when he saw Congers Ford F150 traveling north along the highway.
The witness told investigators he saw the truck started to veer into his lane, and he had to swerve to avoid the truck hitting his vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit.
The driver told troopers Congers head was down, appearing asleep or passed out behind the wheel, and said he saw the vehicle continue moving into the southbound lane of the highway through his rear-view mirror before the F150 collided head on with a maroon GMC Yukon.
Other witnesses provided troopers with similar accounts of the crash, the affidavit states.
The F150 was going at about 78 to 86 mph in a posted 65 mph zone at the time of impact, according to arresting documents.
Troopers said Conger drove into the oncoming lane for hundreds of feet prior to the collision, and did not try to brake or take an evasive maneuver to avoid oncoming traffic.
The crash caused the F150 and the Yukon to spin clockwise before both vehicles caught fire, according to the arrest affidavit in the case.
Witnesses told troopers they tried to get everyone out of their vehicles after the crash but the flames prevented anyone from helping the Banuelos family get out of their burning vehicle. Conger was able to get out of his car with the help of bystanders, arresting documents show.
Conger was then flown to St. Anthonys Hospital in Lakewood for treatment. The remaining five victims all died at the scene, prosecutors said.
Criminally negligent homicide carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count in the state of Colorado.
It was not immediately clear when Conger would make his first court appearance.
A Colorado resident infected with measles could have exposed thousands of people to the illness after flying in and out of Denver International Airport earlier this month, state health officials said Friday.
The individual a Jefferson County adult with unknown vaccination status against the highly transmissible virus traveled in and out of the airport at least three times during the first week of October, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
State health officials say its likely the patient was exposed during travel outside of Colorado.
Sixth measles-related death reported as Pennsylvania battles widespread outbreak
The CDPHE says people could have been exposed to measles at the following locations and times listed below:
Denver International Airport: Between 12:25 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. The individual arrived at Gate C50, rode the airport train to Concourse B, then took an employee shuttle bus to an employee parking lot. Denver International Airport: Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. The individual rode an employee shuttle bus from an employee parking lot to Concourse B, then left from Gate B48 at 10:57 a.m. Denver International Airport: Between 11:25 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 and 2 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. The individual arrived at Gate A18 in Concourse A, rode the train to Concourse B, then took an employee shuttle bus to an employee parking lot. CareNow Urgent Care, located at 6413 Fig St. in Arvada: Between 11:35 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air and can remain airborne for up to two hours meaning people may have been exposed even if they were nowhere near the infected person at the time.
State health officials said those who were potentially exposed to the virus may develop symptoms through Wednesday, Oct. 28.
What to do if you believe you were exposed
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed especially those who have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and avoid public gatherings or high-risk settings, health officials said in a news release.
Symptoms to watch out for include anything from a fever, a cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes that develop into a rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body about three to five days after symptoms first start. A person with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.
State health officials urge people who develop symptoms to call the CDPHE at 720-653-3369 or their local public health agency immediately by phone before trying to seek treatment to avoid other people from becoming potentially infected with the virus. The CDPHE urges people to call an urgent care center or emergency department and explain that you may have been exposed to measles if you do not have a health care provider.
While most people recover within two or three weeks after contracting the virus, unvaccinated people run the risk of complications from the disease, including ear infections, seizures, pneumonia, immune amnesia, brain damage and ultimately, death.
Measles only spreads from people who show symptoms; it does not spread from people who arent feeling sick, state health officials said.
Unvaccinated people exposed to the virus can get the MMR vaccine 72 hours after exposure (but before symptoms are present) to prevent an infection, according to health officials. If vaccination is not possible, antibody treatment can help in some cases if its given within six days of exposure, state health officials said.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community, the CDPHE spokesperson said.
People who got vaccinated against measles before 1968 should talk to their health care provider about possibly getting a booster as the vaccine used before that year wasn't as effective.
Colorado measles cases have slowed, but numbers are still high
As of Friday, Colorado had reported 26 cases of the virus across 9 counties: Adams (5), Arapahoe (1), Broomfield (5), Delta (1), Jefferson (1), Lake (6), Larimer (1), Saguache (1), and Weld (5), according to statewide data. For context, that's about 72% of all cases the state reported all of last year. Up until 2014, Colorado saw between zero and two cases each year.
Most of the state's measles cases have occurred in unvaccinated individuals who traveled to areas of the U.S. with active outbreaks, per state data.
Across the nation, the number of confirmed measles infections this year has so far reached 4,410 numbers not seen in 35 years, according to CDC data with the majority of cases happening among unvaccinated children.
At least five measles-related deaths have been reported across the U.S. so far in 2026. The last time the U.S. reported four measles deaths was 35 years ago, in 1991.
The National Football League on Friday removed Jonathon Cooper of the Denver Broncos from the Commissioner Exempt List. He will be eligible to play in the Broncos Week 7 game on Oct. 25 after missing six games.
Watch Denver7's most recent story on Cooper in the video below:
Broncos' linebacker Jonathon Cooper arrested for second time in a week
The NFL initiated an investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy following Coopers arrests in June in connection with multiple charges stemming from altercations with his then-girlfriend in June.
Cooper pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation and three misdemeanors, including violating a protection order a week after his first arrest on June 4. The strangulation charge stemmed from his first arrest after a forensic nurse examined his then-girlfriend.
Cooper, who has started 52 consecutive games for the Broncos, is a key member of a defense that has led the league in sacks each of the past two seasons. He was told to stay away from the Broncos mandatory minicamp in June following his second arrest in the span of a week.
The Broncos decided not to release Cooper, whos due $12 million this season. He was allowed to participate in training camp after attending an inpatient clinic near Vail for more than a month.
The leagues review remains ongoing and is not affected by this change to Coopers roster status. Cooper was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Aug. 30. He could face a lengthy suspension under the NFLs domestic violence policy.
Cooper has had 31 and a half sacks with the Broncos since 2021.
A Colorado Springs woman accused of burning down her home with her children inside in 2003 will not be allowed to bond out of jail.
A judge ruled Friday shortly after noon that Deborah Nicholls will remain in jail while her case is retried.
Watch below: Colorado Springs mother's conviction overturned, DA's Office appealing order Colorado Springs mother's conviction overturned, DA's Office appealing order
Her conviction was overturned earlier this year for murder in the death of her three kids after a judge found evidence in her 2008 trial was not disclosed.
Nicholls has maintained her innocence since the case began. The district attorneys office has appealed the decision to overturn her conviction.
This is a developing story and this article will be updated.
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President Donald Trump's new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, is "transitioning out of the role" after he told her to reconsider the job just five days in, according to a White House official.
Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday he was leaving the decision up to her, claiming that she's been treated "very badly" by the media. However, CNN and other sources reported that Zacharia had been fired from the role.
"I said 'Katie, is this for you?' because she's been treated very rough," Trump said he told Zacharia earlier Friday morning. "Honestly, if I were you, Id reconsider."
He added that he felt Fox News host Sean Hannity was "a little bit tough" on her in a recent interview and "she's a nice person."
Trump claimed Zacharia said, "this is a lot tougher" and that he told her, "welcome to the world of Trump."
He told reporters they would speak about her role when he returned to the White House. The president is headed to Georgia for a campaign event.
Katie Zacharia defends lawyer title, explains short first White House briefing
FORT COLLINS, Colo. The man suspected of killing one person after driving his pickup truck onto a sidewalk in Old Town Fort Collins in late August was charged Friday with several counts, including vehicular homicide, the Larimer County District Attorneys Office announced Friday.
Van Lemaster, 88, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was charged with one count of vehicular homicide, two counts of reckless endangerment and four counts of vehicular assault. He was booked Friday into the Larimer County Jail on those charges, according to a news release.
Watch Denver7's previous report on this story in the video below:
One person dead after driver hits pedestrians on sidewalk in Old Town Fort Collins, police say
The fatal crash along Mountain Avenue on Aug. 29 happened at the height of the city's Tour de Fat celebration, an annual costume bicycle festival that brings thousands of bicyclists to Old Town.
Police said Lemaster drove onto the sidewalk and struck multiple people as the event was underway. Six people, including Lemaster, were taken to the hospital.
A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash shows Lemaster reversed from a parking spot along Mountain Avenue, hitting another vehicle. It then drove forward onto the sidewalk, hitting pedestrians before colliding with a tree and coming to a stop.
Investigators ruled out impairment as a factor in the crash, according to Fridays news release.
"This was an incredibly tragic crash that affected many in our community. Our entire agency will continue to be there for all who were impacted and support them as this case progresses through the criminal justice system, said Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda in a statement. Im grateful for the diligence, professionalism, and thoroughness that our agency displayed while both responding to this incident and the subsequent investigation."
Lemaster is being held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond.
Banana Ball is returning to Denver next spring with two games at Coors Field in May.
The Party Animals and the Loco Beach Coconuts will face off on May 29 and May 30.
Watch below: 'Sea of Yellow' to take over downtown Denver as Savannah Bananas return to the Mile High City 'Sea of Yellow' to take over downtown Denver as Savannah Bananas return to the Mile High City
Fans can join the lottery for a chance to purchase tickets. The lottery is open through Oct. 31, and a random drawing will take place before the event to purchase tickets. You can find the Ticket Lottery List at
All Colorado Rockies full season ticket plan holders, as well as MVP and Hall of Fame Passport Mini-Plan holders, will have the chance to buy Banana Ball tickets through an exclusive presale.
On Friday morning, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade delivered his annual State of the City address.
The event was held at the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation.
Mayor Mobolade discussed economic pressures and the citys priorities in the year ahead.
Watch the address in the video player below:
Colorado Springs mayor delivers 2026 State of the City address
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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed with News5 the first reported pediatric influenza-associated death of the 2026-27 respiratory virus season in an elementary-aged child from outside the Denver metro area.
State health officials said Friday there is no record that the child received the 2026-27 flu vaccine. The department did not release additional information about the child. The death comes as flu activity increases across Colorado, with hospitals reporting more positive flu tests and flu-related hospitalizations, according to CDPHE.
The state is coming off its most severe pediatric flu season on record. During the 2025-26 season, Colorado recorded 5,931 flu-related hospitalizations, the highest annual total since the state began tracking the data in 2004. Of those hospitalizations, 1,169 involved children, and eight children died from the flu.
Last years record hospitalizations were a sobering reminder of how serious the flu can be, especially for young children, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorados state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer.
Herlihy urged parents to get their children vaccinated before flu transmission increases further.
CDPHE recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Officials say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for full protection to develop. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies, doctors offices, community health centers and local public health agencies. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus, cover the cost of vaccination. Free or low-cost vaccines for children without insurance are available at nearly 600 locations statewide.
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Giant pumpkins, professional carving and a chance to break out a Halloween costume are coming to downtown Fountain for the Harvest Games on Saturday.
The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. around Fountain City Hall at 116 S. Main Street, with activities stretching from a giant vegetable weigh-off to an evening costume contest.
What does it cost?
Admission is free, with food trucks and vendors selling food, baked goods, crafts and other items.
There will be places to spend money if you choose to, organizer Joney Carneal said. Otherwise, the event itself to get here and come is completely free.
Watch the video report below: Fountain Harvest Games: What to know before you go
Whats on the schedule?
11 a.m.: Giant vegetable weigh-off featuring the Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers. Throughout the day: Professional pumpkin carving. 5 p.m.: Live music begins. 7 p.m.: Costume contest. 8 p.m.: Event ends.
Carneal recommends arriving early if seeing the giant pumpkins is your priority. Some will remain on display, but not all will stay for the entire event.
How do you visit the pumpkin patch?
Pumpkinpalooza joins the Harvest Games this year, offering families a free pumpkin and free professional family photos. Families should register for a time slot to help manage space in the patch. You can reserve a spot online.
Carneal recommends signing up online before arriving. On-site registration through a QR code is also planned.
Where can you park?
Part of Main Street in front of city hall will be closed for the event.
Carneal said parking options include nearby side streets, behind city hall and near the library, with overflow parking near Peaks N Pines Brewery.
Parking can be tight, so allow extra time to find a space and follow posted restrictions. Carneal said accessible parking spaces and access ramps will be available in the area.
She also recommends bringing a jacket if you plan to stay into the evening.
Watch the professionals carve
Professional pumpkin carvers Willy Tuz and David Smith are among the artists creating sculptures for the event. Both have appeared on Food Network.
For Tuz, seeing visitors react to the finished work is part of what keeps him carving.
The joy that we get, most of it, its seeing the face of people, seeing the smile that they give us, Tuz said.
Smith said an unusual pumpkin shape can help inspire a creation.
The pumpkin can actually do some of the work for you, he said.
Now in its sixth year, the event began as a street dance to bring families together after COVID. Community participation and sponsorships have helped it grow.
We want to have a place for our community to come to, to just be themselves, she said.
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