A gunman shot at Custer County Sheriffs Office deputies from inside a residence northeast of Westcliffe on Wednesday, according to the sheriffs office.
The shooting, which happened around 11:15 a.m. on Rocky Ridge Road, forced people in a 5-mile radius to shelter in place, according to Sheriff Rich Smith. No injuries have been reported.
Smith said that just over an hour earlier, a call came in about a man blocking the road with his vehicle.
Smith said that the sheriffs office has been in crisis negotiations with the suspect since the shooting earlier Wednesday morning.
As of 2:55 p.m., negotiations continue; however, the man continues to fire from the home, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.
According to our crew in the area Silver Circle Drive is blocked at Custer County Road 255.
This is a developing story and will be updated. The Scripps News Group has a crew in the area working to learn more.
For students in Pueblo School District 60, learning about healthy eating can mean more than seeing fruits and vegetables on a lunch tray. It can mean making an after-school snack with a chef, examining seeds from a local farm, and discovering that the food on their plates may have been grown just down the road.
Those experiences are at the heart of Colorado Proud Farm to School Meal Month, a statewide initiative held each October that connects students with Colorado-grown and Colorado-raised foods while teaching them about agriculture, nutrition, and the people behind their meals.
Watch Owen Skornik-Hayes' report in the video player below: Farm to School Day at Franklin
At Franklin School of Innovation in Pueblo, the effort recently came to life through a hands-on cooking activity led by D60 district chef Patrick Reitmayer, who works with SFE, the district's food service provider, alongside registered dietitian Erica Christ and Franklin principal Dana DiTommaso Junkman, who also represents her family's fifth-generation farming operation, DiTomaso Farms.
For the students participating, all of whom were rewarded for perfect attendance so far this year, the lesson began with familiar ingredients but offered a new perspective on where their food comes from.
"We like to show them that it just doesn't come from a grocery store," Reitmayer said. "It's not just everything's prepackaged."
Instead, he said, students can see that food can be grown locally, including right in Pueblo, before it makes its way to their homes and school cafeterias.
Bringing the farm into the classroom
During the recent activity at Franklin, 18 students learned to prepare an after-school snack, following step-by-step instructions and working with the chef to assemble the ingredients.
Students receive recipe cards so they can recreate the dishes at home, extending the experience beyond the school day.
Reitmayer said he has been pleasantly surprised by how willing students are to experiment with unfamiliar foods during the past three years of the program.
Christ, D60's registered dietitian, said students are often more willing to taste foods when they have helped make them.
"I find that kids are a lot more willing to try things when it's something they made themselves," Christ said.
She said the district incorporates Colorado products throughout the school year, bringing in local produce for salad bars and serving other locally made products, including tortillas and meat.
For Christ, the opportunity to explain that the food comes from their own community adds another layer of meaning.
"It's going to be really special today to tell them this is right from Pueblo," she said, noting that the produce came from the principal's family farm.
For DiTommaso Junkman, the event brings together two important parts of her life: education and agriculture.
As principal of Franklin School of Innovation and a representative of DiTomaso Farms, she sees the program as an opportunity to show students how local agriculture supports their community and how fresh food can become part of their everyday lives.
Her family has farmed in Pueblo for five generations, and she said she has been around vegetable production throughout her life.
She also encourages students to try fresh produce during lunch, sometimes eating a cucumber or tomato herself to demonstrate that healthy foods can be enjoyable.
"If we don't like something, then kids don't like it as well," DiTommaso Junkman said. "We just want to spark excitement around eating fresh vegetables and being healthy."
For the Franklin activity, she brought cucumber seeds from the family farm to help students understand how food production begins.
The goal, she said, is to show the process from seed to harvest to the finished product on a plate.
The school district purchased produce for the event from DiTomaso Farms and her brother's farm, creating a direct link between local growers and the students they help feed.
"It's really important to show kids that they can eat things that are grown here in Pueblo," she said.
Colorado Proud Farm to School Meal Month is led by Colorado Proud at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education and Nourish Colorado.
The initiative is part of "Setting Colorado's Table," a broader celebration of the state's agricultural heritage and the farmers, ranchers, land, and resources that sustain its food system.
This year's celebration also coincides with Colorado's 150th anniversary, highlighting an agricultural industry that predates statehood and remains central to communities across Colorado.
According to the campaign's press release, the state is home to approximately 35,000 farms and ranches covering 30 million acres. Those operations produce a range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat and dairy products.
Gov. Jared Polis recently signed an executive order directing state agencies to encourage healthy eating, expand access to healthy foods and support outdoor activity statewide.
"Connecting our schools with local farmers helps Colorado kids to get nutritious meals to power classroom learning," Polis said.
He added that the initiative helps young Coloradans understand the importance of supporting farmers while making healthy food choices.
The statewide campaign has attracted participation from more than 950 schools, according to the press release. Schools can receive free program support to identify activities, connect with local producers, access educational resources in English and Spanish, and promote their events.
Activities include special school lunches featuring Colorado ingredients, farm tours, agricultural lessons, and the Crunch Off!, a friendly competition encouraging students to eat local produce and proteins.
The USDA's latest Farm to School Census, cited in the campaign materials, reports that nearly 80% of Colorado schools participate in Farm to School programs, while 68% of respondents reported serving local foods on school lunch menus.
This year's campaign also introduces the Colorado Proud School Meal Month Showcase Awards, sponsored by Nourish Colorado.
The awards recognize schools for their efforts to incorporate local foods and agricultural education into school meal programs. Five categories are available, with separate rural and urban winners in each category.
Categories include outstanding farmer-engagement events, locally focused recipes, promotional campaigns, and student-developed recipes. The Governor's Award will recognize a school program demonstrating overall excellence and a comprehensive commitment to farm-to-school success.
Each category winner will receive a $1,000 stipend to support its school food service program.
Schools and districts interested in participating can register through Colorado Proud's school registration form, even after the month has begun.
For educators and food service professionals such as Reitmayer and Christ, the broader goal extends beyond a single event or special menu.
Reitmayer said he enjoys seeing students discover a new interest in food and cooking. Some participants have told him the activities sparked an interest in culinary arts, something he considers one of the most rewarding aspects of the work.
DiTommaso Junkman hopes the connection between local farms and school meals will likewise leave a lasting impression, helping children recognize the people and work behind the food they eat.
For Pueblo students, that lesson can start with something as simple as a cucumber seed, and end with a greater appreciation for the farms that help feed their community.
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Applying to college can be a burden for students' wallets before they even know whether theyre getting in. This week, Colorado seniors can explore more options without paying an application fee at participating schools.
Watch Jaylen's story in the video player below: Colorado Free Application Days 2026: Schools and how to apply
Colorado Free Application Days run Oct. 2022. At Fountain-Fort Carson High School, counselors are helping seniors take advantage of the opportunity and pushing them to think about what comes after graduation.
For senior class president Jasmine DeLoach, the Air Force is the goal. But she applied to CSU Pueblo as a backup, keeping another path open.
Counselor Vivian Bodenheim said removing application fees can encourage students to consider schools they might otherwise pass over.
I think it gives kids the opportunity to apply to schools that maybe might have been like financially out of their reach or just like an opportunity to cast a wide net, Bodenheim said.
Counselors have spent the past two months helping seniors prepare their Common App. During the free days, theyre available to help students finish applications, find waiver codes and work through questions.
Not all kids have someone at home who's helping them do these things, so they're coming to us hoping that we're going to be able to kind of guide them through that, Bodenheim said.
Participating schools include UCCS, CSU Pueblo, Colorado College, CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines and the University of Northern Colorado. Find the full list and school-specific waiver instructions on the Colorado Department of Higher Educations website.
For students still unsure about college, Bodenheim said applying gives them a choice to consider later.
Just because they apply and get accepted doesn't mean they have to go, you know, but at least that option's there for them.
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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Today will start off with mostly clear conditions. There will be more clouds along I-25 by the time the sun rises. Clouds continue to pick up as this Pacific low pushes east. That moisture has arrived for the mountains. Rain will stay at bay for I-25, but heading into tomorrow those rain chances will pick up. Afternoon temperatures today will get into the 60s and 70s.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 72; Low: 50.
This morning is nice and clear, but this will change as the morning goes on. Clouds will push in from the west, but there will still be a little bit of sunshine. Afternoon highs will still be above average despite the increased cloud cover. Highs will reach the lower 70s.
Pueblo forecast: High: 77; Low: 49.
Pueblo will have temperatures this morning in the upper 40s. More clouds will move in with this moisture moving into the state. Afternoon highs will still be on the warm side in the upper 70s. We are tracking a bigger drop in temperatures over the weekend.
Canon City forecast:High: 74; Low: 53.
Canon City is nice and clear this morning with temperatures in the lower 50s. If you are trying to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower this morning, it will be better to do it earlier. Clouds will eventually move in and tonight will still have some clouds. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-70s.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 65; Low: 47.
Woodland Park is sitting in the upper 30s this morning and there are mostly clear conditions. As more moisture moves in from the west, there will be some clouds that also move in. Even though there are some clouds moving in, afternoon highs will still get into the mid-60s.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 67; Low: 51.
Monument and the surrounding areas have temperatures in the 40s this morning and winds are coming out of the west. Conditions will be similar to yesterday with more clouds throughout the morning and highs will get into the upper 60s.
Plains forecast:High: 70s; Low: 50s.
The eastern plains will have temperatures this morning in the 40s. The day will start off clear and as the day goes on more clouds will move in. Afternoon temperatures will break back into the 70s.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 74/75; Low: 52.
The southern portion of I-25 is sitting in the lower 50s this morning. Once the sun rises those temperatures will be on the rise. By 10 AM temperatures will be in the lower 60s. We aren't stopping there because temperatures later on will get into the mid-70s. Rain chances are expected to pick up on Thursday.
Mountains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 40s.
The mountains will start off the day in the 40s. Clouds and moisture are already making their way west. Rain will become heavy at times and snow levels will be remaining quite high above 12,000 feet. The southwest mountains will have the possibility of receiving 3-4 inches of rain. Afternoon highs today will get into the 60s.
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A serious crash shut down a roadway east of Colorado Springs Wednesday morning.
News5 first learned of the crash just before 4 a.m. At 4:15 a.m. the Colorado State Patrol posted to social media that westbound Terminal Avenue at Conrad Street was closed due to the crash. The area is east of Powers Boulevard and north of Platte Avenue in the Cimarron Hills area.
"Preliminary reports indicate that a motorcycle rider was traveling westbound on Terminal Avenue, west of Conrad Street," part of a news release from Colorado State Patrol reads. "The rider came up to a hard right-hand turn and went through the end of the lane and collided with a large concrete barrier and the motorcycle rider was ejected."
The motorcyclist was only identified as a 24-year-old man. The roadway was back open at about 7 a.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Tuesday night will see clearing skies across most of Southern Colorado following a few isolated afternoon showers near the Raton Mesa. Mid and high-level clouds will begin increasing from the southwest overnight as moisture feeds into the region. Overnight lows will drop into the 40s to low 50s across the lower elevations and 30s to 40s across the mountain valleys.
Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 48; High: 72;
Wednesday will bring mild and unseasonably warm conditions to the Pikes Peak region with afternoon highs reaching the lower 70s. Mid-to-high clouds will build throughout the day with gusty southwesterly winds at times. Expect conditions to remain mostly dry through the afternoon.
Pueblo forecast: Low: 47; High: 76;
Pueblo will see a warm and pleasant day on Wednesday with highs topping out in the mid to upper70s. Expect a mix of sunshine and mid-level cloud cover with light to moderate winds, remaining dry through the end of the work week.
Canon City forecast:Low: 51; High: 74;
Highs in Canon City will climb into the lower 70s on Wednesday. Skies will turn increasingly cloudy into the afternoon as moisture shifts in from the west, with breezy southwesterly winds developing.
Woodland Park forecast:Low: 36; High: 65;
Woodland Park will see highs in the lower 60s on Wednesday. Cloud cover will increase steadily through the day.
Extended outlook forecast:
A surge of subtropical moisture will bring significant rain, high-elevation flood concerns, and mountain mudslide risks along the Continental Divide late Wednesday through Friday, before a colder system hits the entire region this weekend.
Thursday Friday: Deep tropical moisture streams into the high country. Heavy rain will fall over existing snowpack along the Continental Divide and eastern San Juan. A Flood Watch is in effect starting Wednesday afternoon. Risks for stream flooding, rockslides, and mudslides. Meanwhile, the eastern plains stay mostly warm and dry with highs in the 70s through Friday. Saturday: A cold front drops across Southern Colorado, bringing noticeably cooler temperatures and scattered rain showers expanding toward the I-25 corridor. Sunday Monday: An unsettled and much cooler fall pattern takes hold across the region. Highs fall into the 50s across the lower elevations with widespread rain showers, and mountain snow levels lowering to between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.
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Volunteers at The People's Church in Central Springs gather every Tuesday night to serve home-cooked meals to unhoused community members offering not just food, but a reminder that someone sees them.
For Bella, who has been unhoused for more than 4 years, a meal is not always a guarantee.
"It's not every day though," Bella said.
She says most people don't understand the true difficulty of life without a home.
"If people actually saw what any of us go through on a daily, maybe then they'll understand it's more difficult. It's not as easy as getting a job, getting inside. It's not that easy like people think it is," Bella said.
On Tuesday, the meal from The People's Church was the first Bella had eaten all day a sacrifice she makes without hesitation for her dog.
"This is my first meal actually of the day, yesterday I was more concerned about my dog, my child. My baby eats every day, every day she has food. I don't. I'll starve before I let her," Bella said.
Even when food comes her way, Bella passes it along.
"A lot of us share all of our food. There are days that I've even had food delivered, homemade food brought to me specifically, and I give it to my brother," Bella said, "I give and give."
I joined Michele Reckel and a team of volunteers as they prepped and packaged meals before heading out for distribution. The relationship the church has built with the unhoused community is what keeps the program running.
"They do trust us. They believe in what we do. We have a relationship with them, so if something is not right, they will let us know," Reckel said.
Reckel said the mission goes far deeper than food.
"It's a way to let them know they're loved. It's not just the food they're getting. We'll let them know we do love you. We do see you," Reckel said.
She, and over a dozen other volunteers, get together at 5:00 p.m. to package food and then leave to give it out to unhoused people around the area, like at Monument Valley Park.
"When I go out there, I'll sit and I'll talk to them. Majority either were raped when they're young or abused. It hurts my heart and I wish I could help every single one of them, but I can't, but I will listen to the story. I will remember their name, and I'm not there to judge. I'm just there to love and show them other people do love you. There are kind people out there like our volunteers that take their time to to do what we're doing," said Reckel.
Robert Brown now walks the same trails as a volunteer but there was a time when he was in the same position as Bella.
"During my homelessness I was hungry one day and somebody told me that this church feeds the homeless, so I came for the meal and I ended up liking the people because I felt the sincerity of what they were doing," Brown said.
Now he gives back and introduces people to a program called the Chain Breakers.
"It's for anybody struggling with any type of addiction or any trauma. We also provide a warm meal on that day for the people who come, you know, who are less fortunate," Brown said.
The anonymous group meets at the People's Church, 402 Conejos Street, every Monday at 6:30 pm. The group is always looking for donations to continue making meals and providing resources to those who are unhoused around Colorado Springs.
Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of the Urban Egg and Salsa Brava and does not reflect the same of KOAA.
A Pine Creek biomedical science teacher is being celebrated for inspiring students to pursue their passions in medicine and research.
Dr. Rebecca Keith Davie was named the winner of the month through the Teachers First program, recognized by KOAA and Urban Egg.
As the biomedical science instructor, Keith Davie teaches all years of the Project Lead the Way biomedical science program. By the time students complete the program, they have finished an independent study.
Students in the program have gone on to earn internships, work up at Anschutz to create research projects, and partner with athletic teams and programs at Pine Creek.
"She's focused on student learning, and it really shows students that there's more to medicine than being a doctor," Pine Creek High School Principal Korina Bierman said.
For some students, the program has helped shape their future goals.
"Cardiothoracic surgery has always been so special to me because my family has heart issues," a student said. "[It] really helped me find my passion."
Keith Davie credits her own upbringing for her commitment to teaching.
"I was very grateful to grow up in a household of teachers who believed in the importance of investing in our future," Keith Davie said. "I want kids to know that someday they're going to be someone's hope. They're going to be the reason why someone can hold their grandchildren for longer, and if they want to be in the medical field, I tell them that's something that you have to hold tight your whole career."
"It always goes back to hope in people," Keith Davie said.
For her students and colleagues, the recognition is well-deserved.
"Dr. Davie truly deserves the world. She is just this kind, extraordinary person who can influence you to do anything you want to do," a student said.
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If you know a teacher in the community, you would like to nominate, there is a link to do so below.
Teachers First Award Qualifications
AWARD
One teacher a month, from September through May will be chosen to receive the award. Teachers First recipients will receive $500 for classroom supplies for the following year. They will receive a $100 gift card that may be used at any Salsa Brava or Urban Egg location.
PURPOSE
To recognize and honor teachers who exemplify excellence in teaching. To encourage and inspire others. To raise the importance of the teaching profession.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must currently teach in a Southern Colorado accredited public or private K-12 school.
NOMINATION PROCESS AND RESTRICTIONS
Nominations will be accepted all year. Applications received in the summer months will be considered the following semester. Please do not submit additional support materials (photos, DVDs, audio cassettes)
inner, nominee, and school agree to be featured on News5.)
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Describe specific examples of how this teacher cares. Describe how this teacher provides a positive, stimulating classroom. Explain how this teacher makes a connection with his/her students. Tell what this teacher does that is above and beyond normal duties. Be specific on how the teacher helps develop successful members of the community.
Use this address for regular mail: Teachers First c/o News5, 2200 7th Ave., Pueblo, Co 81003
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