TCA and Vista Ridge will square off for the girls 4A state championship after they each picked up wins during Wednesdays semifinals.
TCA is headed back to the flag football state championship for the third consecutive season, but will be defending a title for the very first time. Vista Ridge is making its first appearance in the state championship game.
It will be the second meeting this season between the Wolves and the Titans. TCA won the previous matchup 35-20.
The state championship game will be played on October 24 at Trailblazer Stadium with a start time of 4PM.
No. 1 TCA 19, No. 4 Green Mountain 13 The Harter sisters paved the way back to the state championship for TCA. Reagan Harter caught three touchdown passes from Kelsey Peterson while Kennedy Harter added an extra point and a crucial fourth quarter interception.
Green Mountain got on the scoring started at the beginning of the second quarter with a short quarterback keeper for the touchdown. TCA responded with Petersons first touchdown pass to Reagan in the back corner of the end zone. The Titans only successful extra point attempt of the game followed that touchdown as Kennedy Harter caught a short pass and reached across the goal line to even the score at 7.
The defending champs opened the quarter with a strong offensive drive. Peterson hit Brooklyn Blair along the left sideline good enough to move the chains. Later on the drive, Peterson felt the pressure of the defense and heaved it downfield for Reagan who made a contested catch along the sideline and took off with no one to stop her from leaping into the end zone for her second touchdown of the night.
Peterson and Reagan found that same success on a shorter pass play in the fourth quarter which gave TCA a 19-7 lead. The Rams drove down the field and were knocking on the door of the end zone. That was until Kennedy Harter picked off the pass and allowed the Titans offense to drain some more clock.
Green Mountain added a touchdown with just over three minutes to play but the Titans offense possessed the ball for the remainder of the game.
No. 3 Vista Ridge 28, No. 2 Mountain View 14 Kayla Dempsey and Addison DeGennaro started for the Wolves in the upset win. DeGennaro tallied 7 sacks throughout the course of the game, while Dempsey scored three of the teams four touchdowns.
Jocelynn Kalkman fired a pass into the end zone that was caught by Dempsey to give Vista Ridge a 6-0 lead at the start of the second quarter. Mountain View then gifted the Wolves a safety after a bad snap fell dead in the end zone.
Vista Ridge regifted points to Mountain View after a deflected pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The game was tied at 8 after the two-point conversion.
The score remained the same until Dempsey caught another pass from Kalkman, which should have been a short pick up but she turned it into more. Dempsey reached out to pick up extra yardage but the defense completely missed her flags and she took off for the longest touchdown of the game. Vista Ridge led 14-8 at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, Dempsey did not seem to be satisfied with her two offensive touchdowns. After a Mountain View pass bounced out the hands of their receiver, Dempsey kept her focus on the ball resulting in an interception that she returned for her third touchdown of the night.
Isabella Waters put the game away in the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown off of a reverse play. Her score put the team ahead 28-8, a lead they would not relinquish.
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At Oxford Nails and Spa, helping customers find their way to the salon sometimes starts over the phone.
Employee Ly Tang says construction near South Academy Boulevard has made reaching the shop more confusing, especially for first-time visitors. Employees give callers directions, but they cannot always answer when they are busy helping someone inside.
Tang, who has worked at the salon for about six months, says walk-in business has slowed.
So its hard for us to finding a new customer in here, she said.
For Tang, fewer customers can affect more than the pace of the workday. She says slower business makes covering her own expenses harder.
A slow day, it means we dont have no income, she said.
The challenges come as crews continue the South Academy Boulevard Improvements Project. Project engineer Ryan Phipps says workers are replacing aging water mains and storm sewer infrastructure, with construction progressing north toward Fountain Boulevard.
The improvements are intended to provide more reliable water service, improve drainage and rebuild pavement, sidewalks and curbs.
Its not so much about growth as it is reinvesting in our own community, Phipps said.
Where roads are closed and how to get around
Three closures began Oct. 21. Nearby businesses remain open, with alternate access available:
South Murray Boulevard: Closed just east of South Academy through Nov. 30 for storm sewer and water pipe installation, paving, and sidewalk and curb reconstruction. From Academy, take Chelton Road east, then turn south on Murray. Nearby driveways remain open. Sierra Sun Drive: Closed at South Academy through 5 p.m. Oct. 28. Residents of the Sierra Springs neighborhood can enter from Jet Wing Drive by turning onto High Sierra Place. Astrozon Shopping Center driveway: One driveway off northbound South Academy, about 350 feet north of Astrozon Boulevard, is closed through 5 p.m. Oct. 28. Customers can enter from Jet Wing Drive or Astrozon Boulevard.
Additionally, the left turn from southbound Jet Wing Drive onto South Academy is restricted through Nov. 19.
All schedules depend on weather and may change.
What comes next
Phipps says the underground utility work is more than halfway complete. More visible improvements, including paving, concrete work and fresh striping, are expected in 2027. The larger project is projected to finish in summer 2028.
During construction, Phipps says the city is prioritizing communication and maintaining alternate entrances to businesses.
For Tang, the hope is that easier access will help customers return, and make it easier for new ones to find the salon.
Drivers can find construction information and sign up for updates on the South Academy Boulevard Improvements Project webpage. Questions can also be directed to the project hotline at 719-427-6422. Bus riders should check Mountain Metro for temporary stop changes.
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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A Texas woman passing through Colorado is warning others to stay alert after she says her truck was burglarized overnight at a Pueblo hotel, part of what police confirm is a pattern of thefts in the same parking lot.
Robin Denninger, of Texas, stayed at the Best Western Plus of Eagleridge in Pueblo while traveling in early October. She said her room was fine, but the problem was what happened outside.
Watch Owen Skornik-Hayes' report in the video player below: Pueblo car thefts
"Stayed downtown, it was great, had a lovely visit," Denninger said.
After spending time in Montana doing estate cleaning for her sister, Denninger returned to Pueblo to stay the night on her way back to Houston.
"We checked in about 10 to 9," Denninger said.
After a night's rest, she returned to find an emptied box in the bed of her truck, removed from the inside.
"There were dark-tinted windows. Someone had to have a flashlight to look and see," Denninger said.
She said her vehicle was burglarized without the alarm going off and without damage.
"They just knew what they were doing," Denninger said.
Denninger said the thieves took several items belonging to her sister along with a heavy safe.
"It would have taken a dolly or a few people to do it, and it was buried in the truck," Denninger said.
When Denninger reported it to the hotel manager, she said she was told the only security on the property is a camera facing the front door.
I called the Best Western to verify this information. As soon as I said I was a reporter, the manager refused to answer any of my questions.
"My message is be very, very careful," Denninger said.
I reached out to the Pueblo Police Department for more context. They told me that in the Best Western Plus parking lot alone, there have been six reports of theft from vehicles and one confirmed property damage from an attempted auto theft in 2026.
Pueblo Polices public information officer, Sgt. Alarid, said parking lots across the city are targets for thieves.
"Their hands are tied as to what they can do about it, and I feel badly for them," Denninger said.
In a statement, the Pueblo Police Department shared tips to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of theft in parking lots.
"Remove valuables from your vehicle. We also encourage citizens to lock their doors and take their keys out of their vehicles. When possible, park in well-lit, high-traffic areas and remain aware of your surroundings," the Pueblo Police Department said.
"Something good's going to come out of this, even if it's just a message to the community to stand up and start fighting crime," Denninger said.
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Tonight's Forecast: Cloud cover increases overnight as showers and mountain convection spread east across the Continental Divide, bringing heavy rain to the eastern San Juans. A few light showers or sprinkles could stray into the I-25 corridor by early Thursday morning. Lows fall into the 40s to low 50s for lower elevations and 30s to 40s in mountain valleys.
Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 53; High: 73; Mild with a mix of sun and mid-to-high clouds on Thursday. Expect gusty southwesterly winds at times, remaining mostly dry through the day with just a slight chance for an overnight sprinkle.
Pueblo forecast: Low: 53; High: 77; Unseasonably warm and pleasant Thursday with highs hitting the upper 70s. Breezy at times with passing clouds, staying dry through Friday before big weekend changes arrive.
Canon City forecast: Low: 56; High: 73; Highs reach the mid-70s on Thursday under mostly cloudy skies. Expect breezy southwesterly winds to develop through the afternoon as moisture continues to stream in.
Woodland Park forecast: Low: 46; High: 60; Highs near 60 degrees on Thursday. Cloud cover thickens through the day with scattered showers developing west over the Divide, becoming more frequent Thursday night.
Extended Forecast: A surge of subtropical moisture will bring high-elevation flood concerns and mountain mudslide risks along the Continental Divide through Friday, before a much colder system impacts all of Southern Colorado this weekend.
Thursday Friday: Deep moisture streams over the high country with snow levels remaining very high (above 10,00012,000 ft). Heavy rain will fall over the eastern San Juans and Upper Rio Grande Valley under a Flood Watch, with the peak risk for stream flooding, rockslides, and mudslides coming Thursday night into Friday morning (12" rainfall totals possible). Meanwhile, the eastern plains stay warm, breezy, and mostly dry with highs in the 80s through Friday. Saturday: A cold front pushes through Southern Colorado as an upper-level low deepens to the southwest. High temperatures drop sharply into the 50s and 60s with light to moderate rain showers expanding across the region. Parts of Southeast Colorado carry a risk for localized flash flooding. Sunday Monday: An unsettled and much cooler fall pattern takes full control across the region. Highs stay trapped in the 50s across lower elevations with widespread, lingering rain showers and mountain snow levels lowering to around 8,000 to 9,000 feet.
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DENVER A last-minute effort to stop Amendment 87 from appearing before Colorado voters on the November ballot this year was rejected by a Denver judge Wednesday.
Michael Andre Hancock, an Arapahoe County man, filed suit against Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents Chris deGruy Kennedy of the Bell Policy Center, and Kiyana Newell of New Era Colorado, alleging the signature gathering process for the graduated income tax ballot question was done incorrectly. The lawsuit also challenged the Secretary of State's review of the signatures.
Watch Denver7's previous reporting on this lawsuit in the video below:
Court hearing questions on Amendment 87 two weeks before Election Day
During a hearing Monday, the defendants admitted that mistakes were made in the signature gathering process but said they proved in court it was not to the extent alleged by Hancock.
There were a couple issues where not all the circulators were registered, but I think what we showed is that was not the case in enough cases to disqualify the measure from the ballot," said deGruy Kennedy. What we showed in the evidence today is that at most we're talking about 33 circulators having their signatures disqualified, and that is not enough to knock 87 off the ballot."
On Wednesday, Denver District Court Judge Heidi L. Kutcher ruled that Hancock did not meet his burden to establish his case against Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents.
Therefore, the Court DISMISSES this matter, Kutcher wrote in her ruling Wednesday.
Responding to the ruling, Griswold said she appreciated the Courts careful consideration of this matter, and look forward to voters making their voices heard on this question.
Griswold said voters should continue to vote on the ballot they were sent.
In a statement, Jason Dunn, Hancock's attorney, said they "obviously disagree with the result" and will file an appeal to the Supreme Court Thursday.
"This decision was based largely on the testimony of a single witness from the Secretary of States office that conflicted with much of the other testimony on the question of whether requiring circulators to register helps prevent fraud," Dunn said in a statement to Denver7. "We believe it does and that the Supreme Court will agree."
Amendment 87 tackles Colorados flat income tax rate by instead offering a graduated tax rate. Colorado currently has a 4.4% flat income tax. A no vote on 87 would keep the rate the same. A yes vote on Amendment 87 would tax income by bracket and remove the flat tax rate from the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, more commonly known as TABOR.
Here's how that breakdown would work if Amendment 87 passes:
Any revenue made from this change would go to the Colorado Futures Account, a proposed fund that would give money to public education, healthcare and early child care programs.
Amendment 87 is separate from Proposition 136, which is another ballot measure that could cap individual and corporate taxes at 4.4%. If voters approve both, the proposed tax rates within Amendment 87 would be higher than the limit set by Proposition 136.
According to the 2026 Blue Book, the state legislature or a court would have to resolve any conflicts that arise if both measures pass since the "exact outcome is unclear."
In Colorado, a ballot measure needs signatures from 5% of the total number of votes cast in the Secretary of State race in the prior general election.
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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A man was arrested after it was reported that he sexually assaulted a child, Fountain police say.
Jeremiah Gaw, 19, was arrested on Friday and has been charged with sexual assault on a child. Police say at the time of the reported incident, he was a volunteer at Pikes Peak Christian Church on Bradley Road near Alturas Drive.
Gaw was taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. Details in the case have not yet been released.
Police are asking the public to help them find any other witnesses or victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joe Tirado at 719-382-4264 or email at jtirado@fountainpd.com.
Information can also be shared to the Fountain Police Department anonymous tip line at 719-382-4200 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 719-634-STOP-7867 or 1-800-222-8477.
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A new day treatment program in Pueblo is aiming to help students who struggle in traditional classrooms by combining education and mental health services, giving students and families an option closer to home.
For nearly 14 years, Pueblo students who needed specialized education and behavioral health support had to leave their community to get it. Now, after eight years of planning, the new day treatment program is bringing those services back to Pueblo.
See the full story from Pueblo reporter Owen Skornik-Hayes in the video below New day treatment in Pueblo
Shiloh Academy of Pueblo, a branch of the certified 501(c)(3) Shiloh House, will serve students from school districts 60 and 70 who struggle in traditional classroom settings.
The program combines individualized instruction and academic support with therapy, counseling, and social skills development.
Molly Ramirez, deputy CEO of Shiloh House, said the change could make a real difference for students already navigating mental health challenges.
The best way to serve a child and their family is in their own community, she says. Being on a bus for two hours a day to receive necessary and vital support isn't the best way to serve them.
The program is starting small, with two classrooms, but organizers hope to eventually expand services across southern Colorado.
Michael Botello with the Pueblo County Collaborative Management Program said getting here took years of partnerships and persistence.
There were times in the past eight years we didn't think this day would happen.
The goal is to help students succeed academically, address their mental health needs and, when possible, return to a traditional school setting. Organizers say the program could begin serving students in the coming weeks, pending final approvals.
The school is located at 1000 Minnequa Avenue.
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Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group and does not reflect the same of KOAA.
Pueblo West junior Ethan Wagner is the definition of a student-athlete. With a 4.71 GPA, Wagner dominates in both the classroom and on the pitch, earning him recognition as News 5's Athlete of the Week.
See the full story in the video below AOTW ETHAN WAGNER
Wagner has seen tremendous growth on the pitch since his freshman year not just in his physical ability, but as a leader. Before being moved to left wing during his sophomore year, he was placed at left back. But the position never mattered to Wagner. He just wanted to go out and help the team.
"I didn't really care where I was on the field as long as I was on the field playing. As long as I had a ball at my foot. I didn't really care where I played. I told my coach wherever you want to put me, put me there. I just want to be on the field," Wagner said.
Wagner scored just one goal that year, and he knew he needed to fully commit if he was going to see improvement as a sophomore.
"It's taken a lot of work. Just training on your own versus just all with the team. Going out and doing it by yourself to get consistent with it," Wagner said.
He scored a team-high 14 goals as a sophomore, and he's up to 15 so far this season to go along with a team high 9 assist.
"Every time the ball hits the back of the net it gets you really excited. Then you run to the corner and find your teammates and everything. You just get really excited when you know you can support your team like that and when you know you can keep racking up the goals like that. It boosts your confidence a lot," Wagner said.
In regard to his future, Wagner has already began thinking about his career path.
"I'm looking at mainly going to schools that have engineering programs while being able to play in college as well. So I want to be able to balance the student athlete life that I'm doing right now, in college," Wagner said.
He takes it one step further. Wagner says he would be willing to turn down an athletic scholarship if that school did not offer an engineering program. He says having that degree for a lifetime is worth far more than risking his future on just soccer.
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About Athlete of the Week
News5 works to honor the high school Athlete of the Week throughout the school year in our Wednesday evening newscasts. Were looking for that special teen who is working hard and playing right all while making parents and coaches proud.
What is being billed as the worlds tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree now stands at a Southern California outlet mall.
On Monday, the Citadel Outlets in Commerce, located about 10 minutes outside of Los Angeles, welcomed the 115-foot white fir tree as it kicked off the holiday season.
Mall officials said it took three days to transport the tree from Mount Shasta in Northern California to Commerce. It was installed in the mall's Center Court.
Over the next two weeks, workers will decorate the tree with 18,000 lights and 10,000 ornaments and bows ahead of the malls annual Tree Lighting Concert Celebration on Nov. 7.
The tree is 35 feet taller than New York Citys 80-foot Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and 70 feet taller than the Hollywood Sign, which stands 45 feet tall.
This story was originally published by Jermaine Ong with the
Colorado students can apply to college for free this week. The ninth annual Colorado Free Application Days is happening Tuesday through Thursday.
The three-day event allows students to apply to all 31 public colleges and universities as well as many private institutions in the state with waived fees to remove financial barriers for those looking to further their education.
Colorado Free Application Days encourages more students and learners to take the next step towards a successful education and career journey. Last year more than 70,000 Coloradans submitted an application, saving Coloradans $2.4 million in application fees, Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. I encourage all Coloradans considering college or career training to take advantage of Free Application Days and explore options, submit applications for free, and move closer to achieving their goals.
All Colorado residents can apply to undergraduate programs including associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, certifications and other eligible credentials at participating institutions.
Community colleges and area technical colleges waive application fees year-round. Several other institutions have permanently removed application fees for Colorado residents.
Pursuing education beyond high school can be a transformative step for learners at every stage of life, CDHE Executive Director JB Holston said in a statement. Whether students are graduating from high school, returning to college, or seeking new skills for todays workforce, this initiative helps more Coloradans explore their options, take the next step, and build a strong foundation for long-term success.
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Tuesday will start off with temperatures in the 40s along the I-25 corridor. Towards the higher terrain, temperatures have been dipping into the 30s. Once the sun rises, temperatures will warm quickly. Any layers that were worn in the morning will be able to be shed by the afternoon. Highs will get into the 60s and 70s.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 71; Low: 45.
Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the mid-40s. Once we approach 10AM, temperatures will already be in the lower 60s. Afternoon highs will break into the lower 70s. A few clouds will move in during the afternoon, and winds will remain light.
Pueblo forecast: High: 76; Low: 45.
Morning temperatures in Pueblo are in the 40s, and these temperatures will stick around through 9AM. Afterwards temperatures are expected to skyrocket with highs eventually reaching the mid-70s. Mostly clear conditions will last throughout the day and winds will be light between 5-10mph.
Canon City forecast:High: 73; Low: 48.
Canon City is waking up to temperatures in the 50s. There are a few clouds in the area, but there will still be plenty of sunshine throughout the morning. Afternoon highs will break back into the lower 70s. These conditions are expected to stick around over the next several days.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 61; Low: 39.
Woodland Park will have some chilly temperatures this morning in the 30s. By 10AM, temperatures will be in the lower 50s. Mostly clear conditions will last throughout the day and allow for highs to reach the lower 60s.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 66; Low: 42.
Monument and the surrounding areas will start the day with temperatures in the 40s. With a cooler morning in store, the afternoon will bring some warmer temperatures. Highs will get into the the mid-60s. Winds will stay light between 5-10mph.
Plains forecast:High: 70s; Low: 40s.
The eastern plains will have some chilly temperatures this morning in the 40s. There will be a little bit of moisture moving into the area this afternoon. A stray shower is possible across Baca county where there is more energy in the atmosphere. Most of the eastern counties will just see more clouds move in. Highs will reach the 70s.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 70/74; Low: 46/45.
The southern I-25 corridor will wake up to temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning. Temperatures will warm quickly over the next several hours. Highs will top out in the lower-to-mid 70s. Winds will be staying calm during the day between 5-10mph.
Mountains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 30s.
The mountains are chilly this morning and there is some moisture in place. We are tracking a few showers further south and they are making their way across the San Luis Valley. Highs this afternoon will get into the 60s. Isolated showers will also be possible with some lightning.
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A years-long renovation project at Colorado Springs oldest high school is one step closer to completion.
The $100 million renovation project at Palmer High School near downtown started in May of last year. The plan includes tearing down several buildings, updating classrooms, and designing a new athletic field area.
The work is being done in phases. The new academic wing is the first, and once all that is complete work will start on the historic 1939 building.
So weve never taken students off site, Jessica Wise, executive director of engagement for The Colorado Spring Schools District 11, said. We did have a summer where we got to sneak some quick work in, but its been a careful process of allowing students to continue learning in Palmer while were building this.
This new addition to Palmer is expected to open in February of next year. The entire renovation project is expected to be complete in 2028.
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