LINCOLN COUNTY, Colo. A two-vehicle crash on Highway 71 in Lincoln County ended with one person dead and another one seriously injured early Thursday morning, according to troopers with the Colorado State Patrol.

The crash was reported just before 6 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 71 and Highway 94, south of Limon.

A preliminary investigation into the crash revealed that a 2022 Volvo semi hauling a trail was going east on Highway 94 at the same time a 2014 brown Buick Enclave was going south on Highway 71. Investigators said the Volvo semi failed to stop at the intersections stop sign and struck the Buicks passenger side, according to a news release.

Both vehicles went off the roadway and did not block any lane. Emergency vehicles blocked the westbound lane of Highway 94, troopers said.

The driver of the Buick, a 45-year-old man of Model, Colorado, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger of the Buick, a 17-year-old woman, was airlifted to a metro area hospital with serious injuries.

CSP troopers said the driver of the semi, a 39-year-old man from Washington state, was taken to a nearby hospital with an unknown extent of injuries.

The road was not shut down but traffic was alternating during the investigation, according to the CSP. The road has since reopened.

The CSP Vehicular Crimes Unit is the lead agency investigating this crash.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Temperatures may be a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, but winter is coming and with it, high energy costs.

Luckily, Coloradans struggling to pay their energy bill can receive a bit of help through the Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, also known as LEAP. The even better news? The program will accept applications starting next month.

LEAP, a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs, according to the programs website, will open applications from Nov. 1 through April 30, 2027.

If your income is up to 60% of the state median income level, you may qualify for heating assistance through LEAP, according to the state's website.

Officials say the amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the primary heating fuel costs and income.

If youre looking to apply, click here.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. A federal civil rights lawsuit alleges leadership at a Lakewood school did not adequately address racial harassment experienced by a Black student.

Jaylen Davis, who attended Addenbrooke Classical Academy, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday against the school, the principal, and the former executive director.

Denver7 political reporter Colette Bordelon breaks down the lawsuit in the video below:

Lawsuit: Lakewood school leaders did not protect student from racial harassment

The filing says Davis was a 16-year-old sophomore when he began experiencing racial remarks and mockery during the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. According to the lawsuit, Davis and his mother complained to the principal and then-executive director more than once, but "neither took action to investigate, stop, or prevent the harassment from recurring."

When the school is aware that a Black student is being subjected to vile racist language, unwanted touching, racist jokes they should move heaven and earth to stop it," said attorney Steven Murray, who represents Davis. Just imagine if if the scenario was flipped, that you had Black students harassing a white student. I think the result would have been different.

In May of 2025, the lawsuit claims racist and sexually threatening graffiti appeared on a wall within the boys' restroom.

The lawsuit alleges that one phrase discovered in the bathroom read "Black's for sale" and underneath it were the names of five students, including Davis.

Another portion of the graffiti said "slave auction," according to the filing.

The lawsuit claims the defendants locked the restroom due to the graffiti, and did not tell Davis or his mother about the writing. Davis allegedly learned about the graffiti through a photograph from a classmate.

Davis was not told who wrote the graffiti, what their punishment was, or what action was taken to prevent something similar from happening again, according to the filing.

This is one of the most outrageous cases I've ever seen," said Murray. I think it's a community-wide problem, and I think in the culture we live in today, it's even more important to address this.

Davis finished his sophomore year at the school but completed his junior year "online at home, without classmates, live instruction, sports, clubs, activities, or a social life," the lawsuit reads.

Murray said the goal of the lawsuit is to compensate Davis for his emotional distress and hold the school accountable.

Denver7 reached out to Addenbrooke Classical Academy and the current executive director said all communication about the lawsuit will be coordinated through JeffCo Public Schools. JeffCo Public Schools responded to Denver7's request for comment with the following statement:

<i>Addenbrooke Classical Academy (ACA) is aware of a press release regarding potential legal action against the school. While we have not received formal service of a lawsuit, our policy is not to comment on any potential or pending legal matters.&nbsp;</i> <i>We can affirm that ACA, in partnership with Jeffco Public Schools, adheres strictly to all federal and state anti-discrimination laws and to district policies aligned with those legal standards. The ACA community is guided by upholding the equal dignity and rights of all individuals, and educating students with integrity and virtue to become exemplary citizens.</i> <i>Addenbrooke Classical Academy remains focused on maintaining a safe, supportive, and virtuous learning environment where every student can thrive. We will address this legal matter through the appropriate judicial channels.</i>

The CSU Pueblo football team has climbed to fourth in the national rankings, sitting at a perfect 5-0 on the season and remaining a clear favorite to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title.

See our preview in the video below CSU Pueblo week 6 preview

Head coach Philip Vigil said the team's undefeated record reflects more than just wins it reflects a commitment to daily improvement.

"I mean, the first five opponents that we've played are all teams that were either picked in the top half of the RMAC or receiving votes being ranked," Vigil said. "I definitely know that the teams we've played are very good football teams, and, even though the score sometimes may not show it, there's adversity in every game, and I think that being able to overcome that adversity and continue to progress and execute, I think our team has shown that."

Despite the strong record, Vigil said there is still work to be done.

"From a record results standpoint, of course, I think you can't get any better than it is right now, but from like a finite details and where we need to improve, the beautiful thing about football is there's always areas where you can improve and get better," Vigil said. "That's the thing that we challenge this group on is it's not about the scoreboard, it's not about the opponent. It's about us."

The Thunderwolves face Adams State this week in their final game before the bye week. Adams State has yet to find the win column in its first five games of the season, but Vigil said his team is not taking the matchup lightly.

"Adams, you know, has struggled in the first five games, but it's a new staff, and they've done a good job in recruiting some really talented football players, and I know we can't take anybody lightly," Vigil said. "If you make the opponent the focus, then every week you can go like this you can be ups and downs. Human nature is to be complacent. Human nature is to seek comfort, and if we want to be the best at getting better, then we've got to come out and prove that every single day."

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While education professionals say attendance is important every school day, the first school day of October stands out as a day Colorado public school students shouldnt miss.

Attendance from the first day of school in October known as the October count determines a districts funding for the remainder of the year, which the majority of those funds coming from the States Public School Finance Act.

Denver7 reporter Alex Dowd breaks down how that funding timeline works in the video below:

Colorado school attendance count today determines funding for the rest of the year

Colorado funds schools on a per-pupil basis, but that funding formula is facing a change over the next few years to account for falling enrollment and rising costs of living.

Starting the 2026-2027 school year, a districts per-pupil funding is calculated using either the count this year, or an average of this years count, and the two previous years.

Districts will slowly phase in the rest of the new formula, until the switch is complete for the 2031-2032 school year.

The biggest changes add funding for Special Education, for rural and remote schools and for districts that cover a smaller area of the state.

The new formula starts the same way as the old with a base district funding. That number is determined by the October count minus extended high school students and multi-district online students. That number is multiplied by the state per-pupil rate, which the Colorado Department of Education set as $8,900.40 for the 2026-2027 school year.

Next, that state adds in funding for at-risk students, which is the statewide base multiplied by 25% and a districts at-risk pupil count. For districts with a. Count below 7,000 students and an at-risk percentage larger than 70%, that rate is raised to 32%.

The number of students in English Learning Language and Special Education programs is also multiplied by 25% and then the base state rate.

After counting students, a districts foundation funding is multiplied by a cost of living factor and a locale factor, which is determined using data from the National Center for Education Statistics classification system.

District size is also considered in this new process. The Department of Education includes it to provide more funding for smaller districts to compensate for their small purchasing power. This funding goes to districts with 6,500 or fewer students.

The final step adds back in the funding given to online students and extended high school students, which is a slightly lower rate than the per-pupil base.

While the October count number is crucial for districts, Denver Public Schools officials say its best to keep your student home if theyre sick and contagious.

After first discovering the bears of Alaskas Katmai National Park on social media, Colorado resident Nolene Metzger decided watching them online wasnt enough. Metzger, who has lived in Colorado for 25 years, traveled to Katmai to see the bears in person during the Fat Bear Week season.

Her interest began around 2023 after she started following the bears online. She calls Otis, an older bear known for his patience while fishing, her gateway bear. Otis passed away in 2023.

I just started watching because of him, Metzger said of Otis.

Her fascination grew as she followed other bears, including Grazer and her cubs. Metzger watched the cubs grow and said seeing the bears in person gave her a different perspective on wildlife.

It was amazing just to see them in person and to be in their presence, because we are really in their home, she explained.

That experience also reinforced the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance. One of Metzgers favorite moments came when she and her husband encountered a bear named Marshmallow while walking between viewing platforms.

We had to back off the trail into the trees so that we were out of the way of the bear, she said.

Metzger also captured video of bears swimming and fishing in the river, including cubs trying to keep up with their mother. YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES SHARED WITH KOAA AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE.

You could see their legs paddling, especially the little cubs trying to keep up with mom, she said. They would just dive down a little bit and up came a fish in their mouths.

Metzger said visitors dont necessarily have to travel deep into the wilderness to see bears at Katmai. She said she spotted one shortly after getting off the plane.

She also hopes her experience encourages people to support national parks and learn more about wildlife conservation. Metzger contributes to the Katmai Conservancy, which raises money for the park, rangers and research.

She said Fat Bear Week has also become an educational tool, with teachers using the bears to teach children about wildlife and conservation.

For Metzger, the trip offered a lesson that extends beyond Alaska.

People just need to stay aware of whats happening at their national parks and public lands and advocate for those, she said.

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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Todays Forecast:

A FLOOD WATCH will remain in effect until noon Thursday, and includes the Arkansas River Valley, Aspen Acres burn scar, southeastern mountains, and southeastern Plains. On the Plains, this is where we expect to see the heaviest rain for the next few hours, with rain ending from west to east this afternoon. In the Pikes Peak Region, all FLOOD WATCHES have been allowed to expire early, and any chances for additional rain today will be low and light.

It has also been windy this morning on the eastern Plains, with gusts in some areas up over 40-50 mph. As the storm moves east, the weather will improve. Region-wide, we will see skies turning partly cloudy this afternoon, and highs will be around 5-10F warmer than yesterday.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 65; Low: 43. We're already turning the corner in the Pikes Peak Region this morning, and by the afternoon, we should see some blue sky as highs climb into the middle 60s. Tonight will be our coldest night of the season, with lows in the lower 40s.

Pueblo forecast: High: 68; Low: 45. A few lingering and breezy showers this morning will give way to a partly cloudy and mild afternoon. As the storm pulls away from Colorado tonight, it will be chilly, with overnight lows in the middle 40s.

Canon City forecast: High: 67; Low: 46. A few showers will be possible this morning, but as the storm pulls away this afternoon, skies will clear out and temperatures will warm into the upper 60s.

Woodland Park forecast: High: 57; Low: 37. October will be begin chilly, with temperatures this afternoon in the upper 50s and lows this evening falling into the upper 30s.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 50s/60s; Low: 30s/40s. We're pretty much done with the rain for today in northern El Paso County, with the best chance for rain this morning east of I-25. The rest of our Thursday will be dry and turning bright, with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s.

Plains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 40s. Heavy rain will continue to batter the eastern Plains until late this morning, with showers ending from west to east this afternoon. FLOOD WATCHES will remain in effect here until noon. It's also been very windy this morning, with gusts early today in the 40-50 mph range.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 50s/60s; Low: 40s. Windy, with rain showers this morning. The rain should come to an end towards the lunch hour as this week's storm finally pulls away from Southern Colorado.

Mountains forecast: High: 40s/50s; Low: 30s. Rain and high elevation snow will continue in the southeastern mountains until late this morning or early this afternoon, with a FLOOD WATCH in effect until noon. Snow levels this morning will hover around 11,000 feet.

Extended outlook forecast:

Friday will be a transition day to much warmer weather that follows this weekend and early next week. Highs on Friday will rebound into the upper 60s in Colorado Springs, which will still be below the average high of 71F. It will also be breezy on Friday, with southerly wind gusts around 20-25 mph.

Saturday will be much warmer, with our high expected to climb to near 80F. A weak cool front late Saturday will drop highs down a few degrees to the lower 70s on Sunday.

Looking ahead to next week...we're expecting mainly dry skies and highs in the 70s, with just a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm on Tuesday.

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

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Buena Vista police officers used recently completed CPR and first aid training to help save the life of a choking infant this week.

According to a social media post by the Buena Vista Police Department, officers were called to a report of an infant who was choking and not breathing on Sunday. Sgt. Frazer Pomfret and Anitta Wroten were the first officers to arrive, followed by Officer Stephen Caffrey. Chaffee County Fire Protection District and Chaffee County EMS also responded.

The department said its officers had completed CPR and first aid recertification Sept. 16, including training on how to respond to choking infants.

The department specifically thanked Evan Brady with Chaffee County EMS, who taught the recent recertification, as well as Chaffee County Sheriff's Office communications officers for quickly dispatching first responders to the call.

The department said the incident underscored the importance of maintaining first aid and emergency response skills.

You can watch video shared by the Buena Vista Police of the rescue at the top of this article.

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A few hours of your Friday or Saturday could help a local organization tackle work it has struggled to get done.

COSILoveYous Fall CityServe takes place Oct. 23, connecting volunteers with schools, nonprofits, parks and other community spaces across Colorado Springs.

See the full story in the video below CityServe seeks volunteers for projects across Colorado Springs Oct. 23

Executive Director Stu Davis said 107 projects are planned, and he estimates a couple hundred volunteer openings remain across the two days.

The tasks range from painting and landscaping to cleaning and organizing.

You might be organizing a space that hasnt seen a set of volunteer hands in a couple of years, but its really important for the organization to keep moving forward on their daily work of working with families or people in crisis, Davis said.

A starting point for volunteering

Davis said CityServe gives people a chance to try volunteering without making a long-term commitment. Participants can choose an opportunity connected to something they care about, then decide whether they want to stay involved.

Weve seen a lot of people who have been able to walk away from a CityServe Day experience and say it was so great to connect to an organization that cares about the same things that I do, and I wanna find a way to keep going back, he said.

Davis said opportunities include projects suitable for young children and people with limited mobility. Requirements vary by site, so volunteers should read the project description before registering.

How to sign up

To find an available project:

Visit serve.cosiloveyou.com. Choose Friday or Saturday projects. Browse or filter the listings to find an opportunity that fits you. Check the time, location, age requirements and any supplies you need to bring. Complete the signup process and click Confirm Registration.

Volunteers should receive a confirmation email. Adults are encouraged to register individually, while minors can be added under a parent or guardians account.

For Davis, the invitation starts with the belief that everyone can contribute.

Im confident that everybody has something to give and maybe it just takes the right opportunity, the right invitation, he said.

Browse CityServe projects and sign up here.

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

Tonight's Forecast:

Tonight, temperatures will get down into the 40s and 50s for southern Colorado. Rain is still expected in the forecast overnight and tomorrow morning. Winds will also be gusty overnight with I-25 approaching 20-30mph. Further east winds may be stronger.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 47; High: 64;

Colorado Springs will have lows in the upper 40s overnight. A few stronger gusts are still possible tonight and into tomorrow morning. Rain will be light tomorrow morning and eventually end by the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid-60s. There will be more sunshine towards the end of the day.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 50; High: 68;

Pueblo will have overnight lows in the 50s. Rain may become heavy at times overnight, but as we get into early Thursday morning it will become lighter. A few areas may experience some stronger gusts. Highs tomorrow afternoon will be in the upper 60s. Some blue skies will make an appearance by the late afternoon.

Canon City forecast: Low: 50; High: 68;

Canon City will have morning temperatures in the lower 50s. Rain and windy conditions will still be possible Thursday morning. As the day continues, rain will ease and winds will calm. Highs will get into the upper 60s.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 37; High: 57;

Woodland Park will have overnight lows drop into the upper 30s. A few flurries are possible in the higher elevations, but nothing will accumulate. Rain will continue into the morning and eventually end by the afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 50s.

Tri-Lakes forecast: Low: 43; High: 61;

Monument will have overnight lows in the lower 40s. Rain will continue into the morning and some stronger gusts are possible as well. Rain will eventually end by the afternoon. Highs will be in the lower 60s.

Plains forecast: Low: 50s; High: 60s;

The eastern plains will have some heavy rain overnight. Lows will dip into the 50s. Rain will end in the afternoon on Thursday. There will be some stronger winds throughout tonight and into tomorrow morning. Afternoon highs on Thursday will be in the 60s.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: Low: 45; High: 60;

Walsenburg and Trinidad will have lows in the mid-40s. Rain and wind will continue overnight and into tomorrow morning. Highs will get into the 60s.

Mountains forecast: Low: 30s & 40s; High: 60s;

The mountain peaks will pick up a few inches of snow throughout the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning. Lows will get into the 30s and 40s. Afternoon highs on Thursday will be in the 60s.

Extended outlook forecast:

Beyond Thursday, conditions look much nicer. The sun will be out each day and help to dry off trails. Highs will also warm back into the 70s over the weekend. These nicer conditions will last into next week.

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The springs in Manitou Springs are getting an assist from some rain. Water managers say it is the right kind of rain, as opposed to the flash flooding that happened earlier this month. This kind of rain is helping offset the drought conditions from earlier this summer.

Umbrellas and hoodies are the fashion trend of the day in Manitou Springs.

"It just like started just raining at like 4 a.m. just constant since then," said Nichole Saffeels.

Enough rain to wake her, but not so much she is concerned.

"It's just rain, like it's a constant rain, but it's not like storming, it's just like consistent," Saffeels said.

She is also aware it has been a dry summer.

"I think we need it, definitely," Saffeels said.

Ben Schmitt tracks the water supply for Manitou Springs and agrees this storm is dropping rain at a good pace.

"While rain is great, it's great if it's slow, easy moving rain that comes down and doesn't create a lot of turbidity," Schmitt said.

Turbidity is when water is rushing so fast it gets clouded with debris. Rain at a slow to moderate pace seeps into the ground and adds just enough water to put some extra in Manitou's one storage reservoir. It is important for use in homes and businesses and essential to public safety.

"If we have a bigger event like a wildfire or something like that, we need to make sure we have that reserve capacity to be able to bring into the system, so keeping that resource whole is like keeping your bank account topped off in case of an emergency," Schmitt said.

Back in the spring, Manitou put water restrictions in place because snowpack was at 9% of normal, and the city considers snow its second water storage resource. Recent rain has helped bring water levels in the community's one reservoir up to a more comfortable level. Still, water restrictions remain and city leaders believe conservation needs to remain a priority.

"I don't think we are quite out of the woods yet, just based on the patterns growing up here my entire life, and seeing this, there's a noticeable shift in the patterns that we're seeing for storage and snowpack," Schmitt said.

There are no complaints about the water reprieve from the rain. Now what water managers want to see is a much better snowpack year on Pikes Peak.

"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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El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal announced that the sheriff's office will discontinue the use of Flock Safety cameras in the county, effective immediately.

In a news release Wednesday, the sheriff's office said it will request that Flock Safety retrieve its equipment after sending a non-renewal notice to the company.

Flock Safety has come under recent scrutiny across the country over concerns of data-sharing practices and what sort of data Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRS) are tracking.

Our responsibility is to protect our community, foster public trust, and serve the people,

said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal.

After careful consideration, I believe discontinuing our use of Flock cameras is the right decision for El Paso County and our citizens.

The sheriff's office says this will not affect its commitment to public safety, but it recognizes concerns about the Flock Safety program amid expected legislative changes across the state.

The Scripps News Group is reaching out to Flock Safety for more information. This is a developing story.

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AVONDALE, Colo. A shelter-in-place has been issued for some residents in Avondale as Pueblo County deputies search for a wanted suspect.

The Pueblo County Sheriffs Office said in a post on X Thursday just before noon that there was a large law enforcement presence along US 50 near the intersection with Avondale Boulevard as deputies searched for the suspect.

Deputies warned residents to avoid the area.

It was not immediately clear what the suspect was wanted for, but deputies said the suspect could be armed.

Please stay in your homes for safety and stay away from doors and windows, a spokesperson for the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal is retiring next year on the day he marks 40 years with the department.

The fire department announced Wednesday that Royal will retire March 9, 2027, exactly 40 years after his first day with CSFD.

With nearly five decades in fire and emergency medical services, Royal will have served six years by the time he retires and has served more than two decades in chief officer roles. He was named a battalion chief in 2005.

According to the fire department, he was a paramedic for 28 years and helped deliver 24 babies, including one that was named after him.

He was also involved in several other programs, and helped establish CSFD's Tactical Emergency Medical Services.

Royal has earned numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including two Medals of Distinguished Service and the Firefighter of the Year award. In 2023, he was named George Mazzotti Fire Chief of the Year by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. In 2024, he was named International Career Fire Chief of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

He said one of his proudest accomplishments is the department's response efforts to the significant events in the Colorado Springs area, including the 1997 blizzard, Cattle West Apartment Fire in 2007, Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and Black Forest Fire in 2013.

Its hard to believe this time has come. I have loved my career and the wonderful men and women that I have been able to work with over the years, Royal said in a statement. It has truly been an honor and the most rewarding opportunity to serve our citizens and visitors within the community of Colorado Springs, as well as having a front seat to seeing how the members of the CSFD have been able to influence the fire and medical services across our region and even nationwide through their pursuit of excellence and innovation. I am more than confident that the department is in good hands as they move into the future based on the caliber of our staff and their desire to positively impact our citys public safety each and every day.

Chief Randy Royal has given 40 years of extraordinary service to the Colorado Springs Fire Department, and his impact will be felt for generations. He has led with courage, humility, and a deep commitment to mission first, people always. From advancing emergency medical care to leading through some of our communitys most difficult moments, to embracing innovation that has made our city safer, Randy has dedicated his career to protecting others and preparing CSFD for the future, said Mayor Yemi Mobolade.

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After years of construction, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and its partners gathered Tuesday, Sept. 29, to celebrate major completion milestones on three Colorado Springs road projects.

The celebration highlighted improvements on I-25 between Fillmore Street and Garden of the Gods Road, the new Powers Boulevard and Airport Road interchange, and the Military Access, Mobility and Safety Improvement Project, known as MAMSIP.

Together, the projects represent more than $250 million in investment. The work aims to improve safety, traffic flow and access to military installations on roads also used by commuters, families and commercial vehicles.

Watch Jaylen Lee's report in the video player below: CDOT celebrates milestones on three Colorado Springs road projectsI-25: More room to merge, with work still ahead

Between Fillmore and Garden of the Gods, new acceleration and deceleration lanes give drivers more space to enter and exit I-25.

While CDOT celebrated the project's progress, crews still have paving and other finishing work to complete. Shane Ferguson, CDOT's Region 2 transportation director, said barriers and cones will be removed as construction wraps up, followed by the end of construction speed restrictions.

In an interview with News5, Ferguson said he expects the remaining work to be completed in October or November.

He said building roads while keeping traffic moving requires crews to work in stages, shifting vehicles around construction and protecting both workers and drivers.

Powers and Airport: A new way through the interchange

The new diverging diamond carries Airport Road traffic over Powers Boulevard. Airport Road drivers briefly cross to the opposite side of the roadway, allowing left turns onto ramps without crossing opposing traffic.

The interchange serves Peterson Space Force Base's west entrance and is intended to reduce congestion and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The interchange is open, but CDOT said periodic lane closures and traffic shifts are expected through October as crews finish remaining work.

MAMSIP: Four corridors, one connected effort

MAMSIP improved I-25, Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard and Charter Oak Ranch Road. The corridors connect Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.

The approximately $161 million program was completed in July, with South Academy as its final piece, according to CDOT.

On South Academy, the work expanded the southern section from two lanes to three in each direction and included bridge improvements, drainage, lighting and noise walls.

Other components included a passing lane and intersection improvements on Highway 94, a rebuilt Charter Oak Ranch Road and roundabout serving Fort Carson's Gate 19, and bridge and median safety improvements on I-25 south of South Academy.

Although military access helped drive the effort, the improvements also serve civilian drivers traveling those same roads.

Drivers can check COtrip.org for current closures and traffic conditions.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. A bear was euthanized by state wildlife officials earlier this week after a homeowner in Steamboat Springs shot at it in self-defense, a spokesperson for the wildlife agency confirmed with Denver7 Wednesday.

The bear entered the home Monday and the resident tried to get the bear to leave before it charged toward them, according to a spokesperson with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Officials said the resident then shot the bear in self-defense and the bear left alive but injured. CPW officers euthanized the bear when they arrived at the scene, the spokesperson said.

It is important for people to keep all food sources secured from bears by keeping doors and windows locked, especially this year due to drought limiting natural food sources and bears preparing for winter by trying to eat as much as possible, the CPW official said.

Colorado bear conflicts have reached high numbers this year

CPW reports that Colorado has reported more than 6,000 bear sightings so far across the state nearly double last years numbers.

As bears begin to enter hyperphagia an instinctive, metabolic change resulting in an almost constant feeding frenzy as the bears prepare for winter hibernation bear activity is expected to increase while they search for 20,000 calories per day before denning, a CPW spokesperson said.

Those bear sightings have led to 12 other attacks so far this year which have prompted CPW to launch a new education campaign to raise awareness about the record bear activity and how people can prepare to reduce the number of bear conflicts that could potentially lead to more dangerous encounters.

Watch Denver7 reporter Claire Lavezzorio's report in the video below:

Colorado wildlife officials ramp up bear safety outreach as record activity continues

Wildlife officials remind the community that preventing conflicts requires a collective effort. CPW recommends the following BearWise tips to keep bears wild:

Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding wildlife or letting them find accessible food is illegal. It teaches them to approach homes and lose their natural fear of humans. Safely store trash, animal feed and other attractants. Lock up trash receptacles and food scraps to eliminate the powerful odors that attract wildlife to residential properties. Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed domestic pets indoors or thoroughly clean up bowls immediately after any outdoor feeding. Clean and store outdoor grills. Burn off grease and food particles after every use, and store grills inside a secure garage or shed. Secure windows and doors. Keep all bear-accessible windows and doors closed and locked, including garage doors. Bears are excellent climbers, so this includes any top story exterior windows or doors. Know what to do if a bear does enter your home. If a bear is in your house, leave immediately if you can safely do so. Leave all exit doors open to give the bear a clear escape route, do not block its path, and never try to shoo or corner the animal out of your home. Call 911 immediately and remain outside until wildlife officers have confirmed the bear is out of the home. Know what to do if you encounter a black bear: If you see a bear before it notices you, don't approach. Stop and quietly move away, while giving the bear a clear escape route. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell, "Hey, bear!" until it leaves. If a black bear makes contact with you, do NOT play dead; fight back aggressively.

CPW encourages Coloradans to report bear activity and conflicts by clicking here.

Just before the start of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche announced they have extended head coach jared Bednar through the 2030-31 season.

The 54-year-old is entering his 11th season as head coach of the Avs, and is the winningest coach in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history with a 445-262-75 record in 782 regular season games.

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In the playoffs, Bedhard has a 60-40-1 record, which is the sixth-best winning percentage of all time.

The Avs have made the postseason in all but one of Bednar's seasons which was his first in 2016-17.

Jared has done an outstanding job over the last decade, and theres no doubt in my mind hes the best coach for this group, said Avalanche President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Joe Sakic. He commands the room and has complete confidence of the players. Were excited to continue to have him in charge, and we believe that his presence maximizes the teams potential while this core group is intact.

Im extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group, said Bednar. My family and I have loved being a part of this organization from the beginning, and I cant thank the Kroenke family and Joe Sakic enough for their support. I look forward to working hard each day this season and beyond to accomplish our goal of winning another Stanley Cup.

Todays Forecast:

A high-impact storm will bring periods of rain and gusty wind to Southern Colorado on Wednesday, with a few isolated thunderstorms possible over the eastern Plains. This morning, we have seen a subtle shift in the evolution of the storm and the track of the incoming low and main moisture swath associated with the remnants of Hurricane Polo. While confidence is high for the highest totals to fall south of Highway 50, there's less confidence for beneficial moisture north of the Palmer Divide. In the Pikes Peak Region, rain totals over the next 12-24 hours look to fall within the 0.5"-1.5" range.

FLOOD WATCHES will remain in effect until early tomorrow for the entire News5 coverage area, including the ever so delicate Aspen Acres burn scar. Flooding is likely to occur in this area today, so stay tuned and please make sure that you have a way to receive updates.

That's just one component to this multi-faceted storm. We're also tracking mountain snow, with several inches of accumulation above 11,000 to 12,000 feet.

Lastly, the storm will bring 30-45 mph wind gusts to Southern Colorado and cool highs this afternoon. Temperatures today will only top out in the 50s and 60s.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 59; Low: 46. Cool, unsettled and windy on Wednesday. Rain totals for the next 12-24 will range between 0.5"-1.5". A FLOOD WATCH will remain in effect until noon Thursday.

Pueblo forecast: High: 63; Low: 50. FLOOD WATCHES are now in effect in Pueblo County and what we've seen so far today is just the beginning of what's to come over the next 12-24 hours. Rain totals look to range between 1-2" for the incoming storm.

Canon City forecast: High: 61; Low: 50. A FLOOD WATCH will continue until noon Thursday, with periods of rain and gusty wind in our forecast for the next 12-24 hours. Rain totals around 1-2".

Woodland Park forecast: High: 50; Low: 37. Wet, cool and windy weather can be expected on Wednesday, with as much as 0.5" to 1.5" of rain on the way over the next 12-24 hours. This will mainly be a rain event for areas below 11,000 feet, but into the overnight hours, it's possible that we could see our first flakes of the season.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 50s; Low: 40s. Today's weather will be the coolest that we've seen since the end of May. Clouds and showers, heavy at times, can be expected throughout the day, along with gusty winds. Rain totals around 0.5" to 1".

Plains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 40s/50s. Our well advertised storm will bring rain and gusty winds to the southeastern Plains today, with areas south of Highway 50 seeing as much as 2-3" of rain through Thursday morning.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 50s/60s; Low: 40s. Windy, with periods of moderate to heavy rain on Wednesday as our well advertised storm moves closer to Southern Colorado. Rain totals around 2-3" through Thursday morning, with flooding possible.

Mountains forecast: High: 40s/50s; Low: 30s. It will be wet and unsettled on Wednesday in the mountains and any outdoor plans you have for today should be moved! As much as 2-4" of rain can be expected in the Sangres and Wet Mountains. Snow level today and tonight will be at or above 11,000 feet.

Extended outlook forecast:

On the backside of the storm, it will remain gusty and unsettled into Thursday morning. A few showers and thunderstorms will linger into Thursday morning on the eastern Plains before clearing out from west to east by the afternoon. Highs on Thursday will warm into the mid 60s in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, with upper 50s in Woodland Park.

Sunshine and upper 60s on Friday will be followed by dry skies and highs in the 70s this weekend.

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

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The last weekend in September marked the start of the 100th season for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic; according to the organization, it's a time to look back at the past century of performances and also, more importantly, look forward to the plans, opportunities, and music to come.

"This centennial season is not just a history lesson," stated Nathan Newbrough, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, "it's not just a birthday party, we're looking forward to the next 100 years."

That "looking forward" mentality is taking several forms this season; one exciting, new development is the introduction of the Philharmonic's first composer-in-residence, Eunike Tanzil.

The announcement coincides with the Philharmonics milestone 100th season, for which Tanzil has been commissioned to write a new orchestral work. This marks a fitting collaboration between one of classical musics most compelling compositional voices and an orchestra entering its second century.

While the Philharmonic will perform a number of the Tanzil's compositions throughout the season, they are planning a world premiere of her new orchestra work for mid-April, 2027.

Another, significant effort being made by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic is focused around providing educational opportunities for students across the region; these efforts are being led by a division of the Philharmonic, which was got its start about 18 months ago, known as the Center for Future Audiences, "...and that is a collection of projects and programs starting with grade kindergarten and going into high school," said Newbrough, "and even college students can take part."

Programs run the gamut from sending conductors to local classrooms, tailoring concerts to students, hosting clinics and a masterclass series, to even providing professional development opportunities for teachers.

"We're in the schools, we're working with kids, and we're talking about that next generation of citizen," stated Newbrough, "not just listener, not just audience member, that citizen who is going to come next and who is going to be leading this community in 50 years."

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic's season runs through late May, for additional information and to find out more about programming and other opportunities throughout the season, click here.

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Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates is working on a new trail that will connect a neighborhood south of Monument to the nearby, well-used Mount Herman trail network; the work has involved years of planning, reviews, assessments, and this summer the group was able to initiate construction.

Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates is a nonprofit dedicated to building trails, advocating for trail access, and preserving public lands; in 2022, the group began collaboration with the Forest Lake Metro District (FLMD) and the housing development company working to build along Mesa Top Drive in Northern El Paso County to construct a trail dubbed Forest Lakes #7 (FL7) that would serve the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Following approvals from the groups listed above, Medicine Wheel set about building FL7 in 2023 and opened their initial 1.5-mile-long trail in 2024. The group says that another phase of FL7 trail construction is still underway.

Learn More About the Project in the Player Below

Following the approvals and initial construction work on FL7, Medicine Wheel then determined that due to the trail's (and the community's) proximity to the nearby Mount Herman trail network, a connector trail should be built to join FL7 with the nearby United States Forest Service (USFS) Trail 715, which connects into the Mount Herman trail system.

This proposed 1.5-mile-long trail would not only serve to connect the community to a larger trail network, but help to mitigate the appearance of detrimental 'social trails' that can crop up when people find their own ways across a piece of land.

Medicine Wheel says that social trails can damage local wildlife and cause increased erosion in an area.

The major hurdle is that this new, connector trail would need to cross USFS land; the work to get that done involves a federal, environmental review and planning process for the proposed trail that can often be long and costly.

With the assistance of partners, Medicine Wheel was able to secure a $45,000 state grant in order to hire a natural resource firm to complete the necessary environmental review and assessments.

Medicine Wheel reports that the findings from their assessments indicate that their proposed connector trail would not only generally alleviate erosion and wildlife habitat degradation, but would specifically assist in maintaining the habitat of a local, threatened species known as the Preble's meadow jumping mouse.

Following the completion of the necessary environmental review and assessments, Medicine Wheel reports that USFS approved their trail connector; the nonprofit began marking and clearing the new trail in spring of 2026 and hosted its first volunteer workday to assist in the effort on September 26, National Public Lands Day.

Medicine Wheel hopes, weather permitting, to complete construction on this trail, dubbed the 715 Connector by the USFS, in late Spring of 2027.

Click the following links for additional information regarding Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates or the ongoing efforts being made to construct the 715 Connector.

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