As we sprint full-speed into pumpkin patch season, we're taking a look at the Colorado Pumpkin Patch in Monument which offers 20 acres of autumn-themed activities for families to enjoy.

News5 reporter Jon McMichael has more on what people can expect in the video below:

Activities abound at the Colorado Pumpkin Patch in Monument

The Colorado Pumpkin Patch, owned and operated by the Colorado Kids Ranch, runs from mid-September through the end of October and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; the space offers a wide array of activities, including:

Pumpkin patch (to pick out your pumpkins) Outdoor games Slides Swings Laser tag Enormous jumping pads Farm animal petting area Tractor 'hay-rides' And more

According to Aubrey Chapman, manager of the Colorado Kids Ranch, the organization also operates a program aimed at expanding the financial accessibility of their pumpkin patch offerings.

"We have this program called Johnny Pumpkinseed," Chapman stated, "and it's where we offer special needs kiddos and foster care [children] the opportunity to come in free of charge, and they also get a pumpkin with that."

Families attending alongside children that qualify for the program also receive a steep discount ($8.00) for admission to the pumpkin patch.

Prices vary throughout the season; for all but the last four days of October, the price of admission is $20 for everyone (with $2.00 discounts for active or retired military members, seniors, and first responders) while children ages three-and-under can visit for free.

Additional pumpkin patch opportunities on the north side of Colorado Springs and northern El Paso County are listed below:

Fall Mountain Farm - Located in Monument - Open each Thursday through Sunday - Operating through Oct. 31 Miners' Pumpkin Patch - Located in Northern Colorado Springs - Open each Saturday - Operating through Oct. 31

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board voted Thursday to propose the sale of the former Meadows Park Community Center.

A city spokesperson said in a news release obtained by News5 the proposed sale aims to preserve community-serving uses at the site for the next 25 years and stressed the vote is a recommendation and does not authorize the sale of the former community center, which closed last year after the city could no longer sustain it.

News5 reporter Owen Skornik-Hayes spoke to a group who submitted a proposal to take over Meadows Park Community Center earlier this year in the video below:

'Focused on the Solution': A New Vision for a Closed Community Center

Under the proposal, local commercial real estate company CRE Holdings would purchase the property, the city spokesperson said, adding the company has identified childcare for working families, youth programming and aftercare partnerships as priority uses, while also emphasizing access for lower-income households and continued investment in the facility. Specific future tenants, programs and services have not yet been finalized, the release states.

The recommendation follows nearly one year of work with Stratton Meadows residents and community representatives to identify a sustainable future for the property after the community center closed in October 2025, the spokesperson said, adding community feedback emphasized access to services, social connection and community safety, and helped shape the priorities used to evaluate proposals.

The community helped shape what comes next for this property, and that input has stayed at the center of this process, said Kim King, assistant director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for Colorado Springs. The goal has been to find a sustainable future for the site that continues to provide meaningful benefit to Stratton Meadows. The Advisory Boards recommendation moves that work forward for City Councils consideration.

Watch additional News5 reporting on the former Meadows Park Community Center in the video below:

Community 'cautiously optimistic' for new-look Meadows Park community center

Following the centers closure, the city formed the Meadows Park Solutions Team, which included neighborhood residents, community leaders, City Councilmembers and City staff. The group reviewed community feedback and helped identify priorities for the property, including youth and childcare services, food access, senior and intergenerational programs, health and wellness, workforce and educational opportunities, and gathering space.

City officials said that work informed a competitive request for proposals issued in February. The City received three proposals, and an evaluation committee that included neighborhood representatives selected CRE Holdings to move forward based on its experience, approach and anticipated community impact.

The proposal will next go to Colorado Springs City Council, which has final authority to approve the property transfer. Council is currently scheduled to discuss the proposal at its Oct. 12 work session.

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It looks like the Denver Broncos are making a slight change when it comes to the offensive playcalling ahead of this Sundays big divisional match-up.

According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Davis Webb will be collaborating more when it comes to the offensive play calls moving forward.

Schefter said on social media earlier Thursday Webb will continue to have a significant role in the Broncos game-planning and will still be involved in the offense on gamedays. Webb was named the offensive coordinator for the Broncos this past offseason after receiving several head coaching job interviews from across the NFL.

This Sunday, the Broncos will be in Los Angeles for a matchup against the Chargers, kick off is set for 2:05 pm.

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Banking scams are becoming harder to spot as criminals use artificial intelligence to create convincing emails, fake bank websites and even voice recordings designed to impersonate loved ones, according to a banking industry cybersecurity expert.

Paul Benda, executive vice president for risk, fraud and cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association, said consumers need to recognize that some of the traditional warning signs of scams are no longer enough. The ABA is promoting its #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, which aims to educate consumers about common scams and the information banks will and will not request.

Scams are really prevalent, Benda explained. We're seeing them leverage AI. They're writing emails much more clearly right now. They're setting up websites that look just like your bank. They're even deepfaking voices.

Benda said criminals can take a short recording of someone's voice from social media and use it to impersonate that person.

They can take a snippet off of social media of your child, mimic that voice, call you up and pretend to be that child in danger, and try and extort money out of you, he added.

Benda said consumers should be particularly suspicious when someone contacts them unexpectedly and creates a sense of urgency or fear. One warning sign is a caller claiming to be from a bank and saying there are suspicious transactions that require the customer to immediately move money.

Frankly, if they tell you to keep it a secret, it's a scam, Benda said.

Consumers also should not automatically trust caller ID, he said. Criminals can spoof the name and phone number displayed on a phone, making a call appear to come from a legitimate bank. Benda said the FBI estimates losses from scams are increasing about 25% each year. Gallup estimates Americans lost $68 billion to scams, according to Benda.

Check fraud remains a concern

Despite the growth of digital banking, Benda said check fraud remains a significant problem. Checks contain valuable information, including a person's name, address, bank routing number and account number. Criminals have increasingly targeted checks sent through the mail, he said.

Benda said criminals are not necessarily limited to altering stolen checks. Once they obtain banking information, they can use it to print fraudulent checks and attempt to drain accounts.

We're recommending people really move to electronic transactions, use that banking app or use that website to keep their account safe, Benda stated.

What to do if you fall for a scam

Benda said consumers who click on a suspicious link, share banking information or make a fraudulent transaction should contact their bank immediately.

Act quickly and call your bank right away, he said. Minutes, seconds, hours matter.

Contacting the bank quickly can give it an opportunity to secure the account and potentially recover stolen money, he said.

People who lose significant amounts of money also should report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

The ABA's Banks Never Ask That campaign includes information about common scam tactics, red flags, videos and a quiz designed to test consumers' knowledge. Benda also recommended families establish a secret password that can be used to verify a loved one's identity during an unexpected call. The campaign website encourages consumers to learn what banks will and will not ask for before they encounter a scam. Click here for more on #BanksNeverAskThat.

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Family, friends, fellow officers, and members of the community gathered Wednesday at Praise Church to honor the life and service of Pueblo Police Corporal Stephen Biggs, a decorated officer remembered for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to those around him.

Outside the church, large American flags waved in the breeze as mourners arrived to pay their respects. The solemn scene marked a final farewell for Biggs, who died in an off-duty wakeboarding accident at Lake Pueblo.

Just over a week after his death, loved ones reflected on the impact he made both in uniform and in his personal life.

News5 reporter Owen Skornik-Hayes was at the service and has this report:

CPL. STEPHEN BIGGS HONORED

"He was loyal to his core and fiercely protective of the people he loved," said his sister, Candace Blake. "He would do anything for you. He had your back without hesitation, without question, and without fail."

Throughout his law enforcement career, Biggs earned numerous honors, including three Medal of Valor awards, 10 Letters of Commendation, and a Distinguished Service Award. Those who served alongside him said the recognition reflected the kind of officer and person he was.

"When things became chaotic, when everyone else was trying to figure out what to do next, Steve was someone you wanted standing next to you," said Aaron Weiss of the Boulder Police Department. "He was confident, steadfast, and unwavering."

Biggs' partner, Bailey Carter, remembered him as a man whose strength and character left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

"The strong, disciplined man that walked into situations most of us would have run from," Carter said. "He was stoic, he was steady, and unmistakably genuine."

Biggs began his career in local law enforcement in 2010 and spent the next 16 years serving the Pueblo community. Colleagues said he earned a reputation for integrity and reliability in a profession where trust must be earned.

"He earned the respect of people in a profession where respect isn't given easily," said Weiss. "People trusted him."

That trust and respect were evident Wednesday as law enforcement agencies from across Colorado joined family members and community supporters in celebrating Biggs' life and service.

The funeral concluded with the playing of TAPS and a 21-gun salute to the fallen officer, whose legacy of courage, loyalty, and selfless service will continue to be remembered throughout Pueblo and the law enforcement community.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced it had to euthanize Amani, a 26-year-old female reticulated giraffe, on Wednesday.

Zoo officials say Amani experienced a quick decline in her health due to age-related issues. They say her care team made the difficult but compassionate decision to euthanize her.

Amani was the oldest giraffe in the CMZoo herd and the ninth oldest giraffe in the association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to staff.

Amani was one of the first giraffe I ever worked with, and I had the privilege of working with her for fourteen years, Diana Miller, giraffe specialist, said. Her name means peaceful, and it really was the perfect name for her. She had this calm, steady presence, but she also had just enough spice to keep us on our toes. She knew what she wanted, and she would let us know. She had a quiet confidence about her that I really admired.

Staff say Amani was recognizable by her dark, busy ossicones, which are the horn-like structures on a giraffes head.

Caretakers shared with us what Amanis Last Best Day looked like at the zoo. They say they filled it with things she loved, such as her favorite snacks, taking lettuce from guests, and spending time with another giraffe she had bonded with, Lakeshia.

Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.

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The Air Force Academy High School is forfeiting its homecoming football game this week because of a coaching shortage, as it was set to play a school that is under scrutiny for alleged racist incidents reportedly involving people off the playing field.

You can read the full release sent from the Air Academy at the bottom of this article. The only reason the Air Academy cited was not having a full coaching staff, which does not allow them to safely field a varsity football contest. The reason behind a lack of coaches was not shared in the release.

The 3-3 Kadets were set to face 4-2 Lutheran. Lutheran is in the spotlight following two recent games against Colorado Springs-area schools where families from both schools say they were subjected to racist comments. It isn't clear if those comments came from students at Lutheran, but the incidents happened at a game on Sept. 24 for Sand Creek High School and Oct. 2 and 3 for Rampart High School. Leadership at all the schools says they are looking into the matter, and that includes CHSAA. Click here for more on the alleged racist remarks and statements from school districts and CHSAA.

FULL STATEMENT FROM THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY

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Air Academy High School does not have a full coaching staff that would allow us to safely field a varsity football contest. As a result, Air Academy will forfeit the game scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9. We recognize the importance of Homecoming and the role these traditions play in bringing students, families, staff and alumni together. Air Academy is working to preserve that experience by continuing its planned Homecoming programming, now during a rescheduled flag football game versus TCA that will be held on Oct. 9.Our focus remains supporting our students, staff and school community through uplifting and engaging events. We are committed to a safe and supportive environment for all students.

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The El Paso County Search and Rescue, with the help of the U.S. Military, Broadmoor Fire Department, and El Paso County Sheriff's Office, worked to help an injured hiker along Old Stage Road.

The department said the call first came in around 5 p.m., and rescue crews had to use a military helicopter to get the victim to safety.

By 10:20 p.m., the hiker was rescued and was on their way to a local hospital.

Details on how the hiker got injured were not available at the time of this article's publication.

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Colorado high school seniors considering the University of Colorado Colorado Springs will no longer need to worry about an application fee.

That is according to UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet, who announced the State of UCCS address Wednesday.

We have a responsibility to build an environment that minimizes barriers to progress and provides students the support and relationships they need to thrive, Sobanet said. Sometimes even a relatively small barrier, like an application fee, can be enough to keep someone from taking that first step to becoming a Mountain Lion.

The goal is to increase enrollment at the public research university in Southern Colorado.

Currently, the university provides education to 11,000 students and has 1950 faculty and staff working in the region.

For more information about UCCS, click here.

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Picking the pumpkin might be the easy part, but before you load up the family for a trip to Venetucci Farm, it helps to plan for the cost, the activities and getting that pumpkin back to your car. Great Pumpkin Weekend is Oct. 1011, with Charlie Brown-inspired activities added to the farms regular fall offerings.

WATCH: Heading to Venetucci Farm? What to know before your pumpkin patch trip

Heading to Venetucci Farm? What to know before your pumpkin-patch trip

Plan your arrival

Venetucci Farm is at 5210 S. U.S. Highway 85 in Colorado Springs. Pumpkin Fest hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are available online or at the gate. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing, and visitors must leave by closing time. venetuccifarm.org

Nikki McComsey, owner of Gather Mountain Blooms at Venetucci Farm, recommends about an hour to an hour and a half for the main activities. Leave more time if you want to eat or shop.

Know what admission covers

Admission is $8 for ages 4 and older. Children 3 and younger enter free.

McComsey said that includes the hayride, ball pit and hay pyramid. Pumpkins cost extra, but the price is the same regardless of size or color. Food, drinks and purchases from vendors are separate, too.

What to bring

The farm recommends bringing your own wagon, stroller or backpack to carry pumpkins. Only a limited number of wagons and wheelbarrows are available.

For an outdoor farm visit, practical choices include comfortable walking shoes, layers, sun protection and checking the forecast before leaving home.

Credit cards, Apple Pay and cash are accepted. Leave pets at home for Great Pumpkin Weekend; service animals are allowed.

Whats different this weekend?

Great Pumpkin Weekend adds a pumpkin-weight guessing contest and a Charlie Brown reading nook. McComsey said visitors are encouraged to wear Charlie Brown gear or orange to join the theme.

Pumpkin-themed drinks, including Bristol Brewings Venetucci Pumpkin Ale for adults, are also planned.

Why those visits matter

For McComsey, families coming back helps keep a working farm going and gives another generation a chance to make memories.

Its really hard making farms continue to exist, she said. They only exist from people coming out to support them.

Find tickets and the latest visitor information at Venetucci Farm and Gather Mountain Blooms.

Tonight's Forecast:

Overnight temperatures remain fairly mild. Skies will be mostly to fully clear. Temperatures will drop into the upper 40s and low 50s.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 53; High: 80;

It will be a mostly clear overnight. Temperatures will drop into the low 50s. More changes to come next week

Pueblo forecast: Low: 52; High: 84;

Skies will be clear overnight. A low of 52 overnight. More changes to come next week.

Canon City forecast: Low: 55; High: 82;

Conditions will be mostly to fully clear overnight. Temperatures in the mid 50s. More changes to come next week.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 47; High: 71;

A isolated shower will be possible early in the evening. The rest of the night will be mostly clear. Temperatures drop into the upper 40s. More changes to come next week.

Extended outlook forecast:

For the start of next week, a strong system moves in from the Pacific Northwest. Confidence is increasing for a cooling trend along with some precipitation. Overall, the track of the storm will determine both how cold it gets, and how much precipitation southern Colorado sees.

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A new Subaru car dealership is coming to Colorado Springs, but the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) says it's "not the normal location for car dealerships."

Drivers may have noticed the work taking place along North Gate Boulevard just east of I-25. The dealership is going up near Northgate and Struthers right next to the Starbucks north of the Western Museum of Mining and Industry. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is reporting it is a $28.8 million project.

According to planning documents, the Subaru dealership project was approved in late August.

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department also shared news this week about a restaurant being built not far from the Subaru dealership.

"The Brinkerhoff is now under construction right outside Ford Amphitheater next to the Texas de Brazil," PPRBD posted to social media. "It's popular up in the Castle Rock area and the location will provide some pretty sweet views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range."

The Brinkerhoff is a $3.5 million project, according to PPRBD.

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Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to home price reductions, according to data compiled by Colorado REALTOR Cooper Thayer, but the local real estate expert says the trend does not necessarily mean the state has become a buyer's market.

About 32% of Colorado home listings had their prices reduced in August, compared with a national average of about 26%, according to an analysis by Thayer, a Realtor and spokesperson for the Colorado Association of REALTORS. Thayer said the numbers point to a widening gap between what sellers expect their homes to be worth and what buyers are willing or able to pay.

"\Wwe have the biggest discrepancy between seller and buyer expectations ever, Thayer said.

Thayer said sellers are still adjusting to a market that looks very different from the rapid price growth seen during the pandemic.

We've seen a cooldown in the market from 2021 through 2025, and a lot of sellers, especially those who purchased at the top of the market in 2021 or 2022, maybe struggling to realize that they're not going to sell their home for more than they purchased it for, he added.

At the same time, higher mortgage rates continue to limit what many buyers can afford. The average 30-year mortgage rate recently moved above 7%, adding to the monthly cost of buying a home. Thayer said buyers who can afford to enter the market are gaining negotiating power.

The typical home is closing for anywhere from 2 to 5% below the seller's original asking price, he stated.

Thayer also said seller concessions are becoming increasingly common, with buyers negotiating for help with closing costs and mortgage rates.

Many buyers are using their newfound negotiating leverage to ask for rate buydowns, ask for their closing costs to be covered, he said.

Those concessions can be significant, particularly as buyers face both high home prices and elevated borrowing costs. But Thayer said buyers should not interpret the increase in price cuts as proof that Colorado has suddenly become an affordable housing market. The changing market also creates risks for sellers who initially price their homes too high. Thayer calls the consequences the triple whammy.

1. Longer market times can then lead to additional expenses, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and homeowners association fees.

2. Carrying costs.

3. Skewed perception when a home sits on the market for a long time.

Buyers after the first few weeks are going to start asking the question, why hasn't this home sold yet? Thayer said about reason number three. And even if there's nothing wrong with that house, buyers will ask, what is wrong with it?

Thayer's broader analysis of the Denver-area market found that homes that sell quickly tend to perform substantially better than properties that sit on the market and require price reductions. In the first half of 2026, homes selling within seven days received a median of 100% of their original list price, while properties that remained on the market 61 to 90 days received a median of 94.82%.

The analysis also found a significant difference among types of properties. Single-family homes in the Denver metro area sold faster and closer to their original asking prices than townhouses and condominiums during the first half of the year.

Thayer said that distinction is important when looking at Colorado's housing market as a whole.

We're still in the tale of two markets here, he said. The condo, townhouse market is completely different than the single-family market.

Ultimately, Thayer said the market may remain in this adjustment period for some time.

Nobody's expecting interest rates to shoot down anytime in the near future. Nobody's expecting a wave of new construction to be built in Colorado, he said.

The question, he said, is how long it takes sellers to adjust their expectations.

The real question is, how long is it gonna take a majority of sellers to understand and accept the fact that this is really our new baseline, at least for the next one, two, maybe three years, Thayer said.

For sellers, his advice is to price a home based on current market conditions rather than past expectations.

Price it to sell, not just price it to list, Thayer said.

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A stolen vehicle with a 13-year-old inside led to a search on the southeast side of Colorado Springs early Wednesday morning, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

Golden Hill Patrol officers were dispatched to Cheyenne Meadows Road and East Meadow Drive just after 1 a.m. for a report of a motor vehicle theft.

CSPD said the officers were told that the parents of a 13-year-old were following a stolen vehicle with their child inside. According to police, the vehicle had been stolen from the 4000 block of Westmeadow Drive but had not yet been reported.

The vehicle was located near South Academy Boulevard and Highway 115, where CSPD said officers saw two juveniles flee into a field bordering Fort Carson.

Officers worked with the Real Time Crime Center, a K-9 unit, and Fort Carson military police to set up a perimeter.

CSPD said that after warnings from a K-9 officer, both children surrendered peacefully.

Officers recovered the stolen vehicle without incident.

Todays Forecast:

Temperatures this morning will start off in the 40s and 50s. Mostly sunny conditions are sticking around from this high-pressure system parked over the region. Afternoon highs will break back into the upper 70s and lower 80s. These temperatures are a few degrees cooler than yesterday.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 81; Low: 53.

Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the lower 50s. Once the sun rises, our temperatures will warm quickly. Afternoon highs will get into the lower 80s. We are just tracking a few clouds throughout the day and light winds.

Pueblo forecast: High: 84; Low: 52.

Pueblo will have temperatures this morning in the lower 50s. Still tracking bright and sunny conditions this Wednesday and winds will be remaining light. Heading into the evening those temperatures will cool into the 50s and 60s.

Canon City forecast: High: 82; Low: 54.

Canon City has temperatures this morning in the mid-50s. Across Fremont county, there will be mostly clear conditions and winds are going to remain light. This high-pressure system is still in place and is the main driver for these warmer temperatures.

Woodland Park forecast: High: 68; Low: 46.

Woodland Park will get getting down into the 40s this morning. Temperatures will warm quickly though with afternoon highs eventually getting into the upper 60s. Conditions will stay nice throughout the day with just a few clouds in the afternoon.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 70s; Low: 40s/50s.

Monument will start the day today with lows in the 50s. Conditions throughout the day will remain nice and calm. Winds will be coming out of the southeast between 5-10mph. Afternoon highs will make it into the 70s.

Plains forecast: High: 80s; Low: 50s.

The eastern plains will have some of the warmest temperatures across the area with afternoon highs getting into the 80s. These temperatures will be a few degrees cooler than what we experienced yesterday. Bright and sunny conditions will last throughout the day.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 78/80; Low: 50/49.

The southern portion of I-25 will have temperatures this morning in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Conditions will stay nice and calm with the help from this high-pressure system over the region. Highs will make it into the upper 70s and lower 80s.

Mountains forecast: High: 70s; Low: 40s.

The mountains will have a few clouds throughout the afternoon and an isolated shower or two. Winds will remain light and afternoon highs will break into the 70s.

Extended outlook forecast:

The forecast will be remaining calm over the next few days. The potential changes will arrive once we get into the back half of the weekend and into early next week. There are still some details to iron out like the timing, track, and strength of this system. It has the possibility of bringing wetter and windier conditions to southern Colorado.

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The Custer County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has ended its contract with Flock Safety, removing the automated license plate reader cameras the agency says played a role in several serious investigations. The announcement Wednesday morning comes a week after the El Paso County Sheriff's Office made a similar announcement.

A Flock contractor removed the remaining cameras from the county this past weekend, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.

The agency said it decided to end the program after concerns about privacy and how license plate reader databases have been used by law enforcement agencies across the country.

Here are some of the ways the Sheriff's Office said Flock was used in Custer County:

Triple homicide investigation: In November 2023, deputies issued a nationwide Be On the Lookout alert for a suspect in a Custer County triple homicide. A deputy in a neighboring county used Flock to locate the suspect's vehicle at a Walmart in Salida. The suspect had already left by the time law enforcement arrived. Suspect tracked into New Mexico: The following morning, a Flock camera in Santa Fe, New Mexico, captured the suspect's vehicle. Investigators used that information to estimate when the vehicle would reach Albuquerque. Officers intercepted the vehicle and made a high-risk traffic stop, arresting the suspect without anyone being injured. Armed juvenile carjacking: More recently, CCSO used Flock to locate a vehicle stolen during an armed carjacking in Silver Cliff. The vehicle was found in Caon City, where other agencies began and later ended a pursuit. The suspect later fired at officers and civilians while driving north on Highway 115 and carjacked two additional vehicles before being arrested by Colorado Springs police. Local warrants: The Sheriff's Office also said Flock alerts were used to notify deputies when vehicles connected to local warrants entered Custer County.Why the sheriff ended the program

CCSO said it initially had three Flock cameras. The system originally allowed license plate data to be shared with law enforcement agencies nationwide, with data automatically deleted after 30 days. The Sheriff's Office later restricted access to its data to Colorado law enforcement agencies. Colorado law prohibits law enforcement agencies in the state from sharing license plate reader data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The law also prohibits sharing data related to reproductive health care services. The Sheriff's Office said reports of law enforcement officers misusing license plate reader databases for searches unrelated to criminal investigations raised concerns for Sheriff Smith.

The agency also said an increasing number of Custer County residents contacted the sheriff with privacy concerns and asked that the cameras be removed.

CCSO notified Flock on March 24 that it wanted to cancel the contract, according to a post on Facebook.

In early August, a vandal used a reciprocating saw to cut down two Flock camera poles on Highway 69 north of Reed Road. The remaining equipment was removed this past weekend.

The Sheriff's Office said it does not currently plan to install license plate reader cameras from another company. It also does not plan to install photo radar cameras that had previously been discussed.

The agency acknowledged that other companies offer similar technology and said those systems could present similar privacy concerns.

The full post from CCSO can be read below:

The Custer County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has ended its contract with Flock Safety, the company that provides automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. A Flock contractor removed the last cameras this past weekend.A Proven Investigative ToolThe Flock system was important in several serious cases in Custer County.In November 2023, a triple homicide happened in Custer County. While deputies were still working the crime scene, CCSO sent a nationwide Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for the suspect. A deputy in a neighboring county used Flock to find the suspect's vehicle at the Walmart in Salida. The Salida Police Department and Chaffee County Sheriff's Office responded and searched the area, but the suspect had already left.The next morning, a Flock camera in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recorded the suspect's vehicle. The U.S. Marshals Task Force, along with state, county, and local officers, used that information to estimate when the suspect would reach Albuquerque. Officers got there in time to spot the vehicle and make a high-risk traffic stop. The suspect was arrested and no one was hurt.More recently, an armed juvenile carjacked a vehicle in Silver Cliff Colorado. CCSO used Flock to find the stolen vehicle in Caon City. Other agencies began and later terminated a pursuit. Later the suspect fired at officers and citizens while driving north on Highway 115. He carjacked two more vehicles before the Colorado Springs Police Department caught him.CCSO also used Flock alerts to learn when vehicles linked to local warrants entered the county.Data Retention and Sharing SafeguardsCCSO started with three Flock cameras. At first, the cameras shared license plate data with any law enforcement agency in the country. The data was deleted automatically after 30 days, which is well under Colorado's one-year storage limit. Later, CCSO allowed only Colorado law enforcement agencies to access its data.Colorado law now bars all Colorado agencies from sharing this data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also bars sharing data related to reproductive health care services.Public Concerns and Contract CancellationAcross the country, news reports accused some officers of misusing license plate reader databases for searches that had nothing to do with criminal investigations. Sheriff Smith was troubled that a valuable investigative tool had been misused. A growing number Custer County residents also told the Sheriff they were concerned and asked that the cameras be taken down.On March 24, 2026, CCSO told Flock it wanted to cancel the contract. In early August, a vandal used a reciprocating saw to cut down two Flock camera poles on Highway 69 north of Reed Road. This past weekend, a Flock contractor removed the rest of their equipment from our county and the contract is now over.Looking AheadThe Sheriff's Office knows other companies sell similar license plate reader systems. The other vendors could still pose some privacy issues. At this time, CCSO does not plan to install license plate reader cameras or the photo radar cameras that had been discussed in the past.

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A popular Halloween event at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park will not return this year.

Boo at the Bridge, an annual Halloween celebration at the Royal Gorge, has been canceled for 2026, according to the parks Facebook page. The post was shared on Tuesday. The event has featured Halloween-themed activities for families, including trick-or-treating, games and entertainment at the Royal Gorge Bridge. The cancellation comes as Halloween approaches, but the park has not publicly provided a reason why this years event was canceled.

News5 is reaching out to Royal Gorge Bridge & Park for more information and is working to find out what led to the decision.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Voters across Colorado Counties may be seeing a ballot question not meant for them.

The Scripps News Group confirmed that some voters across parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Weld Counties will be seeing Issue 7A on their ballots when they are not supposed to.

Issue 7A surrounds the creation of a tax within the Front Range Passenger Rail District, which seeks to create a passenger rail line along the Front Range, known as CoCo.

Watch Previous Coverage in the Video Player Below

The Front Range Passenger Rail District includes the entirety of the following municipalities: Arvada, Boulder, Bow Mar, Broomfield, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado Springs, Columbine Valley, Denver, Englewood, Federal Heights, Fort Collins, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette, Lakeside, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Louisville, Loveland, Manitou Springs, Mountain View, Pueblo, Sheridan, Starkville, Superior, Trinidad and Westminster. It also includes Sterling Ranch Colorado Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1 through 7 in Douglas County.

The Colorado Secretary of State's Office is aware of the issue and says it will assist the affected counties to ensure the proper votes are counted, although their office did not provide details on how that would work.

<b>Yes, the Department is aware that Ballot Issue 7A was included on more voters ballots in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Weld Counties than it should have been following the adoption of SB 26-172. The Department will assist affected Counties so that only eligible voters have their vote in this contest counted. I cant say more about what that will look like at this time, but will share as soon as possible.&nbsp;</b> <b>Counties may not begin processing ballots or counting votes in this or any contest until the 19^th.&nbsp;</b>

The Scripps News Group has reached out to affected counties and the clerks for a response and what their plans will be locally and is awaiting a response.

The Scripps News Group will continue to follow this issue as Election Day approaches.

Tonight's Forecast:

Lows are expected to stay above averages overnight with a few lingering showers for Teller county while the rest of southern Colorado stays dry. Clouds will stick around for some overnight too before they clear into tomorrow.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 55; High: 81;

Lows will be at just about 55 degrees for Tuesday evening with a couple of clouds. Colorado Springs will stay dry for the rest of the week too. Highs will sit 10 to 15 degrees above averages through the end of the week as a high pressure ridge builds.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 55; High: 84;

Pueblo will see mid-50s overnight tonight too. Clouds will still stick around before they burn off throughout the late morning hours of Wednesday. The rest of the week will stay hot in the mid-80s in Pueblo with more sunshine and dry time. Saturday stays hot ahead of changes in Sunday and early next week with cooler temperatures and moisture.

Canon City forecast: Low: 56; High: 82;

Lows stay well above averages tonight with clouds lingering. Tomorrow will be just a few degrees cooler than today still with low to mid-80s in the forecast. The rest of the week stays hot and sunny with changes by Sunday and Monday.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 48; High: 67;

Upper 40s are expected for Tuesday evening with a few stray showers lingering in Teller county. The rest of the week will stay in the upper 60s. By Sunday and into Monday and Tuesday, expect a major cool down with chances for rain with even a few snowflakes... More details to come.

Extended outlook forecast:

The changes we have been looking forward too still haven't arrived, but you can look forward to them by Sunday. Sunday will cool off to be slightly more seasonal across the area. Into Monday and Tuesday more moisture will be in our atmosphere so some showers can be expected for southern Colorado by then. Mountain snow will be likely by then too.

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We're in the thick of homecoming dances in our area, and if your closet still doesnt have the answer, theres shopping to do. But looking good for the night doesnt have to mean spending big.

During a visit to Platos Closet in Colorado Springs, store manager Tess Bray walked News 5 through clothing options and prices, from dresses and heels to shirts and pants.

The challenge: put together a complete look while keeping an eye on the total.

Budget for the whole outfit

Start with what you can spend on everything you need, including shoes and accessories.

Bray showed dresses priced at $12 to $14, along with a $10 black dress. Some heels were priced at $9 or $10, leaving room in the budget for other finishing touches.

For my look, a $10 shirt, $18 pants and $12 shoes brought the total to $40 before tax.

Those were the prices we found during our visit. Available items, sizes and styles can change.

Be flexible with the look

If you cant find the exact outfit you pictured, try putting it together with different pieces.

Bray suggested pairing a corset top with a skirt or pants as an alternative to a dress. The store also had polos, button-ups and sweaters for shoppers considering other styles.

Try it on before checking out

I always recommend trying them on. Thats the best way to figure out if the items gonna work for you or not, Bray said.

Check the fit, buttons and zippers. Bray also suggested having someone take a photo or short video so you can see how the outfit looks and moves.

She said the store allows returns within seven days and advised shoppers to keep their receipt and leave tags attached until they decide to keep an item.

Short on time? Call ahead

Bray said shoppers can call with their size and an idea of what they want. Staff can look for options and set them aside to try on. Items can be held until the end of that day. Before heading to checkout, give the whole look a test run, and make sure it fits both you and your budget.