ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. Colorado State Patrol crime investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to a deadly crash on Interstate 70 east of Byers Wednesday morning.
The fatal crash happened while CSP troopers were investigating a single-vehicle, property-damage-only semi crash on westbound I-70 near milepost 321 at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.
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As troopers were working the scene, one of their patrol cars was struck by a Ford F-150, according to a news release.
Initial reports show the trooper was partially blocking the left lane of travel while tow trucks were removing the semi from the center median when the Ford F-150, driven by an 18-year-old man, lost control, striking the patrol vehicle and sideswiping the passenger side. The F-150 continued westbound, entering the center median, striking the guardrail, and then striking the rear driver's side of the semi-trailer.
The 18-year-old driver of the F-150 was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries. The passenger of the pickup, a 19-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, according to the release.
The trooper involved was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation; no injuries were reported at the scene.
The name of the 19-year-old will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner once family has been notified.
The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating this crash.
DENVER Ice Castles, the family-friendly winter wonderland experience that drove thousands to Cripple Creek and Silverthorne each year, will not be returning to Colorado for the 2026-2027 winter season after the state experienced one of its worst winters on record.
While Wednesdays announcement does not explicitly state that Colorados record-low snowpack was a reason for cancelling the event this year, Cripple Creek officials said earlier this month that organizers cited operational and business considerations as the reason behind the decision.
Watch our latest update on this story in the video below:
ice Castles will not return to Cripple Creek for 2026 - 27 Season
Mild weather last season throughout the country were challenges for the organization, Cripple Creek officials said. As a result, they will be scaling back on the number of sites they will be opening this coming season.
City officials also cited significant water issues in Teller County as another contributing factor for cancelling Ice Castles in Colorado this winter.
We're deeply grateful to the Town of Silverthorne and the Outlets at Silverthorne, and to the City of Cripple Creek and the property owners who hosted us there, along with the guests and communities across Summit and Teller counties and the greater Front Range who made Ice Castles part of their winter tradition, said Andrew Child, a spokesperson for the Ice Castles in a statement.
Though Ice Castles is canceled this winter, organizers said they hope to return in the future to the Centennial State.
Ice Castles first made its debut in Colorado in 2017 and has been a staple for thousands of people each winter. The last time the massive frozen tourist attraction canceled its season in Colorado was in 2021.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is praising deputies for helping stop a wrong-way driver on I-25 early Tuesday morning.
According to the sheriff's office, dispatch received reports of a car traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-25 in Castle Rock around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday.
See the dashcam video bleow Video shows DougCo deputies stop wrong-way driver on I-25 who had 7 prior DUI convictions
Deputies attempted to stop the car, but it fled at speeds exceeding 80 mph while continuing to travel in the wrong direction.
The Lone Tree Police Department worked with the sheriff's office to close the highway ahead of the suspect.
Deputies continued a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the suspect initially refused to exit before the suspect was taken into custody.
According to the sheriff's office, there were multiple indicators of possible impairment, and the suspect refused testing at the hospital to determine his blood alcohol level.
Deputies also determined the suspect has a long criminal record in Colorado, with seven prior DUI convictions across several decades. The suspect also had a suspended license
"Wrong-way drivers create an immediate and potentially catastrophic danger for everyone on the roadway, Sheriff Darren Weekly said in a statement. I'm proud of the quick decisions, teamwork, and professionalism demonstrated by our deputies and our partners at the Lone Tree Police Department. Their actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome and kept our community safe. Let me be clear: we will not tolerate impaired driving in Douglas County. Time and again, impaired drivers put innocent lives at risk, and our deputies remain committed to holding those who make that dangerous choice accountable while doing everything possible to protect the public."
Colorado diesel prices have climbed to a record $6.31 per gallon on average, as refinery maintenance and global supply disruptions push fuel costs higher, according to GasBuddy.
On Tuesday, News5 saw several stations with diesel prices more than $6.50 in the Colorado Springs area, including one priced at $6.79.
Patrick De Haan, GasBuddys head of petroleum analysis, said the states average diesel price has surpassed previous records, including a high of $5.66 set earlier this year and $5.53 in 2022. The latest spike comes as diesel supplies remain tight both in the United States and overseas. De Haan said seasonal refinery maintenance following the summer driving season is contributing to price volatility in Colorado, where the market is particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Colorado has only one oil refinery, meaning maintenance or other disruptions can have an outsized impact on the states fuel supply and prices.
It's just all about refineries right now and not enough diesel supply, De Haan explained.
Global conflicts are adding to the pressure. Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have affected diesel supplies, while disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz and reduced exports from Chinese refineries have further constrained the global market, De Haan said.
The United States already exports about 1.5 million barrels of excess diesel per day, according to De Haan, raising questions about whether a potential deal with Russia would significantly increase the amount of fuel available globally.
Colorado's efforts to ease prices
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently signed an executive order intended to provide relief from high fuel prices by allowing certain changes involving dyed diesel and transportation requirements. Dyed diesel is typically reserved for off-road uses, such as farming and construction, where it receives different tax treatment. Allowing its use on public roads under specified conditions could offer some tax-related relief, De Haan said, but it would not increase the overall supply of diesel. He also cautioned that truckers traveling across state lines could face complications if neighboring states have different rules governing dyed diesel.
The biggest problem here is none of these levers are meaningfully adding diesel supply to the global market, De Haan added.
More price increases possible
De Haan said he does not expect meaningful short-term relief unless global supply conditions improve.
Diesel is also used as heating oil, particularly in parts of the northeastern United States where natural gas is not available. As temperatures drop, increased demand for heating oil could put additional pressure on diesel supplies. If winter weather is especially cold, De Haan said diesel prices could approach $7 per gallon in some areas. He said the outlook will depend largely on refinery operations, global fuel supplies and geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine and Iran.
Click here for more on fuel rewards programs in Colorado to save at the pump.
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UCHealth broke ground on a major expansion project at Memorial Hospital North on Tuesday. The project will nearly double the hospital's size.
According to UCHealth, the expansion includes a new six-story in-patient tower that will add 36 medical-surgical beds and 14 intensive care unit beds when it opens.
That tower will increase the hospital's capacity from 140 beds to 190 beds with the ability to grow to 320 beds as the demand for care increases.
This groundbreaking represents more than the beginning of a new building, UCHealth President and CEO Elizabeth B. Concordia said in a statement. The Memorial Hospital North expansion is a major investment in our community and our mission, strengthening access to high-quality care and ensuring patients throughout southern Colorado can benefit from the nationally recognized specialists and services offered across UCHealth.
Other aspects of the $463 million expansion include:
Four new operating rooms in phase one, with four more planned for future phases, bringing the eventual total to 18 ORs Parking structure with 875 parking stalls Expanded kitchen and dining space for patients, visitors and staff Renovation of the main lobby to incorporate the new tower Space for more emergency department exam rooms Laboratory expansion
The expansion comes amid a growing demand for healthcare in the Colorado Springs & Pueblo regions. According to officials, hospitalizations at Memorial Hospital North increased 25% from 2020-2025, emergency department visits increased 41% and the number of surgeries grew 59%.
Memorial Hospital North has been operating at or near capacity for several years, and these investments will substantially increase our ability to meet the growing demand for inpatient, surgical and specialty care in northern El Paso County, UCHealths southern Colorado region President and CEO Lonnie Cramer added in a statement.
According to officials, the project spans 308,000 square feet of new construction. About 45% of the space will be built out for immediate use, while the rest will be shell space for future growth.
Construction will take place in phases, and the new parking garage is the first project set to be complete i the spring of 2028.
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Fog will be possible this morning and it will be misty in the Pikes Peak Region. Temperatures won't rise much today with highs in the 40s and 50s. Heavy rain will be possible in the afternoon as this low-pressure system pushes eastward. Overnight lows into Thursday morning will drop into the 30s and 40s.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 47; Low: 38.
Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the upper 40s. There will be some fog that also sticks around through the morning. Winds will eventually shift out of the south to help push some of that fog out around 5-15mph. Afternoon highs will be on the cooler side getting into the upper 40s. Rain will also move in during the afternoon.
Pueblo forecast: High: 52; Low: 40.
Pueblo is waking up to some fog this morning and that will last until the afternoon. Temperatures won't warm up too much with highs only reaching the lower 50s. This will be the coolest day over the next 7 days. Rain moves in during the afternoon. Winds will be coming out of the south between 5-15mph. Thunderstorms may increase those winds.
Canon City forecast:High: 50; Low: 41.
Canon City will wake up to temperatures in the lower 40s. Fog is already starting to let up, and will clear out by the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will be on the cooler side today only getting into the lower 50s. Rain will be possible in the afternoon.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 42; Low: 31.
Woodland Park is chilly this morning with temperatures in the lower 40s. We aren't expecting a big jump in temperatures. You will want to make sure you grab a waterproof jacket as you head out the door. Rain will be possible this afternoon. As this moisture continues to move in and temperatures drop, there will be some flurries Thursday morning. Not expecting much for accumulations, and just a dusting over grassy surfaces.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 45; Low: 34.
The Monument area will have temperatures in the 40s today. There won't be much of a warm up throughout the day. Rain also moves in during the afternoon hours. Winds will be coming out of the south between 5-10mph. Lows going into Thursday morning will be in the 30s.
Plains forecast:High: 50s; Low: 40s.
The eastern plains has a little bit of fog this morning and that will clear out before noon. Winds will eventually shift out of the south and thunderstorms will move in by the afternoon. Some heavy rain is possible with a few of these storms. Highs will be on the cooler side today in the 50s.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 49/58; Low: 40/38.
The southern portion of I-25 will have some fog this morning, but will clear out before the afternoon. Temperatures won't warm much with this cold front that has moved through. Highs will only reach the upper 40s and lower 50s. Rain will move in during the afternoon.
Mountains forecast: High: 40s; Low: 20s.
The mountains have winter weather advisories in place through Thursday morning. Visibility may be reduced along mountain passes. Highs today will be in the 40s. Snow levels will eventually drop to around 8,000 feet early Thursday morning.
Extended outlook forecast:
These cold temperatures won't stick around because by the time we get into Friday highs will ready be back in the 60s. We aren't stopping there, highs will eventually get into the 70s by Sunday. Early next week looks calm with plenty of sunshine.
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A program in El Paso County is offering local restaurant owners mentorship, community connections, and a cash boost with no loan required.
Exponential Impact (XI) is now accepting applications for the XI Survive & Thrive 2027 SPICE Program, which is an initiative designed to help restaurants across El Paso County thrive.
Instead of traditional loans, the program buys between $3,000 and $17,500 worth of gift cards from participating restaurants and distributes them to the community through local nonprofits. Those gift cards eventually find their way back to the restaurant, bringing in new customers and new revenue. The restaurants also receive a stipend.
"Those gift cards will then go out into the community and the various nonprofits, which is helpful to the community. In any case, those gift cards will end up back in the restaurant, so they're getting new customers, getting a cash injection. That's like a perfect thing. I think it's a win," Eric Brenner said.
Owners also must attend a six week cohort of other local restaurant owners. But Brenner says it is worth it.
Brenner is the chef and owner of Red Gravy restaurant and a mentor for the SPICE Program. He says the goal is to help restaurant owners identify their own gaps or "blind spots" before they become costly problems.
"People might be really good at their job and think they can open a restaurant and they do and they have some success, but they may have a blind spot in say accounting or marketing or even creating a menu," Brenner said.
He says there is one key factor to having a successful business: consistency.
"It's just a matter of listening to your guests at that point and giving them what they want, and just doing it consistently. Consistency is really rewarded in the city and I think a lot of businesses aren't set up necessarily for that," Brenner said.
The program also includes coaching on negotiating leases and finding the right location.
Samantha Lang knows firsthand what it feels like to watch restaurants come and go. The owner of Cacao Chemistry was part of the first cohort of the SPICE Program.
"I have seen so much turnover, people coming and going all the time and it's a shame too, because I see some of them suffering from pain points that, I'm like, I know what you could do about that! I wish I could jump in and help you but you're not asking me. More programs like this would be really beneficial," Lang said.
Lang says the struggle of running a small business in a competitive city is very real.
"I know it's a mid-sized city, but it can feel really big. Sometimes you feel a little bit like a number, you see competition popping up all around you, and you just sometimes you can feel like you're drowning," Lang said.
But the program helped change that perspective. Lang says she didn't just receive guidance on how to keep growing her chocolate shop she also made community connections with other downtown restaurants.
"To be in a room with a lot of the movers and shakers who have been in this for a really long time was transformative."
The Colorado Springs Police Department had issued a shelter-in-place order for homes and businesses along Wood Avenue in Colorado Springs Tuesday night.
According to police, a call first came in from a reported shooting inside a home in the area. Police learned once they arrived that no one was hurt and the threat was not credible.
The department said the order was for a quarter-mile radius around the 3100 block of Wood Avenue due to law enforcement activity. Near the Fillmore and Cascade Avenue intersection.
"The Colorado Springs Police Department has issued a SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER for residents within a 1/4 mile radius of 3100 Wood Ave due to LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY near 3100 Wood Ave. SECURE your home/business and STAY AWAY from doors and windows. SHELTER in a safe place until further notice. You will receive an alert when the order is lifted," read the Peak Alert Tuesday night.
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News 5 received a tip that sources say Harrison School District 2 plans to make changes to several elementary schools like Turman, Bricker, and Oak Creek, potentially taking on new purposes next school year.
Weve been looking into the potential changes since receiving a tip. We called the district last week but did not get a response. After following up by email this week, the district confirmed it plans to announce changes to several schools Wednesday evening.
For parents like Carah Bacus, whose daughter just started second grade at Turman, the news could mean another adjustment for her family.
"I'm actually quite shocked because I didn't know about that." Bacus said.
Bacus said Turman's close location has made the transition to a new school easier for her family.
"What will happen to my kid, and options? When it's gonna start?" Bacus said.
The district will announce its proposed plans to parents and students Wednesday. I've requested an interview with Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel to get more answers about what the changes could mean for students and families.
Tuesday night will see a cold front continue to push across Southern Colorado, bringing increasing cloud cover, gusty winds, and lower temperatures. Moist southwesterly flow will bring rain and mountain snow across the high country overnight. Snow levels dropping around 8,000 feet. Expect overnight lows to drop into the 30s and 40s across the lower elevations and mountain valleys.
Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 45; High: 51;
Wednesday will be much cooler across the Pikes Peak region behind the cold front. Low clouds and easterly upslope flow will keep conditions gray, with rain showers spreading across the area through the day. Highs will only reach the lower 50s.
Pueblo forecast: Low: 48; High: 55;
Pueblo will see a noticeable drop in temperatures on Wednesday with highs topping out in the mid-50s. Low stratus clouds and cool easterly breezes will dominate, with widespread rain showers spreading across the plains through Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Canon City forecast: Low: 49; High: 53;
Highs in Canon City will reach the lower 50s on Wednesday. Expect cloudy skies with widespread rain showers developing during the day. Higher terrain west of town will see snow levels drop through Wednesday night, bringing winter driving conditions to surrounding mountain passes.
Woodland Park forecast: Low: 40; High: 42;
Woodland Park will see a chilly, winter-like day on Wednesday with highs in the lower 40s. Rain and snow showers will build through the afternoon, with snow accumulations expected for Teller County.
Extended Forecast:
Noticeably cooler, wet, and active weather dominates through Thursday morning before dry and warmer conditions return for the weekend.
Wednesday Night Thursday: Showers continue into Wednesday night before gradually tapering off Thursday morning as the upper low moves into the Northern Plains. Thursday stays cool with highs in the 50s to around 60 degrees across the plains under gusty northerly winds of 20 to 40 mph. Friday: Dry and mostly clear skies return as high pressure builds in from the west. Daytime temperatures rebound back into the 60s. Saturday Sunday: Warmer and pleasant fall weather settles across Southern Colorado for the weekend, with afternoon highs climbing into the upper 60s and 70s under mostly sunny skies.
A Freeze Warning has been issued for the San Luis Valley for Wednesday night with sub-freezing lows in the 20s. Portions of the eastern plains and I-25 corridor could see their first frost or freeze of the season Thursday and Friday nights.
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Buc-ees is moving forward with developing a site in El Paso County.
On Monday, El Paso County officials posted to their website about the plans, saying the site development plan is an administrative review and approval process. They say county staff will review the proposal.
While the plan was not on the website, it does say the plan includes lighting, landscaping, parking, traffic, required roadway improvements, and other applicable technical design requirements.
After searching for county records, we were able to find the submitted plans on the EDARPs website here. Shown uploaded Monday are floor plans, elevation plans, and the application.
Watch below: Legal challenge to proposed Buc-ees
Legal challenge to proposed Buc-ees
County officials write on the website, If the site development plan satisfies all applicable technical design requirements, it will be approved administratively. The site development plan does not return to the Board of County Commissioners for approval, and there is no appeal of that administrative approval to the Board of County Commissioners.
Watch below: Tri-Lakes civility meeting aims to heal community divisions fueled by contentious Buc-ees debate
Tri-Lakes civility meeting aims to heal community divisions fueled by contentious Buc-ees debate
In August, the Board of Commissioners determined Buc-ees application met the criteria for an allowed use on the land along County Line Road near I-25 in northern El Paso County.
In a statement, Mark Waller, a consultant for Buc-ee's, said, "Were excited to be at this step and look forward to continuing our work with El Paso County as we move our way through their land planning process."
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Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday that confirmed that he has lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said Tuesday.
The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.
The 71-year-old was in the operating room for about 3 hours, the statement said. The surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the statement said.
Leo had walked into Rome's Gemelli hospital through the main entrance earlier in the day and waved to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The Vatican said the surgery would be performed by a team led by Gemelli's chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora.
The American pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.
Oncologists said prior to the operation that even if the nodule turned out to be cancerous, Leo's prognosis is "excellent" since it will have been removed at an early stage.
The Vatican on Monday canceled all Leo's audiences through Oct. 20.
While Gemelli has a specific papal apartment that past popes have used, complete with a private chapel on the 10th floor, Leo will actually be staying in a nearby room since the papal apartment is currently undergoing renovations, according to the Vatican press office.
The first snow of the season has fallen at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort and Butte Mountain Resort.
According to officials, Vail Mountain received nearly three inches of snow and Beaver Creek got around an inch of snow. Additional snowfall is in the forecast, and teams will begin snowmaking this week.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort also got a dusting of snow, officials said. The resort's 65th season will kick off on Nov. 25.
Vail is targeting an opening date for Nov. 13 while Beaver Creek is looking to open Nov. 25.
Watch below: One more day of dry and sunny conditions before mountain snow and rain move in One More Day of Dry and Sunny Conditions Before Mountain Snow and Rain Move In
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is remembering the incredible life of Kimba, a 48-year-old African elephant who passed away this week.
According to zoo officials, Kimba was considered geriatric for an African elephant and was the second oldest in the zoo's herd of aging female elephants.
Officials said that Kima had occasionally dealt with lethargy and decreased appetite at times, but starting having more off days recently.
"Despite receiving dedicated care and treatments that helped previously, this time Kimba did not recover to the quality of health she deserved. Kimbas care team made the emotionally difficult and compassionate decision to humanely euthanize her, surrounded by her trusted care team, on Mon., Oct. 12," the zoo said in a statement.
Kimba came to the CMZoo in 1981 at just three years long with her lifelong bestie, Lucky, who is now 46 and still living at the CMZoo.
Kimba was the first elephant I trained in a shared space, back when sharing space was the standard practice, Ilana Cobban, elephant care manager at CMZoo, said in a statement. She weighed 11,000 pounds at the time, and I was all of five-feet-and-five-inches tall. She was just massive, and she taught me so much about elephant behavior and how to work with them as individuals.
More than 13 years ago, the zoo decided to develop the specialized staff, housing and expertise to care for the aging elephants. It even built what it calls a "retirement community" for the elephants, allowing them to flourish.
"Kimba spent her Last Best Day on Sunday doing her favorite things. She and Lucky enjoyed hours together in the vacation yard, soaking up the sunshine and grazing on grass. Kimba was surrounded by her devoted animal care team, including several keepers who had cared for her for more than 20 years. Though her absence will be deeply felt, the lessons she shared with us over the years will remain an important part of her legacy," the zoo said in a statement.
Kimba's herdmates were given access to her shortly after her passing to help them process the loss, according to the zoo. The team will continue to monitor her best friend, Lucky, closely, along with the entire herd.
"When Lucky shows the team shes ready, they will offer her social opportunities with other members of the herd," the zoo said.
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) Pueblo Police are sharing an update on the officers who were injured over the weekend in an officer-involved shooting.
Saturday night, officers were called to the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue, northwest of Lake Minnequa. Police say a suspect had driven away from the area and the vehicle was found on Regency Boulevard on the west side of the city near Lehigh Park. They say the suspect, identified as Luis Antonio Morales, 36, ran into a nearby apartment complex and thats where Morales and police exchanged gunfire.
Watch the latest update on this story in the video below:
2 officers injured and suspect dead following a reported home invasion in Pueblo
Police say two officers were injured and Morales died at the scene from his injuries.
Pueblo Police have released an update on those two officers. They say one officer, Officer Justin Ortiz, had a graze wound to the ankle. They say the other officer, Officer Jonathon Woehler, was shot in both legs and was taken to a local hospital. Woehler was released from the hospital Monday.
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to investigate this incident.
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We have one more day of above average temperatures and sunny conditions before rain and snow moves in. Winds will still be breezy this afternoon and highs will rise into the 70s and 80s. The warmest temperatures will be east of I-25. Higher elevations will have highs in the 60s.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 71; Low: 43.
Colorado Springs will have temperatures this morning in the lower 40s. These temperatures will rise quickly and eventually get into the lower 70s. Winds won't be as breezy as yesterday, but will slightly increase in the afternoon. Overnight lows headed into Wednesday morning will drop into the lower 40s.
Pueblo forecast: High: 79; Low: 46.
Pueblo will wake up to temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning. We have another day of bright and sunny conditions. Still tracking above average highs with temperatures breaking back into the 70s. This is the last day before cold temperatures move in over the next few days.
Canon City forecast:High: 73; Low: 48.
Canon City will have morning temperatures in the 40s. There will be a few clouds with rain off towards the west. Not expecting rainfall in the area today and afternoon highs will reach the lower 70s. Winds will be light coming out of the southwest between 5-15mph.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 62; Low: 38.
Temperatures this morning are sitting in the upper 30s, so a jacket may be needed. There are a couple of sprinkles from passing showers, but this will clear out. Still tracking sunny conditions today and above average temperatures. Highs will get back into the 60s.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 64; Low: 41.
Monument and the surrounding areas will have temperatures in the lower 40s this morning. These temperatures will rise pretty quickly. Afternoon highs will get into the 60s. Winds will be light coming out of the southwest between 5-15mph. Changes will arrive on Wednesday.
Plains forecast:High: 70s & 80s; Low: 40s.
The eastern plains have calm and clear conditions today and that will last into the afternoon. Temperatures this morning are sitting in the 50s and 60s. We will continue to see a rise in our temperatures as the sun comes out. Afternoon highs will get into the 70s and 80s.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 672/78; Low: 45/42.
This morning temperatures are sitting in the 50s for the southern portion of I-25. Bright and sunny conditions will continue throughout the day and help temperatures to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s. The warmest temperatures will be located near Trinidad. Rain will move in on Wednesday.
Mountains forecast: High: 60s; Low: 30s.
The mountains already have some moisture moving in with rain ongoing. As this low-pressure system moves in it will bring some cooler temperatures and drop snow levels down to 8,000 feet. The ski resorts have a chance to get a couple of inches of snow and for most of the central mountains. This afternoon will still be warm with highs reaching the 60s.
Extended outlook forecast:
This low pressure system is slowing moving towards Colorado and this will bring much cooler temperatures. Highs will take quite a dip with parts of I-25 dropping into the 40s and 50s. Along with this incoming system, there will be some moisture that moves in. Snow will move in for the mountains and will be possible as low as 8,000 feet. Parts of Teller county could wake up to a dusting Thursday morning. Overnight lows will drop into the 30s and 40s. Temperatures will eventually warm back into the 60s and 70s by the weekend.
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The Colorado Heart Gallery is using the power of photography and storytelling to help children and teens in foster care find permanent, adoptive families.
Founded in 2005 as a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Human Services, nonprofit partners and volunteer photographers, the Colorado Heart Gallery features professional portraits, videos and personal narratives of youth awaiting adoption.
The images are displayed online and in traveling exhibits across the state, giving prospective parents a chance to connect with children on a more personal level.
One of the youth looking for a forever family is Troy.
Calm, caring, and considerate are just a few words that describe Troy. When a subject catches his attention, he dives in with laser-like focus. Troy is passionate about gaming and loves interacting with horses and other animals. Among his animal friends, pit bulls and reptiles hold a special place in his heart, and forming attachments to them comes effortlessly to him. He finds solace in drawing and enjoys the thrill of sports and video games. Fruits, especially watermelon and mango, are his favorite snacks; he often enjoys them while listening to music. Troy has an appreciation for nature and enjoys going for walks and hikes. If he could choose superpowers, he would pick invisibility and X-ray vision. His favorite colors are red and black. Troy aspires to hit the open road as a truck driver when he grows up.This tenth grader's most liked subject is math.Troy would like to live in a home with pets, where he can have his own room and be the only child; however, his caseworker will consider all family types. He has significant connections to maintain following placement. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services.
Families interested in learning more about Charlie or other children available for adoption and fostering can contact the Colorado Heart Gallery. You can also call (303)755-4756 for more information.
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The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (CDFPC) has published the initial report on one of Colorado's most destructive wildfires since the Marshall Fire in 2021.
On Monday, the Scripps News Group acquired the CDFPC report from attorneys representing victims of the Aspen Acres Fire. According to the report, it began roughly 200 feet west of Colorado Highway 165 at mile marker 17, southwest of the intersection of Colorado Highway 165 and Custer Drive.
The report concludes that the fire was caused by an aspen tree falling onto a power line. The tree was blown over by high winds and fell on overhead power lines, investigators said. The impact of the falling tree forced the power lines down to about three feet above the ground.
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Evidence that the report uses to make its case includes eyewitness accounts, fire effects, fire patterns, and the actual aspen tree resting on a power line with burn marks.
The aspen tree trunk was in contact with both the hot and neutral conductor, according to the report. The tree also had visible heat damage where the tree was in contact with the lines, including charring and burn marks. The lines themselves also had arcing, melting, and charring, according to the report.
The lines heated the tree bark and nearby vegetation to a point where they could ignite. Melted aluminum was also found under the area where the tree rested against the line, which should be considered as a contributor to the fire's ignition, the report said.
The report also provides evidence in the form of fire behavior and indicators, observed in the burn patterns. When burning in a particular direction, fire leaves signs of its direction of movement and its intensity. These patterns in the burned foliage, the report says, indicate that the fire advanced from the general origin area and spread west and south while also burning more intensely away from the origin area.
Other possible ignition sources were explored by investigators, including lightning, discarded smoking material, or an intentionally set fire.
Lightning was discarded as an explanation by investigators because they found that no lightning was recorded, no physical evidence of a strike was found, and no one reported lightning on that day. Not only that, a five-mile-wide report by STRIKEnet of the area found there were zero cloud-to-ground strikes detected by lightning sensors within five miles of the origin area.
Discarded smoking materials were discarded as an explanation because no smoking materials were found in the area by investigators. Additionally, investigators determined that the conditions in the area would make a fire caused by smoking materials "inconsistent and not viable given the data collected during this investigation."
Intentionally set fires do not necessarily mean arson they simply include fires that were set intentionally and not necessarily maliciously. These include open flames like candles, matches, lighters, pilot lights, and oil lamps. However, investigators found that the fire did not originate anywhere near structures with open flames.
The ignition, which the report says took place in the general area of a series of utility poles, was also witnessed by a local resident at 5:45 a.m. on June 29. It immediately began to spread westward up the hill and towards the south, according to the testimony provided in the report.
The Aspen Acres Fire began on June 29 and remains active with 82% containment. It has burned 102,007 acres as of Oct. 2, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire destroyed over 200 homes and evacuated thousands of people across the fire, which burned in Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, and Custer Counties.
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A man was injured during a shooting involving police on the Colorado State University Fort Collins Campus Monday.
Campus police received a report around 5:35 p.m. of a man who was behaving erratically and approached a university officer with a handgun near Newton Plaza.
Gunfire occurred and the suspect was shot, according to campus officials. It is unclear at this time if the man shot himself or if he was struck by the officer's shot.
Aid was rendered and the man was taken to a local hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
The public was asked to avoid the area around the chemistry and microbiology buildings.
The identity of that person has not yet been released. Their current condition is unknown.
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Were hearing reports of a police presence on the CSU campus. A friend of mine, a Ph.D. student on campus, received a notification around 6:02 p.m. He also told me over the phone that he heard gunshots. Were working to get more information from CSU Police. @DenverChannel https://t.co/bSsjJQVXfh Peter W. Choi (@peterwjchoi) October 13, 2026
Denver7 is working to learn more about the incident, but according to the campus alert system, it was all clear as of 6:50 p.m. Police remained in the area Monday night.
The Fort Collins Police Department is leading the investigation. As the department shares more information, we will provide more information
Colorado voters will decide this November whether to add a new identification requirement for mail ballots.
Amendment 84 would require mail voters to write the last 4 digits of their Social Security number or driver's license number on the outside of their ballot envelope.
The measure would apply to federal and statewide elections and would keep the existing signature requirement. Amendment 84 needs 55 percent of the vote to pass. The measure does not change identification requirements for people voting in person.
Supporters say the change adds another layer of verification.
"Signatures used to be the gold standard, and now everything that you see that has security attached to it is a two-factor authentication and one of those factors is always going to be something that's subjective, said Suzanne Taheri one of the initiative's proponents.
She says signatures can change, particularly among younger and older voters.
For older people, it's because I think their writing styles sometimes change as they get older. For younger people you don't sign that many documents," Taheri said.
Some voters say they may be open to the idea.
"As long as it's private, you know, not the whole world to see it. Yes, I'm OK with it," Princella Carvin said.
But opponents say Colorado already has a system for checking those signatures.
"I've worked as an election judge, it's been proven to be a reliable way to make sure these are valid ballots, said Jessica Delos Reyes the executive director of Citizens Project. She says the added requirement could create another way for a legitimate ballot to be rejected.
The thing is if you don't provide that information, your vote will not be counted, this is just going to keep more people away from voting and stoke even more distrust in a system that's actually very secure," Delos Reyes said.
Other voters say they see value in having another way to verify who's casting a ballot.
"Having something to show 'OK this is who I am and this is how I'm voting I was here today' uh just makes sense to me," Meg Provencher said.
For some, the concern is whether voters need to provide more personal information.
"We have already got our Social Security in the system as far as they know who we are, I feel like how many ways do we need to have our identifying name address phone number all the other things that we have?" Heidi Marquess said.
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