DENVER The Department of Justice on Thursday sued Denver over what the federal government claims is an unconstitutional mask ban targeting federal agents and other law enforcement officers.

The city ordinance, which was signed into law earlier this year, bans federal immigration and other law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while working in Denver and requires them to clearly identify themselves with a visible ID when operating within city limits. Under the law, federal agents who do not comply could be cited with a $999 fine by Denver police and face up to 300 days in jail.

Watch Denver7s prior reporting on this city ordinance in the video below:

Denver ban on masks for ICE agents, other law enforcement approved by city council in unanimous vote

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court of Colorado against the City of Denver, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver City Attorney Miko Brown, and Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, argues that complying with the law would endanger officers and reduce operational effectiveness by, among other things, subjecting them to doxxing, harassment, and threats to their physical safety.

Imposing Denvers more rigid facialcovering and identification rules would strip federal officers of the flexibility to determine when and how to identify themselves during immigration enforcement operations, undermining both officer safety and operational effectiveness, the lawsuit states.

The complaint also argues that Denvers mask ban puts agents' safety under threat because it allows the public to photograph or record them during enforcement operations something people have the right to do under the First Amendment and makes the case that disseminating agents' identities online could be used by members of organized crime and transnational criminal organizations in serious and potentially deadly ways.

While such a scenario has yet to play out nationally, the lawsuit claims the families of two federal agents in the Denver metro area and Durango have already been doxxed and harassed after their images were posted online.

The lawsuit further argues that Denvers mask ban is a violation of the federal governments Supremacy Clause, which dictates that federal law takes precedence when it conflicts with local or state laws. In its claim for relief, the DOJ asks the federal court to declare Denvers ordinance as invalid as applied to federal law enforcement officers, agents, or agencies and to permanently prohibit the city from enforcing its mask ban.

In a statement shared on Instagram shortly after the city was served with the lawsuit, Mayor Johnston said his office would fight to the very end on this battle to make sure that every law enforcement officer, local or federal, that operates in Denver does not wear a mask (and) is easily identifiable to the public.

We think law enforcement should be transparent and accountable. An officer should not only not wear a mask; they should have a badge, they should have a name, they should have a badge number that you can track, Johnston said, vowing the city would stand by the ordinance.

Mask ban came in wake of increasing tensions between ICE, public

Denver City Council member Flor Alvidrez, one of the sponsors of the ordinance, told Denver7 earlier this year the law was in response to constituents concerns about how to distinguish law enforcement officers from bad actors as President Donald Trump sought to ramp up his mass deportation campaign.

"I think this is critical. When someone is in their home and someone's knocking on their door and they have a mask and a gun, who's going to answer the door? Why would you?" said Alvidrez. "This is literally trying to find the bare minimum that we can do to help people have some sense of safety and security in our city."

Just last month, The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements human resources division was making final job offers before preliminary vetting steps had been completed, including fingerprints, identity verification and credit checks, raising concerns about the new hires.

The citys mask ban isnt the only step Denver has taken to protect Denver residents from what Johnston has described as federal overreach.

Just days after signing the mask ban ordinance, Johnston also signed an executive order banning ICE from city-owned or city-controlled property.

Watch Denver7s story on that executive order in the video player below:

Denver mayor signs order banning ICE from city property, laying out measures to protect protesters

More recently, Denver sued to block the Trump administration from sending armed federal immigration enforcement agents to voting sites during this years midterm elections, claiming their presence would be a violation of federal law.

Police chief, council members reluctant to address mask ban enforcement questions

Denver7 has repeatedly brought up concerns about how the city would enforce its ICE mask ban, given the U.S. Constitution enshrines the federal government with a Supremacy Clause. In response, Council member Alvidrez said the city has authority over public safety and the use of city resources, even if it cant change federal law itself.

She told Denver7 previously that the law is not meant to target ICE agents but aims instead to reduce the risk of residents or other officers from encountering someone who may not be who they say they are.

But Brian Pacelko, the president of the Denver Police Protection Association, told Denver7 earlier this year there are still many questions about enforcement issues the law does not address.

"What will happen if an officer does take enforcement action, and a federal agent then tries to arrest that officer for impeding their operation? What happens to them if they're charged with a crime? Is there an internal affairs process? Are they sent home? Are they suspended without pay?" asked Pacelko. "These are our main concerns with how these things are going to affect our officers and their well-being."

When Denver7 took these questions to Alvidrez earlier this year, she was hesitant to provide a definitive answer.

"It will have to be a lot of investigation... what my conversations have been with police, is that they will be on scene if there is an imminent threat," Alvidrez said. "They will not be on scene if everything is being followed by the law. Their goal is never to interfere with federal supremacy. It's just holding bad actors accountable."

A spokesperson for the Denver Police Department told Denver7 that when it came to enforcement, "of utmost importance is discretion and prioritizing de-escalation when encountering these situations. Our goal is to apply this ordinance in a way that builds trust and transparency without putting officers, deputies, or the public at risk."

Though similar bans went into effect in places like Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Milwaukee and Philadelphia earlier this year, most have either been blocked by federal judges or are subject to pending litigation by the federal government.

Crews responded to an apparent water main break in southeastern Colorado Springs Friday.

At the intersection of Murray Boulevard and Airport Road, water covered the surface of the road. A neighborhood northwest of the intersection also has water covering the road.

Viewers have reached out to us about the water.

Colorado Springs Utilities says they have crews at the scene. They say Murray Boulevard is closed from Airport Road to Dewey Road. Utilities did says they planned on replacing a hydrant in the area, but that work has been postponed.

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Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died at age 86, his family said in a statement to ESPN.

A cause of death was not announced.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," his family said in a statement to ESPN. "While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.

"Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."

Ditka coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, leading the franchise to a Super Bowl title following the 1985 season. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.

Before becoming Chicago's head coach, Ditka played tight end for the Bears from 1961 to 1966 and later for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. After retiring as a player, he began his coaching career in 1973 as an assistant with Dallas.

Ditka was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He remains one of the few people to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

He won his only Super Bowl as a player in his final NFL game, catching a touchdown pass in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.

Six years later, Ditka earned another Super Bowl ring as an assistant coach with Dallas.

Chicago's 46-10 victory over New England in Super Bowl XX remains one of the most lopsided wins in Super Bowl history.

Ditka was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988 and led the Bears to six division titles.

Prior to entering the NFL, Ditka was a standout tight end for Pittsburgh, playing there from 1958-60. He eventually gained entry into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his coaching career, Ditka served in various broadcast roles, including for CBS and ESPN.

Hundreds of local students celebrated the fall season while also getting some hands on learning.

On Thursday, Venetucci Farm hosted one of several school field trips of the month. Kindergarteners were able to learn about planting, watering and growing vegetables.

The Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation says they expect to have about 1,500 students visit the farm in October. The foundations says while the farm cannot grow its own edible food because of contamination that happened a decade ago, the tradition continues with pumpkins from a farm in Pueblo.

Why is it important to teach kids about agriculture? We want to ensure that these kids know the true heritage of the Pikes Peak region, Martin Trujillo, the southeast executive director of Colorado Youth Outdoors, said. It is not only essential, but also the different climates and things like that that this community brings together is truly what we want them to take home with them going forward.

Every student also leaves with their own pumpkin to take home as long as they can carry it back to the bus on their own.

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For Lynne Bartole, retirement didn't mean closing the book on her career. Instead, it meant finding a whole new way to use the ones she already had. Bartole, a former English teacher and avid reader, started Deja Vu Decor in 2020 after finding herself with a collection of books and few options for recycling them. Her solution was to transform those books into handmade works of art.

I was looking for some place to put my books, and a lot of places don't recycle and a lot of them won't take used books, Bartole explained. And so I thought, well, you know, I need to find a way to repurpose.

That idea has grown into a creative business featuring intricate book sculptures, decorative Christmas trees, bookmarks and other book-inspired creations. Some designs follow patterns that help Bartole determine where to cut and fold each page. Others come from a little experimentation and imagination.

I just take books, and I transform them into something that is different from what we are normally used to saying with a book, giving them longer life, Bartole added.

Her husband, Bill, has become an essential part of the operation, handling the cutting that requires power tools, transporting their creations to markets and helping prepare for shows. But don't assume a machine is doing all the work.

The pages are all individually hand-done, Bill Bartole said as he showed of work done on "Sycamore Row" by John Grisham. They're measured and marked, and then those marks get cut and folded into a tab that expands the book so you can see the actual design.

The process takes time and patience, turning each book into a one-of-a-kind piece.

I am a former English teacher. I am an avid reader. I will not destroy books, she said. I'm repurposing them.

Bartole points to an estimated 640,000 tons of hardcover books that end up in landfills, in part because their bindings can make recycling difficult. For her, book art offers a way to give some of those materials a second life. The couple has spent the past six years bringing their creations to local markets, building a following of customers who return to see what's new. Bartole said she introduces new designs each year, including new Christmas trees for this season.

They typically attend four shows a year, giving customers a chance to see the artwork up close and hear the story behind it. That personal connection is part of the appeal, especially in a world where online shopping offers seemingly endless options. For the Bartoles, selling their work in person also means connecting with the community, and spending time together in retirement.

It's been a journey, and we're going to continue the journey, Bill Bartole said.

Lynn said her husband is more than just the person hauling boxes and working in the garage. He's also her biggest supporter and most honest critic.

He keeps me, he's my, he's my best critic, and he's my best fan, she said.

The couple will bring their handmade creations to the Front Range Maker's Market, where shoppers can browse their work and find gifts that are a little more personal than something pulled from a shelf.

For Deja Vu Decor, the goal is simple: take something familiar, give it a new purpose and turn a well-loved book into something worth looking at for years to come.

FRONT RANGE MAKER'S MARKET DETAILS:

What: Front Range Maker's Market When: Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Lewis-Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road, Monument Admission: $5 per person at the door; children 12 and younger get in free Parking: Free parking is available in the school's parking lots.

The market accepts cash and cards for admission and purchases. Visitors who leave and plan to return must have their hands stamped for re-entry.

CLICK HERE for a list of vendors.

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Todays Forecast:

Frost advisories are in place for the San Luis Valley this morning until 9AM. Along I-25, temperatures are much warmer in the 50s and 60s. Highs continue to warm throughout the morning and will eventually top out into the 80s along I-25. Further east those highs will get close to 90 degrees.

Colorado Springs forecast: High: 81; Low: 50.

Lows this morning are in the lower 50s. Bright and sunny conditions will prevail across the Pikes Peak Region which will bring highs into the lower 80s. Highs are usually in the 60s this time of year.

Pueblo forecast: High: 86; Low: 52.

Pueblo this morning has temperatures in the lower 50s. We will continue to see clear conditions today. Calm conditions will also last throughout the day with winds coming out of the west between 5-10mph. Highs will reach the mid-80s.

Canon City forecast: High: 84; Low: 53.

Canon City will wake up to temperatures in the lower 50s. Once the sun rises, those temperatures will warm quickly. Highs will reach the mid-80s and conditions will remain calm.

Woodland Park forecast: High: 71; Low: 44.

Woodland Park will continue to have afternoon temperatures in the 70s. Calm and clear conditions are back in the forecast. Winds will be coming out of the west between 5-10mph. A few more clouds will move in during the afternoon.

Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 76; Low: 47.

Monument and the surrounding area will have morning temperatures in the upper 40s. Under this high-pressure system, conditions are expected to stay calm and dry. Highs will break back into the 70s.

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

The eastern plains will continue the calm and dry streak as we near the weekend. Morning temperatures are sitting in the 50s. Highs will be very warm today with some areas approaching 90 degrees.

Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 81/82; Low: 52/50.

The southern portion of I-25 will have morning temperatures in the lower 50s. Calm and clear conditions will continue underneath this high-pressure system. As we head into the weekend, these conditions are set to continue.

Mountains forecast: High: 70s; Low: 30s & 40s.

The mountains will have a couple of isolated showers later on in the afternoon. Highs today will reach the 70s. There will be more unsettled conditions as we near next week.

Extended outlook forecast:

Looking ahead, temperatures continue to rise into the 70s and 80s. Our next pattern change arrives early next week. Models are wanting to slow this system down which would mean cooler temperatures arrive about a day later. Highs next week have the potential to fall into the 50s and 60s.

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Shoppers looking for unique gifts, handmade art, and locally made goods can browse more than 140 vendors this weekend at the Front Range Maker's Market in Monument!

The market returns to Lewis-Palmer High School on Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11, celebrating 30 years of bringing small businesses, artisans and shoppers together in the community. Organizers say the market will feature vendors spread across three rooms, offering everything from pottery and handcrafted jewelry to vintage finds, boutique clothing, glass art and home dcor.

Shoppers can also find yard art, purses and bags, body care products, gourmet foods, baked goods, and other treats.

The event is designed to encourage shopping small and support independent makers and local businesses.

Food and coffee trucks will be parked outside the school both days, serving breakfast and lunch. Inside, shoppers can find additional treats, including baked goods, bread, nuts and snacks.

Event details What: Front Range Maker's Market When: Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Lewis-Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road, Monument Admission: $5 per person at the door; children 12 and younger get in free Parking: Free parking is available in the school's parking lots.

The market accepts cash and cards for admission and purchases. Visitors who leave and plan to return must have their hands stamped for re-entry.

Organizers note that the doors will close to new shoppers 30 minutes before the market ends each day. Only marked service dogs are allowed inside the building.

For more information, visit the Front Range Maker's Market website.

A list of the vendors taking part:

The Link Lounge Jewelry Co Aidan Hulting Photography Yours Truly Annie McGuires Front Porch Studio The Mountain Mercantile Amy S Christenson Corvidae Designs Pikes Peak Grain Exchange AJ ROASTED CHILE & JERKY NightBloom Name That Bracelet and Clay Creations Sweet Almande Bud's Birdhouses IMAGINE YOURSELF, LLC Carol's Creations Calaveras n Crass Fruit Gravy Trinas Card Creations Fusion Intrusion A Homemade Heritage liondogranch@gmail.com Wagon wheel smoke house Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries/The Woodworking Shop JC Crafts of Monument Two Gems Boutique Sage Winds Dale Rae Designs Cozy Mountain Candles Ethnic Brazil FuzedCrafts Wickersham Enterprises dba Wickersham Woodworks Elegant Creations by Dawn StoryBox Denver Skye Dawn Studio DEE'S GLASS CREATIONS AND MORE It Is Good Dot's Brittle Kitchen WUAMAN Parks Art Collection Lucy's Armenian-Mediterranean Grill Sak Saum Persephone Love Moon Phase Soap Hollybloom Creations Star & Flame Publishing LLC Queen Be's Fruit Hive Jade Christenson Beauty Abounded Wildberger Creations Blu Opal The Nook of Sweet Unbound Voices Bearpaw Mixes MatchBox Candle Co Mountain Cottage Candles GillybugDesigns The Traveling Gypsies Second Wind Pottery Right Round Woods McClusky Nature Photography, LLC Forest Green Pottery Taspens Organics Joseph Caldara, Author Joyce Stafford Sack Collectibles Lilla Rose Flexi Rep Chic Shifters Palmer Divide Quiltmakers Prairie Fire Salsa, LLC Healthy Harvest Gardens Ken's Custom Woodworks Distant Designs Jewelry Reverie Rose Designs/Zuzus Petals Boutique Incredible Creations by Kristin Callaway Paper pinwheels Bunnygirl Designs Dolce de Leti Lovable Creations Sojourn Well Out of My Mind Creations Deja Vu Decor Lyracism Jewelry Rose and Dove Tru Goodness Brands Cream City Market MJK Enterprises LLC dba Sweet Revenge Fancy Pads Plus Classic Bible Art FLANNELABILITY KapKap Co. Midwestern Crafts Melissa Rolli LLC Front Range Pet Supply Michelle's Mojo Mile Artistry Xtreme Coffee Roasters Jimi J. Crochet The Beanibeings LLC Chieko's Creations Blackbird Art Ladybug designs Paula Middlesworth Crafty Sunflower LLC Proverbs & Pens Hart Strings Jewelry Mongoose Design Wonder Mushroom Company, dba Mane Beverages Aribellas Fabrics and Creations LLC Robin's Nest Artisanry Pines' Nut Butter S.E.W. and Company Styria Bakery II 2 Generations Studio Cute-C-Girl Creations Crafts by Sirena sompong's Designs Sonja Peake Designs, LLC (I have also added a new trade name: DBA: Spiral Daisy Studio) Dad's Dork Den AUNT SUES GARDEN Akinz A Little Worn PotTerre Raku & Stoneware Palmer Lake Creative Barrelborn Woodcraft Mountaintop Ceramics Bella Spirit Design Wally's Mom Made It! BoxesbyBill

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Last years Halloween costume may not fit anymore, but finding a different one doesnt have to mean buying something new.

Deerfield Hills Community Center is holding a free costume exchange Friday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 4290 Deerfield Hills Road in southeast Colorado Springs.

The event is open to everyone, with no registration or ticket required. Families do not need to donate a costume to receive one. Organizers say there are options for infants through adults, and even pets. Plus accessories to help complete an outfit.

Learn More About the Event in the Video Player Below Free costume exchange helps Colorado Springs families get ready for Halloween

For rec assistant Ronaleen Brown, the exchange is about taking some pressure off families whose budgets are already stretched.

Are we gonna pay a bill? Are we gonna get food first and, um, are we going to get a costume, Brown said. We're trying to take that stressor off.

The costumes come from donations, other community centers, Christmas Unlimited and additional costumes purchased by staff. Neighbors have also been dropping off outfits their families no longer need.

In times of hardships people can either pull away from each other or they can grow stronger together, said Dani Finau, a member of the centers support staff. What I have seen is that people are pulling together.

Organizers hope children find something they are excited to wear while families get a chance to connect. Games, hot cocoa and cider will also be available.

Rec assistant Rosalia Alvarez said she hopes children feel welcome and comfortable approaching staff, whether they are visiting for the first time or returning to the center.

Families who cannot attend can call 719-385-5996 to ask about remaining costumes and arrange a pickup. Staff say they will wash donated costumes and save them for next years exchange.

Tonight's Forecast:

The San Luis Valley has a frost advisory active from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Friday morning. The rest of southern Colorado will stay mild in the 40s and 50s with clear skies.

Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Overnight lows will be in the 50s for the Pikes Peak Region with clear skies. Friday will be just as hot in the 80s with plenty of sunshine. Dry time continues across the area too. The weekend will cool slightly, but highs will still be well above averages. Changes don't arrive until next week.

Pueblo forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Lows will be mild in the 50s for Thursday night with plenty of sunshine ahead for Friday. The weekend cools a bit and into Monday next week. Tuesday and Wednesday will drop into the low 70s and even 60s. Tuesday brings in chances for showers with that cool down too.

Canon City forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Thursday night stays mild with clear skies. Friday and the weekend stays well above averages in the 70s and 80s for Canon City. Dry conditions persist as well. By Tuesday, a cool down will move in and stick around into Wednesday and the rest of the week. Showers are expected at least for Tuesday and may linger into the middle of the week too.

Woodland Park forecast: Low: 25; High: 50;

Lows will be in the 40s for Woodland Park with mostly clear skies. The end of week will be warmer than averages in the 60s and that trend continues into the weekend. We can't rule out a stray shower for Woodland Park on Sunday, but widespread moisture moves in by Tuesday as temperatures drop significantly. Overnight lows by Tuesday and Wednesday night will be close to freezing, if not below it too.

Extended outlook forecast:

Into Monday southern Colorado will stay mild in the 70s for most. A strong cold front will drop in to drop temperatures significantly into Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday brings in widespread showers in southern Colorado with some mountain snow possible too. Temperatures stay cool through the end of the week with conditions trending drier too.

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The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has two new additions to campus and they're not buildings or classes.

They're humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence.

UCCS received the robots as a donation this year. They are both named Ami, and they are stationed at the campus library as an interactive resource for students. They are also taken to classes and events to interact with the community.

Watch the Full Story Below

When powered on, Ami can help students flesh out ideas for projects and receive feedback. It also tells a dad joke or two.

"Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field," Ami said.

But its role on campus goes well beyond humor. Ami has already been put to work in innovation classes, where students explore cutting-edge technology and brainstorm ideas.

"It's all about inspiring students to think about how AI can be part of the future," Ami said.

To interact with Ami, students first have to create an "agent" a set of natural language instructions that gives the robot a specific goal and purpose.

Those instructions can define Ami's tone, personality and purpose. The robot can even be directed on how to carry itself emotionally.

"It feels no nerves. It has no emotion. If I tell it to be confident, it's going to be confident," Joel Tonyan, UCCS' Direcrtor of User Experience, said.

One of the most sophisticated classroom applications so far has been programming Ami to act as a business idea coach.

"They [students] learned all about how to instruct Ami. You could present a business idea to AI and operating under these instructions it would evaluate your business idea, tell you how to improve it, give you further things to think about, so really it can be tailored to all sorts of different situations," Tonyan said.

The guiding principle behind every agent is simple.

"The instructions really are just natural language. It gives AI a goal. It's very explicit. The one rule above all others that you should follow is that when you are asked something, you answer it. That's your entire job and you do it every time," Tonyan said.

Students can also take Ami's programming in a more creative direction including giving it an entirely different personality, like that of a medieval gnome named Bartholomew.

"Greetings, noble scholars. Tis I, Bartholomew, the gnome of whimsical lore. How dost thou fare on this fine day?" Ami said.

Whimsical personas aside, Ami's primary purpose is to help students build efficiency and develop real-world AI skills.

"I'm here to chat and answer questions students might have. It's all about making learning a bit more interactive and fun," Ami said.

An investigation is underway at a Pueblo West assisted living facility for misappropriating resident funds.

Capella of Pueblo West is owned by Christian Living Communities, who confirmed the investigation. They say it began as an internal investigation but due to the seriousness of the allegations, it contacted local law enforcement.

Christian Living Communities also contacted Adult Protective Services and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

"We take our responsibility for the safety and well-being of residents and families very seriously and we are committed to uncovering the facts, addressing any wrongdoing, and ensuring that appropriate action is taken," Christian Living Communities said in a statement to News5.

Christian Living Communities later clarified to News5 that their initial investigation shows just one resident and their family have been contacted.

We also reached out to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, which said it cannot comment because it is an open investigation.

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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FORT CARSON, Colo. The Fourth Multi-Domain Task Force held its activation ceremony today at Fort Carson.

The task force will grow to about 2,100 soldiers across 4 battalions worldwide, including one stationed at Fort Carson. Leaders say the unit is designed to bring together capabilities like intelligence, cyber operations, and air defense under one command. The goal is to coordinate those tools more quickly and effectively to support military operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

"This is a historic moment for 110. We are standing up officially as a high Mars unit with the multi-domain task force. We are what is considered the kinetic ability of the multi-domain task force."

Get a Look at the New Unit in the Video Player Below

Col. Hugh Jones is leading the new unit. He most recently commanded the Second Stryker Brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division at Fort Carson.

"With our capabilities such as rockets or missiles and clear out enemy air defense enemy targets that we need to get rid of our high value assets just to enable the ground troops and air troops to move freely within that battlefield," Jones said.

"We should be able to push the limits of what we're able to do with it, detecting and finding enemies whether there's anti-air or not," Jones said.

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A prescribed burn is sending smoke into the sky west of Colorado Springs on Thursday.

The U.S. Forest Service is planning to burn nearly 1,800 acres near Rampart Reservoir, about three miles east of Woodland Park, as early as today.

Officials say the burn will help reduce woody debris, small trees, and other fuels on the forest floor, lowering the risk of severe wildfires in the future.

The project is expected to last a couple of days, depending on weather conditions. Smoke and flames could remain visible for several days or even weeks afterward.

Drivers and hikers in the area are urged to use caution as fire crews and equipment may be working along nearby roads and trails.

And if you see the smoke, officials say there's no need to call 911, as the prescribed burn is planned and being closely monitored.

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