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• Maduro elected president of Venezuela

  April 15, 2013 4:33 AM

  Venezuela now has a new leader five weeks after the death of President Hugo Chavez . Nicolas Maduro, Chavez's hand-picked successor, has been declared the winner in official results. Long lines at the polls formed early in the morning and again in the afternoon as this politically divided... more »

• 2013 City Council debate attracts dozens of residents Play Video

  March 6, 2013 1:22 AM

  Several new faces are hoping to land a seat on the Colorado Springs City Council come April.Candidates from the six districts came together Tuesday evening to gain your vote. There were some familiar faces on stage including council members Tim Leigh, Angela Dougan, Bernie Herpin and Brandy Williams. ... more »

• Bishop urges prayer during transition Play Video

  March 5, 2013 8:00 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - At the noon daily mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral, parishioners come to quietly pray and worship in a custom that has spanned centuries and continents. As church leaders in Rome begin the process of electing a new Pope, Bishop Michael Sheridan says 150,000 or so members... more »

• Update: Mishandled money in Teller County

  January 19, 2013 2:12 PM

  A series of financial mistakes has put a huge dent in Teller County's budget. "We have overspent a considerable amount of money on the clerk's office," Commissioner Dave Paul said. He and others employed with the county are pointing the finger at JJ Jamison, the county's clerk and... more »

• Teller County acknowledges financial problems

  January 15, 2013 8:28 PM

  A series of financial mistakes has put a huge dent in Teller County's budget. "We have overspent a considerable amount of money on the clerk's office," Commissioner Dave Paul said. He and others employed with the county are pointing the finger at JJ Jamison, the county's clerk and... more »

• Precinct maps highlight political divide in county

  December 4, 2012 9:47 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - We're getting a clearer picture of just how voters in El Paso County felt about certain issues on the November ballot. The Clerk and Recorders Office released a set of maps this week showing precinct-by-precinct voting breakdowns for Amendment 64 (marijuana legalization and Issue 1A (tax increase... more »

• El Paso County voters set election record

  November 21, 2012 8:18 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - A record 292,698 voters cast ballots in El Paso County during in the 2012 General Election. The county election department finished the canvassing process Wednesday which officially certifies the results. The final vote tally beat the 2008 record by 17,991 votes. According to a news release... more »

• Do you agree or disagree with Colorado's secession petition? Play Video

  November 13, 2012 7:09 PM

  The next time you look at a Colorado state flag, imagine if it was the symbol of a country. That's what several thousand people would like: to secede from the United States. We found out it's happening in a lot of states, and we wanted your opinion. It may... more »

• Pueblo voters say everyone should get out and vote!

  November 6, 2012 1:03 PM

  Everything seems to be going well here in Pueblo. You can tell there are a few volunteers who seem to be a little stressed out, but when you ask how things are going, they just smile and say "It's an election." Just remember all of the work they've put... more »

• Vice President Joe Biden stops in Pueblo Play Video

  November 3, 2012 8:24 PM

  Around 1,200 people packed the gym at Central High School in Pueblo today. We were there to hear from Vice President Joe Biden during one of his last campaign stops this election season. It's not the first time Joe Biden's been to Pueblo right before an election. He... more »

• Third Congressional District candidate Sal Pace campaigns in Pueblo

  November 3, 2012 7:38 PM

  Sal Pace, who's running for the Third Congressional District, walked and campaigned around many parts of Pueblo today. He made several stops on the east side and downtown to meet voters on the streets and talk to those who are canvassing neighborhoods and making phone calls. They say they want... more »

• Third Congressional District candidate Scott Tipton campaigns in Meeker

  November 3, 2012 7:34 PM

  Congressman Scott Tipton spoke today at a ceremony for a special tree here in Colorado. Tipton took the chance to talk to potential voters just a few days before the election in Meeker. That's where the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree Harvest took place. He's running for the Third Congressional... more »

• Q&A: Could Sandy postpone the election?

  October 30, 2012 8:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - One week before a close election, superstorm Sandy has confounded the presidential race, halted early voting in many areas and led some to ponder whether the election might even be postponed. It could take days to restore electricity to more than 8 million homes and businesses that... more »

• Gov. Hickenlooper discusses the election on Meet the Press

  October 28, 2012 8:43 PM

  Several governors appeared on Meet The Press this morning, and John Hickenlooper was one of them. The main thing each has in common is they govern a battleground state. They all discussed their own viewpoints on the economy, jobs, and the election. Governor Hickenlooper says he was able to do... more »

• Here's what Paul Ryan had to say during a campaign stop today in Pueblo West

  October 22, 2012 7:04 PM

  Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan rallied in Pueblo West today. Around 500 people showed up just one day after he spoke in Colorado Springs. He took the stage this morning at Vision Mechanical. Ryan used the location for his speech because it's a small business, and he says that's what... more »

• Democrats rally for President Obama in Pueblo

  October 22, 2012 6:56 PM

  Not far from the Paul Ryan rally in Pueblo West today, Democrats in Pueblo rallied at the Union Depot to challenge Ryan's remarks and promote President Obama. Many women were on hand at the rally to speak up about why they want Mr. Obama re-elected. They say he has consistently... more »

• Colorado Springs pastor talks campaign issues as his church participates in Pulpit Freedom Sunday Play Video

  October 7, 2012 6:17 PM

  Campaign issues preached biblically from the pulpit. You probably haven't heard that in church, but for the past several years some pastors have decided to participate in Pulpit Freedom Sunday. This year more churches than ever took part. We sat in on one of these sermons. Since 1954... more »

• Clerk and Recorder responds to double ballots in Pueblo

  June 10, 2012 3:05 PM

  We spoke to Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert Ortiz today. He explained how double ballots happen, and what they're doing about it. Keep an eye out for this story later today on News 5. more »

• Massive ballot error jeopardizes Pueblo election Play Video

  June 10, 2012 1:23 AM

  A massive ballot mistake in Pueblo has lawmakers scrambling after some voters received two election ballots. Scott Gessler, Secretary of State told News 5 the problem started at the Clerk & Recorder's Office. People who changed their voter registration had a second profile made in the system, resulting in... more »

• Pueblo County Election Department location changed

  April 23, 2012 5:46 PM

  If you're voting in the Pueblo County special election on May 8, you need to make sure you take your ballot to the correct location. The Pueblo County Election Department has left the courthouse for a location on Eighth and Main Street. They're in Suite 200 on the second floor... more »

• EU says Congo election "not credible"

  March 29, 2012 10:00 PM

  KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - The European Union has concluded that the recent presidential election in Congo, which was marked by massive logistical problems, is not credible The observation mission said in its final report, which is being published nearly four months after the November vote, that they consider the results... more »

• EU report says Nicaragua vote lacked transparency

  February 22, 2012 5:43 PM

  MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - A European Union observer team says there were irregularities in Nicaragua's presidential elections in November. EU mission representative Luis Yanez says there was lack of transparency in the process and is calling for election reform in the Central American nation. A report read by Yanez on... more »

• Teen pot use grew with medical marijuana boom

  February 6, 2012 4:50 PM

  At 18, Abby Ferguson has had her medical marijuana card since June but says she's used pot for years. "It was a big part of the culture where I grew up, Manitou, it's pretty common down here," Abby said. She isn't alone; recent state and national surveys show... more »

• School board elections could see new contribution limits

  January 19, 2012 5:49 AM

  DENVER (AP) - High-dollar school board elections in Colorado have gotten the attention of state lawmakers, who are looking at campaign contribution limits. A bill up for debate in a House committee Thursday sets a new $500 contribution limit for candidates running as school board directors or for directors of... more »

• Jon Huntsman drops out of GOP race

  January 16, 2012 11:28 AM

  MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) - Republican Jon Huntsman has dropped out of the GOP presidential race and has endorsed Mitt Romney. Huntsman said the former Massachusetts governor gives the Republican Party its best shot at defeating President Barack Obama in the November general election. After staking his candidacy... more »

• Helpful information for voters

  October 28, 2011 6:39 PM

  Voters must return their ballots in by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at their local county clerk's office, or designated drop off site. In El Paso County the Clerk and Recorder's Office will provide curbside drop-off at all four branch locations on Monday, October 31, and on Tuesday, November 1.... more »

• Group seeks to intervene in Gessler's Denver suit

  October 5, 2011 4:07 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A government watchdog group is trying to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Colorado's top elections officer against Denver that seeks to prevent city officials from mailing ballots to inactive voters. Colorado Common Cause filed a motion Wednesday to be part of the case and argue... more »

• Increase in terrorism won't help the president in elections

  October 1, 2011 8:56 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama may have a string of counterterrorism successes and earned high marks from the public on foreign policy, but that's probably not going to help him hold the White House. When he won the presidency, questions lingered about his readiness to handle national security... more »

• Pueblo not waiting for decision on mailing ballots

  September 27, 2011 9:24 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A dispute over which Colorado voters should get ballots by mail has a new wrinkle: military voters. Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert "Bo" Ortiz told the state's top elections officer that Pueblo will mail ballots to all military voters, both active and inactive. Secretary... more »

• Obama heading west

  September 25, 2011 9:30 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is heading to the West Coast to raise money from liberal donors and try to sell his new jobs plan. Obama has fundraisers events Sunday in two reliably Democratic states, Washington and California. He's expected to keep up his newly aggressive tone of... more »

• Billionaire Buffett to headline Obama fundraisers

  September 21, 2011 5:43 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett will headline a pair of campaign fundraisers for President Barack Obama in the coming weeks. Obama's re-election campaign says Buffett will help raise money for the president at an event Sept. 30 in New York City. The longtime Obama adviser will also headline... more »

• SC senator: Presidential election is GOP's to lose

  September 18, 2011 11:39 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham says the upcoming presidential election is the GOP's to lose. Graham says President Barack Obama has done "everything he knows how" to beat himself and that people have little confidence in Obama's policies because they aren't working. When it comes to who should... more »

• Romney, Perry strongly differ on Social Security

  September 10, 2011 11:57 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Social Security has become a major divide in the contest between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination. The votes of seniors - in aging Iowa, the retiree haven of Florida and elsewhere - could be at stake. Perry... more »

• Parties see increase in donations this year

  August 31, 2011 8:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's two political parties are seeing more dollars flowing to their bank accounts this year, although Democrats enjoy a fundraising edge over their opponents. New federal data show that committees supporting President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats brought in $128 million since Jan. 1. Their Republican... more »

• Elections office moving Friday

  August 29, 2011 1:04 PM

  The Elections Department of the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office will be moving over the Labor Day weekend to the new county building on Garden of the Gods Road. The office will begin the move on Friday leaving Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Avenue, and opening Tuesday at... more »

• Voter info cards to be mailed

  July 18, 2011 8:19 PM

  The El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office will be mailing voter information cards to citizens in the county over the next few days. The card gives voters the opportunity to update and reactivate their registration if they did not cast a ballot in the 2010 election. Voters who... more »

• Pawlenty blasts Bachmann's "nonexistent' record

  July 10, 2011 7:22 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty says 2012 rival Michele Bachmann has a "nonexistent" record of accomplishment during her three terms in Congress. Pawlenty, who's behind in the polls and lagging in fundraising, says that as a former Minnesota governor, he has executive experience and achieved results under... more »

• President Obama could face tough re-election bid

  May 30, 2011 4:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of registered Democrats has fallen in key states carried by President Barack Obama in 2008 in what could be an early warning sign for his re-election campaign. Democrats fared well among an estimated 15 million new voters in 2008, and party registrations soared prior to... more »

• You have just a few hours left to turn in your ballot

  May 17, 2011 6:45 PM

  Colorado Springs city ballots are due at the city clerk's office by 7 p.m. tonight. It is too late to mail in the ballot. You must drop off your ballot in person. Ballot drop off locations: City Clerk's Office - 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 101 Colorado Springs Senior... more »

• Local official to oversee election in Albania

  May 2, 2011 1:56 PM

  An election specialist from the El Paso County Election Department will travel to Albania to oversee a local election. Election Specialist Emily Rome will take leave of absence from her job in Colorado Springs. She will volunteer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe which is... more »

• Mayor Debate - Video

  April 19, 2011 1:00 PM

  Colorado Springs is about to elect its first "Strong Mayor" after a change in government was approved by the voters. Two men will face each other in a run-off election on May 17. The choice is between Steve Bach and Richard Skorman. News First 5 sponsored an hour-long debate... more »

• Election leaders at this hour

  April 6, 2011 12:57 AM

  The results are not yet complete in the Colorado Springs City election, but here are the leaders at this time. Richard Skorman and Steve Bach will face each other in a runoff election next month for Colorado Springs Mayor. The top five in the At-Large Council race are... more »

• Thousands of ballots still to be counted

  April 6, 2011 12:17 AM

  At about 10 p.m. the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office stopped counting ballots and sent its employees home. At about 8:30 p.m. the city's website showed all the ballots had been counted, then we found out another 10,000 had not yet been included in the count. By just before... more »

• 10,000 ballots not yet counted

  April 5, 2011 11:47 PM

  At about 8:30 p.m. the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office reported all the ballots in the city election had been counted. Unofficial numbers were posted on the city website showing 100 percent of the votes were tallied. About a half hour later the city reported another 10,000 ballots had... more »

• Mayoral candidate denies allegations of abuse

  April 1, 2011 10:48 PM

  It's not the kind of press mayoral candidate Steve Bach wants less than a week before the due date for mail-in ballots in Colorado Springs. "Here we are five days before the election and this makes the paper, I'm very disappointed," Bach told News First 5. He denies allegations... more »

• City Clerk's office tests new ballot-counting machine

  March 28, 2011 10:11 PM

  The election is just one week away, and the Colorado Springs City Clerk's office has tested a new ballot-counting machine. The DS850 Central Scan can process 300 ballots a minute, according to City Clerk Kathryn Young. "It's top of the line," remarks Young. The reason for the change... more »

• Private meeting raises questions

  January 24, 2011 7:21 PM

  A private meeting over the weekend is raising some concern in Colorado Springs. A group of business leaders called The City Committee met with candidates for Colorado Springs' mayoral and city council positions. While some community leaders were invited to the Penrose House and Broadmoor, the general public and... more »

• Memorial issue to be taken off April ballot

  January 24, 2011 2:01 PM

  It seems a controversial ballot measure that would have made Memorial Health Systems a non-profit will not show up on this April's ballot. This morning a Mayor's Task Force agreed to ask city council to suspend plans to put the ballot measure to an April vote. One of the biggest... more »

• Proposed Memorial ballot language released

  January 12, 2011 11:36 PM

  The proposed ballot language on whether or not Memorial Health Systems should become a non-profit has been made public. The language, as it's written, says the hospital will become a non-profit entity which would be independent and not under city control, which it currently is. Voters would have final say... more »

• Pueblo County to swear-in elected officials

  January 10, 2011 4:35 PM

  Pueblo County elected officials will be sworn-in at a ceremony tomorrow. If you'd like to attend it will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Theater of the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. The Honorable Judge Dennis Maes of the Tenth Judicial District will issue the... more »

• Proposed mmj center ban fails in El Paso County

  November 17, 2010 11:04 PM

  The past two weeks have been a rough go for medical marijuana center owner Jeff Sveinsson. "It's been very stressful not knowing." he says. With a proposed mmj shop ban voted down in El Paso County, he's happy to see that his business will be allowed to stay up and... more »

• Unofficial results from El Paso, Pueblo Counties

  November 3, 2010 2:36 PM

  As always, the results of Tuesday's election were varied, from city to city. But as always, trends emerge. Voters seemed to support taxing medical marijuana, spending money for well-planned purposes and generally Republicans had an edge over Democrats. El Paso County unofficial results Pueblo County unofficial results more »

• Nearly third of voters in Pueblo, El Paso counties voted early

  November 1, 2010 8:27 PM

  Election workers are gearing up for a busy day at the polls Tuesday, although new numbers show nearly a third of voters in El Paso and Pueblo Counties have already made up their minds. In El Paso County, 106,905 people or 29% of registered voters either voted early or by... more »

• Campaign trail is well-worn for candidates

  October 31, 2010 11:39 PM

  The campaign trail can be a long one for candidates, but the end is in sight. Colorado candidates spent most of the weekend going from one corner of Colorado to the other to rally supporters and generate votes. In Colorado Springs Sunday, people could shake hands with both... more »

• Conservatives square off in Colorado Springs

  October 24, 2010 12:40 AM

  South Sierra Madre in Colorado Springs drew the battle lines for Republicans Sunday, amongst themselves; both sides with a conservative candidate they want in the Governor's office. "We wouldn't be in it, this dividing up the Republican vote, if Tancredo hadn't jumped in after the assembly," says Jimmie Butler,... more »

• Labor Secretary stumps for Salazar in Pueblo

  October 21, 2010 7:37 PM

  A United States cabinet member was in Pueblo Thursday afternoon stumping for a local democratic candidate. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis made an appearance at a campaign rally for John Salazar. The event was held at the Steelworkers Hall. "(John) has done so much for Coloradoans. I can tell you because... more »

• Election forum covers local races plus 60, 61 and 101

  October 21, 2010 2:46 PM

  News First and Independent election forum covers El Paso County Clerk, Commissioner District 5, Commissioner District 1, Amendments 60, 61 and 101 plus El Paso 1A (marijuana). more »

• Election forum covers Strong Mayor proposal

  October 21, 2010 2:39 PM

  Another televised News First and Independent election forum; this one covers State House District 17 and 18 candidates plus Amendment 62 and the Strong Mayor proposal on the ballot in Colorado Springs. more »

• Early voting locations in Colorado Springs, Pueblo

  October 19, 2010 9:30 AM

  Early voting is underway in Colorado. If you have not requested a mail-in ballot, you may go to several locations, through Friday, Oct. 29. You may also drop-off your mail ballot at the early voting locations. In Colorado Springs go to: Centennial Hall 200 S. Cascade... more »

• Half-cent sales tax question before Pueblo voters

  October 14, 2010 2:14 PM

  This election, voters in Pueblo will decide whether to extend the city's half-cent sales tax. News First 5 is taking a closer look at Question No. 2C on the Pueblo ballot. Here's how it works right now: When you make a purchase in Pueblo the city collects an extra half-cent... more »

• Colorado voters get another heavy-ballot year

  October 13, 2010 8:18 AM

  Colorado voters are seeing it again: Nine proposals on the November ballot that would transform state policy on everything from bail practices to limits on government borrowing. To help voters wade through the issues, the state has issued a 100-page-plus voter pamphlet. Early voting starts Monday. Colorado... more »

• Voters in Colorado face 9 constitutional amendments

  October 12, 2010 6:12 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado voters are seeing it again: Nine constitutional amendments on the November ballot that would transform state policy on everything from bail practices to limits on government borrowing. To help voters wade through the issues, the state has issued a 100-page-plus voter pamphlet. Early voting starts... more »

• Colorado tax-slashing proposals scare GOP, Democrats

  October 8, 2010 8:13 AM

  Businessmen gather at an empty Denver Broncos stadium, with an ominous warning. The more than 70,000 vacant seats around them, they say, represent the number of state jobs that would be lost if three tax-slashing and debt-cutting measures are approved in next month's election. While many states are wrestling... more »

• GOP allies make Colorado a top target

  October 7, 2010 8:22 AM

  This election season has brought a torrent of campaign spending from outside interest groups, and nowhere is the spending on better display than in Colorado. Interest groups have been flooding Colorado with a level of advertising that goes well beyond the typical election year bombardment. Colorado has become... more »

• Giron, Ortegon face-off in Senate 3 debate

  October 7, 2010 12:57 AM

  Two women running for State Senate District 3 debated in Pueblo Wednesday night. The candidates are Angela Giron (D) and Vera Ortegon (R). More than a hundred people attended the debate which was held at Pueblo Community College. Giron was appointed to the position in August, when her predecessor Abel... more »

• Election forum in Colorado Springs today

  October 6, 2010 4:17 PM

  If you're still trying to decide how to vote on Questions 60, 61 and 101; who should be your next county commissioner; and should El Paso County ban medical marijuana centers--NewsFirst5 will host an election forum Wednesday, Oct. 6, 5-7 pm at the Stargazers Theater in Colorado Springs. The... more »

• Children's groups rally against tax measures

  October 5, 2010 12:40 PM

  Colorado lawmakers, firefighters, school officials and children's organizations are gathering to speak out against three tax-limiting initiatives on the November ballot. Tuesday's rally at the state Capitol is being organized by opponents from Every Child Matters and Tennyson Center for Children. They say the initiatives will be harmful to... more »

• Buck, Hickenlooper lead top Colorado races

  October 4, 2010 8:45 AM

  Republican Senate challenger Ken Buck holds an edge over Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, while Democrat John Hickenlooper leads the gubernatorial race according to a Denver Post/9News poll. The poll published Sunday showed Buck leading Bennet 48 percent to 43 percent. In the governor's race, Hickenlooper led with 46... more »