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• Deputies respond to bomb scare at a Colorado Springs gas station

  April 27, 2013 6:26 PM

  A sixth bomb scare in Colorado took place Saturday morning at a gas station near Peterson Air Force Base. Shortly before 11 a.m., deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office were called out ot the Conoco gas station at Peterson and Platte Ave after a witness reported seeing... more »

• Colo. Dems seeing partial victories on oil, gas

  April 16, 2013 5:25 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Democrats who came to Denver hoping for a new era of oil and gas oversight this year are having to settle for partial victories taking on the state's most powerful industry. The state Senate planned to vote Tuesday evening on a bill to study how gas and... more »

• Lawmakers aim for tighter restrictions on oil and gas industry Play Video

  April 12, 2013 10:22 AM

  Some state lawmakers want tighter regulations on the oil and gas industry in Colorado. There are several bills being considered in the legislature. One of those proposals is to increase fine minimums from $1,000 to $15,000 for everyday a violation exists. The fines have been in place since the 1950's.... more »

• $1 million grant for Pa. gas drilling health study

  February 18, 2013 11:44 AM

  DANVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania health company says it has gotten a $1 million grant to study possible health impacts of natural gas drilling on the Marcellus shale. Geisinger Health System said Monday that the Degenstein Foundation had awarded the money to help underwrite what it called a "large-scale,... more »

• Hickenlooper promotes gas drilling at DC hearing

  February 12, 2013 12:08 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper says natural gas drilling is helping the economic recovery and reducing pollution but requires strong regulation now that wells are coming closer to populated areas. Hickenlooper made the comments Tuesday in Washington, D.C. before a U.S. Senate committee looking at the opportunities and... more »

• Council discusses oil and gas drilling

  January 15, 2013 7:01 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - As part of a work session, members of the Colorado Springs City Council are hearing presentations from representatives of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to get a better understanding of their power to regulate drilling within the city. The COGCC established new rules... more »

• Groups try to limit testimony at oil, gas hearings

  January 5, 2013 11:00 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Groups representing Colorado's oil and gas industry, farmers, ranchers and homebuilders are trying to block people who live near drilling sites from testifying at state rulemaking hearings next week. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is holding the hearings starting Monday on new proposed drilling rules.... more »

• 2012 projected to be most expensive ever for gas prices

  November 29, 2012 8:02 PM

  CHICAGO - With one month left in the year, the gasoline price tracking website GasBuddy.com predicts that 2012 will be the most expensive ever for US consumers. The Chicago-based website reports the yearly national average for a gallon of unleaded gas is running at $3.63 per gallon, 12 cents... more »

• BLM offers North Fork parcels for oil and gas leases

  November 17, 2012 7:58 AM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - After deferring plans to lease 30,000 acres for oil and gas development in the North Fork Valley, the federal government is going ahead with plans to lease parcels on two-thirds of that acreage. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said Friday that following further analysis,... more »

• Two cities still without gas service after pipeline breaks

  November 7, 2012 2:23 PM

  A broken gas pipe leads to two whole cities without natural gas service. We found out what it means for those who live and work in Walsenburg. Eight miles south of Walsenburg, crews are hard at work trying to dig down to the broken pipeline. After 47 years,... more »

• Four from Tennessee suffer from gas poisoning

  August 1, 2012 7:18 PM

  Fire officials say four people were taken to hospitals after nearly dying from carbon monoxide gas poisoning in a southeast Shelby County home. Shelby County Fire Department spokesman Brent Perkins says a relative of the four victims called 911 after getting no response from inside the home Wednesday morning. Firefighters... more »

• Natural gas leak repaired in Pueblo

  March 9, 2012 12:41 PM

  Xcel Energy crews have now repaired a natural gas line in a residential area on the north side of Pueblo. A construction crew cut a 2 inch natural gas line Friday morning at 2314 Crownridge, just north of Highway 50. The area was blocked off while the break... more »

• State Land Board approves ConocoPhillips oil, gas lease

  March 2, 2012 7:29 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado State Land Board has unanimously approved a $137 million oil and gas development lease with ConocoPhillips to develop resources at the 26,000-acre Lowry Range property. The Denver Post reports the board had delayed its vote on the lease because another state agency is pressing ConocoPhillips... more »

• Tips to improving your fuel efficiency

  March 2, 2012 8:20 AM

  Did you know there are things you can do to get the most miles for your fuel? As the price for gas continues to rise, drivers are now looking to improve their fuel efficiency. "Aggressive driving is a terrible gas waster," says Philip Reed from Edmunds.com, adding that, "It... more »

• Skyway Elementary evacuated

  February 13, 2012 1:59 PM

  Skyway Elementary in Colorado Springs has been evacuated as a precaution because of a natural gas leak near the school. Parents say they were notified through RSS feed, email and text alert. "They do a great job. I'm never really worried about him." Phyllis Caunt said as she... more »

• Gas Prices Up

  February 6, 2012 8:51 PM

  Gas prices have shot up 8 cents in the last week. We're now averaging $2.99 a gallon. A local petroleum company believes the prices at the pump will continue to rise, especially with the US Embassy closing operations in Syria today. "Anytime you have any sort of trouble in the... more »

• Could see tough gas prices for 2012

  January 16, 2012 8:17 AM

  There is no easing of gasoline prices this January like we usually see. Triple A says both gasoline and crude oil prices are at historic highs for this time of year. It says the national average for regular gas rose four cents a gallon last week to $3.39 -- up... more »

• Family run gas station keeps it old school Play Video

  January 2, 2012 11:31 PM

  A Colorado Springs gas station is keeping alive the old school tradition of full service. Four months ago Mark Van Wyhe bought a 50+ year old gas station at the corner of Fillmore and Hancock with his dad. They renamed it Founding Fathers. "There's something to be said for that... more »

• Lower gas prices a welcome sight during the holidays

  December 26, 2011 11:15 PM

  As shoppers continue to crowd malls and spend money all over Southern Colorado, there's at least one welcome sight in some places, gas under $3.00 a gallon. "I just had a flashback because they had said that it would never go under $3.00 ever again." said Danny Trujillo as he... more »

• Petroleum wastewater facility files bankruptcy

  November 27, 2011 2:24 PM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A Western Slope company that disposes wastewater from oil and gas companies has filed for bankruptcy. The Daily Sentinel reports De Beque-area Black Mountain Recycling filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. The move came two weeks after a judge granted receivership to the... more »

• Criminals drilling holes to steal gas

  September 13, 2011 4:40 PM

  Criminals in Colorado Springs are stealing 40 maybe 50 bucks of gas, but the crime is costing car owners a lot more. Suspects are drilling holes in gas tanks that then have to be replaced. more »

• Gas prices dip slightly

  August 15, 2011 11:01 AM

  Gas prices in Colorado fell last week by 2.2 cents per gallon, slightly less than the national average which fell 4.7 cents/gallon. According to the price website ColoradoGasPrices.com, the state-wide average of $3.45 per gallon of unleaded gasoline remains lower than the national average of $3.60. Prices were expected... more »

• No relief at the pump

  August 12, 2011 8:24 PM

  Believe it or not, price per barrel of crude oil is about the same as it was in 2009 -- anywhere from $83 to $85 dollars says University of Colorado at Colorado Springs economist Fred Crowley -- but the price at the pump is $0.30 = $0.40 cents higher. ... more »

• Inflation pressures ease as gas prices fall

  July 14, 2011 10:50 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Companies paid less for raw materials and factory goods in June, evidence that inflation pressures are weakening as gas prices fall. The Labor Department says that the Producer Price Index, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, declined 0.4 percent in June, the steepest drop... more »

• Conoco-Phillips to split

  July 14, 2011 8:15 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - ConocoPhillips, the nation's third-largest oil company, says it will split itself into two separate publicly traded companies and its CEO and Chairman Jim Mulva plans to retire once the transaction is complete. Its shares jumped almost 5 percent in premarket trading. Conoco said Thursday... more »

• Drilling permit process streamlined

  June 28, 2011 5:36 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Rep. Mike Coffman has introduced legislation to streamline the process for getting oil and gas drilling permits on leases of federal land. The trade groups Western Energy Alliance and Colorado Oil and Gas Association support the Colorado Republican's bill. The Bureau of Land Management has... more »

• Trade-ins bring big savings to car buyers

  May 4, 2011 11:00 PM

  As gas prices seem to get higher and higher everyday there's another market emerging in the consumers favor, trading in your used car. To find out what's behind the trend, we went to Bob Penkhus, one of the largest car dealers in Colorado Springs. "It's kind of a perfect... more »

• Used cars a hot trade item

  May 4, 2011 5:55 PM

  Right now people are getting some of the highest trade in values for their used cars. Trading in a gas-sipper will bring in even more money. We're speaking with local car dealers tonight on News First 5 at 10. more »

• Gas prices once again rising

  May 3, 2011 11:45 PM

  Gas prices are up once again. Right now we are paying the most we've ever paid during springtime. In Colorado Springs and Pueblo a gallon of regular has jumped up 56 cents since February according to AAA. "It's terrible. It's like another monthly bill." says Erica as she filled up... more »

• Interested in some free gas?

  April 29, 2011 8:48 PM

  A chance to win some free gas is something we all could use these days. To promote tourism in the city, the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is launching their ‘Tank Full of Summer Savings' campaign. As Chelsy Murphy, from the CVB, says, "People are thinking,... more »

• Tank full of summer savings...and gas

  April 29, 2011 4:06 PM

  The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau launches their "Tank Full of Summer Saving" campaign. It's meant to encourage visitors to come and travel in Southern Colorado during the summer months. It combines free gas cards when you book stays with certain lodging properties, go to certain restaurants... more »

• US gas prices jump 12 cents over past 2 weeks

  April 24, 2011 6:37 PM

  CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - The average price of a gallon of gasoline across the U.S. has jumped about 12 cents over the past two weeks. The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices puts the average price for a gallon of regular at $3.88, as of April 22. Analyst Trilby... more »

• Oil, gas leases in high demand in western Neb.

  April 24, 2011 3:55 PM

  LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Oil and gas leases over the Niobrara shale formation in western Nebraska are in high demand. Richard Endacott of the Nebraska Bureau of Educational Lands & Funds says the board's last two lease auctions have been the most lucrative in its history. They brought in... more »

• Governor Hickenlooper backs hydraulic fracturing in oil drilling

  April 1, 2011 12:27 PM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Gov. John Hickenlooper is backing hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas drilling. But he says companies should disclose what chemicals they use in their fracturing fluids. Hickenlooper made the comments Thursday during a visit to Glenwood Springs. Fracturing fluid is mostly sand and water... more »

• Gas prices still on the rise

  March 8, 2011 11:29 PM

  It seems every week you're paying more at the pump. One of the worst areas hit, a gas station in Florida near the Orlando International Airport. The price? Try $5.39 for a gallon of regular! Here in Southern Colorado it's not as bad, but we've still seen an increase over... more »

• Pinon Truck Stop closes

  February 25, 2011 6:43 PM

  Pinon Truck Stop, also known as the Rocky Mountain Travel Center, which has served truckers and motorists for nearly five decades, has closed. After battling soaring costs, declining profits and trouble getting bank loans, the popular I-25 stop turned off its pumps, shut down the cafe and closed the... more »

• Bracing for high heating bills

  February 9, 2011 1:57 PM

  All the cold weather we've had over the last few weeks could leave you with sticker shock when the utility bill comes in the mail. Last Tuesday alone, Colorado Springs Utilities customers set a record for natural gas consumption of nearly 2 and a half times a typical winter day's... more »

• Colorado bill would remake oil and gas commission

  February 9, 2011 10:18 AM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A freshman lawmaker from Grand Junction wants to add more people with industry experience to the panel that regulates oil and gas drilling in Colorado. Republican Rep. Ray Scott introduced a bill Monday that would return the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to... more »

• Help paying for utility bills

  February 9, 2011 8:44 AM

  Our heaters are working over time as temperatures are expected to dip well below zero again today. All of that extra usage could leave customers with sticker shock when their bill comes in the mail. To help keep utility bills manageable, Colorado Springs Utilities customers can enroll the budget... more »

• Heating help

  February 9, 2011 6:48 AM

  Our heaters are working over time as temperatures are expected to dip well below zero again today. All of that extra usage could leave customers with sticker shock when their bill comes in the mail. To help keep utility bills manageable, Colorado Springs Utilities customers can enroll the budget... more »

• Group drops lawsuit over Colorado oil, gas rules

  February 4, 2011 7:35 AM

  DENVER (AP)-The Colorado Oil and Gas Association said Thursday it is withdrawing its lawsuit challenging Colorado oil and gas rules that took effect in 2009. Industry officials had said the rules, aimed at balancing development with protections for human health and the environment, were among the country's most restrictive.... more »

• Colorado reviews whether drillers used diesel fuel

  February 2, 2011 7:28 AM

  DENVER (AP)-The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is reviewing whether companies have injected fluids containing diesel fuel into the ground to help extract oil and gas in Colorado. On Monday, congressional Democrats, including Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette, said they found that from 2005 to 2009, companies have injected... more »

• Egypt conflict affecting oil prices

  January 31, 2011 7:48 PM

  Any trip to the pump lately likely hasn't been cheap. Oil prices are once again going up. "The market showed that it went up substantially on Friday, about $3.70 a barrel." explains Harlan Ochs, President of Acorn Petroleum in Colorado Springs. Part of that rise can be attributed to... more »

• New gas pipeline to run through N. Colorado

  January 25, 2011 7:39 AM

  GREELEY, Colo. (AP) - An Oklahoma company plans to build a natural gas pipeline that will ship gas from Montana and connect with the existing Overland Pass pipeline in northern Colorado. The Tribune in Greeley reports that representatives of Oneok Partners of Tulsa, Okla., met with Weld County commissioners... more »

• Health department reminds you to test for radon

  January 19, 2011 10:52 AM

  One out of every three houses in Colorado has elevated levels of radon, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It's a radioactive gas, which can seep into your home through the soil. January is National Radon Action month and the Pueblo City-County Health Department wants to... more »

• Company: well numbers shouldn't be part of suit

  January 18, 2011 9:21 AM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- A company whose plan to drill on the Roan Plateau is being challenged by environmentalists says its projections for as many as 3,200 wells on the western Colorado landmark shouldn't be considered by the court. The recent filing by Denver-based Bill Barrett Corp. is part of... more »

• No danger from gas leak in Fountain

  January 14, 2011 2:39 PM

  The Fountain Fire Department and Black Hills Energy are on scene at a gas leak on Link Road, near the intersection of Link and Circle C Roads in Fountain. There is no danger to residents in the area. Link Road will be closed between Eremel Road and Lazy W... more »

• Natural gas leak in Fountain

  January 14, 2011 2:02 PM

  Firefighters are on the scene of a gas line leak in Fountain. A natural gas line was cut this morning at Link Road and Circle C Road. The gas line is four inches in diameter. Link Road is closed from Lazy W Road to Ermel Road. more »

• Informational lunch on home energy audit planned

  January 10, 2011 12:12 PM

  The City of Colorado Springs will sponsor an informational meeting about home energy audits on January 20. Panel participants will cover topics like: When should you hire a professional and what you can accomplish on your own? How do you choose an auditor and what... more »

• Gas prices in Colorado lowest in nation

  December 23, 2010 1:53 PM

  On average a gallon of gas throughout the U.S. is $3.01 according to AAA. However, the good news is Colorado has the lowest average gas prices in the country at $2.76 a gallon. Holiday travel for Christmas and New Year's is expected to be up about 3% this year... more »

• Proposed increases could mean lower utility bill

  November 23, 2010 5:44 PM

  A proposal to increase certain utilities could result in a decrease in your overall utilities bill. Colorado Springs Utilities is proposing to increase electric and natural gas rates for 2011. Water rate increases were approved in May. If the rates are approved, an average home would see a... more »

• Two Pueblo schools closed

  November 18, 2010 12:18 PM

  Pueblo District 60 has decided to cancel classes today at Hellbeck Elementary and Beulah Heights Elementary because of a natural gas line leak. Students were transported to South High School. Parents can pick them up at the school auditorium, but must show identification. This started when a natural... more »

• Americans plan to travel more

  November 16, 2010 4:51 PM

  AAA Colorado today projects the number of Thanksgiving holiday travelers in the Mountain States of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, will increase 10.7 percent from 2009. Approximately 3 million travelers plan to take a trip at least 50 miles away from home. Nationally, 42.2 million Americans... more »

• Xcel explores earlier closure of coal-fired unit

  October 20, 2010 3:02 PM

  Xcel Energy is studying whether it can speed up its timetable for retiring some coal-fired power plants to help Colorado meet federal clean air standards. A new state law required the utility to file a plan to reduce emissions by the end of 2017. Xcel's preference is to... more »

• Doomed balloon plunged from sky at 50 mph

  October 1, 2010 3:40 PM

  A balloon carrying a Colorado woman and her flight partner plunged from the sky at 50 mph, making survival of the pair unlikely. Carol Rymer-Davis of Denver and Richard Abruzzo of Albuquerque have been missing since Wednesday, when their balloon disappeared during a thunderstorm over the Adriatic Sea. The... more »

• Black Hills moving on power plant construction

  September 28, 2010 8:22 PM

  Construction in underway on two new natural gas power plants near the Pueblo Memorial Airport. Black Hills Energy is spending more than $400 million to build the complex, which is located off of Pete Jimenez Parkway. On Tuesday, Pueblo County Commissioners approved an incentive agreement with the energy company. Black... more »

• Battlement Mesa health study coming out

  September 20, 2010 6:37 AM

  Battlement Mesa residents are awaiting a report on the health effects of oil and gas drilling. Environmental and health officials planned to release a draft Monday of the study on the proposal by Antero Resources to drill up to 200 wells near Parachute. Residents in the community of... more »

• Xcel Energy plans electric, gas rate decreases

  September 16, 2010 9:16 AM

  Xcel Energy says Colorado customers will see lower electric bills starting Oct. 1 because of lower fuel costs and the end of a summertime two-tiered rate plan aimed at encouraging conservation by charging more for higher use. The utility said Wednesday that typical residential bills will drop by 12.6... more »

• Experts say aging pipelines are in place below populated areas

  September 14, 2010 8:52 AM

  Last week's explosion of a gas pipeline in San Bruno, California has shed light on a situation that experts say exists in many communities across the country. The section of pipeline that ruptured was built in 1956 -- when the neighborhood contained just a handful of homes. Since then,... more »

• EPA wants to know chemicals used in gas drilling

  September 10, 2010 8:53 AM

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking nine natural gas service companies to voluntarily list the chemicals used in the process that extracts natural gas from deep below the earth. The federal agency said Thursday that the data is key to its study of the health impact of hydraulic... more »

• Weekend plans at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

  September 2, 2010 11:03 AM

  The long Labor Day Weekend is almost upon us. If you're trying to find something to do without draining your gas tank, Cheyenne Mountain State Park has some programs to entertain the whole family. Camping sites for the park are already booked for the weekend. Saturday: Junior Ranger... more »

• Hearing on Xcel energy plan

  August 30, 2010 9:39 AM

  State regulators are gathering comment on Xcel Energy's plan to use less coal to produce electricity. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will hold a hearing on the plan Monday in Grand Junction starting at 6 p.m. Xcel has proposed spending $1.3 billion to convert coal-fired power plants to... more »

• Energy company files plea over death of birds

  August 17, 2010 11:07 PM

  A spokesman for EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) says the energy company has filed a plea agreement with the federal government in allegations that it is responsible for the deaths of migratory birds in Wyoming and Colorado. EnCana spokesman Doug Hock said Tuesday the company agreed to a plan that... more »

• High Speed Chase

  August 10, 2010 8:50 PM

  She reached speeds up to 100 miles an hour and police trailed her for a good portion of her 100 mile chase. It all started with a 14 year old girl skipping out on her $35 gas bill. Early Tuesday morning a report came into highway patrol about a female... more »

• Pueblo chemical weapons shipped out of state

  August 3, 2010 8:32 AM

  Army officials say they have transported liquid and vapor samples of mustard agent from the Pueblo Chemical Depot for testing in labs in Ohio and Texas. The samples were removed and shipped last month under Army escort. Officials say samples were taken from 11 steel bottles designed for... more »

• Smog linked to heart cell death

  July 26, 2010 9:55 AM

  A new study finds smog may cause cell death in the heart. Air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular disease -- but it's hard to narrow down which chemicals are responsible. This study looked at ozone -- a gas that protects the earth from the sun's radiation and... more »

• Colorado residents fume about gas drilling odors

  July 23, 2010 9:30 AM

  Western Colorado residents who say they're already getting sick from odors from natural gas operations are worried about the effects of 200 more wells proposed for the area. Residents gathered Wednesday in Battlement Mesa to air complaints about nausea, dizziness, coughing and burning eyes they say are caused by... more »

• Do-It-Yourself Radon Mitigation Class in Pueblo

  June 14, 2010 3:37 PM

  Pueblo do-it-yourselfers with radon problems can learn how to mitigate the problems in their homes at a free workshop on June 26. The class will be held at the Business and Technology Center, 301 N. Main St., 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Homeowners will learn how to make basic... more »