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• Pair convicted of burlarizing evacuated homes sentenced

  May 15, 2013 8:21 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - The first people to be convicted of burglarizing evacuated homes in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood during the Waldo Canyon Fire were issued heavy sentences Wednesday. Shane Garrett, 35, was sentenced to 48 years in prison with 5 years of mandatory parole. Belinda Wells-Yates, 39, was sentenced... more »

• Bullet holes found in two homes

  March 24, 2013 1:10 PM

  Two Colorado Springs homes have bullet holes in them and police are looking for the person responsible. CSPD received several calls of gunshots around 2:00 Saturday morning near the 2400 block of Tahoe Blvd, but didn't find anything. Later that day police were called to a nearby home, near 600... more »

• Solicitation ban allowed under 20 foot rule exemption Play Video

  February 14, 2013 2:18 AM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - Every door of every home and business in Colorado Springs now serves as a legal yard stick. On Wednesday, US District Court Judge Marsha Krieger affirmed the city's 20 foot solicitation boundary from the entryways of private buildings and residences within the city limits. The restriction... more »

• Illegal dumping problems rising rapidly in Pueblo Play Video

  October 2, 2012 5:23 PM

  It's a dirty job, and it's getting worse. We introduce you to Code Enforcers who try to catch those who dump trash illegally. It's a growing problem, but we found out, offenders are hard to catch. Random trash, furniture, tree limbs, and mattresses scattered on the ground in... more »

• Damage to homes from Waldo Canyon Fire could be more than $110 Million

  July 4, 2012 5:18 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A newspaper's analysis indicates that Colorado's most destructive wildfire burned homes worth a total of more than $110 million in one of the neighborhoods affected by the blaze. The Denver Post reports the actual losses are expected to run much higher as residents of the Mountain Shadows... more »

• Update: Waldo Canyon Fire Play Video

  June 27, 2012 11:25 AM

  The Waldo Canyon Fire has caused 32,500 people to be evacuated in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. At a morning news conference, officials said structures were lost in the last 24 hours, but they don't have a good count at this point. Firefighting efforts continue with hundreds... more »

• Mother Nature doesn't get them down Play Video

  June 17, 2012 12:16 AM

  181 homes have been lost so far in the High Park fire burning in northern Colorado. One evacuated couple is waiting for word on their home which was just built, after another wildfire destroyed their previous home in the same area less than 2 years ago. Woody and... more »

• Texas wildfires continue to rage

  September 6, 2011 7:25 AM

  Thousands of evacuees spent the night away from their homes in Central Texas as firefighters tried to control a wind-fueled wildfire that has destroyed nearly 500 homes. Authorities say slack winds expected after midnight Tuesday could help firefighters make progress on the 25,000-acre blaze racing through rain-starved farm and... more »

• Minot can't save homes from flood

  June 24, 2011 6:16 AM

  MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Officials in Minot and Burlington, N.D., say there's pretty much nothing more they can do but wait for the water to rise. Officials in Minot, the state's fourth-largest city, expect the creeping Souris river to become a torrent this weekend thanks to water releases from... more »

• Blaze along NM-Colo. destroys 14 structures

  June 15, 2011 2:28 PM

  A wildfire racing across rugged terrain along the New Mexico-Colorado border has charred more than 25,000 acres and has destroyed more than a dozen structures. Fire officials say 14 structures, including outbuildings and uninhabited hunting cabins, have burned. Officials say none of the structures were primary residences. Crews... more »

• Evacuation orders lifted in Evergreen

  April 9, 2011 12:16 PM

  EVERGREEN, Colo. (AP) - Evacuation orders have been lifted after a central Colorado wildfire forced families from their Evergreen homes. Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer says a temperature drop and less wind last night helped crews fighting the 40-acre fire near Squaw Pass Road. Firefighters also were called to... more »

• Colder weather helps fire fighters near Fort Collins

  April 4, 2011 3:03 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Crews fighting a Colorado wildfire from land and air are trying to get control of a blaze that has destroyed about 15 homes. Helicopters on Monday dropped water on the fire around 15 miles west of Fort Collins. Two planes were also being used... more »

• More than 300 homes evacuated in Colorado wildfire

  April 3, 2011 11:24 AM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say strong winds have fueled a wildfire west of Fort Collins and forced the evacuation of more than 300 homes. The blaze has already destroyed an outbuilding, a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle, but no injuries have been reported. Larimer County Sheriff's... more »

• Wildfire in Grand County continues to grow

  October 4, 2010 10:41 AM

  A wildfire is burning in the central Colorado mountains, west of Fraser, has grown to 530 acres. The fire was reported Sunday afternoon and residents have been warned to get ready in case evacuations are needed. Right now the fire isn't threatening those homes. Rocky Mountain Area Coordination... more »

• Builders tread lightly with Colorado fire victims

  October 4, 2010 8:18 AM

  Last month's destructive wildfire in Boulder County left hundreds in need of new homes - and people in the construction industry looking to pick up work without seeming insensitive. Northern Colorado contractors say they're in desperate need of rebuilding work from the Fourmile Fire that burned 169 homes. But... more »

• Mortgage rates match low of 4.32 percent

  September 30, 2010 10:43 AM

  Rates on 30-year mortgages matched the lowest level in decades and rates on 15-year loans dropped to their lowest point in nearly 20 years. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for 30-year fixed loans fell to 4.32 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's... more »

• Grand Ole Opry back open following Nashville flood

  September 29, 2010 4:21 PM

  Country music finally came home Tuesday night, almost five months after water filled the Grand Ole Opry. Opry stars took to the stage for the first time since it was covered by May's floods. The famous wood floor pulled from the original Opry at the Rhyman Theatre was... more »

• Crews hope to continue gaining ground on Utah fire

  September 22, 2010 8:52 AM

  Evacuation orders remain in effect for about 250 homes near the western flank of a Utah wildfire near Salt Lake City as firefighters look to maintain their momentum today. Nearly half the evacuation orders still in effect for the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman were lifted yesterday evening... more »

• Firefighters in Utah race to beat wildfire, winds

  September 21, 2010 10:39 AM

  Crews are racing to reinforce fire lines before winds pick up again on a wildfire sparked during a military exercise at a Utah Army National Guard base. Fire spokeswoman Kim Osborn said Tuesday more firefighters are joining the 200-plus who worked Monday to fight the 4,300-acre Machine Gun fire... more »

• Utah wildfire has now claimed 4 homes

  September 20, 2010 4:02 PM

  A wildfire sparked at a Utah firing range has destroyed four homes. More than 1,600 homes have been evacuated after the fire broke out during a National Guard training session and blazed across thousands of acres. But the fire that was threatening the small community of Herriman has now... more »

• Aspen-area bear hunting licenses still available

  September 20, 2010 8:39 AM

  The Colorado Division of Wildlife says that as of Friday, about 200 bear licenses were still available to hunters for an area stretching from north of Vail, west to Glenwood Springs and south to Aspen. The division made 1,035 licenses available for the area this fall, up from 630... more »

• Boulder wildfire expected to be Colorado's costliest

  September 17, 2010 8:25 AM

  Insurance industry officials believe the fire that scorched about 6,200 acres west of Boulder will be the costliest in Colorado's history, surpassing the 2002 Hayman fire that blackened 138,000 acres. Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association said Thursday that the wildfire will be the state's most... more »

• Loveland wildfire fully contained

  September 17, 2010 8:18 AM

  A wildfire that destroyed two homes in Colorado's northern foothills and drove at least 100 people out of their homes has been contained. The fire west of Loveland was declared fully contained Thursday night. It was the second major Colorado wildfire to break out in less than a week.... 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 »

• Northern Colorado residents go home after wildfire

  September 16, 2010 8:32 AM

  Residents forced out of their homes by a northern Colorado wildfire have been allowed to go home and crews have contained 65 percent of the blaze that was started by two people burning brush. Federal fire managers say the high winds predicted for Wednesday didn't develop, allowing firefighters to... more »

• Jump in US homes lost to foreclosure

  September 16, 2010 8:23 AM

  New foreclosure data shows lenders took back more homes in August than in any month since the start of the U.S. mortgage crisis three years ago. Foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac Inc. says 95,364 homes were repossessed by lenders last month. That's an increase of 25 percent from the same... more »

• Crews contain 35 percent of Loveland wildfire

  September 15, 2010 8:42 AM

  Firefighters are bracing for more windy, warm and dry weather as they work to contain a wildfire in the foothills west of Loveland. Fire managers say despite the challenging conditions, they're optimistic because of all the resources available. Crews have dug containment lines around about 35 percent of... more »

• Some Loveland fire evacuees allowed to check homes

  September 14, 2010 4:22 PM

  Authorities battling a wildfire in the northern Colorado foothills are letting some residents back into the evacuation area to check on their homes. Fire managers said Tuesday they hope the residents leave again by evening. But authorities have said they realize some people will stay, even though the fire... more »

• 2 homes feared lost in second Colorado wildfire

  September 13, 2010 1:04 PM

  Authorities believe a new wildfire burning in the foothills of northern Colorado has destroyed two homes. Larimer County sheriff's Maj. Bill Nelson said Monday that there are six to 10 homes within a half mile of the fire that started Sunday, but the fire wasn't moving very aggressively. ... more »

• Firefighters deal with 2nd northern Colorado wildfire

  September 13, 2010 8:45 AM

  A fast-moving wildfire erupted Sunday in west of Loveland, destroying at least one home and threatening others. Four helicopters and four air tankers are helping about 80 firefighters trying to contain the new fire. It has burned about 600 acres, or just under a square mile. The new wildfire... more »

• Operation Paintbrush to spruce-up Pueblo homes Saturday

  September 10, 2010 1:38 PM

  Volunteers will fan-out in Pueblo Saturday to paint the homes of selected low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners. Close to 250 volunteers will participate in this year's Operation Paintbrush, which will rehab close to two dozen home. A volunteer kick-off breakfast at 7 am will fortify the volunteers for the... more »

• Boulder fire evacuees will be allowed back again

  September 10, 2010 11:48 AM

  Hundreds of residents evacuated by a wildfire burning near Boulder will get another chance to check on their homes. Sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough said Friday that authorities would open roads to residents in the same areas that were cleared for entry the previous day. Thursday's operation was halted... more »

• Residents kicked out; more resources sent to Boulder County wildfire

  September 9, 2010 5:12 PM

  Boulder County residents allowed to return to their homes for the first time since a wildfire exploded Monday are against being hustled out of the area, as winds are kicking-up earlier than expected. The forecast is for wind gusts 45 - 60 mph--exactly what fire bosses don't need. The... more »

• 4 people still missing in Boulder County fire

  September 9, 2010 8:40 AM

  Authorities say a wildfire that has destroyed at least 135 homes in the foothills west of Boulder and driven thousands out of their homes is about 10 percent contained. The roughly 6,200-acre fire that started Monday has become one of the most destructive blazes in Colorado history. Its toll... more »

• Wanted: At least 135 homes for fire victims

  September 9, 2010 8:32 AM

  Firefighters are still trying to gain the upper hand on a wildfire burning near Boulder. But with dozens of homes destroyed, county officials are starting to make plans to help people who won't have homes to return to once the fire is out. Authorities say a wildfire that has... more »

• Winds push fire through 2 dozen Detroit homes

  September 8, 2010 9:16 AM

  Flames swept through at least two dozen Detroit homes, fanned by strong winds that toppled power lines across the city and knocked out service to at least 113,000 Michigan homes and businesses. Tuesday night's fires were scattered through at least three neighborhoods, including along several blocks on the east... more »

• Southern Colorado sending more resources to wildfire

  September 8, 2010 8:46 AM

  Colorado Springs Emergency Management is sending staff to Boulder County this morning to help bone-weary staffers there deal with day three of a wildfire that's leveled nearly 100 homes and other structures. Bret Waters, Director of CSEM received the request Tuesday afternoon. He committed the staff without hesitation. ... more »

• Boulder County fire doubles in size; more evacuations expected

  September 7, 2010 4:23 PM

  Firefighters ramped up their battle Tuesday against a wildfire that forced about 3,000 people to flee their homes as the wind-whipped blaze filled the surrounding canyon with heavy smoke and flames. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle says the fire has burned about 7,100 acres, or 11 square miles. Authorities... more »

• Firefighters counting burned homes in Boulder County

  September 7, 2010 8:43 AM

  At sunrise, firefighters began the grim task of counting the number of homes lost in a wind-whipped wildfire Monday. They plan a news conference around 9 am when they'll reveal the extent of damage from an inferno that sent them scrambling for safety several times Monday afternoon and evening. At... more »

• Home sales plunge 27 percent to lowest in 15 years

  August 24, 2010 10:27 AM

  Sales of previously occupied homes fell to the lowest level in 15 years last month as the economy weakened. The National Association of Realtors says July's sales fell by more than 27 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.83 million. It was the largest monthly drop on... more »

• Mother Nature helping California firefighters

  July 29, 2010 8:43 AM

  Cooler temperatures and calmer winds are helping firefighters in their battle against the wildfire that's burned homes and forced hundreds of evacuations near California's Mojave Desert. The more than 1,400-acre blaze that chased residents from the Old West Ranch community about 10 miles south of Tehachapi was 25 percent... more »

• California wildfire threatens entire town

  July 28, 2010 11:10 AM

  A wildfire that's destroyed at least 40 homes near the Mojave Desert is threatening an entire town and firefighters say they're worried that afternoon winds will kick up the flames. Kern County Fire Engineer Dustin Allegranza says crews worked through the night to burn out a firebreak ahead of... more »

• California wildfire destroys 30 homes

  July 28, 2010 8:10 AM

  Two wildfires that erupted and spread quickly in Southern California have destroyed dozens of homes and forced evacuations in remote areas of the state's Kern County. The most destructive of the fires was burning about 10 miles southeast of Tehachapi, a city located in a mountainous area between Bakersfield... more »

• Washington state fire burns 3 homes, endangers others

  July 19, 2010 8:28 AM

  A wildfire in central Washington has covered parts of nearby Yakima in smoke, destroyed at least three homes and threatened others while growing to 10,000 acres. The fire started Sunday afternoon about 10 miles west of the city's downtown. Blustery winds began to ease somewhat late yesterday, giving firefighters... more »

• Colorado weatherizes nearly 3,400 homes

  July 8, 2010 8:38 AM

  State and local agencies have weatherized nearly 3,400 homes in Colorado, triggering full access to the state's $79.5 million in stimulus funds for the work. Gov. Bill Ritter and Department of Energy officials noted Colorado's progress in a conference call Wednesday with the media. Annual program funds have paid... 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 »

• Homes flooded as Colorado rivers swell

  June 8, 2010 8:32 AM

  Colorado rivers and streams swollen by quickly melting mountain snow flooded homes, roads and bike paths Monday, prompting flood warnings and advisories across the state. In Eagle County, a few homes in Gypsum and Vail suffered minor flooding damage. Bike and recreation paths along the Eagle and Gore rivers... more »

• Damaging storm hits Illinois

  June 3, 2010 1:15 PM

  Storms rolled through Mackinaw, Illinois Wednesday leaving behind damage. Rooftops were lifted and trees were uprooted as a strong line of storms hit the area. The National Weather Service is investigating whether a tornado touched down in the area. more »

• Insurers bracing for Colorado storm claims

  May 28, 2010 8:09 AM

  Colorado residents and insurance companies are just starting to assess the damage from Wednesday's blast of tornados and thunderstorms, but the bill likely will be big. Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association said Thursday that the larger insurance companies expect the damages to run into the... more »