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• Trails and Rails: History on a Train Play Video

  April 21, 2012 4:38 PM

  Trails and Rails, it's a chance to ride the train and see history firsthand. We took the train to learn more about the Amtrak and National Park Service program that trains volunteers to tell passengers about the view out their window. It's a history lesson with a view. ... more »

• Risks of illegal tattoo operations Play Video

  March 22, 2012 9:15 PM

  Last night News 5 reported the story of a La Junta woman who allegedly gives tattoos to minors out of her trailer park home. Today we followed up by speaking with local Health Department officials, who explained why the law says unsupervised tattoo practices are so dangerous. The Colorado... more »

• Tattoos for kids in La Junta, CO Play Video

  March 22, 2012 12:21 AM

  "She needs to pay for this," Michelle Milenski says, fighting back tears. She looks at her son Brandon, a high school sophomore, as he turns away. When Brandon asked Milenski if he could get a tattoo, she said no; he was only fifteen. Brandon paid no attention to his mother's... more »

• "One Tank Getaways" for those with Spring Break cash crunch Play Video

  March 21, 2012 8:09 PM

  With vacation just around the corner for many; high gas prices continue to eat away at those spring break budgets. So, what do you do if you want to do something fun, but don't want to break the bank? News 5 has put together a list of options in... more »

• Courthouse arson suspect turns himself in

  November 29, 2011 1:59 PM

  The man accused of hiding out overnight in a locked Otero County Courthouse and setting a fire has turned himself in. According to the Otero County Sheriff's blog, Justin Wade Steven of La Junta turned himself in Monday night around 9:00 p.m. He's being held on a $10,000... more »

• Playoffs in Pueblo: CSU-P fans ready to cheer Play Video

  November 26, 2011 2:49 PM

  CSU Pueblo is taking the field in possibly the biggest game since bringing the football program back; the playoffs for undefeated CSU-Pueblo start Saturday against Minnesota-Duluth. The fans are getting into playoff mode too; some fans were out tailgating before nine in the morning. "Since it's playoffs I... more »

• Several fires burn 100 acres near La Junta

  November 18, 2011 10:09 PM

  La Junta and Rocky Ford firefighters have a probable cause for several fires that burned 100 acres along Hwy 350. According to the La Junta fire chief, the investigation is still open, but they believe the cause was a truck or trailer with a bad wheel bearing. Several... more »

• Fires burning near La Junta

  November 18, 2011 6:36 PM

  Several fires are burning on Hwy 350 six miles south of La Junta. The La Junta Fire Chief says via Twitter that the highway is closed due to smoke from milemarker 66 though 63. Fire crews are getting the upper hand on the fires. La Junta and Rocky Ford... more »

• Community says goodbye to fallen soldier Play Video

  October 29, 2011 1:55 PM

  Family and friends gathered this morning to say goodbye to Staff Sgt. Brian Cowdrey. Hundreds packed the auditorium at La Junta High School to pay their last respects. Cowdrey was a 1990 graduate of La Junta High School.A solemn grave side service with full military honors follows as Staff Sgt.... more »

• Bent's Fort back to normal

  September 13, 2011 5:58 AM

  Historic guns and buffalo furs are back at Bent's Old Fort after the sentencing of an Otero County man accused of burglarizing the national historic site. Colorado's U.S. Attorney announced Monday that 32-year-old Jeffrey Scott Willcoxon has been sentenced to more than seven years for being a felon in... more »

• Forest Service offering tours of southeast CO Canyonlands

  August 20, 2011 12:30 AM

  LA JUNTA, Colo. - The U.S. Forest Service will offer guided tours into Picket Wire Canyonlands south of La Junta on the Comanche National Grassland. Fall tours begin the first Saturday of September and run through October 22, 2011. These primitive canyons are home to the largest dinosaur track site... more »

• No containment for Shell Fire

  June 9, 2011 6:54 PM

  The Shell Fire in Las Animas County has zero containment as of this morning, according to Las Animas County Emergency Management. The fire is burning 25,000 acres on both sides of Highway 109 between La Junta and Kim. The primary focus for today is on the west side of... more »

• Wildfire Updates

  June 6, 2011 4:56 AM

  KEYSTONE, Colo. (AP) - Fire crews say they have made progress fighting three major wildfires burning in Colorado. A wildfire near Keystone resort was declared fully contained Saturday night. Investigators say a power line ignited the fire during high winds Thursday. In southwest Colorado, federal fire managers were... more »

• Man found dead in La Junta

  May 16, 2011 1:58 PM

  A man was found on the ground near Highway 50 and Barnes Ave. in La Junta around 6:30 this morning. It is considered a suspicious death at this time. Law enforcement authorities are investigating and have not released any details about the man's identity or possible cause of death.... more »

• Highway 96 fire 100% contained

  March 23, 2011 8:37 PM

  A fire burning near Highway 96, east of Pueblo, has been 100% contained. It broke out just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday evening near Road 31. Crews on scene the fire scorched about 300 acres. Crews from La Junta, Ordway and Sugar City helped fight the fire. Photo courtesy:... more »

• Grass fire reported in Otero County

  March 23, 2011 7:12 PM

  The La Junta Fire Department is responding to a grass fire in Otero County. The fire is reported at Highway 96 at Road 31. The fire is estimated at 15 acres. It is heading north toward Highway 96. The smoke is dense enough that it is causing traffic problems. more »

• Fire burning near Rocky Ford

  March 21, 2011 3:54 PM

  Fire crews from Rocky Ford, La Junta and Manzanola are battling a fire in Rocky Ford. It's burning near HWY 10 Rd 18. The La Junta Fire Chief reports it's possible that one structure has burned. We'll bring you more here as we get it. more »

• Otero County GOP facing fines for finance reports

  March 13, 2011 3:19 PM

  LA JUNTA, Colo. (AP) - Secretary of State records show the Otero County Republican Party faces about $50,800 in fines for not filing any campaign finance reports in 2010. The Fort Collins Coloradoan reported Sunday that the fines against the Otero County Republican Central Committee in southeastern Colorado are... more »

• Admission free at Bent's Fort this weekend

  August 11, 2010 7:02 PM

  Admission will be free on August 14 and 15 at Bent's Old Fort near La Junta, as well as hundreds of other national parks. "This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never... more »

• Dinosaur track tours offered

  August 5, 2010 2:51 PM

  The U.S. Forest Service will offer guided tours into the Picket Wire Canyon south of La Junta this fall. Tours begin the first Saturday of September and run through October. These primitive canyons are in the Comanche National Grasslands and are home to the largest dinosaur track site in North... more »

• Respect for You, Respect for the Storm

  April 7, 2010 5:10 PM

  Impressive. Powerful. Violent. Damaging. Here on the Front Range and across the plains, our severe weather demands respect . News First 5 is uniquely prepared for severe weather at all times. Because we respect you and we respect our powerful storms, News First 5 assembled the most experienced... more »

• School to close in La Junta to save money

  April 2, 2010 3:42 PM

  The La Junta public school district board has voted to close La Junta Intermediate School next fall to save an estimated $770,000. Superintendent Jim Sullivan says the district projects a $1 million drop in revenue next school year due to declining enrollment and state budget cuts. Enrollment is expected... more »

• No charges in Colorado Amtrak threat

  February 3, 2010 3:44 PM

  Prosecutors in Otero County say they won't pursue charges against an ex-convict accused of making a threat against an Amtrak train. Authorities say further investigation revealed the man displayed no bizarre behavior or even made a threat. Ojore Nuru Lutalo, 64, of Elizabeth, N.J., was arrested Jan. 26... more »

• Colorado agriculture photo contest winners

  February 2, 2010 5:07 PM

  The winners of the 2009 Colorado Agriculture Photography Contest have been selected. Grand Prize winner Dan Ballard of La Junta captured a corn field beneath a stormy sky. Ballard received a prize of $150 for "A Different View." The 2010 contest is already accepting entries in four different categories.... more »

• Amtrak passenger detained in Colorado for threats

  January 29, 2010 10:12 AM

  An Amtrak passenger who alarmed fellow passengers by talking about terrorist threats was pulled from the train and is being held in Colorado. Ojore Nuru Lutalo, 64, was arrested Tuesday on an Amtrak passage from Los Angeles to Chicago. Passengers on the train alerted authorities after hearing the man... more »

• Schools closed in Otero County due to H1N1

  October 13, 2009 10:40 PM

  Schools in East Otero School District are closed for the rest of this week in an effort to curb a flu outbreak. The district in La Junta says the closure is an attempt to stop the virus from spreading and allow students and staff to get better. Right now, schools... more »

• When to Watch News First 5

  August 27, 2009 3:08 PM

  News First 5 is Southern Colorado's News Leader - the team more people trust for local news and weather. From the people behind the scenes to the people you see on television every day, the News... more »