A motorcycle rider who died following a crash in Colorado Springs earlier this year has been identified.

According to the El Paso County Coroner's Office, he was 30-year-old Timothy Klock.

Background Information

The crash happened around 6 p.m. on March 5 at the Highway 24 and 21st Street interchange, which is located in Old Colorado City.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the motorcycle, ridden by Klock and a passenger, later identified as 30-year-old Ashley Moore, was speeding on eastbound Highway 24 when the pickup truck made a right hand turn from 21st Street.

CSPD says the motorcycle rear-ended the pickup truck, and Klock and Moore were ejected.

Both Klock and Moore were taken to the hospital. On March 12, CSPD says Moore died from her injuries. Her name was released at the end of March.

CSPD says on May 29, Klock died from his injuries.

At this time, CSPD says speed is being considered as a factor in the crash, but impairment is not. They also say no charges have been filed.

CSPD says they are still investigating the crash. If you have any information, you are asked to call them at (719)444-7000. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at (719)634-7867.

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On Wednesday, the Utilities Board unanimously endorsed the utility's updated Sustainable Energy Plan, also known as its Electric Integrated Resource Plan.

What we're seeking is just that agreement, that we're going to move forward and exploring that resource as an option. said Nicholas Peters with Colorado Springs Utilities.

The roadmap outlines how Colorado Springs could meet its electricity needs through 2045 while balancing reliability, affordability and state clean-energy requirements.

The plan includes adding 300 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and continuing to rely on natural gas in the near term. Long-term recommendations include the following:

For many customers, the biggest question is why nuclear power is part of the discussion.

Colorado Springs Utilities officials say nuclear offers something renewable energy alone cannot, a steady source of electricity that can be used regardless of weather conditions.

"So, with regard to nuclear, nuclear is a dispatch-able resource, meaning we can call on it and adjust that capacity when we need it. said Peters.

Peters said nuclear would not replace renewable energy, but instead serve as one part of a diversified energy portfolio.

"We are committed to that balanced portfolio," said Peters.

Another question residents may have is whether the city is preparing to build a nuclear power plant. According to Colorado Springs Utilities officials, the answer is no, at least not yet.

The board's endorsement allows staff to continue researching nuclear energy options, including whether the utility could build and operate a facility, partner with another utility, or purchase nuclear energy from an outside provider.

Officials also have not determined where a future facility could be located.

"I think that's one of the key aspects of this next phase is really kind of evaluating all of those opportunities, it may not necessarily be located here in the city," said Peters.

Cost is also expected to remain a major factor in future decisions. Peters said Colorado Springs Utilities is focused on limiting impacts to customers while evaluating potential energy projects.

The financial aspect and the ratepayer impact is of utmost importance to us," said Peters.

The Sustainable Energy Plan will now serve as the foundation for Colorado Springs Utilities' updated Clean Energy Plan, which must be submitted to the state by December 31.

That plan, which includes goals to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2033 and retire the coal-fired unit at Ray Nixon Power Plant, will return to the Utilities Board for a vote this fall.

Colorado Springs Utilities officials say additional public engagement opportunities will be part of that process before any final decisions are made.

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A trash pile fire burning on the north side of Pueblo was contained Wednesday evening, according to the sheriff's office.

The trash pile fire, although it was contained just before 9 p.m., is still burning as of 10 p.m. at the C&C Disposal, which is located near the I-25 and Drew Dix Parkway interchange on the north side of Pueblo.

According to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, no injuries have been reported at this time. They also say the fire spread to several outbuildings and vehicles.

No evacuations were issued, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Baca and Pueblo Counties use Rave to reach community members during an emergency. To sign up for Rave in Baca County, visit Baca County's website. To sign up for cell phone emergency alerts in Pueblo County, visit the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office website.

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Colorado Springs is celebrating a new way for people to get outside and connect with nature. On Wednesday, city leaders cut the ribbon on the new Mary Starsmore Discovery Plaza in North Cheyenne Caon Park.

The plaza now has an outdoor classroom, improved walkways, renovated restrooms and other upgrades to make the area more accessible and enjoyable for visitors.

Skyler Rorabaugh, Director of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, says the improvements will help create a more welcoming experience for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit North Cheyenne Caon Park every year.

This project truly represents an investment in accessibility, visitor experience and stewardship at the gateway of our North Cheyenne Caon Park, said Rorabaugh.

The plaza is named after Mary Starsmore, whose support helped turn her former home into what the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center is today.

A combination of city dollars and community donations paid for the project.

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The plan to build a new swimming pool in Caon City is not moving forward. The Caon City Area Recreation and Parks District says the department does not have enough money to operate the pool long term.

The existing pool has been closed since 2023 because of mechanical issues.

Last year, voters approved a special sales tax to build a new pool, but they voted down a tax to pay for operating costs.

"The reason for the design we originally had was that was what we received from community feedback, it is what people in 4,000 surveys and attending public meetings all chose and that was the plan they wanted," said Kyle Horne, Executive Director of the Caon City Area Recreation and Parks District. "Well, that plan didn't end up working, so now we have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan."

The city projects it will have collected more than $2 million in sales tax by the end of the year that would have built the pool. Caon City's government plans to come up with a ballot measure to ask people what they want to do with that money.

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A group of people plan to gather on the steps of Colorado Springs City Hall next week to voice concerns about the approval process for the Project Taurus data center.

The group, No Data Center COS, is holding the discussion Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In an email to News5, the group says they want to address several topics about the proposed data center, including utility costs, noise and environment.

The group has invited Colorado Springs City Councilmembers to attend. The scheduled council meeting was canceled because several councilmemers will either be on leave, or out of town at a pre-planned conference that day.

The group also plans to file an appeal before Monday's deadline.

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A federal prison lieutenant who worked at the Federal Correctional Institution in Florence is facing multiple charges after a federal judge unsealed his indictment.

Michael Popma, who worked at the facility as a supervisor, was arrested and released on bond earlier this month.

Court documents say Popma worked with an inmate and a family member in 2024 to smuggle contraband into the prison in exchange for payment.

Over four months, Popma allegedly smuggled more than 120 phones, 400 vapes, and 270 bottles of alcohol into the facility, according to the federal documents.

Popma faces charges of conspiracy, bribery, providing contraband in prison, and unlawful interception of oral communication.

A federal judge ordered that a five-day jury trial will commence on August 10.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) broke ground on a $228 million food lab at the Denver Federal Center Wednesday, the GSA announced.

The new lab will expand the FDA's research capability to manage foodborne illness outbreaks and ensure food, drugs and cosmetic safety specifically, according to the GSA.

The project will replace what the GSA calls an aging, outdated workspace to bring the Denver lab up to 21st-century operations capability.

It will be the FDAs only Biosafety Level 3 facility west of the Mississippi River, the GSA said in its Wednesday announcement.

"By replacing outdated infrastructure, expanding laboratory space, and delivering purpose-built facilities for our federal partners, we are enhancing the FDAs ability to ensure food safety and provide lasting security to American taxpayers and the nation, said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst.

The construction project is expected to be completed by early 2029.

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The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office is asking for anyone with information about an attempted arson along County Road 390, west of the Clear Creek Reservoir.

The sheriff's office was notified about the incident on Sunday, June 14. National Forest Service firefighters who were conducting routine patrols in the area noticed three trees had been burned on unposted private property that bordered National Forest land.

County Road 390 heads west from Highway 24 north of Buena Vista and leads to two of Colorado's historic ghost towns, Winfield and Vicksburg.

The fire was out by the time of the discovery, and Chaffee County Sheriff's Office detectives responded to take control of the investigation. They determined it appears an unknown person(s) allegedly attempted to start a forest fire.

Accelerant, which is believed to be gasoline at this point in the investigation, was used on two separate trees, and it was possibly used was in a clear plastic drink container that was suspended from the limb of a third tree in the same area.

The fire on the third tree thankfully burned out before reaching the bottle, according to detectives.

We are asking the community and our visitors to please be vigilant while enjoying our back country. If you see suspicious activity/person(s), please do your best to document license plates, pictures, etc. without placing yourself in danger and notify law enforcement. This is behavior we obviously have zero tolerance for and we will use all resources available to us to protect life and property. To whomever is responsible, rethink your motives, and please consider all the innocence you are placing in danger, said Sheriff Andy Rohrich in a social media post.

Detectives with the sheriffs office are actively investigating the incident with other law enforcement partners. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the Chaffee County Sheriffs Office Communications Center at (719)539-2596 and ask to speak to a detective.

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A man is facing charges of alleged assault against a police officer following an incident early Wednesday morning.

According to Colorado Springs Police, Earle McFee, 58, was arrested after a complaint that several cars parked along Iowa Avenue were believed to be using drugs or participating in prostitution.

When officers arrived around 2:00 a.m., they found multiple occupants in the vehicles and began working to identify the occupants of the cars.

One person, identified as McFee, refused to leave his vehicle and armed himself with a knife, according to officers. The officer used pepper spray inside the vehicle and worked to remove McFee from the car.

As officers were arresting McPhee, he allegedly threw an unknown liquid at two officers' faces, causing minor injuries.

McPhee was booked into the El Paso County Jail.

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The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says they have arrested three more individuals allegedly connected to a string of bank robberies in 2024.

According to police, Jacquelle Fleming Miller, 25, Albert Rael, 26, and a teenage boy were arrested on May 26, 2026.

Investigators with the CSPD Robbery Unit had been investigating a string of bank robberies since May 0f 2024.

In each of the robberies, police said two to three suspects would enter banks with their identities concealed before engaging in takeover-style robberies.

Two suspects were initially arrested in 2024 during CPSD's initial investigations, but three people remained unidentified.

Police say that new evidence finally led to them charging Miller, Rael, and the unidentified teen with the following charges:

As of June 16, all individuals connected to the robberies have been arrested, according to the department.

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Vern Smith was 35 years old when he first climbed into the saddle as a Pikes Peak Range Rider. That was 1969. More than 50 years later, the 92-year-old is watching his son and grandson carry that same tradition forward.

The Pikes Peak Range Riders are the heartbeat of Colorado Springs' Western soul. For more than seven decades, they've ridden not just to honor a rodeo, but to preserve a way of life.

They are a living link between the city's frontier past and its future, proof that the values of grit, service, tradition, and community still ride strong beneath the shadow of America's Mountain.

They give back by supporting local charities, youth programs, and community organizations throughout the Pikes Peak region.

Through their volunteer work and fundraising efforts tied to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, they help provide resources to military families, children, and nonprofits while preserving the Western traditions that bring the community together.

Vern, his son Doug, and his grandson Mark have all ridden with the Pikes Peak Range Riders, an organization tied to the annual trail ride leading up to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Together, they represent three generations of a family committed to preserving the Western way of life.

"My first ride was in 1969. I became a member in '72," recalled Vern.

For the Smiths, the Range Riders are about more than a trail ride. They are about values, community, and a way of life they believe still matters.

"The organization itself means a lot to us as a family and as a community... helping promote the Western way of life," added Doug.

Those values, Doug said, are ones the Western tradition has always stood for.

"Your word is your bond, a handshake is a deal. Being honest, being trustworthy, that's always been the Western way of life," explained Doug.

The commitment extends well beyond the annual ride. The Range Riders support youth equestrian programs, help keep rodeo traditions alive, and volunteer throughout the year. Entire families are part of the mission.

"It's not just the guys, either. Our whole families are involved, our wives, our spouses, our kids. We have a granddaughter who's a volunteer now, too," said Doug.

For Mark, joining the organization was not simply a matter of family ties. He had to earn his place among the other riders.

"They didn't want me riding with them. They knew me. I needed to be known by everybody else," stated Mark.

That experience shaped how he understands the organization's purpose building relationships and serving the community.

"It means about everything. That's why when you get in the organization, you push yourself to be involved," said Mark.

The Pikes Peak Range Riders have endured for nearly 8 decades, and the Smith family hopes the values behind the organization endure just as long.

"We made lifelong friends. That's what became a lot of fun," said Vern.

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Fort Carson officials are holding a memorial on Wednesday for a soldier who was killed during a training exercise in Iraq.

26-year-old Sgt. Devin A. Seibel died on May 31 at Erbil Air Base, according to a Defense Department release.

He was assigned to an air ambulance company, 2nd battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, and was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve at the time of the training accident.

According to Military Times, Seibel was a native of Robinson, Texas, and had previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2020-21.

Seibel was killed alongside a British Soldier, Lance Corporal James Freeman, during the incident. Details on what occurred during the training have not been released to the public.

At his family's request, the memorial will only be open to his unit.

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A property owner says she is searching for answers after her Stetson Hills rental home was left with more than $100,000 in damage following the eviction of tenants who received subsidized rent through the Colorado Springs Housing Authority (CSHA).

Fadia Tawfik says her most recent tenants received subsidized rent through the CSHA. When she attempted to evict them for lease violations, she says this is what was left behind.

"This is the kitchen. They left the water running for multiple days, so it flooded," said Tawfik. "All four toilets in the house were left this way. This is where they tried to set fire. The fire expanded here and here.... This is destruction, and vandalism."

Garbage was left throughout the home. Appliances, flooring and walls were left in disrepair.

"Huge damage like this is actually a very expensive job," said Tawfik.

A contractor's assessment of repairs exceeded $100,000.

CSHA Executive Director Artie Lehl confirmed the agency is aware of the situation, but does not have the funds to assist the landlord.

"This member of our program did do a significant amount of damage to this property," said Lehl. "Unfortunately, we've had situations like this happen to homes we rent, so I feel the pain of this landlord."

Tawfik did not file a police report. She says law enforcement determined it was a civil matter, which Lehl confirmed.

"There was a contractual agreement between the landlord and the tenant. Because it was contractual, it's a contract violation, not a criminal act of vandalism," said Lehl.

Lehl vowed to contact Tawfik directly. With no funds available to cover the six-figure repairs, Tawfik's options are to file an insurance claim, or pursue the tenant directly.

"The tenant could, as part of her being a part of the program, be forced to set up a repayment plan," said Lehl.

Tawfik says her insurance claim was denied.

"I don't have the money for this," said Tawfik.

CSHA told me criminal background checks are part of the vetting process for the authority's housing program. The tenant at this home had no prior record.

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A scooter rider is dead following a crash involving a vehicle, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

It happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday near the 400 block of North Circle Drive, which is located near East Platte Avenue.

According to CSPD, the scooter rider was taken to the hospital where they died from their injuries. Their name will be released at a later time by the El Paso County Coroner's Office.

At this time speed and alcohol are not being considered as factors in the crash, according to CSPD.

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The Colorado Springs Switchbacks fell short against Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 on Saturday at Weidner Field.

The Switchbacks applied consistent pressure and controlled large stretches of possession. In the first half, Colorado Springs had 86.3% passing accuracy, produced 11 touches in Sacramento Republic FC's box and had five shot attempts.

In the 66', Sacramento Republic FC defender Jack Gurr placed a shot in the top right corner of the net for the only goal of the game.

I think we had a good game, we had some good chances, but we need to be able to move the ball accurately and be more disciplined, said Switchbacks forward Sadam Masereka.

In the match, the Switchbacks finished with 68% possession, won five of seven tackles and had 40 final third entries.

Possession is fantastic, but you gotta have to do something with it," said Switchbacks Head Coach Alan McCann. "Possession doesnt win you a game, doesnt guarantee you win a game. Its moments in the box, its box actions.

The Switchbacks will hit the road to take on FC Tulsa on Saturday, with kickoff happening at 6:30 p.m. Click here for information on how to watch the match.

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The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning vehicle owners of a rising "title theft" scam.

According to the Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit (MVIU), third-party "helpers" are illegally seizing vehicle ownership under the guide of assistance.

Our investigators are seeing a troubling trend where scammers exploit the title and registration process to take legal control of a persons vehicle, said MVIU Investigations Chief Dana Chavez. There is no reason a third-party needs to help you title your car.

The MVIU says fraudsters often target people who don't have a driver's license, offering to either act as a "Power of Attorney," or asking to be added to the title to "facilitate" registration.

Once their name is on the document, the MVIU says they become the legal owner and can sell, tow or seize the vehicle, even without your permission.

We urge all residents to always use official channels rather than third-party helpers, said Chavez. This is the best way to ensure their vehicle stays in their name.

The following methods are the safest and most official ways to register your vehicle:

To learn more about motor vehicle scams and fraud impacting Coloradans, visit the DMV's website.

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Pueblo's District 60 (D60) school board is discussing potential changes to its cell phone policy, following a year in which the district prohibited phone use inside school buildings, on buses and on field trips.

The board held a first reading of a proposed revision to its current electronics policy, which a committee developed over eight months after meeting five times and collecting thousands of community responses.

The proposed policy would keep phones off and away during instructional time, with more consistent enforcement across classrooms. Middle and high school students would be allowed to access their phones before and after school, during passing periods and during lunch.

Elementary school students would continue to have no access. The revision also updates terminology for technical devices to reflect advances in technology.

The district said it plans to provide staff training, guidance, and family outreach. They also say they will actively monitor feedback during rollout.

Randi Addington, a parent with two children enrolled in the district, said the proposed policy strikes a balance between limiting disruptions and giving parents peace of mind.

"I think it shows a lot about District 60, that they're open to the conversation and potential changes, says Addington. I think the other thing, too, is balance with instructional time. I've heard a lot of folks in the community talk about accessible access to reach their children, to ensure the safety of their children at any time.

Not everyone supports the proposed changes. Alexandra Aznar, the parent of a kindergartner in D60, said she favors keeping the stricter policy in place.

"I think that we should stick with what we have right now. I'm just really looking forward to an atmosphere when he enters middle school and high school, where he can really engage with other students," said Aznar.

Aznar's position aligns with several board members, who expressed disappointment in the recommended revision and said they had hoped for a stricter bell-to-bell approach.

"Learning how to have a conversation and look someone in the eye and be a friend and engage. And I think these are really important skills that are cultivated during passing periods at lunch," said Aznar.

"We connect to people through social media, so being in contact with folks, being able to message folks, I think, is important," says Addington.

The proposed policy has not been voted on and is not yet being implemented. A second reading of the revised policy is scheduled for next Tuesday, June 23.

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A new hockey team is coming to Pueblo!

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced that the Chippewa Steel will be relocating to the Steel City, playing games at the Pueblo Ice Arena, which is located near on North Grand Avenue.

The NAHL is forming a new mountain division that will feature five teams from Colorado, Montana, Utah and Idaho that have been moved up from the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).

Other teams in the new division include the following:

The newly created Mountain Division is one of five divisions across the league, and the recently added teams will join a roster of 33 other teams across the nation.

The Chippewa Steel will be replacing the Pubelo Bulls, who competed as part of the NCDC.

Multiple tiers ahead of the NCDC, the NAHL is a Tier II junior hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consistently ranks as the second strongest junior league in the United States.

News5's Dante Williams spoke with Chippewa Steel General Manager Vinny Bohn, and he says he and the Pueblo Bulls Head Coach Chris Wilhite were in direct communication about relocating to Pueblo.

Kind of happened organically between Chris and I," said Bohn. "I picked up the phone and instead of tracking hockey, it turned into a business call, which I think was the first time in our friendship. It was like 'hey, if this is a possibility, what do you guys think?'"

Bohn says the Steel and the Bulls organizations will now operate under one umbrella. He says both coaching staffs will be kept, and they'll all work together to produce the best product and help players move on to the next level.

We're in this together. Our goal is, I think everybody's goal, when it comes to the rink, is to win a championship and bring it to the City of Pueblo, said Bohn.

As for the players, everyone will have a chance to make the team. The Steel will host tryouts in Michigan from June 25 through the 28.

From there, we will bring the best players to Pueblo, and once the preseason and the season starts going, that's when we will make the determination of who makes the final cut, said Bohn.

The team is set to arrive in Pueblo in late August to start practicing. The season will begin in September.

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A new bridge that seeks to better connect Pueblo's west side to downtown areas is moving forward, according to the city.

The 24th Street Bridge project will add another access bridge to cross the BNSF railroad at 24th Street, and the city wants you to learn more about the project.

On Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m. an open house is scheduled at Pueblo Centennial High School, which is located near the Highway 50 and Baltimore Avenue interchange.

The goal is to improve east-west connectivity across the city and provide a more direct route that will also improve the area for people who walk, bike, take public transportation and drive.

Part of the project's funding was approved by Pueblo City Council in December, 2025, according to the city. The $3.3 million agreement at the time advanced design and preliminary engineering for the project.

Work is also being supported by the federal RAISE grant funding, which the city hopes will help it secure the future funding for construction.

The RAISE grant, passed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, provides $1.5 billion a year to the Department of Transportation to deliver local and regional grants to local governments for infrastructure projects.

The design and study phase will last from 2026 to 2027. A timeline for future construction will be released following the design and study phase.

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DENVER (AP) New Nashville front-office executive Chris MacFarland didn't take long to strike a deal with his former team in trading for Colorado forward Ross Colton on Tuesday.

MacFarland, who recently left his role as Avalanche GM to become the president of hockey operations/general manager of the Predators, acquired the veteran center along with goaltender Isak Posch. Colorado receives goalie Magnus Chrona and a pair of third-round picks (2026, '27).

"We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix, MacFarland said in a statement. Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.

Colton is coming off a season with Colorado in which he had nine goals and 15 assists over 73 games. He was third among Avalanche players with 159 hits. Colton and the Avalanche made it to the Western Conference Final before being swept by Vegas.

It was MacFarland who helped orchestrate the trade that brought the 29-year-old Colton to Colorado on June 28, 2023, through a deal with Tampa Bay. Soon after, Colton was signed to a four-year contract.

The trade gives more draft capital to Joe Sakic, who's stepping back into the role of GM in the wake of MacFarland's departure. Sakic, who's also the president of hockey operations, was in that position when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Chrona joins a team that features a goaltending tandem of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. The pair won the William M. Jennings Trophy, which went to the goalies who played at least 25 games for the team that allowed the least amount of goals in the regular season.

Last season, the 25-year-old Chrona was 9-11-3 with a 2.94 goals-against average for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. Chrona remains familiar with the area having suited up at the University of Denver from 2019-23. He was part of the Pioneers when they won the national championship in 2021-22.

Posch spent time with the Colorado Eagles in each of the last two seasons. The Swedish native was named to the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic for the Pacific Division.

He is a big goalie who will add to our already impressive depth at this position, MacFarland said.

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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

A soldier who previously served at Fort Carson has died following an accident at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, according to the 3rd Infantry Division.

The incident happened during a training exercise around 4:30 a.m. on June 10. The 3rd Infantry Division says he was performing his duties on foot in the training area during hours of low visibility.

The soldier, who has been identified as 29-year-old Spc. Adrian Bonsey, was struck by an M2 Bradley during the exercise, according to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Spc. Bonsey was a combat engineer with the 9th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

According to the Mountain Post, Spc. Bonsey previously served at Fort Carson from March, 2024 to April, 2026. They say while assigned to the 588th Engineer Bn, he was promoted to Specialist in October, 2025 and was awarded two Army Achievement Medals.

This is a devastating loss for our entire division," said Maj. Gen. John Lubas, the 3rd ID commanding general. "Adrian was an exceptional Soldier who was committed to our mission and proudly serving our Nation. We are heartbroken and will wrap our arms around his family, loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.

The 3rd Infantry Division says Bonsey, a New York native, joined the Army in 2023 and was stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia for two months. They also say he deployed to Poland in 2024.

The following agencies are investigating the incident:

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KOAA and Les Schwab Tire Centers are teaming up this July to ensure local students start the school year ready to succeed!

Together, were collecting new school supplies to benefit students and families served by Pikes Peak United Way. Were calling on our community to step up and make a difference simply drop off your donations at any Les Schwab Tire Center location.

Every single item collected will go directly to Pikes Peak United Way, helping local kids have the tools they need to thrive.

Starting Monday, July 6, through Friday, July 26 you can drop off any school supplies at the following tire center locations:

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Caon City resident, Mallorie Lancaster, was arrested on June 14 in connection with a child abuse investigation involving her three-month-old infant.

According to a press release from the Caon City Police Department, Lancaster turned herself in at the Fremont County Jail after learning that an arrest warrant had been issued charging her with child abuse.

This follows a May 17 incident where officers were dispatched to St. Thomas More Hospital after an infant was transported to the hospital in acute distress.

The department reports that this arrest was made following thorough investigation which included collecting medical records, conducting personal interviews, and consulting "with attending physicians specializing in pediatric trauma."

Police were able to establish probable cause and an arrest warrant was obtained.

This remains an active investigation.

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News5 has learned that a motorcycle driver has died following a June 6 crash at the 0 block of W Las Vegas Street, just south of downtown in Colorado Springs.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), officers were dispatched to the crash at approximately 1:15 am. Upon arriving, officers learned that the motorcyclist had been traveling westbound on W Las Vegas Street into oncoming traffic before crashing into an eastbound vehicle head-on.

CSPD reports that the motorcyclist died at the scene due to injuries sustained as a result of the crash.

CSPD says speed is considered a factor in this crash.

On June 8, the El Paso County Coroner's Office identified the motorcyclist as 24-year-old Alexander Liscio.

CSPD says that this crash is the 26th traffic fatality in Colorado this year. They also say that at this time in 2025, the city had seen 16 traffic fatalities.

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Home sales across the Pikes Peak region picked up in May as buyers became more active and homes sold faster, while prices remained relatively stable compared with a year ago, according to new data from the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS.

Single-family home sales increased 10% in El Paso County compared with April, signaling a stronger spring market despite inventory levels remaining relatively flat.

In El Paso County, the median sales price for a single-family home was $549,000 in May, down slightly from $554,000 a year earlier.

Homes also sold more quickly in May. The average number of days on market in El Paso County dropped to 39 days, down from 51 in April. In Teller County, homes spent an average of 58 days on the market, compared with 78 days the previous month.

Scott Sufak, president-elect of the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS board of directors, said the latest numbers largely reflect normal seasonal trends rather than a major market shift.

"I think we're in a steady market," explained Sufak. "We haven't seen a lot of changes. We are seeing some seasonal changes as we go from last month to this month, seeing the inventory levels increase a little bit. The transaction numbers have increased a little bit. The days on market have gone down a little bit, so all the good signs that we would hope to see during this time of year."

Sufak cautioned buyers and sellers against trying to predict market swings.

"If somebody's looking to wait to time the market for when to buy or sell, probably not going to be many indicators to tell you what's going to do," he added. "So better just to follow your own personal needs rather than to try to time the market."

While homes are selling faster, Sufak said many sellers are still entering the market with unrealistic price expectations.

"The days on market have gone down, but really the reason that these prices are dropping is because they're priced too high to begin with," stated Sufak. "People are getting a little bit too ambitious on what they expect to get for the sale price of their home."

According to the Colorado Association of REALTORS, 44.2% of active listings in El Paso County and 37.6% in Teller County saw price reductions in May. Sufak added that sellers must work harder to stand out in a market with more inventory and more choices for buyers.

"We're still in a price war and we're still in a beauty contest with the number of properties that are out there on the market," said Sufak. "You really have to be competitive and stand out against them, and the way to do that is to be priced appropriately."

Sufak also noted that today's market looks much different than the highly competitive environment buyers and sellers experienced several years ago.

"We used to see 15, 20 showings per property every week," he said. "Market-wide, we're seeing more like one showing per property per week or even less in some cases."

Despite slower showing activity, Sufak said he remains optimistic about long-term home values in the region.

"We still expect appreciation over the next few years, and I don't think that we're going to see any dip in single-family prices," he said. "So if it is something that you want to get into the market, now is as good a time as any to do it."

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DENVER, Colo. Representatives of the Colorado Department of Corrections visited History Colorado on Monday morning to officially hand off a handcrafted saddle made by inmates at the Fremont Correctional Institute.

History Colorado has spent months traveling across the state to collect stories and items significant to Colorado history in honor of Colorados 150th anniversary of statehood.

Our curatorial team is actively working to diversify our collection and better represent our communities on a statewide level, and so I first started here about three years ago, and I was thinking of who you know not represented in our collection in terms of my position, which is clothing and textile arts, and you know, I'd heard of programs like the Crochet Club in Trinidad or the Leather Workshop at the Fremont Correctional Facility, and I just wanted to know more about that, Tara Kaufman, History Colorado Associate Curator of Clothing and Textile Arts said. This whole project has been in the works for maybe a year and a half now, and it's finally the culmination, and they made this custom saddle for us.

Kaufman said the 1800s-style saddle created by inmates who work in Fremont Correctional Facilitys Leather Workshop is a great addition to the collection.

They primarily focus on horse tack and western wear, and that whole industry of horse tack, ranching, farming, all of that is very central to Colorado history as a state. And so it's important for the collection because it ties into that history, and you know the way they designed it kind of plays off of historic saddles, and so it ties both the past and the present, Kaufman said.

Kaufman said the saddle will be on display for a year and in the collection permanently.

More than 275 women state lawmakers signed a letter to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson urging Congress to remove a provision from a federal transportation bill they say would gut rideshare safety accountability.

The lawmakers say an amendment in the Build America 250 Act would:

"Make it far harder and effectively impossible to hold multibillion-dollar rideshare corporations accountable in court when a passenger or a driver is sexually assaulted."

Colorado state Sen. Katie Wallace co-led the effort behind the letter.

"I hope that members of the Colorado delegation and other members from across the country can work with the speaker before the bill comes to the House floor in order to remove this amendment. I don't think it should be debated on. I frankly don't think that it is worthy of the floor of the United States House of Representatives," Wallace said.

The amendment would also give legal immunity to rideshare apps for car crashes and injuries, as well as sexual assault, holding only individual drivers responsible.

According to Reuters, Uber has faced over 3,500 lawsuits accusing drivers of sexual misconduct. Lyft has faced 54.

The national push comes just weeks after Colorado enacted some of the strictest rideshare safety rules in the country. Denver7 closely tracked House Bill 142 through the legislature this session.

The law requires criminal background checks for the 35,000 rideshare drivers in Colorado at least every 6 months. It also allows drivers and riders to opt into audio and video recording of their rides and seeks annual safety and discrimination reports from the companies.

State Rep. Jenny Willford sponsored the bill after surviving a rideshare sexual assault herself.

"I'm one of the thousands of people who have been sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver," Willford said.

"I shouldn't have to tell my story over and over again. Other survivors shouldn't have to tell their stories over and over again to simply force a company to do the right thing," Willford said.

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.

A room on the second floor of Denver's Molly Brown House Museum is now open to the public, featuring never-before-seen artifacts from the Titanic. The museum is also hosting a new art exhibit from Access Gallery artists on the first floor.

Stephanie McGuire, curator at the Molly Brown House Museum, said the items on display carry deep historical significance.

Watch Mike Castellucci's report in the player below:

"It's really special to see items like this piece, a souvenir Mrs. Brown bought in Egypt and kept in her pocket and it survived the Titanic and it's here today," McGuire said.

The exhibit on the first floor, titled "Let Them See What We Can Do," features artwork created by artists from Access Gallery, a space where people with disabilities create and commission art. The artists visited the Molly Brown House, researched its history, and then created their pieces.

The exhibit is titled "Let Them See What We Can Do", and that's what Mrs. Brown said when she was campaigning for U.S. Senate in 1914. She helped shape our democracy and it's important as we celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday and the country's 250th birthday," McGuire said.

Among the featured artists is Chloe, whose piece was inspired by multiple elements of the house including its connection to the women's suffrage movement.

"I was inspired by the women's suffrage movement and how Molly Brown had tea parties," Chloe said.

Chloe also drew inspiration from the architecture of the house itself when creating her piece.

"I saw this stained glass and thought I could incorporate it in my piece as the background have a little pow moment in the piece," Chloe said.

The work took months to complete.

"It's water-based oil paint and takes a long time to dry," Chloe said.

McGuire said the response to the artwork has been overwhelming.

"It's amazing. The art that came from these artists blew us away. It brings Margaret's story to life and makes it feel current," McGuire said.

The Molly Brown House Museum is open for tours, giving visitors the chance to see the never-before-seen Titanic artifacts and the Access Gallery exhibit.

BOULDER, Colo. Most weather apps can tell you the wind speed for your town. But what if the forecast could tell you exactly what the wind is doing in your neighborhood, or even on your street?

Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) are developing a next-generation weather prediction system that aims to do exactly that. Using fleets of weather-sensing drones, supercomputers, and a powerful modeling tool called FastEddy, researchers are working on modeling winds at an accuracy of about two meters roughly the size of a queen bed.

Dr. James Pinto, a senior scientist at NCAR, said the project grew out of years of collaboration with the University of Kentucky, which built a weather-sensing drone system.

They built a weather-sensing drone system, and we were thinking that we could use that information in our modeling work, Pinto said. The need is very widespread, so its wildland firefighting, air quality prediction, and emerging modes of aerial transportation, like deliveries.

Currently, most wind models can track large-scale patterns and are useful for regional forecasts. But they struggle to show whats happening at the micro level especially near the ground, where terrain, buildings, and trees can drastically alter conditions.

The current models can only really resolve things at the county-wide scale, Pinto explained. We get it down to the neighborhood scale, or even the street level, where we can say whats happening between these two buildings. Wildfire danger is top of mind

One of the most promising uses is wildfire prediction and response. Wind can drive flames in unpredictable ways, sometimes shifting direction over just a few hundred feet.

Watch Colin Riley's report in the player below:

You really need to have this fine-scale information to help support wildland firefighters in the field to combat these fires, Pinto said. And even before they happen understanding where these fires are more likely to break out. The system could also give power companies targeted information to avoid risky, wide-area shutdowns during wind events.

You can shut down the power lines in that area specifically, not the entire county, Pinto said. That could save a lot of money and headaches.

Specialized drones will collect wind, temperature, and humidity readings just a few feet above the ground. That data is fed into NCARs model and processed using the Derecho supercomputer in Wyoming. The high-powered system can simulate how winds move around buildings, tree canopies, and other obstacles showing the exact flow patterns firefighters or utility workers need to know.

The hyperlocal prediction system we have can resolve buildings, it can resolve tree canopies, and how they interact with the low-level flow, Pinto said. Thats what gives you whats happening in the winds at the surface. The project is expected to run for five years, with a demonstration of the full capability planned by the end of year four. Researchers hope the technology can be applied to everything from firefighting to urban drone delivery and even planning for future air taxi services.

Were really trying to do cutting-edge work both on the observational side and the modeling side, Pinto said, to provide the best possible low-altitude wind forecast that we can provide.

If successful, the system could be deployed nearly anywhere drones can fly, producing forecasts in minutes that are tailored to cities, neighborhoods, or even individual streets.

State officials remain tight lipped regarding an incident that happened earlier this month at a prison in Las Animas.

The incident, which happened on June 6 at the Bent County Correctional Facility, left to two inmates dead and sent a third to an outside medical facility.

On Monday, the CDOC said they still cannot provide the current status of that third injured inmate, citing medical privacy laws.

The CDOC, along with the Bent County Sheriff's Office, have denied requests from News5 for the 9-1-1 audio call, the incident report and further information. The denials are due to the incident being an active investigation, according to the CDOC.

The incident led to the suspension of visitation at all CDOC facilities statewide, which were lifted on June 8. However, the Bent County Correctional Facility remains on lockdown status, with in-person visitation still suspended.

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A parent of a student at Craver Middle School is raising concerns about the use of Bible verses in a seventh-grade class, alleging her daughter was required to complete assignments involving scripture for credit despite the family's religious objections.

According to the parent, the issue began at the start of her daughter's seventh-grade year when the history teacher introduced daily "bell ringer" exercises.

Students were asked to do the following:

While some of the quotes reportedly came from books or students, the parent said others were Bible verses.

The family, who identify as Norse pagans, objected.

"We don't believe in having our child write down Bible verses for credit," said the parent. "It goes against our belief system."

The parent said she contacted the school's principal early in the school year and explained that the family was not Christian and did not agree with the Bible-related portion of the classroom exercises.

According to the parent, the principal assured her that the issue would be addressed, that the teacher would be spoken to and her daughter would not be penalized academically for declining to participate.

However, the parent alleges the assignments continued later in the school year.

She recalled receiving a phone call from her daughter, who was upset after another Bible verse was used in class.

"She was near tears because she knew she was going to get in trouble for not writing down the Bible verse," said the parent.

The parent described her daughter as a high-achieving student who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the school year and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Although the point deductions did not ultimately affect her overall academic standing, the parent said the issue was about principle rather than grades.

Following a second meeting with the principal, the parent said she was referred to the district's student services director.

During that conversation, she challenged the idea that Bible verses could be assigned for credit when they were not directly connected to the day's curriculum.

According to the parent, the director later informed her that an investigation had confirmed a classroom violation had occurred, but said no additional details could be shared because the matter involved personnel issues.

The parent said she asked how the district planned to ensure that similar incidents would not happen again, particularly because another of her children will soon attend the school.

She said she was told she would have to trust that the matter had been handled appropriately.

Frustrated by what she describes as a lack of transparency, the parent said she later contacted the superintendent but had not received a response by the time of the interview.

At the heart of the dispute, the parent said, is the issue of religious freedom. She emphasized that she has no objection to students learning about Christianity or other religions when the material is relevant to the curriculum.

Her concern, she said, is that students were allegedly required to personally engage with and reflect upon Bible verses outside the context of a lesson.

The experience, she said, left her daughter feeling singled out because of the family's religious beliefs. According to the parent, being told she would lose points for refusing to participate made the situation even more troubling.

The parent also raised broader concerns about the school's administration, claiming she has spoken with other parents who are reluctant to voice complaints publicly because they fear possible repercussions for their children.

She alleged some families have reported negative experiences involving teachers and administrators, but have chosen not to come forward. Those claims have not been independently verified.

Despite her frustrations, the parent said her goal is not to have the teacher fired, or otherwise punished.

Instead, she said she wants assurance that all students, regardless of their faith background, can attend class without feeling pressured to participate in religious activities that conflict with their beliefs.

"Our goal is not to get him in trouble or fired," said the parent. "We just want him to do right by all the students and not make them feel singled out or uncomfortable in class."

I reached out to Pueblo County School District 70, who told me the teacher is still employed at the school.

The parent told me she does have a meeting scheduled with the Superintendent for Tuesday morning to work out a potential remedy.

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Space Base Delta 41 will conduct a planned exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Schriever Space Force Base.

The base says the pre-scheduled exercise is happening to ensure the highest level of safety and readiness for its personnel.

During the exercise, community members and base personnel can expect the following:

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The Pueblo Food Project is growing food, building community and connecting generations across Pueblo through free edible gardens and cooking classes, to name just a few of the nonprofit's initiatives.

You'll find one of those edible gardens behind the Pueblo Arts Alliance building off South Grand Avenue in downtown Pueblo.

There are 12 garden beds filled with vegetables and herbs open to anyone who wants to pick from them at no cost. It is one of several edible landscapes the community coalition maintains across the city.

"It doesn't matter who it is, doesn't matter who you are, this produce is available to you," said Megan Cover, director of The Pueblo Food Project.

The landscapes are funded by grants and maintained by staff and volunteers. Cover leads the nonprofit, which operates on multiple fronts.

"We have the coalition side, which is community members working on different initiatives to make a better food system," said Cover. "We have an entrepreneur program for food businesses, so they go through a class and learn more about growing their business, and we have community gardens like this."

The Pueblo Food Project also organizes free cooking classes around the city. One of those classes is a 10-week program bringing together senior citizens and youth.

"We get to interact with the kids that come," said Linda Phelps, a cooking class attendee. "We've met some real nice kids from Girls and Boys Club."

The goal of the classes is to create connections and a sense of belonging among different groups of people.

"We get to do a lot of sharing of our different experiences, sharing food traditions and recipes, and then just learning all the new cooking skills together," said Lindy Webb, food skills education manager.

It's the kind of work we at News 5 like to honor with the News 5 Lighthouse Award. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond to make their community better.

"I always just say how thankful I am to be able to do a job like this," said Cover. "It's hard to complain when I get to spend the whole morning planting with my amazing coworkers and wonderful volunteer(s). (I'm) thankful that we get to spread the joy and the love of food, which everyone already has. We just get to expand that."

The Pueblo Food Project has helpful resources to free food pantries locally and across the nation. Click here for more information.

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The proposed Project Taurus data center has neighbors on one side and developers on the other. The latest in the battle is the city's planning department approving the data center's application. Neighbors are now looking to appeal.

The site is an industrial building once used for chip fabrication, then changing to a Bitcoin operation, and now there is a proposed repurpose as the Project Taurus data center.

"You feel like they're trying to push this through. I mean, they've already said they're on a fast track," said Ron Graham-Becker, who can see the site from his backyard.

Graham-Becker and other neighbors in the Chelsea Glen neighborhood just south of the building have concerns about the impacts on power infrastructure, the amount of water the center could need, and based on their experience with the Bitcoin operation, the noise.

"So when you have that precedent in this current environment with the data center, then you tend to be a little skeptical about what the planning department's doing," said Graham-Becker.

Neighbors want city planning to slow down. Many want the project stopped. Others want better guarantees of monitoring and penalties for violations.

City planning's vote to approve the project application reflects what data center developers have consistently stated.

Before the application approval, Jason Green, president of the development company Raeden, said, "We're 100% within our rights. The site is zoned and entitled for this use."

Developers have also added that they want neighbors to understand they are not being ignored.

"We want people to know that we really care about their concerns, that we are a good neighbor," said Green.

Despite several public information sessions explaining the project, neighbors remain unsatisfied.

"We have the option as neighbors and as people that are involved within a certain distance from the operation to file an appeal. That's going to happen," said Graham-Becker.

Project leaders expected the appeal and want to move forward.

"It goes to planning commission and then it goes to city council. So in terms of time, what we're actually asking for is that we just go from the planning department to the commission and then get this on the docket for the city council so that they can just review it and assess it," said Green.

June 22 is the deadline for anyone to file an appeal.

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On Monday, the City of Colorado Springs opened registration for it's youth tackle football fall sports program.

This is for children in third through eighth grade.

Anyone planning on competing has to complete an official weigh-in between now and July 25. You can do so at the Colorado Springs Sports Office, which is located in Memorial Park.

Practice is set to begin in mid-August. The city tells News5 they are also looking for adults to volunteer as coaches.

In addition to tackle football, the city is also offering flag football and soccer. For more information on grades for each sport and dates for practices, visit the City of Colorado Springs website.

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Monday is the deadline for property owners in El Paso County to submit the second half of their property tax payment.

The first half was due February 28.

This only applies to property owners who chose to split their 2025 tax bill into two equal installments. Those who paid in full were required to do so by April 30.

If you miss Monday's deadline, the payment will become delinquent starting Tuesday and will begin accruing interest as required under Colorado law.

You can make a payment online, or in person at the El Paso County Treasurer's Office, which is located off of West Garden of the Gods Road.

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News5 has learned that a motorcycle rider died Monday morning following a crash.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the crash happened around 9:15 a.m. along Briargate Parkway at Lexington Drive, which is located on the northeast side of the city.

CSPD says the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Briargate Parkway. They also say the motorcycle hit a vehicle heading westbound on Briargate Parkway that was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Lexington Drive.

Despite life-saving efforts, the rider was pronounced dead on the scene. The El Paso County Coroner will release the identity of the rider at a later date.

At this time, CSPD says speed could be a factor in the crash.

The road was shut down for several hours while crews investigated the crash, but has since reopened.

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The 104th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is right around the corner. Here's everything you need to know about this iconic automobile race that draws competitors from all around the world to test their driving prowess on America's Mountain.

Dubbed 'The Race to the Clouds,' this year's competition is situated on Sunday, June 21, and is slated to feature 75 drivers representing eight different countries.

Situated along the Pikes Peak Highway, gates for spectators to travel to their designated viewing areas open at 2:30 am, and the first race will kick off at 7:30 am.

Practice and qualifying runs will take place June 16 - 19; tickets and information for practice days and race day can be found here.

If you're heading out to view the spectacle, click here for a full spectator guide.

On the Friday (June 19) preceding the race, Downtown Colorado Springs will play host to Fan Fest, a celebration of the Hill Climb that will take over a portion of Tejon Street that stretches from Platte down to Vermijo and will run from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

The free event will give visitors a chance to get a closer look at more than 60 of this year's drivers alongside their vehicles; the festival will also feature FMX Motocross demonstrations, plenty of vendors/displays, and a number of local breweries.

Click Here for a map of the event.

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The Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast is set to return to Downtown Colorado Springs on June 17, serving up breakfast to thousands in celebration of the start of rodeo season and the region's deeply rooted Western heritage.

Dating back to 1936 (when about 35 people attended), this event annually dishes out a breakfast of sausage, eggs, a beverage, and pancakes (of course) to an estimated 10,000 visitors on an annual basis.

The cooking and food distribution for the event is primarily handled by volunteers from Fort Carson as well as Peterson Space Force Base, with proceeds from the event going towards military families.

The event, hosted by the Pikes Peak Range Riders (PPRR), also acts as the traditional starting point for the organization's annual ride (since 1949). The Pikes Peak Range Riders and Rangerettes will ride through Downtown and out of town at 8:00 am, near the end of the Western Street Breakfast.

The event runs from 5:30 am to 9:00 am on Wednesday, June 17, and is centered at the intersection of Pikes Peak Avenue and Tejon Street; the cost for breakfast is only $5.00, and children 5 and under can eat a meal for free.

Additionally, the Breakfast will feature live music and dancing demonstrations as well as a number of activities focused towards families and kids.

Guests are encouraged to wear Western attire, for additional information on the event, click here.

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The Pueblo Punishers' inaugural season came to an end Saturday night, but not before giving fans plenty to be excited about.

The Punishers finished second in the National Arena League with a 7-3 record and earned a playoff berth in their first season. They hosted the Salina Liberty in the semifinals at the Southwest Motors Event Center.

The Liberty led in the first half, but the Punishers fought back from a two-score deficit to make it a close game. Pueblo ultimately fell on a free-play Hail Mary, sending the Liberty to the championship.

Watch the highlights from the previous game in the video player below.

Despite the loss, the Punishers' first season is considered a success, with anticipation already building for next season.

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The Enterprise Pipeline spill is already considered the largest gasoline pipeline spill in Colorado history, but it could be twice as large as currently reported.

Houston-based Enterprise Products, which operates the interstate pipeline running through southwest Colorado, has previously said the spill is about 97,000 gallons.

But a new, independent analysis conducted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe said the actual estimate could be closer to 200,000 gallons.

The spill is just south of Durango on private fee land within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, just a half mile from the Animas River.

The alternate estimate of 200,000 gallons is not supported by the operational data at the time of the release, or the operational data we are observing in the field as part of our remediation efforts, said Rick Rainey, vice president of public relations for Enterprise, in an email. The 97,000 gallons remains our estimate based on the best available information we currently have.

This new Southern Ute estimate was presented June 3 by the Tribes attorney at a Colorado Counties Inc (CCI) conference during the western district meeting, which comprises 16 counties.

Watch Brett Forrest's full report in the video player below

KOAA reviewed the presentation slides. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe did not respond to a request for comment for this report.

The Enterprise Pipeline spill was first detected on December 5, 2024, though local leaders and residents have expressed assumptions that the spill had occurred earlier and wasnt detected until then.

La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka said its been frustrating that the spill doesnt appear to have much awareness elsewhere in the state despite its size.

We had a La Plata County resident notice some seeping coming out from under the ground. It was fuel. They reported that and what we found was that there was a crack, a leak in this underground pipeline, said Salka. The major concern on this is that it is affecting a lot of water wells here, several properties have been bought out because there's no ability to have water here anymore. It's undrinkable. It's a fuel, so it's a carcinogen, so that could create cancer, which is a major concern.

The pipeline is operated by Enterprise Products and runs from Texas through New Mexico into southwest Colorado and up into Grand Junction.

Before the spill, some nearby residents said they werent even aware a pipeline existed in the area.

For its part, Enterprise immediately began repair work and investigated how the spill occurred. The company provided alternate potable water supplies or water filtration systems, and a company spokesman said they are committed to remaining on site for as long as it takes to fully address the impacts of the release.

The company has also issued monthly community bulletins describing the spill and efforts to remediate and clean the area.

But the potentially underreported size and apparent expansion of the plume have still concerned the Southern Ute Tribe and the La Plata community.

In its initial estimates in early January 2025, Enterprise said the pipeline spilled 16,000 gallons, which was then revised to about 23,000 gallons by the end of January. In August last year, that number was once again revised to about 97,000 gallons.

That number alone made the refined gasoline spill the largest on record in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which is the lead agency in the state for oversight of Enterprises cleanup efforts, said its records only date back to 2016.

The 40-year-old, 10-inch pipeline was converted in 2024 to carry refined products like gasoline, according to the Southern Ute presentation slides. The leak has led to benzene, a known carcinogen in gasoline, being found in groundwater. This has led to impacts on drinking water and agriculture in the Florida Mesa, just miles south of Durango, where the spill occurred.

I don't want to wake up one morning and discover we've been brushing our teeth with benzene, said Scott Wallace, who lives near the spill site.

In some respects, we're already damaged because we now are going to live through a period of uncertainty that will potentially raise questions with lenders, with realtors, potential property value, said Wallace. We now are in a position to be one of those homes [bought up by Enterprise].

Wallace said he believes Enterprise and GHD, the company contracted to help with cleanup, are engaged in good faith.

Regarding the initial handful of properties already purchased by Enterprise, which Salka said displaced residents, the company said in an email that they havent determined if it would yet be appropriate to purchase additional properties.

According to the community bulletins and the Southern Ute presentation slides, the plume has indeed expanded underground and migrated southward.

The Tribe said its now three-quarters of a mile south of the initial release point and has contaminated over 110 acres of the drinking water aquifer. The plume is migrating approximately 10 feet per day, the Tribe said.

Another environmental concern is the detection of benzene identified within about 650 feet of the nearby Animas River. Enterprise said its geophysical and scientific data showed there is currently no threat to the river.

We've lived with uncertainty in terms of the variability of rainfall and snowpack and drought and use and whatnot, said Scott Wallace. This is justas a level of man-madeit's hard not to regard it as careless. I mean, somebody, if you're pushing that much gasoline, you ought to have some confidence that your pipeline has integrity.

A point of local criticism has been the Enterprise's leak detection system failing to identify the rupture.

Commissioner Matt Salka said thats raised concerns with other nearby county commissioners about trusting theres no leak underground in their area, too.

If it broke here, the concern that the commissioners have is that if it broke here, where else has it broke? asked Salka.

Rick Rainey with Enterprise said their Colorado pipeline system is protected by a comprehensive safety and integrity management program that meets and exceeds all appropriate regulatory requirements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is still investigating the cause of the incident. Enterprise said it still cant provide details on when the final results will be available.

At present, Enterprise said theyve recovered more than 60,000 gallons of gasoline and claimed the extent of the plume and concentration of product are decreasing.

The company immediately began pipeline repairs on Dec. 8, 2024, which were completed Dec. 15. However, its worth noting the company has committed to replacing 18.5 miles of pipeline within the Southern Ute Reservation boundaries. So its unclear whether the initial repairs were successful enough to not warrant the upcoming replacement.

CDPHE is working with the Southern Ute Tribe and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on remediation efforts. But a full cleanup, if even possible, would still be years away.

Even though this was 18 months ago, it is in a sense still the early phase of the cleanup because it will take years to complete the cleanup, said Patrick Cummins, director of Environmental Health and Protection at CDPHE. And there may be additional actions that are needed along the way.

Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization, said these spills are common and there have been over 10,000 pipeline events across the U.S. in the last 15 years.

Once it's been released into the environment, it is almost impossible to clean up once it has entered water systems, said Jasmine Vazin, Deputy Director with Sierra Clubs Beyond Dirty Fuels campaign. And so, it really is far-reaching and you can't even really quantify the total amount of damage that comes from a single spill like this, just from how far-reaching and long-lasting these pollutants are in the environment.

Throughout the process, despite positive efforts to clean the spill, La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka is still critical of Enterprise.

I don't think they're physically hiding it, but I feel that they've done very well on flying under the radar, he said.

The county has previously attempted to host public forums to address the spill, but have been unable to do so until this week.

The first public meeting where Enterprise will address community concerns is scheduled to take place on June 16 at the Sunnyside Elementary Gymnasium in Durango. Community members must submit questions in advance with a deadline of 5 p.m. on June 15.

Salka wasnt satisfied with the meeting having pre-screened questions, but he was pleased its finally taking place nonetheless.

Additional meeting details can be found here.

As for the 18.5-mile pipeline replacement, La Plata County commissioners said Enterprise would need to request a land use permit. At this time, there is no active application, the county said.

An Enterprise spokesman said the construction for replacement is expected to begin in the spring of 2027 and be completed by late fall next year, barring any unforeseen delays.

Apart from CDPHEs oversight role in the cleanup, other Colorado elected leaders at the state and federal levels have expressed concern about the spill.

Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper met with Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Tribes at Fort Lewis College last August to discuss tribal priorities, including the spill and cleanup effort.

Senator Hickenloopers office said they are working closely with the Tribe and CDPHE to monitor remediation and cleanup efforts.

Hickenlooper currently co-sponsors the Gas Pipeline and Leak Protection Act of 2025, which would modernize decades-old federal leak detection and repair requirements.

Senator Michael Bennet, another Democrat whos currently running for governor, has also been credited by local leaders for lending support for the cleanup effort. La Plata County Commissioner Salka said Bennet and his staff previously visited the site.

This disaster has seriously impacted the Southern Ute Tribe and the Florida Mesa community, and I want to thank the Tribe and local leaders for dedicating resources to the response, Bennet said in a statement. I will continue working with them to push PHMSA and the state to provide strong oversight of the cleanup and fully evaluate this pipeline. We need to get the cleanup done right, hold Enterprise accountable, and prevent something like this from happening again.

Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat also running for governor, visited the site two months ago. His office said they are monitoring the situation and Weiser is committed to working with the tribe to ensure the area is protected.

The office for Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd, who represents the La Plata County area, did not respond to a request for comment.

Offering praise for most elected Democrats, Commissioner Salka, who is himself a fellow Democrat, did express disappointment in Governor Jared Polis for not visiting the site.

What we're getting a lack of is from the governor. I have not heard anything from the governor. I've reached out to his staff. We've directly reached out to him, asking and letting him know about our concerns, and it's still what we feel has been falling on deaf ears, said Salka.

Salka said they want more staffing from CDPHE to assist in the cleanup. He recognized Colorados budget deficit and federal funding cuts to the state by the Trump Administration, but he said they need more awareness, and a visit from Governor Polis could bring more eyes and reassurance.

When reached for comment, the Governors office pushed back on the claim he wasnt involving himself in the cleanup and accountability efforts.

Governor Polis has coordinated calls between the tribe and the federal government and has been closely monitoring the spill in coordination with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE), said Ally Sullivan, Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Polis.

Patrick Cummins with the CDPHE is a La Plata County resident. Hes helped serve as the governors eyes and ears on the ground, Polis office said. He participates in weekly calls with the Tribe and EPA and makes regular site visits to monitor the progress and provide updates.

CDPHE leads the states response to the spill and keeps the governor and his team apprised of progress. CDPHE provides regular assistance and support to ensure the cleanup is getting the attention it deserves, said Sullivan. The state participates in weekly meetings with EPA and the Southern Ute Indian Tribes environmental programs staff, and performs ongoing oversight and enforcement of the mandatory Corrective Action Plan that dictates the actions Enterprise must take to remediate contamination.

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