DENVER The Colorado Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal that sought to stop a proposal that would raise taxes on the states wealthiest residents from appearing before voters this November.

The appeal, filed by Michael Andre Hancock, an Arapahoe County resident, came just a day after a Denver judge rejected a last-minute effort by Hancock to nullify the votes already cast on the ballot question last week.

Hancock brought forth the lawsuit against Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents Chris deGruy Kennedy of the Bell Policy Center and Kiyana Newell of New Era Colorado in September, alleging there were violations with the signature gathering process for the measure. The lawsuit also challenged the Secretary of State's review of the signatures.

What do Colorado Democrats think of Amendment 87? Watch what they had to say in the video below:

Colorado Democrats have different opinions on Amendment 87, graduated income tax

On Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed the Denver District Courts decision, saying in a one-page ruling that the court would issue a full opinion "in due course."

"Twice now, Colorado courts have said that more than 130,000 voters who signed this petition deserve to have their signatures count, and that Coloradans deserve to decide this question for themselves," said Chris deGruy Kennedy, co-chair of Protect Colorado's Future and President of the Bell Policy Center, in a prepared statement.

Last week, deGruy Kennedy admitted there were "administrative oversights" during the initial registration of a small number of paid circulators, but said the campaign fully disclosed every paid circulator after petitions were turned in. He said Protect Colorado's Future was "substantially complying with the letter and spirit of the law."

"The attempt by these dark-money-funded lawyers to say otherwise was a perversion of the law with one goal: deprive Colorado voters of the opportunity to vote on Amendment 87," deGruy Kennedy said in a statement Friday.

Check out Denver7's voter guide to the 2026 midterm elections here

Jason Dunn, an attorney for the plaintiff, said Fridays ruling by the state Supreme Court is disappointing as it leaves a system in which there will be little accountability for those who collect signatures and fail to follow the rules. From her part, Griswold said she appreciated the courts quick affirmation [that] Amendment 87 was rightly certified to the ballot, and every voter in this contest will have their voice heard.

What does Amendment 87 do, exactly?

Under Amendment 87, individuals and small businesses making less than $500,000 per year would see a drop in their state income taxes. Taxes would rise for individuals and businesses who make above $500,000 thanks to a graduated tax rate.

Here's how that income bracket breakdown would work if Amendment 87 passes:

Any revenue made from this change would go to the Colorado Futures Account, a proposed fund that would give money to public education, healthcare and early child care programs.

Amendment 87 is separate from Proposition 136, which is another ballot measure that could cap individual and corporate taxes at 4.4%. If voters approve both, the proposed tax rates within Amendment 87 would be higher than the limit set by Proposition 136.

According to the 2026 Blue Book, the state legislature or a court will have to resolve any conflicts that arise if both measures pass since the "exact outcome is unclear."

In Colorado, a ballot measure needs signatures from 5% of the total number of votes cast in the Secretary of State race in the prior general election.

ARCHULETA COUNTY, Colo. People who live in low-lying areas of Archuleta County were urged to immediately evacuate Friday as a storm system threatens to bring more flooding to an area already dealing with the aftermath of near-historic floods this month.

Unfortunately, the forecast continues to change, and the expected conditions keep getting worse, county officials said in a Facebook post.

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Per county officials, residents in Archuleta County can now expect up to three inches of rain across most of the county that could result in the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs to crest at 10.58 feet and the Piedra River near Arboles to crest at 5.92 feet.

Snow in the high country will also impact residents as between a foot and 30 inches of snow are now expected in the high country due to a storm system thats expected to arrive Sunday and last through Monday.

If you have water on your property now, expect more with this storm, county officials said in the social media post. Even if you are not in an evacuation area, we urge you to consider evacuating to a safe area for at least the duration of the storm if you have medical needs or do not have the resources to safely shelter in place.

County officials said residents with water on their property from last weeks floods should expect even more with this storm system.

The National Weather Service in Pueblo said earlier Friday areas like Creede, Monte Vista, Alamosa and those south would be impacted by this next storm system.

Officials say that evacuees should bring important documents and paperwork with them, including insurance information, medications, essential supplies, and anything they may need if away from home for several days.

Volunteers needed as county officials issue water safety advisories

In another social media post Friday, South Fork Fire Rescue officials were calling on able-bodied individuals to head over to Rickel Arena, located at 170 Wharton Drive in South Fork, to help pre-fill sandbags in preparation of this weekends storm.

Fire officials said they would be conducting volunteer sandbag filling at el Norte and Monte Vista on Saturday as well.

Elsewhere in Rio Grande County, a boil water advisory was replaced by a countywide private well water safety advisory. Residents interested in testing their private wells can pick up a test kit at the South Fork Community Center, the Del Norte Rio Grand County Public Health Office or Monte Vista City Hall.

A private well that tests clean today can become contaminated later. A water test only shows the quality of the water at the exact moment the sample was taken, county officials said in a news release. Groundwater and the conditions around a well change over time. It is recommended, based on the recent flood event to get your well tested regularly to ensure your well has not been contaminated.

Residents whose wells have tested positive for contamination should shock their wells and repeat the well test in 7-10 days, county officials said. Anyone who has not received their well test results is encouraged to contact Sangre de Cristo Labs at 719-589-1024 for help.

Following last weeks floods in Archuleta County, Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce and Town Manager David Harris signed a local disaster emergency declaration to help the town coordinate additional resources, pursue state and federal assistance, and support ongoing infrastructure repairs and recovery efforts, officials also said, adding the declaration will remain in effect through next Thursday until formally extended or terminated.

As recovery efforts continue, residents and businesses are encouraged to exercise caution when approached by individuals or organizations offering disaster assistance, cleanup services, or requesting charitable donations, officials said in a news release.

In Conejos County, public health leaders there said a Disaster Assistance Center was being established at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Jara from Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Saturday, Nov. 7. A tetanus booster vaccination campaign would also be taking place on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Conejos County Public Health Department.

We know this is difficult, especially for those who have already been through so much, a spokesperson with Archuleta County said. Please take this next storm seriously, stay informed, and make decisions now that will help keep you and your family safe.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. The man accused of firebombing a group of demonstrators in Boulder in June 2025 pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges Thursday.

Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 46, faced both state and federal charges for throwing Molotov cocktails to attack demonstrators in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza on the Pearl Street Mall last year. In Thursdays hearing, Soliman pleaded guilty to 12 federal charges, including hate crime resulting in death.

As part of a plea deal in court Thursday, Soliman also admitted that in addition to throwing those Molotov cocktails at the group, he did so because of the group's actual or perceived Israeli national origin and Jewish religion.

The attack killed one person and caused permanent and life-threatening injuries to several others.

Watch Denver7's story on his guilty plea to all state charges in the video below:

Boulder firebombing suspect pleads guilty to all state charges

During the investigation, it was discovered the defendant was staying in Colorado Springs at the time of the attack, but was originally from Egypt and had overstayed his visa.

In May, Soliman pleaded guilty to more than 100 state charges, including first-degree murder and 26 accounts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus more than 2,100 additional years in prison.

For nine of his federal hate crimes charges, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. For the three other hate crimes charges, he faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison term, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

By his own admissions, Mohamed Solimans hateful attack on our neighbors in Boulder was antisemitic, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly in a prepared statement. All Americans should feel free to pursue their faith and way of life without fear that doing so will put their personal safety at risk. Antisemitism erodes the common ties that bind our great nation together and there is no place for it in America. We are grateful for the trust and support of the victims and the Boulder community as we prosecuted this case.

As part of his federal plea agreement, the government and defense are both asking for a life sentence plus 50 years.

Solimans sentencing is set for January 7, 2027.

DENVER Deputies with the Larimer County Sheriffs Office are asking for the publics help after a Grand Lake resident went missing earlier this month.

Mark Thiebaut Jr., 28, had rented a vacation home in an Estes Valley residential area in early October but when deputies went to search the area, they only found an abandoned vehicle belonging to the 28-year-old.

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The vacation home he rented had since been occupied by new visitors, according to a news release.

Investigators confirmed that Mark parked his truck in the neighborhood in early October but have found no other indication of where he may have gone, a spokesperson with the Larimer County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies said investigators also did not find any evidence of foul play. A coordinated search involving multiple agencies found no sign of Thiebaut Jr.

Investigators added that because of the lack of information about his potential whereabouts or intended travel, search efforts were suspended.

However, investigators will resume follow up on any leads should additional information become available, the release stated.

Anyone with information about his location or intended destination should contact Investigator Brent Manley at 970-498-5336.

DENVER Troopers with the Colorado State Patrol are investigating after a suspicious device designed to look like an explosive device was left outside one of the entrances of the Colorado State Capitol on Wednesday.

The CSP responded to the State Capitol at around 10:34 a.m. after the suspicious device was found on a windowsill outside of the east Capitol entrance, according to a news release.

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The Capitol was evacuated at approximately 11:12 a.m. as a precaution and the areas was sealed off. Lincoln Street and 14th Avenue were closed, troopers said.

The Denver Police Department Bomb Squad arrived on scene at approximately 11:14 a.m. After testing, the device was found not to be a threat to the public. The evacuation order was lifted at 11:49 a.m. and both roads were reopened to traffic.

The Colorado State Patrol identified a person of interest who may have information about this device. Later in the day, CSP said they had arrested a 32-year-old suspect and custody was transferred to the Denver Police Department.

There is no ongoing hazard at the Capitol.

WELD COUNTY, Colo. Deputies in Weld County are investigating after a 14-year-old boy shot a 10-year-old relative of his near the Town of Erie Tuesday.

The shooting happened shortly after 4 p.m. at a home in the 2200 block of Weld County Road 10, according to a news release.

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During the investigation, deputies learned a 14-year-old male shot a 10-year-old female relative, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office said.

The girl was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is stable, deputies said.

No other information about the shooting was immediately released.

The investigation is ongoing.

DENVER State transportation officials on Wednesday asked the federal government for millions of dollars in relief funds to repair significant damage to highways across southwest Colorado following near-historic floods last week.

Officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation said they were requesting the funds, estimated at around $65 million, as part of the Federal Highway Administrations Emergency Relief program so work can begin immediately to repair damaged roadways.

CDOT said $5 million in emergency funding has already been approved by the Transportation Commission to help with immediate repair work.

Denver7's Tyler Melito spoke with Pagosa Springs residents who are still in shock over near historic levels of flooding for the second straight year

Pagosa Springs residents continue cleanup efforts after flooding

Severe storms from Oct. 22 through Oct. 25 brought rainfall totals of up to seven inches in areas like Pagosa Springs, according to state transportation officials. Flooding topped four feet on some federal-aid roadways at its peak and closed multiple state and local roads.

Governor Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency on Oct. 22 for several counties in southwest Colorado, including La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, before expanding that disaster emergency to 12 total over the weekend.

CDOT is working around the clock to get critical roadways like US Highway 550, US Highway 160, and Colorado Highway 151 open as soon as it is safe and possible, said CDOT executive director Shoshana Lew.

In a statement, Gov. Polis said the state was requesting federal support to help quickly make repairs before winter so Coloradans can safely reach home, work, and school.

CDOT said at least three highway sustained significant structural damage:

US 160: Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork reopened at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, but sustained serious damage including a failed culvert, a damaged retaining wall and roadway undercut by the Rio Grande. West of Pagosa Springs, one-way alternating traffic is in place. Floodwaters have receded and inspections have confirmed it is safe to open the US 160 Four Corners Bridge as of 6:20 p.m. Oct 27. These reopenings occurred after the letter to FHWA was sent.

US 550: Between Ironton and Silverton on Red Mountain Pass, a washed-out embankment and shoulder are being stabilized. The highway is open to one-lane alternating traffic.

CO 151: The highway was washed out in two locations near mile points 27 and 30. CDOT is planning a temporary access road for residents and emergency responders, followed by permanent reconstruction.

Five other state highways closed during the storms: US 285, CO 112, CO 17, CO 145 and US 550 at Bondad Bridge. All have since reopened.

State transportation officials said the $65 million figure is a preliminary estimate, as high water has kept crews from fully inspecting bridges and other structures. CDOT expects to provide a more accurate estimate in eight to 10 weeks, according to a news release. Additional funding requests may follow as assessments continue.

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. Two Colorado college students are missing after going on a hike at Ice Moutain in Chaffee County over the weekend, deputies said in a news release Tuesday, adding that while they are optimistic theyll find them, the window of opportunity is closing.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, from Ridgeway, and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon, from New York, reportedly left the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus Friday planning to hike Ice Mountain on the far north end of Chaffee County.

Deputies said hikers planning this hike would drive near Winfield (County Road 390) and access Mt. Huron trailhead. Deputies responded to the trailhead Monday and found Matsudas vehicle, according to a news release.

Friends who spoke with deputies said both planned on returning from the hike Saturday if they didnt feel safe, but if they felt confident about their hike, they would return on Sunday.

Family and friends told deputies both are experienced hikers and should have had appropriate clothing before leaving for the hike. They also showed deputies a text with a map plot pinpointing Ice Mountain as their destination, with another image showing the area around Winfield and the trailhead circled potentially indicating where they would go in and/or camp, the release states.

When deputies responded to the Mt. Huron trailhead, they noted that there was about eight inches of snow on the ground but none under the vehicle. Deputies said weather conditions were still favorable on Friday as it would have been raining in the area.

On Saturday, however, heavy snow started falling between 1 and 1 p.m., which created what deputies described as horrific road conditions around the county. Deputies had to deal with over a dozen slide offs and traffic accidents in a matter of minutes around the County, deputies said.

Ice Mountain is a very technical climb, and it is recommended that hikers be very experienced when trying to tackle it. That is when it is dry, said Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich, adding the mountain received up to two feet of snow by Saturday night, with some areas getting between three or four feet of snow due to sluffing and drifting.

Though avalanche concerns are minimal because its only the first big snow the season, boulder fields that search and rescue teams will have to cross to reach the peak are now covered in all the snow making it extremely dangerous and virtually impossible on foot, Rohrich said. There is also nowhere on the mountain a helicopter could land to bring staff in.

Rohrich said the countys search and rescue team was deployed Monday to begin the search for the two missing hikers, but the pair were not found.

At around noon Tuesday, a helicopter searching for both hikers spotted an object near Lake Ann and a search team was sent in on foot to the area. At the scene, they discovered that the object was the hikers tent that had collapsed under the weight of the snow.

Deputies said there was no snow under the tent and there were no visible footprints in the snow which suggested that the tent was all in place before the snow came in. The only sign of both hikers were their sleeping bags, stove and some clothing inside the tent.

Unfortunately, we still have not located Kaden and Jackson, and our hearts go out to their families. It is unimaginable what they must be going through. We are still optimistic Kaden and Jackson are hunkered down somewhere waiting to be rescued. Our window of opportunity is closing as poor weather is expected again later this week, so we are putting all our available resources in the field. We are also considering other potential destinations they may have been headed to other than Ice Mountain, said Rohrich. They are both strong young men. Kaden is studying to be a wildland firefighter, and Jackson is studying to be a mountain guide Mountainair, so hope is not lost. Please keep the families in your thoughts as we continue to search.

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EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. Two men were arrested last week after nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of fentanyl pills along with firearms and thousands of dollars in cash were seized following a monthslong investigation by detectives in Colorado Springs.

Fernando Briceno Chacin, 36, was taken into custody on Oct. 22 in Colorado Springs and 41-year-old German Diaz Diaz was arrested in New Mexico following a monthslong investigation that began in May 2026, according to a news release.

Both men are accused of conspiring to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Investigators said the investigation led them to both suspects after months of surveillance, interviews and reviewing intelligence gathered by analysts from the departments Metro Narcotics and Related Crimes (NARC) Unit.

On Oct. 22, investigators served three residential search warrants were executed throughout El Paso County and within the city of Colorado Springs by NARC detectives with the assistance of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents with the Colorado Springs Regional Office. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of 188 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 37,000 fentanyl pills, 2 pistols, 1 rifle, and a large amount of cash in US currency, according to the release. The seized cash is still being counted, but the total cash amount is estimated to be $40,000, police added.

This remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information that could help this investigation is asked to contact CSPD at 719-444-7000. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can contact Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.

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FOUNTAIN, Colo. A Fountain mas was arrested early Saturday after reportedly firing shots in his neighborhood in the middle of the night.

The incident occurred at around 2:15 a.m. in the 7300 block of Village Meadows Drive.

Police said that officers encountered the man at the scene who refused to cooperate with law enforcement, prompting containment and the response of specialized units, according to a news release.

The suspect identified as 46-year-old John Martin was eventually taken into custody after police used approved distraction and gas deployment techniques, said Lisa Schneider with Fountain police.

Martin was medically evaluated before he was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

He faces several charges, including attempted first-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

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GUNNISON, Colo. Emergency crews were responding to reports of a small aircraft crash in Gunnison Saturday.

The crash was reported by the Gunnison Regional 911 Center at about 11 a.m. via Facebook. In a social media post, officials said the crash occurred in the area of Swampy Pass, though a time of the crash was not immediately available.

We have numerous emergency crews responding to the location. At this time, no additional information is available for public release, Gunnison Regional 911 Center officials wrote.

They asked that the public avoid calling 911 or dispatch about this crash so that our dispatchers can remain available to handle emergency calls and coordinate responding resources.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo. Some Pagosa Springs residents will be allowed to return home this weekend after heavy rainfall led to flooding in Archuleta County over the past couple of days.

Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday for Hermosa and San Juan streets in Pagosa Springs and both areas have returned to pre-evacuation status as a precaution. Town officials urged residents to remain alert and prepared should conditions change.

Denver7's Tyler Melito has the latest in the video below:

Denver7's Tyler Melito has an update on flooding in southwest Colorado

US 160 also opened back up to traffic between Pagosa Springs and Durango, officials said in a news release. Traffic between both towns will be alternating in a one-way direction along a damaged section of the highway in Aspen Springs, they added.

Please use caution, expect delays and follow traffic control instructions, town officials said in the news release.

A flood watch remains in effect through Sunday morning for portions of southwest Colorado, including the Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin and Southwest San Juan Mountains, National Weather Service officials in Boulder said.

Though conditions are improving, town officials said they will continue monitoring conditions and providing updates as needed.

Earlier Saturday, Gov. Polis expanded a flood disaster emergency to 12 counties in southwestern Colorado

The declaration unlocks state resources, including authorizing unarmed members of the Colorado National Guard, the release said. The state is also coordinating with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe on flooding affecting tribal land.

Polis thanked first responders and urged residents to follow emergency orders.

I urge Coloradans in Southwest Colorado to follow emergency orders and ensure you prioritize your and your familys safety, Polis said.

The State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating the response, the release said. State officials said:

Colorado Search and Rescue groups have been deployed. The Department of Natural Resources is supporting swiftwater rescue. Helicopters from the Division of Fire Prevention and Control are helping people stranded by the flooding. Colorado State Patrol troopers and four Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management area field managers are supporting local emergency operations centers and shelters. The Colorado National Guard is assisting with swiftwater rescues and search efforts. Flooding strands dozens of people in Archuleta County as river peaks with more rain in the forecastRoad closures

The Colorado Department of Transportation is monitoring road damage and managing these closures:

US 160 mile point 150 to mile point 183 is closed due to large amounts of debris following flooding. Expected to be an extended closure.  CO 112 mile point 1 to mile point 13 is closed eastbound and westbound due to flooding.  Del Norte to Center.  US 285 mile point 51.2 to mile point 55.85 is closed northbound and southbound due to flooding. North of Monte Vista between US 160 junction and CR 5N.   CO 151 mile point 22 to mile point 34 is closed due to flooding and debris. Chimney Rock to Arboles, between Forest Service Road 613 to the US 160 Junction. Expect Delays.

Drivers can check cotrip.org for current road conditions and closures. The governors office reminded people not to drive through floodwaters when they cannot see the road beneath.

Colorado 211 can connect residents with information on evacuations and shelters and help people in mandatory evacuation zones register for temporary housing vouchers. People can call 2-1-1 or visit 211colorado.org/disaster-response.

The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado has activated the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to assist the Town of Pagosa Springs and surrounding areas affected by this weeks flooding.

Individuals who want to support the community are encouraged to donate to the fund, officials said.

Online donations can be made through the Community Foundations website, and checks made out to the Community Foundation Memo: 2026 Archuleta Flood can be mailed to P.O. Box 1673 Durango, CO 81302.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Two people were killed following two separate vehicle crashes in Colorado Springs overnight, and police said impairment may have been a contributing factor in both.

The first crash was reported at around 12:13 a.m. at the intersection of S. Chelton Road and Marlow Circle.

A preliminary investigation into the crash revealed a single vehicle was traveling west on S. Chelton Road at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve. Police said the vehicle then struck a curb, rolled over and came to rest on Marlow Circle.

The passenger was ejected during the rollover and was declared dead at the scene, according to a news release.

The driver, 20-year-old Karen Bustos, was later arrested for vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. The driver was booked into the El Paso County Jail.

Both speed and impairment are suspected contributing factors, police said.

The intersection of S. Chelton Road and Marlow Circle was closed for several hours while investigators processed the scene.

The second crash happened at around 12:47 a.m. at the intersection of E. Platte Avenue and Space Center Drive.

At the scene, officers found two vehicles had collided with each other. A preliminary investigation revealed a black car was traveling west on E. Platte Avenue approaching Space Center Drive, while a grey truck was traveling east on E. Platte Avenue and attempting to turn left onto northbound Space Center Drive.

The two vehicles collided within the intersection, according to a news release.

At this time, impairment may be a contributing factor, police said in a news release.

The intersection of E. Platte Avenue and Space Center Drive was closed for several hours while investigators processed the scene.

The investigation into this second crash remains ongoing.

The El Paso County Coroners Office will release the identity of the deceased once family has been notified.

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ARCHULETA COUNTY, Colo. People living along several rivers in southwestern Colorado were ordered to evacuate Thursday due to the threat of flooding in the area.

The alert from officials in Archuleta County and the Town of Pagosa Springs urged residents living near all low-lying and flood prone areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra rivers to evacuate immediately as as critical weather conditions continue to impact flooding behavior, Pagosa Springs officials said in a news release.

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Residents were encouraged to pick up sandbags at the Archuleta County Building at 1122 Hwy. 84 and the Tara Community Center at 333 Milton Ln, in Arboles.

Please expect localized flooding, submerged riverbanks, and unsafe swift-water conditions, the alert from county officials stated.

Warnings ranging from a severe thunderstorm watch to flood watches and warnings are in effect for much of southwestern Colorado through late Thursday night.

As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, minor flood had been reported for about five to 10 homes west of South Fork in Rio Grande County, per a preliminary storm report published by the National Weather Service.

This is a breaking developing news story. Stay with Denver7 for the latest.

DENVER A last-minute effort to stop Amendment 87 from appearing before Colorado voters on the November ballot this year was rejected by a Denver judge Wednesday.

Michael Andre Hancock, an Arapahoe County man, filed suit against Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents Chris deGruy Kennedy of the Bell Policy Center, and Kiyana Newell of New Era Colorado, alleging the signature gathering process for the graduated income tax ballot question was done incorrectly. The lawsuit also challenged the Secretary of State's review of the signatures.

Watch Denver7's previous reporting on this lawsuit in the video below:

Court hearing questions on Amendment 87 two weeks before Election Day

During a hearing Monday, the defendants admitted that mistakes were made in the signature gathering process but said they proved in court it was not to the extent alleged by Hancock.

There were a couple issues where not all the circulators were registered, but I think what we showed is that was not the case in enough cases to disqualify the measure from the ballot," said deGruy Kennedy. What we showed in the evidence today is that at most we're talking about 33 circulators having their signatures disqualified, and that is not enough to knock 87 off the ballot."

On Wednesday, Denver District Court Judge Heidi L. Kutcher ruled that Hancock did not meet his burden to establish his case against Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents.

Therefore, the Court DISMISSES this matter, Kutcher wrote in her ruling Wednesday.

Responding to the ruling, Griswold said she appreciated the Courts careful consideration of this matter, and look forward to voters making their voices heard on this question.

Griswold said voters should continue to vote on the ballot they were sent.

In a statement, Jason Dunn, Hancock's attorney, said they "obviously disagree with the result" and will file an appeal to the Supreme Court Thursday.

"This decision was based largely on the testimony of a single witness from the Secretary of States office that conflicted with much of the other testimony on the question of whether requiring circulators to register helps prevent fraud," Dunn said in a statement to Denver7. "We believe it does and that the Supreme Court will agree." 

Amendment 87 tackles Colorados flat income tax rate by instead offering a graduated tax rate. Colorado currently has a 4.4% flat income tax. A no vote on 87 would keep the rate the same. A yes vote on Amendment 87 would tax income by bracket and remove the flat tax rate from the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, more commonly known as TABOR.

Here's how that breakdown would work if Amendment 87 passes:

Any revenue made from this change would go to the Colorado Futures Account, a proposed fund that would give money to public education, healthcare and early child care programs.

Amendment 87 is separate from Proposition 136, which is another ballot measure that could cap individual and corporate taxes at 4.4%. If voters approve both, the proposed tax rates within Amendment 87 would be higher than the limit set by Proposition 136.

According to the 2026 Blue Book, the state legislature or a court would have to resolve any conflicts that arise if both measures pass since the "exact outcome is unclear."

In Colorado, a ballot measure needs signatures from 5% of the total number of votes cast in the Secretary of State race in the prior general election.

GRAND COUNTY, Colo. Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a driver with several counts of criminally negligent homicide in connection with a head-on crash that killed an entire family south of Kremmling last year.

Samuel Roland Conger, 26, is facing five counts of criminally negligent homicide for the deaths of 34-year-old Manuel Cabral-Torres, 30-year-old Andrea Banuelos-Salazar, and their three children 12-year-old Maria Cabral-Banuelos, 5-year-old Manuel Cabral-Banuelos, and 2-year-old Andres Cabral-Banuelos.

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Details about the cause of the deadly crash remained hidden from public view for months as investigators worked to develop probable cause to make an arrest in the case.

But on the anniversary of the crash, the Colorado State Patrol said it had presented their investigative findings to the 14th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Grand County for review and filing of charges a step that signaled prosecutors were close to revealing what happened on Aug. 4, 2025.

In an unsealed affidavit obtained by Denver7 Friday, a witness to the crash said he was driving the morning of Aug. 24 along Highway 9 near milepost 136 when he saw Congers Ford F150 traveling north along the highway.

The witness told investigators he saw the truck started to veer into his lane, and he had to swerve to avoid the truck hitting his vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit.

The driver told troopers Congers head was down, appearing asleep or passed out behind the wheel, and said he saw the vehicle continue moving into the southbound lane of the highway through his rear-view mirror before the F150 collided head on with a maroon GMC Yukon.

Other witnesses provided troopers with similar accounts of the crash, the affidavit states.

The F150 was going at about 78 to 86 mph in a posted 65 mph zone at the time of impact, according to arresting documents.

Troopers said Conger drove into the oncoming lane for hundreds of feet prior to the collision, and did not try to brake or take an evasive maneuver to avoid oncoming traffic.

The crash caused the F150 and the Yukon to spin clockwise before both vehicles caught fire, according to the arrest affidavit in the case.

Witnesses told troopers they tried to get everyone out of their vehicles after the crash but the flames prevented anyone from helping the Banuelos family get out of their burning vehicle. Conger was able to get out of his car with the help of bystanders, arresting documents show.

Conger was then flown to St. Anthonys Hospital in Lakewood for treatment. The remaining five victims all died at the scene, prosecutors said.

Criminally negligent homicide carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count in the state of Colorado.

It was not immediately clear when Conger would make his first court appearance.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. The man suspected of killing one person after driving his pickup truck onto a sidewalk in Old Town Fort Collins in late August was charged Friday with several counts, including vehicular homicide, the Larimer County District Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Van Lemaster, 88, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was charged with one count of vehicular homicide, two counts of reckless endangerment and four counts of vehicular assault. He was booked Friday into the Larimer County Jail on those charges, according to a news release.

Watch Denver7's previous report on this story in the video below:

One person dead after driver hits pedestrians on sidewalk in Old Town Fort Collins, police say

The fatal crash along Mountain Avenue on Aug. 29 happened at the height of the city's Tour de Fat celebration, an annual costume bicycle festival that brings thousands of bicyclists to Old Town.

Police said Lemaster drove onto the sidewalk and struck multiple people as the event was underway. Six people, including Lemaster, were taken to the hospital.

A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash shows Lemaster reversed from a parking spot along Mountain Avenue, hitting another vehicle. It then drove forward onto the sidewalk, hitting pedestrians before colliding with a tree and coming to a stop.

Investigators ruled out impairment as a factor in the crash, according to Fridays news release.

"This was an incredibly tragic crash that affected many in our community. Our entire agency will continue to be there for all who were impacted and support them as this case progresses through the criminal justice system, said Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda in a statement. Im grateful for the diligence, professionalism, and thoroughness that our agency displayed while both responding to this incident and the subsequent investigation."

Lemaster is being held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Allegations of racist behavior coming from students and spectators of a private Christian school in Parker at Colorado high school football games could jeopardize the schools athletic programs indefinitely if it fails to implement immediate changes to its culture, officials from the Colorado High School Activities Association warned Thursday.

Lutheran High School, which has been embroiled in controversy over reported racist incidents at football games for nearly a month, is now facing suspension from CHSAA-sponsored games and other activities unless it completes a corrective action plan that addresses game management, spectator conduct, staff training and school culture.

In the meantime, CHSAA has placed the schools athletic department on probation for at least 12 months after determining that racist and discriminatory language and unacceptable behavior occurred at Lutheran athletic events.

Racism and discrimination have no place in our schools or at our events. CHSAA takes sportsmanship, crowd control and the treatment of every participant at our events seriously, and every member school is responsible for the conduct of its coaches, players and spectators, officials said in a statement Thursday.

Officials from the states governing body for high school athletics said they were forced to consider suspending Lutheran High Schools membership in the Association following a comprehensive review of documentation, official game reports, and first-hand accounts that member schools gathered from their students and communities.

The racist incidents occurred while visiting Lutheran High School played against Sand Creek High on Sept. 24 and Rampart High School on Oct. 2 and 3.

Families who reached out to News5 about the racist incidents said Black cheerleaders from Sand Creek High were subjected to racial slurs during the game and were even called Harriet Tubman by Lutheran High students. The racist harassment was so severe Sand Creek cheerleading coach Sanaa Ford had to escort a group of Black cheerleaders to their cars before the game was even over while students made monkey noises at them, according to The Denver Post.

Watch News5's first story on these allegations in the video below:

School districts respond to racist incidents at high school football games

News5 took those families concerns to Lutheran High School executive director Dan Gehrke, who said he was aware of the allegations and was actively investigating them.

But just three days after another racist incident occurred at Rampart High that reportedly involved the LuHi Lions, Air Academy High School announced it was forfeiting its homecoming football game against the private Christian school. School officials cited a coaching shortage as the reason for the forfeit and said they would instead schedule a flag football game versus TCA for Oct. 9.

In their statement, Air Academy High did not address the controversy over the racist allegations that now plague Lutheran High, only saying the school was committed to a safe and supportive environment for all students.

The lack of clarity forced Academy District 20, the school district under which Air Academy High School operates, to provide a statement of its own.

Academy District 20 believes racism in any form should never be tolerated. Any credible concerns of racist remarks should be taken seriously and fully investigated, district officials said.

In their statement, district officials said that conversations between Lutheran High and Air Academy High had taken place last week and both had agreed to limit fan attendance only to family members of both schools as well as add security enhancements.

Ultimately, individual decisions affected the level of coaching participation available. Given those circumstances, Air Academy was not in a position to safely field and support a varsity football contest, district officials said.

On Monday, School District 11 announced it, too, had decided that Coronado High School would also forfeit its game against Lutheran scheduled for this Thursday after both Lutheran and CHSAA failed to provide a statement to the district denouncing racist behavior ahead of the scheduled game.

Our athletic programs should reflect respect, dignity, and a commitment to equal and fair play, School District 11 officials said. In the absence of the requested statements, we do not believe proceeding with Thursdays game is consistent with those expectations.

CHSAA officials defended their delayed response in implementing disciplinary action against Lutheran in a statement last week, saying any disciplinary action required more than responding to individual reports.

We understand the desire for immediate action. But decisions of this weight must be based on complete information and acting before we have it would not serve student participants or our member schools, officials said. If CHSAA bylaws are determined to have been violated, consequences will be determined according to those bylaws.

If Lutheran fails to meet the requirements set forth by CHSAAs corrective action plan, the states governing body will recommend the Board of Directors suspend Lutherans membership for a length of time determined by the Board.

Gehrke, the LuHi Lions' executive director, said in a statement to families obtained by Denver7 later Thursday that Lutheran High "condemns racism in any form," adding the school will complete "every requirement CHSAA has set."

"We are disappointed that CHSAA reached its determination before our own review is complete and before it could consider our findings," Gehrke said. "In the meantime, I humbly ask that you keep our students, families, coaches and staff in your prayers, along with everyone affected."

This isnt the first time Lutheran High School students have been under the spotlight for alleged racist behavior.

In 2021, an investigation for unsportsmanlike conduct was launched against the LuHi Lions after an Evergreen High School parent alleged Lutheran High football players used racist slurs against Evergreens minority players and said, We will bury you like your dead coach, after a coach on the Jefferson County team had died, according to Denver7.

Montrose High School, which is expected to face Lutheran High on Oct. 23, announced later Thursday their game against the school was still on, but said in a statement that their decision to compete "should not be interpreted as minimizing the seriousness of these allegations or condoning the behavior described."

"Montrose County School District unequivocally condemns racism and discrimination in any form," Montrose High School Principal Heidi Voehringer said in a statement obtained by News5. "We remain committed to representing our school and community with the character, integrity, and respect we expect of all Red Hawks."

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PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) Pueblo city officials are reassuring residents that their drinking water is safe following two wastewater discharges earlier this week, but advised people to avoid recreational contact with the water in Pest House Gulch, Wild Horse Creek, and the immediate downstream areas for the time being.

Officials from the Pueblo West Metropolitan District said the wastewater discharges occurred Tuesday during planned infrastructure upgrades at the districts wastewater treatment facility, which is undergoing improvements to modernize its ultraviolet disinfection system.

The first discharge occurred at around 1:13 a.m., according to a news release.

In that first incident, district operators responded to an alert indicating a temporary failure of a contractor-operated bypass pumping system. Officials said that during that brief failure, approximately 54,000 gallons of fully treated but non-disinfected wastewater was discharged through the plant outfall into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek before district personnel restored operation of the facilitys primary UV disinfection system.

A second operational complication occurred later that day during ongoing system adjustments associated with the upgrade project that released approximately 185,000 gallons of partially treated and partially disinfected wastewater into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to officials.

District officials said personnel immediately responded to both incidents, restoring treatment processes and implementing operational measures to stabilize system performance. Both incidents were reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, officials said, and the district is working closely with the contractor to implement additional redundancy measures and safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Officials said water quality samples were collected and laboratory analysis for E. coli is currently underway but reassured the public drinking water is safe.

Pueblo Wests drinking water remains safe and unaffected, a spokesperson for the district said in a statement. These incidents involved treated wastewater discharges and do not impact the Districts drinking water treatment facilities, distribution system, or drinking water resources.

Though Pueblos drinking water is safe, officials are asking that out of an abundance of caution, people avoid recreational contact with the water in Pest House Gulch, Wild Horse Creek, and the immediate downstream areas while water quality monitoring and testing continue.

District officials said they will provide updates as more information and water quality monitoring results become available.

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ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. Colorado State Patrol crime investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to a deadly crash on Interstate 70 east of Byers Wednesday morning.

The fatal crash happened while CSP troopers were investigating a single-vehicle, property-damage-only semi crash on westbound I-70 near milepost 321 at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

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As troopers were working the scene, one of their patrol cars was struck by a Ford F-150, according to a news release.

Initial reports show the trooper was partially blocking the left lane of travel while tow trucks were removing the semi from the center median when the Ford F-150, driven by an 18-year-old man, lost control, striking the patrol vehicle and sideswiping the passenger side. The F-150 continued westbound, entering the center median, striking the guardrail, and then striking the rear driver's side of the semi-trailer.

The 18-year-old driver of the F-150 was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries. The passenger of the pickup, a 19-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, according to the release.

The trooper involved was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation; no injuries were reported at the scene.

The name of the 19-year-old will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner once family has been notified.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating this crash.