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Ashlynn Saenz has been stamping her name all over Pueblo Centrals record books.

This season, Ashlynn broke Central's school records for digs and serve receptions surpassing a player she once looked up to, Kai Arriaga. Arriaga set both records at 1,027 by the time she graduated in 2022. When Ashlynn rewrote history, Arriaga was there to congratulate her.

"I watched the girl that had the records in the first place, and I think she pushed me to do it. I was in awe that the child in me beat her," Ashlynn said.

Volleyball has always been a family affair for Ashlynn. Her grandpa played, and so did her mom and older sister. Growing up around the game, Ashlynn also had a front-row seat to some of Pueblo Central's best. Now, she's surpassed one of them.

For Ashlynn's dad and head coach, Danny, those records are only part of the player he's watched develop over four years. She arrived as a timid freshman, but by her sophomore year, her teammates had voted her captain.

"She is a tremendous competitor, but one thing that is overlooked, she has one of the biggest hearts on the team. She genuinely cares for every single one of her teammates," Danny said.

Now Ashlynn's name sits amongst the names of those that she once looked up to, but she is not hoping that her records last forever.

"It honestly means the world to me that I was able to get my name onto something and make a difference, but what I wanted to do the most is for the younger girls that watch me play like the younger sisters I want them to come and beat me that's what I want," Ashlynn said.

Ashlynn has also made two appearances at the state tournament in tennis. She's been playing since her freshman year, and with how quickly she has excelled in it, she's hoping she will be able to be a dual-sport athlete in college, playing both volleyball and tennis.

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The name for the Colorado Springs United Football Team was revealed on Sunday. The team will be called the Colorado Stampede.

Last month, the UFL announced Colorado Springs will join the league next season. They will play their home games at Weidner Field.

Bringing professional football to Colorado Springs is a vote of confidence in our city and in what we have built downtown, said Mayor Yemi Mobolade last month. A UFL team will put Colorado Springs in front of a national audience, bring fans to Weidner Field, and give southern Colorado a professional football team to call its own. We are proud to welcome the UFL to the foot of Pikes Peak Americas Mountain, and we look forward to seeing our community make this team its own.

The first official game will be played on Sunday, April 11 at 1 p.m. MT.

Rhode Island will also join the league next season, then teams in Utah and Oklahoma in 2028.

The UFL will have eight teams next season. On top of Colorado Springs, they are the Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, Rhode Island Breakers and St. Louis Battlehawks.

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The City of Ouray has taken down its iconic "Switzerland of America" sign off of Highway 550 due to deterioration because of its age and concerns over its structural integrity.

According to the city, officials made the proactive decision to take down the sign before the winter season to prevent damage or the risk of it falling into the gorge.

"The City recognizes the historical and sentimental significance of this beloved landmark to our community and is committed to preserving its original character while making necessary structural improvements to meet current safety standards and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) requirements," the city said in a statement.

It will be restored, and funding has been included in the proposed city budget, which is awaiting city council approval. Once it's approved, the city will begin refurbishing the sign.

"The City is also committed to have all restoration work completed locally, utilizing the skills and craftsmanship of our local businesses and tradespeople. This approach would not only help preserve an important piece of Ouray's history but also support the local economy and the talented individuals within our community," a statement reads.

The Classical Academy sits at the top of 4A Flag Football for a second consecutive year. The Titans secured their second championship in three appearances with a 34-18 win over Vista Ridge, completing their undefeated season.

Reagan Harter did most of the heavy lifting for TCA by scoring four touchdowns. Vista Ridges Kayla Dempsey found the end zone three times for all of the Wolves points.

The Titans opened the scoring in the first quarter with some trickery. CHSAAs career leader in passing yards, Kelsey Peterson recorded what goes down as a touchdown pass to herself. Peterson threw a quick pass to Ryann Ferguson who then pitched it right back to Peterson with space on the outside allowing her to cross the goal line. Peterson then found Kennedy Harter on the following extra-point attempt to put the Titans ahead 7-0.

Vista Ridge responded with chunk play after chunk play. Jocelynn Kalkman picked apart the TCA defense with precision passes down field to Arayah Johnson and Aubrey Leong. The last of those passes landed in the hands of Kayla Dempsey for a touchdown. After the failed extra-point attempt, it was a one point game.

The first half of this title game had no lack of excitement. TCA led 13-6 to end the first quarter after Peterson found her favorite target Reagan Harter who bobbled the catch in traffic but stayed with it and used a burst of speed to get to the end zone.

It was only a few minutes into the second quarter when Vista Ridge responded. Kalkman went right back to Dempsey and got the same result as before, a touchdown. Dempseys second score of the game brought her team back within a point at 13-12.

However that did not last long. TCA needed just one play to get back into the end zone. Reagan Harter caught a short pass across the middle and showed off her speed on the way to TCA extending its lead 19-12.

This is the point of the game where both defenses showed up. The Titans defense held Vista Ridges offense to short yardage and gave the ball back to their offense with a chance to go up two scores.

Kelsey Peterson had that exact thought in mind when she took a deep shot near the end zone, but instead of her receiver she found Arayah Johnson. The Wolves sophomore came away with the first turnover of the game. She returned the pick well into Titan territory but a couple of flags brought the ball backwards and the VR offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover.

That allowed Peterson and Reagan Harter to connect for their third touchdown of the first half. TCA felt confident heading into the locker room with a 25-12 lead at the half.

The Wolves were hoping to cut into that deficit with their opening drive of the second half, but TCAs Brooklyn Blair snatched that hope out the air with her second interception of the game.

Both offenses seemed to struggle in the second half with neither team pushing the ball down field until the fourth quarter. Vista Ridge had a breath of life as they found themselves within scoring distance in the final quarter of the season but a bobbled pass landed in the wrong hands.

Peterson tracked the ball down for her second interception of the year which couldnt have come at a better time for the Titans. Petersons offense took over with a two score lead and a lot of time left on the clock.

That ensuing drive would be the one to put the game away. Peterson went back to her most reliable receiver, Reagan Harter. Harter would score her fourth touchdown of the day and give the Titans a comfortable 32-12 lead.

Vista Ridge added a late touchdown by Dempsey and attempted the flag football version of an onside kick. After that failed, it began to set in for the Titans that they had secured another state championship.

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More than 100 survivors and supporters gathered at Colorado Springs City Hall as part of a nationwide "I Am Jane Doe" movement, standing in solidarity with a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by seven Cornell University students.

The ralliers delivered a unified message: accountability and they say that demand extends well beyond New York.

Kaylee Armijo, a rally organizer who has identified herself as a survivor, said the gathering sends an important message to everyone who has experienced sexual violence.

"It shows all survivors that we're not alone. You can look to your left and look to your right and see other survivors, and not just other survivors, but people who support survivors," Armijo said.

Armijo said the issue is not confined to the Cornell campus.

"It's happening right here in Colorado Springs. It's happening at Fort Carson, it's happening at Colorado College, it's happening at UCCS, and nothing is being done," Armijo said.

Watch KOAA's coverage about what a local university is doing to protect students on campus: Cornell 7 case sparks UCCS student safety talks

Samantha Olgren, who says she herself has been a "Jane Doe," said the rally gave her a long-awaited opportunity to speak out. She shared a conversation she had with her father.

"He said, 'What are you going to do about it?' And I said, 'I have a voice, and I'll use it.' And today was that opportunity for me," Olgren said.

Olgren also opened up about her own experience with abuse.

"I was molested by my father from the time I was 2 to the time I was 12," Olgren said.

Her daughter, Karissa Pane, joined her at the rally. She said they have a strong and loving support system, despite the trauma both have experienced.

It makes me sad, but it makes me happy to actually have it out there because, like, it's always just kind of been a secret in our family. Even when it happened to me, I told my grandma, and she was like, "Oh, he's getting back to his old habits.' Like they know about it, and they're fine with it. It's like no one should be okay with that," Pane said.

Fellow attendee Sam Perez described what she sees as a culture of silence she says she experienced firsthand in college and now as a therapist.

"It's always swept under the rug, never actual disciplinary action for those things. I remember going to college and having to deal with those announcements and all that other stuff and being women, being people just in solidarity with wanting this to change, wanting men and assailants to be held accountable," Perez said. "I want to stand up for the things I tell my patients to stand up for."

Perez said there needs to be universal change when it comes to offenders.

"Laws need to change everywhere, whether it's a campus in Ohio or a campus in New York, a campus in Colorado rape happens on those campuses, and if we can just get someone to create a law where women and people who are victims of sexual assault can just be seen and heard, and not have to go through the re-traumatizing hoops that one does have to go through just to hold someone accountable, then let's do that," Perez said.

Armijo agreed and said true accountability must extend to everyone involved, including those who stayed silent.

"Accountability is the biggest thing that needs to change. These men need to be in jail; these men need to be behind bars, not only the seven who participated in their actions, but the 50 that did nothing in the group chat," Armijo said.

Those gathered closed with a direct message to Jane Doe.

"We're here for you. Got all kinds of people supporting you," Olgren said.

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.

DENVER Gov. Jared Polis has added Conejos County to a disaster emergency declaration for flooding in southwest Colorado, bringing the order to 12 counties, as about 100 people have evacuated and many others are stranded in their homes by floodwaters, his office said.

Polis first declared the disaster emergency verbally in 11 counties: La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, Hinsdale, San Miguel, Ouray, San Juan, Mineral, Alamosa and Rio Grande. He then amended the verbal order to include Conejos County, according to a news release from his office.

Watch Denver7's latest update on this story in the video below:

Flooding strands dozens of people in Archuleta County as river peaks with more rain in the forecast

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.Road closures

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

U.S. 550 over Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray (mile points 75 to 80.2): one lane open, with traffic alternating directions. U.S. 160 in both directions west of Pagosa Springs (mile points 133 to 136.8), from Deer Trail Road to Elk Canyon Ranch Road/Hersch Avenue. U.S. 160 in both directions over Wolf Creek Pass (mile points 157 to 183), from the Treasure Falls chain-up station on the west side to South Fork. Colorado 17 in both directions over Cumbres and La Manga passes (mile points 0 to 38), from the New Mexico state line to Antonito. Colorado 151 in both directions at Chimney Rock (mile points 22.8 to 33.6), from the U.S. 160 junction to Arboles. Colorado 112 in both directions between Del Norte and Center (mile points 1 to 13).

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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Todays Forecast:

A cold front dropping across the region brings a dramatic temperature drop and widespread rain to the eastern plains. The flash flooding threat along the Continental Divide has eased, as the heaviest rainfall shifts east. Pockets of the far eastern plains could see an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain today and tonight. Snow levels will drop over the high country, bringing 5 to 8 inches of fresh snow to the highest mountain peaks. Highs today reach the 50s to low 60s for the plains, before overnight lows drop into the 30s across the high valleys and the upper 30s to low 40s for the plains.

Watch News5's full forecast in the video below:

Cold front moves in and brings more rainfallLocal City Breakdown

Colorado Springs: Low: 40 | High: 54

Expect a chilly Saturday as a cold front knocks temperatures down by nearly 20 degrees. Clouds will thicken through the morning, with light rain showers building by the afternoon and evening. Northerly winds gusting up to 15 mph will add an extra chill to the air.

Pueblo: Low: 42 | High: 60

A damp, cool day is ahead with highs topping out in the lower 60s. Rain chances increase through Saturday afternoon and evening, accompanied by an easterly breeze. Periods of steady, moderate rain will continue through the night.

Canon City: Low: 43 | High: 58

Cool, fall-like weather takes over today with highs struggling to reach the upper 50s. Skies remain mostly cloudy, with scattered rain showers developing during the afternoon alongside a persistent easterly breeze.

Woodland Park: Low: 33 | High: 45 Raw and chilly conditions keep highs locked in the mid-40s. Rain showers build during the afternoon. As overnight temperatures fall near freezing, showers could mix with a few snow flurries late tonight.

Extended Forecast

An upper-level low tracking out of Arizona keeps Southern Colorado cold and wet through the weekend. A steady warming trend returns by mid-week.

Saturday Sunday: A strong cold front holds daytime highs in the 50s and low 60s across lower elevations. Widespread rain showers, isolated thunder, and heavy rain focus along the eastern plains, while high mountain peaks pick up several inches of snow. Sunday will be the coldest day of the stretch with lingering, trapped cloud cover and showers.

Monday: The storm system weakens and pulls away to the northeast. A few early morning showers may linger near the Kansas border before clearing skies take over. Temperatures begin to recover with highs reaching the upper 50s and low 60s.

Tuesday Friday: Drier southwesterly flow settles over the region for the rest of the workweek. Expect a stretch of pleasant, mostly sunny days with highs rebounding back into the upper 60s and lower 70s.

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The Pueblo County Coroner has identified a man found dead along West B Street on Wednesday afternoon in Pueblo.

Jesus Ramirez, 88, was reported missing and was last seen on the evening of Monday, October 19, 2026, according to Pueblo Police.

The circumstances surrounding Ramirez's cause of death remain under investigation.

The Pueblo County Coroner will release more information as it becomes available.

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DENVER (AP) Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists, Nazem Kadri scored his first goal of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 on Friday night.

Devon Toews, Fedor Svechkov, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas also scored as Colorado rebounded from back-to-back road losses. Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves.

Jake Guentzel scored twice and Charle-Edouard DAstous added another for the Lightning, who saw their three-game winning streak halted. Nikita Kucherov was held in check and remains a goal or assist away from becoming the franchises career points leader. He has 1,137 points and is tied with Steven Stamkos.

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 18 of 23 shots, including one off the mask on MacKinnons liner.

Guentzels goal with 42.7 seconds left in the second period made it 4-2. The Avalanche unsuccessfully challenged the play for a missed stoppage. The Lightning went on the power play but couldnt score. They struggled on the power play all evening.

MacKinnons goal with 15:42 remaining gave Colorado a 5-2 cushion. Necas sealed it with a late empty-net tally.

Logan OConnor returned to the lineup after missing the start of the season with a lower-body injury. He recently lost his father, Myles, a former NHL defenseman, at age 59.

The game featured the leagues currently longest-tenured coaches in Jon Cooper and Jared Bednar. Cooper took over the Lightning in March 2013 and has won two Stanley Cups. Bednar was hired by Colorado in August 2016 and captured one Cup in 2022 over the Lightning.

Wyndham Clark, the 2026 U.S. Open champion, was in attendance and brought his trophy. Clark drank from the cup while receiving an ovation from the crowd.

Up next

Lightning: At Utah on Saturday night.

Avalanche: At Nashville on Sunday night.

KOAA News5 is the proud Southern Colorado home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks!

KOAA will stream all non-nationally exclusive Switchbacks FC matches on our mobile app, connected TV apps, and website for Southern Coloradans to enjoy.

Saturday night, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks will be hosting FC Tulsa for the last game of the USL Regular Season. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

More information about watching the games live can be found on our website.

For tickets, click here.

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Colorado Springs has been named the No. 1 city in the nation for small business growth, according to a new ranking from BlueVine, a national bank that caters to small businesses.

BlueVine ranked 100 metro cities to find where small businesses are growing with the most momentum and Colorado Springs topped them all. Local business owners say this ranking means a lot for the small business community.

More than 90% of downtown Colorado Springs businesses are locally owned.

Watch the Full Story Below

"I think it's a win for all of us I think is a great opportunity for all of our entrepreneurs to continue to show up to build small businesses and to just give back to our community," Uyen Le, owner of Beauty Bar, said.

Since the start of 2023, there have been more than 120 small business openings in Colorado Springs. Overall, downtown hosts more than 1,500 business establishments and that number keeps growing.

Not everyone saw the recognition coming at first.

"I was surprised, once you start reflecting on it, not too much I guess," Leif Anderson, co-owner of Mash Mechanic Brewing, said.

Peri Bolts, co-owner of Eclectic Co., said the variety of what downtown has to offer is a major draw for customers across the city.

"Colorado Springs is big geographically, so if you come from Briargate or you come from Powers, we really want you to stay downtown. Have a meal, have coffee, get your hair done, get a massage. Do some retail therapy. There's everything that you could want downtown, so you park once and you check all of the things off your list," Bolts said.

Getting the community excited about shopping local is one piece of the puzzle.

"It's all about being a community and people generally do support local businesses and want us to grow because if we're not growing they're not growing and we're not growing the city is not growing," Le said.

One Downtown Partnership initiative is the Holiday Coupon Book and this year, the print run has been upped from 9,500 to 12,500.

But that isn't the only way the organization is getting people to shop local. They're also hosting a Shop Local and Win Local event. From Nov. 6 through Dec. 13, every $50 someone spends at Downtown retailers earns them one entry to win, with five weekly $250 Downtown prize packages and a $1,000 grand prize up for grabs.

"We're a tight community and, and people do support small business in Colorado Springs, and that's a big part of it that that getting the community support behind the small business," Anderson said.

It isn't just events and community spirit Colorado Springs also has dedicated resources for business owners looking to expand.

"Small business owner life is really hard, but Colorado Springs specifically has such beautiful infrastructure for that. Our SBDC, Small Business Development Center, is one of the best in the country," Bolts said.

Still, challenges persist. The rising costs of leases, products, fuel, and insurance continue to put pressure on small business owners.

"It just keeps going up and up," Le said.

But those owners don't have to face those pressures alone.

"Every time I know a business owner is struggling with something, I always try to funnel them to the resources that are there because often they're free, often they're taxpayer funded," Bolts said.

As for whether the No. 1 ranking comes as a surprise? Bolts says it doesn't.

"I am not surprised actually. I think Colorado Springs has been small business friendly for a long time, especially since the COVID era, and I'm happy that we're recognized for it," Bolts said.

A new campground and updated recreation area is coming to the southwest side of Pikes Peak at Rosemont Reservoir, expanding backcountry opportunities on one of southern Colorado's most iconic mountains.

The reservoir sits off paved roads on a more rural edge of Pikes Peak in Teller County, offering a backcountry experience.

"I think part of CPW's mission is to provide different kinds of recreational opportunities, and this is one that's more of a backcountry opportunity," Frank McGee, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southeast Region manager, said.

Work is underway to build the camping area and improve recreation at the site.

"This could be a place where, you know, they take their first camping trip right out of Colorado Springs, uh, or they introduce their kids to fishing for the first time," Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan said.

The project is possible because of collaboration around the 600-acre site in Teller County, which is surrounded by Forest Service land and owned by Colorado Springs Utilities as a reservoir for water supply.

"When camping is allowed, they will have somebody here on site. Representing our interest, so actually our security for this area will increase," Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Travas Deal said.

Stewardship and the management of public lands are central themes of the new addition to Pikes Peak, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Activities take place all around the mountain. Visitors drive up the Pikes Peak Highway or take the Cog Railway. The mountain challenges fitness with the Incline, the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent, and, next year, a new marathon on the Pikes Peak Highway.

The new camping and recreation area adds to what the mountain offers for outdoor recreation and southern Colorado.

"Create something really amazing and meaningful that everyone in Colorado and visitors will be able to enjoy," Dan Gibbs, who leads Colorado's Department of Natural Resources, said.

The new Rosemont camping area is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.

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.

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For Michael Williams, voter education starts with a simple question: Do people know who they're voting for, and what do those candidates actually do?

"We're not using the power we have in voting. Said Williams, one of the organizers.

The work is personal for Williams. He grew up in southeast Colorado Springs, and now he's working alongside other residents to help their community have a stronger voice through South Side Leads.

"The goal is in the name to get the southeast of the city to switch from last in voting to like lead the state in voter turn out., Williams said.

South Side Leads is trying to change that by meeting people where they are, including on their phones. The group reaches out to candidates directly.

Williams said, "we reached out to pretty much every candidate."

They interview the candidates, then post the Q&A on their social media platforms.

"we wanna be able to have people hear from the candidates, ask questions, get feedback"

When asked what he hopes people take away from the project, he pointed to three goals.

"One is just knowing, simply, what each office does. That's a huge thing. That's why I believe the first question we asked everybody was like, what does this office do, right? The second thing is people understanding, based on what each office does, how that can impact their day-to-day life. And then the third thing was like how they can connect with those legislators."

Williams said the group also wants lasting accountability from elected officials.

"We want to get people elected in the Southeast that are going to have the benefit of the Southeast in mind but they also understand this isn't a one-time, you guys do this you win an election and then you disappear we're going to hold them accountable."

The group is also partnering with other community organizations like Hey Neighbor and Men of Influence for ballot drop-off events at the Citadel Mall over the next two Tuesdays, with food and music.

"The goal is just to get people to turn in their ballots, right," William added.

The group says it plans to continue sharing voter resources and connecting residents with the people representing them, well beyond Election Day. Click here to learn more about South Side Leads.

Residents in the Capote Lake drainage area of Archuleta County are under an evacuation warning, according to the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office.

This warning includes the entire U.S. Highway 151 corridor and roads accessing Highway 151 between U.S. Highway 160 and Arboles. River levels are rising, and the sheriff's office said flooding is possible in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Officials warned residents to expect localized flooding, submerged riverbanks and dangerous swift-water conditions. They advised people not to walk, play or camp near any riverbanks and warned against driving through flooded roadways. The sheriff's office also urged residents to keep pets away from rising water, secure property in low-lying areas and move equipment or outdoor items to higher ground if necessary.

The warning was issued because officials said there is a high likelihood an evacuation order could become necessary due to rising floodwaters. Residents were advised to arrange transportation, confirm evacuation plans, gather important items and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

People with disabilities and those with large animals should leave now, officials said.

The sheriff's office warned drivers to expect increased emergency vehicle traffic in the area.

The final update on a wildfire that burned more than 100,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced multiple Colorado communities to evacuate this summer was issued Friday by incident command.

Firefighters reported that no remaining heat has been detected by unmanned aircraft scanning the fire footprint.

Containment has reached 94%, though incident command clarified that a cool perimeter does not mean a fully contained fire. A fire must be completely encircled by secured lines that are expected to hold under most conditions to be considered fully contained, incident command said, not just cool and quiet.

Crews still need to remove weakened trees, reinforce control lines, and ensure the perimeter will hold under future dry, windy weather. This careful, methodical work protects communities and firefighters and often takes longer than visible fire activity might suggest, incident command said.

Watch below: Colorado report finds Aspen Acres Fire was sparked by tree falling onto power line

Colorado report finds Aspen Acres Fire was sparked by tree falling onto power line

Steep, difficult terrain filled with dead trees has made containment efforts difficult. The remaining uncontained sections of the fire are located in one of the most hazardous environments in wildland firefighting, incident command said.

Firefighters expect full containment to be reached once measurable snow remains on the ground for an extended period in the uncontained area.

Crews are now focused on removing equipment from fire lines and clearing hazardous trees along containment lines, roads and trails.

Smoke is not expected to have a significant impact.

The Aspen Acres Fire Closure Order was reduced Friday, Oct. 23, though firefighters urged caution when entering the burned area.

Falling trees and limbs, loose rocks, unstable ground, trail obstructions, and an increased risk of rockslides or landslides remain hazards within the burned area.

The cause of the fire was determined earlier this month after investigators concluded the blaze stared when a tree fell on a power line.

READ MORE: Colorado report finds Aspen Acres Fire was sparked by tree falling onto power line

Colorado report finds Aspen Acres Fire was sparked by tree falling onto power line

Evidence that the report uses to make its case includes eyewitness accounts, fire effects, fire patterns, and the actual aspen tree resting on a power line with burn marks.

According to a state report, the tree was blown over by high winds and fell onto overhead power lines. Investigators said the impact forced the lines to within about 3 feet of the ground, where heat from the line and melting aluminum ignited nearby vegetation.

Evidence that the report uses to make its case includes eyewitness accounts, fire effects, fire patterns, and the actual aspen tree resting on a power line with burn marks.

The Aspen Acres Fire began on June 29. As of the final update, it had burned 102,007 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District. The purpose of this order is to is to protect public health and safety after the Aspen Acres Fire.

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The Colorado Springs International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is asking the public to help protect the Fallen Firefighter Memorial and keep it clean.

In a post on social media, the IAFF said that they are experiencing issues with people camping on the grounds and also leaving behind trash and graffiti on the memorial.

"We are asking for the communitys help in protecting this sacred space. If you see anyone vandalizing, damaging, or disrespecting the memorial grounds, please report it. We encourage everyone who visits or passes by to help us keep a watchful eye on this special place," the post reads.

Kent Smith with Local 5 told KOAA that they don't just want the memorial to look nice, but they want to "protect the legacy" behind the names.

"Behind one of those names on the wall is a person who sacrificed for other people," Smith told us.

"This memorial belongs to the families of our fallen brothers and sisters, the fire service, and our entire community. Together, we can ensure it remains a place of honor, reflection, and remembrance," the post reads.

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