Getting your sprinkler system ready for winter takes more than turning it off. Water left inside can freeze, expand and damage pipes, valves and other components.
Tony Hockemeyer, with Castle Rock Lawn and Sprinkler, walked News5 through the process, starting inside before moving outside to clear water from each sprinkler zone.
What can homeowners do themselves?
Start by locating the shutoff for your irrigation water supply. If you know how to operate it, shutting that supply off is a first step, but it does not remove the water already in the system.
Learn More in the Video Player Below
The shutoff may be in a basement, crawlspace, or underground valve box. Do not force a valve that will not turn.
If freezing weather is approaching before a professional can arrive, Hockemeyer says homeowners familiar with their system can use its drain points to release some water.
That can buy time, but it is not a complete winterization. Drain locations and procedures vary by system, so homeowners who are unsure should have a professional identify them.
Hockemeyer also cautions that a leaking shutoff valve can allow a drained line to refill during winter.
What should you leave to a professional?
Hockemeyer recommends having a professional handle the sprinkler blowout, which uses compressed air to push remaining water out of the lines.
Tony first cleared the supply line between the indoor shutoff and the outdoor backflow assembly. Then he worked through the sprinkler zones individually.
Basically, the zones are going to turn on one at a time. And we're going to evacuate all the water, he said.
The equipment needs to match the system. Hockemeyer cautions that an undersized garage compressor can produce mist at the sprinkler heads while leaving water behind.
How long does it take?
Hockemeyer says many residential systems in the area take about 30 to 45 minutes to winterize, though larger systems or those with drip irrigation can take longer.
For homeowners, turning off the water is a start. Clearing what remains helps keep winter weather from turning into a repair bill come spring.
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.
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.
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.
Colorado's Arapahoe Basin is officially opening for the season on Wednesday morning, celebrating its 80th winter season and will be the first Ikon Pass destination to open for the 2026-27 season.
According to officials, skiers and riders can use High Noon, a blue run accessed via the Black Mountain Express. Snowmaking will continue and more terrain will open up as quickly as possible on the front side of the mountain, according to officials.
This is the 80th season for A-Basin, and both Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders will have unlimited access to it.
We're kicking off the Ikon Pass 26/27 season on a high note with our 80th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, offering unlimited access to A-Basin to both Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders this winter, skiers and riders have plenty of days ahead to see why we've been the Legend for 80 years, Arapahoe Basin President and CEOO Alan Henceroth said in a statement.
People going to A-Basin on Wednesday will see live music in the base area all day, giveaways in the lift lines and more. Black Mountain Lodge will open in the afternoon, and 6th Alley Bar & Grill opened at 9 a.m.
Here's when other ski resorts across the state could open this year:
Keystone: As soon as possible in late October
Winter Park Resort: As soon as possible
November
Loveland Ski Area: No date set, but Nov. 5 on average over the past five years
Breckenridge: Nov. 6, 2026
Copper Mountain: Nov. 6, 2026
Vail Mountain: Nov. 13, 2026
Powderhorn: Nov. 20, 2026
Purgatory Resort: Nov. 20, 2026
Steamboat: Nov. 21, 2026
Beaver Creek: Nov. 25, 2026
Crested Butte: Nov. 25, 2026
Granby Ranch: Nov. 25, 2026
Aspen Mountain: Nov. 26, 2026
Snowmass: Nov. 26, 2026
Telluride: Nov. 26, 2026
December
Monarch Mountain: Early-to-mid December
Ski Cooper: Dec. 9, 2026
Sunlight Mountain Resort: Dec. 11, 2026
Aspen Highlands: Dec. 12, 2026
Buttermilk: Dec. 12, 2026
Silverton Mountain: Dec. 31, 2026
While these are the targeted opening days, it's worth remembering that opening dates are subject to change based on weather and conditions.
A Colorado couple and their pets spent about 11 hours trapped inside their RV after floodwaters swept it down a river in Archuleta County, prompting a rescue operation involving sheriffs deputies, search and rescue personnel, and the Colorado Army National Guard.
Hank and Stacey Wills said they believed they could survive another flood at their property after experiencing high water the previous year. But as heavy rain continued last Friday, the water rose faster than they expected, eventually sweeping their RV into the river in an area southeast of Pagosa Springs along County Road 339.
We kind of knew this flood was coming, Hank Wills explained during a Teams call this week. We had the warnings that it was supposed to be raining pretty heavily and everything was saturated."
The couple had spent the previous day preparing their property, adding sandbags and tarps to protect their home and trying to move their animals to safety. They also received an evacuation warning from a sheriffs deputy. But as the water began overtopping their sandbag wall, the couple decided to leave in their RV with their pets. They initially believed they had enough time to escape after monitoring water levels at an upstream diversion dam. However, additional rain between the gauge and their property caused the water to rise faster than anticipated.
We were maybe a little braver than we should have been, obviously, Wills added.
The couples RV stalled while crossing the flooded roadway at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday after water entered the engines air intake. They called for a tow truck, but the driver could not reach them because bridges had been closed. Archuleta County sheriffs Deputy Craig Tamburelli arrived at the scene at about 2:15 a.m. Friday and found the RV submerged over its hood in fast-moving water.
Torelli threw a rope to Wills and instructed him to secure it to something sturdy inside the vehicle. The deputy then secured the line on the shore and began looking for ways to reach the stranded couple. About 20 minutes later, the water began undermining the RV, causing it to tilt toward the river.
Then the RV lifted and lurched, Wills said.
The movement ripped a table from its mounting inside the vehicle, and the RV was swept into the river. The couple said it briefly tipped onto its side before moving downstream, with water pouring inside. Wills watched through a window as the vehicle traveled down the river while Stacey Wills tried to keep their three dogs calm and safe.
I just kept praying, you know, Heavenly Father, please just let us catch something, land us somewhere, he said.
The RV eventually struck an obstruction in the river, tearing off its front axle and pushing it out of the main channel. It slid across the ground before crashing into the couples own fence, about 75 yards from their home.
The couple and their pets survived, but the RV remained on its side, leaving them stranded as water and rain continued to threaten their shelter. Wills climbed out a window to signal passing vehicles on a nearby highway, hoping someone would see them. Deputies and search and rescue personnel continued looking for a safe way to reach the RV. But the rushing water and washed-out roads prevented rescuers from approaching from either side.
Archuleta County sheriffs Deputy Director Stanley Okazaki said he arrived around 6 a.m. Friday with a drone equipped with thermal imaging, a microphone and a light. The drone allowed rescuers to communicate instructions to Wills and monitor the couple while they waited for a helicopter rescue. Because crews could not safely reach the couple by land, officials coordinated with the Colorado Army National Guard and Rocky Mountain Rescue Team to bring in a Black Hawk helicopter equipped with a hoist. Rescuers monitored Stacey Wills condition as the operation continued. She was cold but remained stable, Ozaki said.
The helicopter arrived Friday morning, and the couple and their pets were transported to Stevens Field Airport in Pagosa Springs. The rescue took about 45 minutes once the helicopter arrived, according to Ozaki.
The couple said they spent about 11 hours trapped inside the RV, trying to stay warm and keep their animals out of the rising water. At one point, they feared one of their cats had escaped through a window. They eventually discovered the cat trapped inside a drawer. Despite the frightening ordeal, the couple said their dogs and cats remained relatively calm.
Hank and Stacey Wills expressed gratitude to the deputies, search and rescue personnel and National Guard members who helped bring them to safety.
I can't thank them enough for the hard work that they put in, Hank Wills said. Putting their lives on the line for other people is... you guys are pretty incredible.
Looking back, the couple said the experience reinforced the importance of taking evacuation warnings seriously, even when conditions initially appear manageable.
When they say go, just go, Hank Wills said.
The couple is staying with family while assessing damage to their property. They said floodwaters did not enter their home, although outbuildings were damaged and mud and debris remain around the property. They also said animals they had feared were lost in the flooding survived. For now, they are focused on recovery and hoping future storms do not bring another round of dangerous flooding.
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Today there will be a few more clouds that move in from a small disturbance moving through the mountains. Upper-level clouds will move in throughout the afternoon. We will still see some sunshine punch through these clouds and help temperatures to warm into the 60s and 70s for I-25.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 68; Low: 39.
Colorado Springs will start the day with lows in the 40s. We will have a few more clouds added to our skies this afternoon, but we are still expecting plenty of sunshine. Highs this afternoon will reach the upper 60s. Winds will be calm between 5-10mph.
Pueblo forecast: High: 72; Low: 37.
Pueblo will wake up to temperatures in the 30s this morning. A coat will be needed headed out the door, but by the time you are heading home in the afternoon highs will be in the 70s. Winds will remain calm throughout the day between 5-10mph. There will be a few more clouds in the afternoon.
Canon City forecast:High: 69; Low: 41.
Canon City is a few degrees warmer than surrounding areas this morning with lows in the 50s. Afternoon temperatures will still reach the upper 60s and there will be a few more clouds. Winds will remain light throughout the day.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 60; Low: 37.
Woodland Park will continue to stay nice and dry today. Temperatures this morning are sitting in the upper 30s. By the afternoon, there will be some upper-level clouds and temperatures will be in the 60s.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 63; Low: 37.
Monument and the surrounding areas will have chilly temperatures this morning in the 30s. Not expecting any fog, and once the sun rises temperatures will start to heat up. Afternoon highs will reach the lower 60s. Winds will remain light today.
Plains forecast:High: 70s; Low: 30s & 40s.
The eastern plains will have a mix of 30s and 40s this morning. We are still tracking warm and dry conditions throughout the day. Highs will get into the 70s. The rest of the week looks similar just with slightly cooler temperatures.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 66/70; Low: 42/41.
The southern I-25 corridor has some chilly temperatures this morning in the lower 40s. Warm temperatures will make a return later on this afternoon with highs reaching the 60s and 70s. We will stay dry along I-25 and there will be a few more upper-level clouds moving in this afternoon.
The mountains are off to a chilly start with lows sitting below freezing this morning. Clouds are already moving in, but no moisture is in the forecast for today. Afternoon highs will reach the 50s and 60s.
Extended outlook forecast:
There's not much change in the extended forecast. Highs each day this week will get into the 60s. The change arrives over the weekend with an incoming low-pressure system. This has the potential to bring some moisture to I-25 and if the timing is right with this colder air we could see more areas get some snow. There's a lot that could still change in this forecast before we get to that point. Highs will drop on Sunday into the 50s and will keep dropping into the beginning of next week.
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A Colorado Springs nonprofit turned election day excitement into a block party, bringing neighbors together to vote early, make community connections, and talk issues ahead of the upcoming election.
Hey Neighbor, a local nonprofit, hosted a "Party at the Polls" event Tuesday night as part of its 150 Tables Across COS initiative a campaign aimed at connecting neighbors across Colorado Springs. The event gave residents a chance to read up on voter tips, learn about ballot initiatives, and meet the people living around them.
Watch KOAA's coverage of the 150 Tables Across COS initiative: Nonprofit brings 150 community tables to Colorado Springs to celebrate state's 150th
"A lot of us wouldn't be where we are today without voting. It's just important and Democrat, Republican, you can vote for anybody that you want. What's in your soul, integrity," Barbara Downs said.
Downs has lived near Downtown Colorado Springs for more than 30 years. She has not missed an election.
The upcoming election has been a powerful conversation starter, and for many attendees, it was a reminder of why civic participation matters.
"There's a lot of valid issues that are going on, and people really need to learn about what's going on, what they want to do, what they don't want to do, and people who complain about the situations, well get out and vote and make a difference," Frank Cordova said.
Cordova is Colorado Springs-born and raised. He said the event isn't limited to talking about candidates or what is happening nationwide or in the Capitol. It also offered tips for voters who hadn't yet turned in their ballots, and speakers used the moment to urge residents to engage with local issues.
Downs pointed to the rapid growth of El Paso County as a reason voters need to stay informed and involved.
"I've seen a lot of growth. A lot of it is not in the right direction," Downs said.
She said she cares about infill and potholes.
Hey Neighbor made the event welcoming to the whole family kids were invited to try out an unofficial voting booth of their own.
Kelly Bull of Hey Neighbor said the event was built around the simple idea that voting shouldn't be done alone.
"Oftentimes voting can really feel like a solo task. You're in the voting booth by yourself or you're at the kitchen table filling out the ballot, and this event is really meant to flip that on its head, and that democracy is not a solo sport. It is a community activity," Bull said.
Voters said the event's real value was the chance to talk openly with their neighbors.
"There are great people here and know a lot about the city and you just need to go in and ask them, pick their brains about it, and they'll give you honest answers," Cordova said.
And no matter where attendees stood, the message is the same.
"If you don't like what's what's going on, come out and vote," Cordova said.
Tonight's Forecast: Quiet and mild weather holds across Southern Colorado tonight under mostly clear to partly cloudy skies. Lows drop into the 30s for the lower elevations and high mountain valleys, while parts of the eastern plains hold near 40.
Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 40; High: 68; Wednesday will be unseasonably warm and mild across the Pikes Peak region, with highs topping out in the lower 70s. Expect a mix of sunshine and passing clouds with light afternoon breezes.
Pueblo forecast: Low: 40; High: 71; Pueblo enjoys another warm afternoon on Wednesday with highs climbing into the mid-to-lower70s. Look for plenty of sunshine mixed with mid-level cloudiness, staying completely dry through Thursday.
Canon City forecast: Low: 41; High: 69; Highs reach the lower 70s in Canon City on Wednesday. Skies stay mostly clear to partly cloudy with mild temperatures and a light southwesterly breeze picking up in the afternoon.
Woodland Park forecast: Low: 32; High: 60; Highs hit around 60 degrees on Wednesday in Woodland Park. Expect pleasant, mild conditions with a mix of sun and clouds, alongside breezy conditions over the higher peaks.
Extended Forecast: Mild, quiet weather continues through Thursday before a pattern shift brings subtropical moisture and a stronger storm system into the region over the weekend.
Thursday Friday: Unseasonably warm weather holds through Thursday with lower-elevation highs in the 60s and 70s. Subtropical moisture moves in on Friday, bringing scattered mountain rain showers and a slight chance for a stray shower in far southeast Colorado. Saturday: A weak ridge keeps things mostly quiet with mild temperatures and only isolated showers over the higher terrain. Sunday Tuesday: A sharp upper-level trough drops in from the Pacific Northwest, bringing a significant storm system to the region. Accumulating mountain snow and much colder temperatures take over, with rain and snow showers potentially wrapping around onto the eastern plains into early next week. Winds will ramp up late in the weekend and continue into next week.
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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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Before a business opens its doors or an airline adds a flight, theres work happening behind the scenes. This years UCCS Economic Forum aims to help people understand those efforts and what they mean for the regions future.
The 30th annual event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Ent Center for the Arts. It brings together business, government and industry leaders to explain local economic conditions and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
News5 reporter Jaylen Lee has more on what the happens at the forum in the video below:
UCCS Economic Forum offers a look at the forces shaping the Pikes Peak region
Director Bill Craighead said the forum provides a local perspective people may not get from national economic headlines.
What actually goes into bringing a business to Colorado Springs? What are the trade-offs involved and what are some of the challenges that they are facing? What are some of the opportunities that they see? Craighead said.
The opening session will feature representatives from Colorado Springs, Fountain, El Paso County and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC discussing their work attracting and retaining businesses.
Attendees will then choose one of three panel discussions:
Travel and tourism: Industry leaders will discuss changes and challenges facing a sector long connected to Colorado Springs identity, including air service and hospitality. Defense: Craighead said uncertainty following the Space Command announcement helped prompt a discussion about the regions aerospace and defense industry and where it is headed. Nonprofits: The panel will explore changes affecting nonprofit organizations, including opportunities to secure grant funding.
Craighead will close the program with an update on the local economy and how it compares with state and national trends. Attendees will also receive an annual report with regional economic data.
Beyond the numbers, Craighead hopes people leave with a better understanding of community leaders and the work they do.
Understanding them as people and understanding where theyre coming from and what theyre trying to accomplish, I think is really, is really beneficial to all of us, he said.
The main program runs from 1 to 4 p.m., with a welcome reception from noon to 1 p.m. and a happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $65. You can register online, or you can walk up and purchase one when you arrive.
As Colorado Springs grapples with housing affordability, rising costs and the need for good-paying jobs, the regions economic future will take center stage at the 30th annual UCCS Economic Forum on Oct. 28.
News5 will carry the event online and across streaming platforms starting at 1:00 p.m.
The forum is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS on Oct. 28. A welcome reception is planned from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m.
Multiple keynote speakers will be speaking, and two streams will be available below.
Main StreamSecondary Stream
The program will include a plenary session on economic development in the Pikes Peak region, panel discussions on the defense economy and tourism, and an update on the regions economic outlook, according to the university.
Since its beginnings as the Southern Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum in 1997, the annual event has served as a resource for residents, business leaders and policymakers seeking data and analysis about the regional economy. Reeder Kleymeyer said the region has diversified its economy over the years, with aerospace and defense remaining its largest primary industry alongside cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. But she acknowledged that local families and businesses continue to face economic challenges.
We see headwinds just like in most of the country, she said. You know, families are struggling, so jobs are important to a strong economy and a strong tax base.
Get a Full Breakdown of What to Expect Below
Registration information and additional details about the 30th annual UCCS Economic Forum are available at business.uccs.edu/economic-forum.
News5's Tony Keith helped contribute to this report.
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"We've had it described as a great place to take a nature bath," said Mike Thomas, Boardmember of the nonprofit: Friends of Roxborough State Park. "Just a place to really enjoy the quiet and the solitude of nature."
Denver7's South Metro reporter Danielle Kreutter has the story in the video below:
Name change being considered for Roxborough State Park
Before Roxborough State Park was a State Park, it was around 1,400 acres of land that late Governor Richard Lamm felt was worth saving.
"He bought the land. He encouraged people to go there. He went there himself and hiked. And when he saw a piece of property that he thought should be protected, he was finding ways to make it happen," said Gail Klapper, who ran the Department of Regulatory Agencies and Department of Personnel for former Governor Lamm.
She described the former Governor as an avid outdoorsman whose passion for nature and the environment was infectious.
She is now one of the several petitioners who are hoping to change the park's name to the Richard D. Lamm State Park at Roxborough after also gathering support from Lamm's family.
"I think it's so easy to forget the incredible amount of work and effort and passion, and history is part of us. We need to remember both: Who these people were, why they did what they did, and who they inspired to do more," Klapper said.
Friends of Roxborough State Park told Denver7 that while the petitioners looped in the nonprofit shortly before the request was filed, they were shocked to hear of the potential change.
"The park has had its name for 51 years now. The area has been called Roxborough for over 125 years. So to have anybody even suggest that the name be changed just really surprised us a lot," said Thomas.
For more than 30 years, the nonprofit has helped raise money for park improvements, amenities, education and even expanded the park back in the 1990s.
"There was a lot of people involved in creating and and acquiring that other 2,000 acres to make the park what it is today," said Thomas.
Friends of Roxborough State Park said the amount of volunteering and fundraising efforts that made that possible should not be overshadowed.
"We just don't believe that one person should have their name on this State Park," said Thomas.
The petitioners for the name change said they tried to incorporate that concern into their suggestion.
"They like that name, and so we combined the names. We said Richard D. Lamm Park at Roxborough, so everybody could call it whatever they wanted, but Dick Lamm would be honored," said Klapper.
The group opposing the name change also notes the logistical and financial strain involved in changing the name.
"There's a lot of cost that would come with a name change. On maps, signage and brochures. And that's just what CPW would have to change, but also the fact that Roxborough State Park is in hundreds of thousands of guidebooks, we're in textbooks for geology classes," said Thomas.
Denver7's South Metro Reporter Danielle Kreutter asked Klapper about those concerns.
"Because we're looking at Roxborough as a place of honor for Governor Lamm, I think would help us philanthropically pay for whatever it was that was going to make Roxborough as good as it could be," she said.
The petition to change the name to honor Governor Lamm has gathered support from former governors, mayors, congressmen and other notable figures across the state.
Read the list of supporters for the Richard D Lamm State Park at Roxborough name change here or in the embed below:
Friends of Roxborough State Park have outlined their full concerns on their website and have said they believe they have a lot of public support behind their stance.
"Responses we've gotten from either our our public opinion survey or social media, 99% of that 1,500 [responses] is opposed to the changing of the name to one person's name," said Thomas. "One thing we understand about Governor Lamm is that he was for listening to the citizens of the state and the people of the state, and not bow down to political pressure, so we're hoping that Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the commission, will see what the public is really saying about this and how much in opposition they are of this name change."
Supporters of the name change said it's important to recognize Lamm's contribution that helped establish the park.
"To have a piece of nature be something that echoes you, that's really special," Klapper said.
While opponents are hopeful that the late governor can be recognized in a different way.
"We would like [Colorado Parks and Wildlife] to deny the petition," said Thomas.
CPW is set to discuss the issue at their Nov. 5 meeting around 12:15pm.
Amendment 81 on Colorado's midterm election ballot would require local law enforcement to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security within 72 hours when certain people charged with crimes are in the country illegally or their citizenship status cannot be determined.
Right now, state law limits what information local police and sheriffs can share with immigration enforcement officials and bars them from holding someone solely on an ICE detainer.
Watch the full story in the video player below:
Amendment 81 would require local law enforcement to report more information to ICE
If approved by voters, Amendment 81 would change the state constitution to require officers to alert DHS about people whose immigration status cannot be confirmed or are in the country illegally if they are charged with a violent crime or are charged with any crime and already have a felony conviction.
Under the amendment, local law enforcement would have to make an effort to verify the citizenship status of people charged. Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said that's not something his deputies are trained to do or currently responsible for.
"That's the responsibility of the federal government, and so we would have to completely re-frame how we make arrests and what information we gather," said Johnson. "If my employees can't determine whether you're in the country legally or not, they will have to report you to ICE, even before you've been convicted of a crime."
Johnson said he fears the amendment could lead to racial profiling and deny crime victims the justice they deserve.
"People will assume that just based on color of skin, or their nationality or their origin, that automatically they're going to be assumed to be in this country without legal documentation, and my fear is that people will get lumped together, whether they have committed a crime or a serious crime or not," he said. "If somebody gets arrested for committing a crime of violence against a community member, if they're deported before that case ever goes to trial, I'm concerned that the victim never gets the outcome that they want, and individuals who are quickly deported from our country often find their way back with no consequence."
He said he also worries the amendment would erode trust with immigrant communities.
"People will no longer trust us, no longer want to come forward or work with us to solve crime in the community because they will fear that relationship that we now have to have with ICE will get in the way," Johnson said.
Jon Caldara, the president of the Independence Institute, who supports the measure, disagrees.
"This is not about racially profiling. This is about having cooperation between law enforcement agencies. It's just that simple," he said. "It's for those people that they arrest for violent crimes, and good God, don't we want violent criminals if they're here illegally to be notified that, or to have ICE notified of them? Of course we do."
The conservative group Advance Colorado is responsible for getting Amendment 81 on the ballot. Denver7 reached out to the group multiple times for an interview but never heard back.
Caldara said the vote may come down to how people feel about ICE under the current administration.
"My suspicion is, if Donald Trump were not president right now, that something like 81 would pass pretty easily," Caldara said. "I guarantee you, people will be using this as a proxy vote on how they feel about how Trump is running immigration and customs, and that's too bad because we really should be thinking about the law, not the president," Caldara said.
Police were called to a reported burglary north of downtown Colorado Springs on Tuesday, leading to a large law enforcement response.
Very few details were available the last time this article was updated at about 10:10 a.m. Police tell News5 they received a call for service at about 9:15 in the morning for a home in the 1300 block of N. Weber Street. The neighborhood is near E. San Miguel Street and N. Nevada Avenue. There were concerns that someone may have been armed, but that has not been confirmed.
A suspect was barricaded in the garage of a home in the area, according to police.
At about 11:20 a.m., a shelter-in-place alert was issued for the neighborhood.
"The Colorado Springs Police Department has issued a SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER for E San Miguel St to E Caramillo St, and N Nevada east to N Wahsatch Ave due to LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY near 1300 N Weber St," a post on Peak Alerts read. "SECURE your home/business and STAY AWAY from doors and windows. SHELTER in a safe place until further notice. You will receive an alert when the order is lifted."
This is a developing story, and as more information becomes available, this article will be updated.
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Visiting Colorado Springs parks is free, but parking illegally could now cost you. Rangers with Colorado Springs Parks have been given the authority to issue parking tickets at the city's largest open space parks, most of which are on the city's Westside.
Mount Cutler Trail in North Cheyenne Caon is one example of why the change is happening. The trail is very popular, but it has only about 20 parking spaces. When those fill up, people often get creative and park along the side of the road, creating traffic jams and safety issues.
Locals who frequent Colorado Springs open space parks know how crowded some can get.
"This place for sure, yeah, yeah, Cheyenne Canon definitely does. I mean, it's helped a little bit. They added more parking spaces here than they used to have, but it's still not enough. But, I mean, where are they gonna put them?" Troy Linnebur said.
Linnebur, who had the day off and came to Mount Cutler Trail to hike, said he prefers visiting on weekdays to avoid the crowds and the roadside parking he sees on busy days.
"Sure, yeah, when they're parking along the side of the road, it's sketchy," Linnebur said.
For years, parks rangers were limited to giving warnings and having conversations with parking violators.
"Now we have a way to deal with those issues," Colorado Springs regional parks, trails, and open space manager Scott Abbott said.
"Giving those explanations to individuals sometimes only goes so far," Abbott said.
Because the issue kept getting worse, parks leaders joined with police and parking enforcement. Park rangers are now credentialed to give parking citations.
"That gives them now the authority to go through all the training, have all the technical expertise, and go out there now and issue tickets in a real way," Abbott said.
Visitors who follow the parking rules will not be fined. The new enforcement starts with a short grace period before fines begin.
"Use designated areas. Don't pull off the sides of the roads. Don't park in front of closed gates. We need this accessibility for not only our visitors, our maintenance teams, our park rangers, but also first responders in case of any emergencies," Abbott said.
The reality of the parks' popularity means there will be days when parking spots are hard to find.
"I guess if there's not any space, you gotta just turn around. I've had to do it. It sucks," Linnebur said.
Depending on the violation, fines can range from $30 to $100.
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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A recall effort is underway against Colorado Springs City Councilmember Brandy Williams, with petition organizers accusing the District 3 representative of failing to respond to constituents, missing meetings, and opposing a voter-approved development authority in Old Colorado City.
Williams, who took office in April 2025, disputes the allegations, saying a serious illness limited her ability to attend meetings in person and that she continued participating virtually. She also argues that the recall effort could further disrupt a district that has experienced multiple changes in representation in recent years. The recall petition was filed with the Colorado Springs City Clerks Office by three District 3 electors: Peter Hernandez, Ali Lange and Zoe Woodruff.
In the petition, the organizers allege Williams has consistently failed to respond to emails, letters, and other forms of communication from her constituents regarding matters of concern. They also cite what they describe as a history of absences from City Council meetings and a lack of engagement during meetings she attended, including the Project Taurus appeal hearing.
The petition further alleges Williams failed to attend Meadows Park Community Center meetings despite multiple requests before its closure. Organizers also object to her role in initiating a proposal to dissolve the Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority, which they say was widely supported by families and small-business owners in District 3.
District 3 residents who care about their community deserve a representative who responds to constituents, listens, engages, and acts in the best interest of our community by respecting public input, and demonstrating dedication to serving the community, the petition states.
Williams said she was not surprised by the recall effort, noting that rumors of a potential recall had circulated previously. However, she questioned whether a recall was the best approach for the city.
I don't think it's the best governance option for the city of Colorado Springs, Williams explained in an interview with News5.
Williams said she was hospitalized for a week in July 2025 with a kidney infection and later experienced a relapse that required another hospital stay. Her primary care physician subsequently instructed her to remain on bed rest, she said. Williams said her health prevented her from attending some council meetings in person, but she continued participating virtually.
The reason that it says that I wasn't attending council meetings is because I wasn't allowed to physically be here in person, but I did attend those meetings virtually, Williams added. So given the options that I had as a council member, I definitely exercised those.
Regarding the Meadows Park Community Center meetings, Williams said she was still recovering from her illness during the initial meeting and that other council members helped represent her. She said she later worked with city staff and the administration on the center's future. Williams also rejected the claim that she has been disengaged, pointing to her involvement in city projects and public works issues. She said she has worked to address infrastructure needs throughout the district and cited more than $40 million spent on construction in District 3 during her time in office. Williams said she understands that some residents may have difficulty receiving responses from council members, particularly when issues involve quasi-judicial proceedings that require elected officials to maintain neutrality. She said those restrictions can make it difficult to engage directly with constituents on certain matters.
On the Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority, Williams said she believes the area needs an appropriate tool to support its future, but she does not believe a downtown development authority is necessarily the best option.
I don't believe a downtown development authority is the best option, but I would like to have the right tool for, you know, the needs of Old Colorado City, Williams said.
Williams also urged residents to consider the district's recent turnover in representation before supporting the recall. Richard Skorman, Stephanie Fortune and Michelle Tallerico held the District 3 seat before Williams, following a series of transitions that included a resignation and a completed term. Williams said another change could complicate long-term planning and development in the district.
Please don't sign the petition simply for the stability of the district, Williams said.
Williams said she plans to continue working on issues affecting District 3 and is preparing for another community town hall, which she expects to hold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Asked whether she would resign or seek a recall election if organizers gather enough valid signatures, Williams said she has not yet decided.
The petition asks the city to initiate the recall process under Article XII of the Colorado Springs City Charter. The filing of the petition does not itself remove Williams from office. The next steps depend on the applicable city recall process and whether the effort meets the required signature threshold. The petition was filed Oct. 9, giving the petitioners until Dec. 8 to turn in about 4,300 valid signatures.
Peter Hernandez did not want to comment on camera, saying the petition speaks for itself. He referred News5 to https://www.recallbrandywilliams.com/ for updates on the signature gathering process.
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Dense fog advisories will be in place through 9AM this morning for El Paso county and counties along I-70. Visibility may be reduced to less than a mile at times. Temperatures this morning are in the 30s and 40s. The sun will make an appearance later on in the morning and the afternoon. Highs will still be warm getting into the 60s and 70s.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 67; Low: 39.
Colorado Springs will have a chance of patchy fog this morning. El Paso county will remain in this Dense Fog Advisory until 9AM this morning. Temperatures as of 5:30AM are sitting in the 40s. Expect warmer temperatures to return by the afternoon. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 60s and there will be plenty of sunshine.
Pueblo forecast: High: 70; Low: 41.
Pueblo is also dealing with some dense fog this morning, and this should clear out later in the morning. Temperatures are in the upper 40s and will rise once we reach the late morning. Afternoon temperatures will make it into the lower 70s.
Canon City forecast:High: 70; Low: 42.
Canon City will have lows this morning in the 40s. We are still expecting warm conditions over the course of the day today. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 60s. Some areas in Fremont county will break into the 70s. Calm conditions will continue over the next several days.
Woodland Park forecast:High: 61; Low: 36.
Woodland Park will have temperatures this morning in the 30s. The sunshine will be back today and will help temperatures reach the lower 60s. Winds will be calm coming out of the southwest between 5-10mph.
Tri-Lakes forecast:High: 66; Low: 39.
Monument will have lows this morning in the 40s. Once we reach the late morning hours, temperatures will be on the rise. By 11AM, temperatures will be in the upper 50s. Afternoon highs will be in the mid-60s. Winds will be calm throughout the day.
Plains forecast:High: 60s & 70s; Low: 30s & 40s.
The eastern plains will have some fog throughout the morning, but this will clear by the afternoon. Temperatures this morning are sitting in the 40s. Afternoon highs will be above average. Highs will get into the 60s and 70s. These calmer conditions will last throughout the rest of the week.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast:High: 66/69; Low: 42/39.
The southern I-25 corridor is luckily staying clear with temperatures in the 40s. Sunshine returns today and afternoon highs will be in the mid-to-upper 60s. Winds will remain calm throughout the day.
Mountains forecast: High: 50s; Low: 20s & 30s.
The mountains are dealing with some chilly temperatures this morning in the 30s. Afternoon highs will be similar to yesterday eventually getting into the 50s.
Extended outlook forecast:
These nice conditions will last throughout the rest of the week. Highs will reach the 60s and 70s along I-25. A shortwave will move through later this week and just bring more clouds on Friday. Halloween still looks nice with afternoon highs in the mid-60s for Colorado Springs. Pueblo will have temperatures in the upper 60s on Saturday. A pattern change arrives on Sunday and will bring rain chances on Monday.
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Manitou Springs celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the Emma Crawford Coffin Races on Saturday, drawing out thousands of spectators to watch dozens of costumed teams race homemade coffins through downtown.
Event organizers place the official start of the event in 1995; since then, the annual monster mash has drawn thousands to town near the end of October to celebrate the legend of Emma Crawford (along with the Halloween season) with costumes, fanfare, a parade and coffin races.
News5 reporter Jon McMichael has the story in the video below:
Spooky season rolls into Manitou with annual coffin races
The story surrounding Emma Crawford has it that she came to Manitou Springs in the late 1800s in search of a cure for her tuberculosis; she did not find what she was searching for, eventually succumbed to the illness, and (following her wishes) was buried atop Red Mountain.
In 1929, after years of harsh winters and spring rains, Emma and her coffin came racing down the mountainside. The young children who happened upon her remains found only the casket handles, a nameplate, and a few bones.
Now, and for more than three decades, the town remembers her final journey down the mountain via annual coffin races down Manitou Avenue; teams of coffin races construct their own macabre conveyances and task four "pallbearers" to push the coffin, while one "Emma" rides within.
This year, the event saw more than 50 teams compete.
For additional information regarding this unique event, click here.
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