Author: KRDO

Josh Helmuth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs School District 11 students are back in class, and this year every single one of them gets a hands-on learning experience outside the classroom tied directly to their grade level.

KRDO13 rode along on a D-11 school bus Tuesday morning for the first day of school, including a stop at Doherty High School, where an all-school welcome tradition greeted incoming freshmen.

It is called The Gauntlet. Hundreds of Doherty students and staff lined up to cheer every new freshman onto campus on the first day. The energy was loud and deliberate.

Hillary Hienton is the principal at Doherty High School. She says it is one of the best days of the year.

“We have freshmen coming in. They always look so nervous and scared, but we have older students who are super excited to see them,” she said.

One of those nervous freshmen was Brooke. She switched districts and did not know anyone walking in.

“I’m a little nervous because I don’t really know anybody at this school because I changed districts,” Brooke said.

When asked why upperclassmen show up so enthusiastically for The Gauntlet, one student kept it simple.

“Why not?” the student shouted with a smile.

Another said, “We build community. And welcome everybody so they can have a great time at Doherty.”

Beyond the first-day welcome, D-11 is launching a district-wide initiative called Peak Experiences. The program connects learning to life outside the classroom. The district says the goal is simple: every student, every school, every year.

Think of it like a “fancy field trip” where each grade level has its own assigned experience.

Preschoolers get Discovery Day.

Kindergartners take part in Kinderby.

First graders visit the planetarium.

Second graders participate in Nature Navigators.

Third graders connect with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

Fourth graders ride the Cog Railway.

Fifth graders take part in Rocket Day.

Sixth graders do Lunar Quest.

Seventh graders compete in the Soap Box Derby.

Eighth graders participate in Chalktober.

And ninth graders take part in the Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator.

The district says Peak Experiences are designed to build critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills while connecting students to the Colorado Springs community.

D-11 is also a sponsor for the Rocky Mountain 5K at America the Beautiful Park on Saturday, Aug. 29.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Palmer High School campus will be different for students this school year.

Remember back in March, the City Council denied School District 11’s request to permanently close the block of Boulder Street between Nevada Avenue and Weber Street that split the campus in half.

But in late May, the council reversed its decision when two members changed their vote.

The temporary closure was to ensure that construction workers had enough space to store their equipment.

The permanent closure on Boulder allows D-11 to unite both halves of the campus.

We haven’t been given any information about the specific changes students, faculty, and staff can expect as 9th graders return.

But D-11 said that the school community has been informed about where to park, and where school buses can drop off and pick up.

“Bus drop-off and parent drop-off will be happening on Nevada,” said Jessica Wise, a district spokesperson. “So, there is a pull-out there. There is everything labeled for all our families. But that is a pretty significant switch. So, just know that you’ve got to stop on Nevada this time, forego Weber, and student parking is all the same.” 

The first phase of construction for the $100 million renovation is scheduled to end in early spring of 2028.

It includes demolishing Palmer’s current tech building and cafeteria to make room for new facilities, construction of a new academic wing, and other renovations.

D-11’s goal is to modernize the school while preserving its history and creating a safer, walkable campus with expanded outdoor spaces and state-of-the-art learning facilities.

Because only freshmen were required to be on campus on Tuesday, it resulted in only limited traffic impacts; Wednesday may be the real test, when all students return.

The school gym, three blocks east on Wahsatch Avenue, was the location for freshmen to register, but many students were dropped off at Palmer and walked to the gym with friends or classmates.

Most of the street parking during the day, east of the school, is taken up by construction workers.

But we did see at least one temporary parking lot created for school staff.

D-11 said that starting Wednesday, the main entrance at the Nevada/Platte Avenue intersection will be the only way in and out for all students during construction.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado’s first nature center is celebrating 50 years on August 22 with a special “Bear-thday” celebration. The public is welcome to the no-cost event.

“It really goes back to our mission at the nature centers, connecting people to their natural and cultural resources and inspiring stewardship,” Interpretive Program Specialist Kylee Taylor said.

The Bear-thday is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bear Creek Nature Center. All events are no-cost to participate in, though the Living Nature Hike does require pre-registration.

The nature center has designed a special 50th anniversary brand to pair with some of its vintage counterparts dating back decades.

You can find a full list of Bear-thday activities here.

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Rob Namnoum

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — The wait is over for the Trojans; high school football is back.

“You’re working eight months out of the year for ten weeks. And I think when you have that kind of pent up for eight months, it’s fun when it gets to be for real,” says Fountain Fort Carson head coach Jake Novotny.

The high school kids are excited to get back at it. “I feel like overall, energy has been really great,” says D.K. Releford Jr. Trojans linebacker Cody Greiner adds, “We have a lot of stuff put together. We got a chance to prove ourselves.”

Even head coach Jake Novotny’s kids are pumped for football: “My oldest daughter was just ecstatic when I told her, hey, the football, like you call them the football guys. Hey, football guys got their first game in a few weeks and man, she was fired up because her and all the other kids hang out down there during the game and run around, and it’s a blast.”

Fountain Fort Carson has an identity: ground and pound and be physical, but their team is made up of high schoolers that come far and wide to be here because their parents are in the military, “People from that are moving in from all over, around the world, like military families. So I feel like they’re very relatable,” says Releford.

Trojans quarterback J.J. Martin adds, “Like it’s cool because everyone has a different perspective and everyone has played football, so they can give their input on different things.”

Regardless of background, they all speak the same language: football. “We want guys to…dress like they’re professionals. We want them to…approach the game like it’s like it’s an honor to play it because it really is. And…so for us, it’s it’s about doing everything the right way,” says Novotny.

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Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The halls of schools in Harrison School District 2 were buzzing Monday as some students returned to classrooms for the first day of school.

At Panorama Middle School, sixth graders got their first chance to settle into their new surroundings before seventh and eighth graders joined them.

“You kind of get to get comfortable with the school before going all in,” explained former Panorama student Marissa Donjuan.

School staff helped set the tone for the first day by lining up outside to clap students into the building.

The first-day excitement continued at Sierra High School, where freshmen were among the first students heading into classrooms.

And while starting high school can sometimes come with worries about older students, Donjuan, who is now a senior at the school, said freshmen have plenty of people they can turn to.

“If a freshman needs help, you can ask anybody,” the now senior said.

Sierra High School senior Marissa Donjuan

Students have a voice in the district

Student involvement is also a major focus for Harrison School District 2.

Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, who was named Superintendent of the Year, has emphasized giving students a seat at the table when decisions are made.

“We have input from our students about what should be served for school lunch, what classes we should offer,” Birhanzel said.

D2 Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel

Building relationships beyond the first day

While the first-day energy was high, district leaders say the support students receive goes well beyond the excitement of returning to school. The district is focused on building strong relationships between students and staff so students never feel alone.

“When they are having a rough day, they have a trusted adult that they can go to to make sure that they can bounce back the next day,” Panorama Principal Phillip Herfendal said.

Panorama Middle School Principal Phillip Herfendal

With plenty of first-day smiles, cheers and new beginnings, the back-to-school buzz is officially underway in Harrison School District 2.

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Alexander Brunet

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A local school district is believed to be the first in the Pikes Peak region to use propane fuel instead of diesel fuel to transport students to and from school.

At Harrison District 2, work to gradually convert the fleet of 60 buses to propane buses has been in the works since at least February of 2024.

The district currently has four propane buses, and a fifth is on the way; officials said that propane buses are much cheaper to operate and maintain than diesel buses, and are easier to start in cold weather.

Josy Campbell, the district’s transportation director, said that she learned of the potential of propane buses during a trip to Reno, Nevada.

“They have a green summit there where they talk about different ways of going green with our buses,” she recalled. “Electric just wasn’t in the cards for us, so we decided to go propane — and that has been a great decision for us.”

Campbell asked Kyle Jackson, the bus fleet manager, to research and implement the acquisition of propane buses.

“Buying a propane bus now would be about $40,000 less than if you bought a diesel bus now,” he explained.

Jackson mentioned new, stricter emission requirements for school buses taking effect next year, as a factor in the propane decision.

“Potentially, if you took the same bus I’m standing with right now, and you were to put the new emission system on it, you probably see about a $40,000 difference,” he said.

Jackson added that the cost of electric buses, especially for battery storage and maintenance, made them economically unfeasible for the district.

“Our overall cost savings for propane far outweigh the slightly better fuel mileage that we get with diesel,” he said.

The district plans to acquire three propane buses annually to replace older diesel buses that will be taken out of service and sold at auction.

Part of the transition included installing a propane storage tank on the bus lot.

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Michael Logerwell

Update: The Colorado Springs Fire Department initially stated that 35 patients were treated and 10 were transported. The updated information is that 72 total patients were treated, with 7 patients transported to area hospitals experiencing serious symptoms of dehydration and/or intoxication.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The high temperatures hammered people at the Tacos and Tequila Festival in Colorado Springs on Saturday.

Organizers describe the festival as “throwback hip-hop, tacos, margaritas, games, contests, and great summer memories–all in one day.”

The Colorado Springs Fire Department says they treated 35 people for heat-related illnesses at Saturday’s event. 10 of those cases were so severe that they required hospitalization.

A fire department spokesperson is reminding the community that they need to take precautions when spending time outdoors in hot temperatures. Stay hydrated by drinking water, take breaks from the heat if you can, and check on those who may be more vulnerable to high temperatures.

CSFD also wants you to keep in mind the different symptoms for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion:

Excessive sweating

Dizziness

Thirst

Nausea

Weakness

Muscle cramps

Headache

Signs of Heat Stroke:

Confusion

Slurred speech

Nausea

Rapid pulse

Loss of consciousness

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Michael Logerwell

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says one of its K9 units was killed while off-duty along Royal Melbourne Circle in Falcon Saturday afternoon.

In a press release, the sheriff’s office says the 911 dispatch center received a call just after 12:30 p.m. Saturday from a man who says he and his dog were attacked by an unknown canine. The caller reported being bitten by the unknown dog and then told dispatchers he had shot the animal with a firearm.

The sheriff’s office says that before deputies arrived, they were notified by an off-duty K9 deputy that the dog involved in the incident was El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Styx.

The man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene and later traveled to a local urgent care facility for additional treatment. K9 Styx was taken to a local veterinary hospital but did not survive his injuries.

A neighbor told KRDO13 Styx had gotten out and been roaming around chasing other dogs in the neighborhood. Styx reportedly made his way to the man’s garage, attacking his dog, and when the man tried to separate the two, Styx turned on him and latched onto his arm. That’s when his wife ran to the car to get her gun and shot Styx.

The sheriff’s office says they are investigating the incident. No charges have been filed.

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Levette Sanchez

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)– The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is currently investigating a fatal traffic crash at the North Powers Boulevard/Palmer Park Boulevard intersection.

According to medical personnel on the scene, one female died as a result of the crash.

The preliminary investigation shows a vehicle traveling northbound on Powers struck a pedestrian at Palmer Park.

Police found her body in the Powers merge lane from westbound Palmer Park.

Northbound Powers between Palmer Park and Constitution Avenue was closed between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

CSPD’s Major Crash Team is in charge of the investigation and says that alcohol and speeding are not factors in the accident.

“We’ve been speaking with the driver,” said Sgt. John Monaghan. “Sounds like he was on his way to work this morning, so they’re working with him to get all of that information, and reconstruct the scene to see exactly what happened.”

Police said that you can avoid a similar tragedy by crossing busy streets only at designated crosswalks and wearing light-colored or reflective clothing so that drivers can better see you.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Academy Boulevard, Fountain Boulevard, and 8th Street offer recent, current, and future examples of road projects that can frustrate drivers — in some cases, unexpectedly so.

Traffic alignments change often on the north end of 8th Street, where crews are replacing a water main; for several weeks, traffic in both directions had to navigate two sharp turns and share the northbound side in front of Walmart to get through the work zone.

Later this week, however, the pattern changed again, this time to a straighter alignment in which traffic squeezes into the southbound lanes.

In late July, many drivers were surprised to see repaving work happening on stretches of Academy Boulevard between Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Carefree Circle.

That area is known for having particularly heavy traffic and crumbling streets; in fact, it was a target of the city’s recently completed “pothole surge,” with crews focusing on additional pothole patching.

A city spokesman said that the resurfacing was maintenance paving intended to stabilize the street until it receives a full repaving under the city’s 2C expanded paving program.

Also in late July, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) performed maintenance paving on segments of eastbound Fountain Boulevard between Academy and Powers boulevards; the agency did similar repaving in the westbound lanes last summer.

Fountain Boulevard and Expressway — four miles between Interstate 25 and Powers — is scheduled for repaving by CDOT in 2028.

Additionally, drivers have noticed a second straight year of maintenance paving on US 24 between Powers and Peterson Road.

Back on 8th Street, a significant traffic change starts Monday and will last for two months: The closure of the east southbound temporary lane on the Fountain Creek bridge.

Earlier this spring, crews found that more repairs than expected were needed to the railing, sidewalk, and bridge deck.

It has taken crews this long to engineer and design the repair project.

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