Author: KRDO

Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – A Colorado state trooper is injured after an allegedly drunk driver speeds off, beginning a police chase.

The State Patrol says it started when a state trooper pulled over a driver who was reported to be speeding and actively drinking a beer. The trooper said they observed a shotgun in the vehicle, and shortly after, the driver hit the gas, knocking over the trooper at his window.

The Ford van wasn’t stopped until it was rammed by another state trooper. A 32-year-old from Weston was booked into jail on charges of DUI, assault of a police officer, and more.

That trooper was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Thirty minutes into Sunday, April 26, police officers sped out to a large parking lot along Powers Blvd. At the scene, the Colorado Springs Police Department says their officers found three victims, all of whom had been shot at least once.

An adult man and a juvenile girl were sent to a local hospital, where police say they are in stable condition. The third victim, a 19-year-old man, died from his injuries at the scene despite treatment from first responders at the scene.

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office is identifying him as 19-year-old Cortez Mason Jr, or as his loved ones know him, CJ.

“There are no words strong enough to describe what it feels like to lose a child. There’s a silence in my life now that is louder than anything I’ve ever known. Every morning I wake up, and I remember he is gone,” Brandi Howell, CJ’s mother, spoke through tears at the event.

Family members tell KRDO13 CJ was coming home from his second day of work at a nearby fast food restaurant when he was caught in the gunfire.

Tonight, friends and family meeting in the space of tragedy to remember a young man gone too soon

“Love should never have to fight this hard to survive,” Howell said.

KRDO13 reached out to the police department for an update on the investigation. A spokesperson for the police department said the case is a high priority. Their officers are making progress, but there is no information they can share publicly at this time.

If you have any information about the shooting and homicide, you are urged to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.

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Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – On Thursday, April 30, the Pueblo Police Department (PPD) was called to the King Soopers off of W. Northern Avenue. PPD tells KRDO13 it was around 6:50 p.m. when it responded to a shooting in the parking lot.

Police say officers located the involved individuals shortly after their arrival.

PPD says there was talk about a shoplifting incident initially, but they were not able to confirm if those involved in the shooting were also suspected of shoplifting. They also could not confirm what led up to the shooting.

Police say one person was shot and taken to the hospital. PPD says that person is in stable condition.

At this time, no one involved is facing any charges, according to PPD. However, PPD says it is still investigating the incident and that charges could be filed as a result.

KRDO13 spoke with Audra Valdez who was walking in to get groceries when everything unfolded.

“This girl came out of this white door and she was holding a white, like, almost like a small white trash can. No bigger than, like 2 or 3 feet, maybe. And she had a bunch of stuff in there,” recounted Audra Valdez.

Valdez said the woman looked like she was in a hurry and that she appeared to have bread in the recepticle.

“And, the security guard, he was already waiting for her, and he grabbed grabbed the stuff out of her hand,” said Valdez.

Valdez tells KRDO13 another man outside of the King Soopers got involved in what appeared to be an altercation.

“And I heard a gunshot ring out, and I’m like, okay, was that like, a taser or something. Is that like a really loud taser? Because I, I mean, I was just so surprised because I never really heard. I never really got that close to a shooting like that,” explained Audra Valdez.

She said she didn’t see who fired the gun, but immediately heard car alarms going off in the parking lot.

“Chaos that just sounded more like chaos. And it actually was because I don’t think people were thinking it was a gunshot, but they didn’t see it, so they didn’t really know what to think,” said Valdez.

Valdez tells KRDO13 she walked inside the store, where many where chattering about what had just occured outside. By the time Valdez walked back out with a few groceries she says she saw multiple police vehicles.

We asked King Soopers if it was their security guard who was injured in the shooting, they said that it wasn’t, and that they’re cooperating with police.

On Friday, yellow police tape is still scattered in some areas of the parking lot.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — In a follow-up to a Road Warrior report in February, crews this week repaved half of Jerry Murphy Road, on the north end of town, pleasing longtime residents who had demanded the resurfacing for decades.

“It’s such a rough road that my truck has front-end damage from it,” said neighbor Alberto Ramos. “I saw them out here working and directing traffic, and I thought it’s exactly what we need.”

Dana and Valerie Door were the first to alert The Road Warrior to the road’s deteriorating condition several years ago.

“We have never come this way,” Dana explained. “We always go through the neighborhoods back there, turn in about a block or two back, and wind our way through the neighborhood to get to our house. Anything to keep from driving on that road.”

Passing drivers honked their approval, and some drivers even paused to stop and take photos of the new asphalt layer.

The Road Warrior learned of the repaving from a viewer’s email; the city has yet to provide any details or notification.

However, drivers aren’t satisfied.

They want to see the road repaved 1/3-mile farther north, to where it becomes Overton Road, and another 1/3-mile north to the Pueblo city/county line.

The remaining unpaved segment is where cracks and potholes are at their worst.

But when that happens may depend on a developer reaching an agreement with city officials; the city said the developer earlier committed to repaving the rest of the road at an undermined point.

The city indicated in its 2026 paving list released Friday that it will repave Jerry Murphy Road to the Overton Road boundary.

Meanwhile, residents are glad that the road — named for Murphy, one of the city’s four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients — is finally in a condition befitting him.

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Bradley Davis

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KRDO) – While the storm didn’t drop much snow in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Highway 67 out toward Cripple Creek was snowy and slick Friday morning.

Our KRDO13 crews tested the roads themselves through the snow, ice and fog so you can stay safe and informed on your commute.

Reporter Bradley Davis and photographer Cameron Thornton started driving West on Highway 24 just after 4 a.m. They observed relatively clear conditions through Woodland Park, but they started to deteriorate a few miles after turning West onto Highway 67.

Snow started sticking to the road, and there was a thick fog, causing visibility issues. If you plan to drive Highway 67 on Friday morning, temper your speed and expect to add at least 10 minutes to your commute.

The main roads in Cripple Creek are pretty clear with little impact. However, the sidewalks have some ice spots. As of 6 a.m., the temperature was still in the mid-20s, and walking conditions were slick.

KRDO13 Forcaster Julia Donovan expects the temperature to quickly rise above freezing across Teller County, so we’ll likely see the snowy conditions clear out soon.

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Scott Harrison

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — People heading to work and school today will mostly find wet pavement, melting snow, and few slick spots to contend with on major streets and roads.

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior drove on US 24 through Ute Pass to Woodland Park and experienced no problems, with an early morning temperature of 28 degrees in “The City Above The Clouds” at an elevation of nearly 8,500 feet.

Spring snow can often be wet and heavy, but the recent snowfall was more powdery and unlikely to break tree limbs and branches — many of which already have leaves earlier in the season than usual.

Drivers should be aware that side streets and unpaved roads in the area may still have light accumulations of snow or be icy.

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Bradley Davis

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The foster animals with the “From Forgotten to Forever” (FFTF) non-profit look pretty adorable in their adoption pictures. The group said it’s thanks to a local photographer who photographs their animals for free, and their adoption rates are increasing.

Allison Hall takes pictures of animals for a living. She has a business called Golden Iris Portraits, but she takes photos for FFTF for free.

This month and next, Hall is scaling up her involvement.

FFTF hosts an annual pet photo contest for its calendar. This year, the top 12 amateur photographers will win a free professional photography session with Hall. FFTF and Hall hope the prize will incentivize more people to submit and donate to the foster home operations.

Voting ends May 31 at 9 p.m. It’s $5 to submit a photo. The overall winner will be featured on the cover of the calendar.

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Danny Mata

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Family and friends of a crane operator killed at a Colorado Springs job site are remembering the man they say left a lasting impact on everyone around him.

On April 28, the Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to the construction site of Forge at Peak Innovation Park after reports of a crane operator trapped inside his equipment. Alex Disher was pronounced dead at the scene.

KRDO13 has reached out to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for more details on the incident; however, OSHA says it cannot discuss ongoing investigations. OSHA has six months to complete the investigation, according to officials.

In a text message to KRDO13, Disher’s wife, Brandy, shared the following statement about her husband.

“Alex is the love of my life, my best friend, my whole world. This man did anything and everything he could to see us smile. He worked so hard so I could be a stay-at-home mom. I will forever be grateful to him and the love we shared. He was the most goofy, life-loving person I have ever met.

He always had us on an adventure always. Always had get-rich schemes. Loved our kids with everything he had.”

Tera Hill, a friend of the family, said, “Alex was probably one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. You could call Alex at any time, and he’d help with anything. Anything from [being] a handyman, to a simple task, to somebody to talk to. He would be there, available, no matter what.”

Alex, remembered for his humor, kindness and unwavering devotion to his family, left an indelible mark on those who knew him. “Alex was funny. He was so funny. He was kind, and he was endlessly generous,” Hill said.

His loved ones say they cherished his ability to brighten any room and his unique approach to parenting. As tributes pour in, his legacy as a devoted husband and incredible father continues to shine brightly.

“Brandy’s a spitfire, and Alex matched that energy,” Hill said. “They were so devoted to each other. It’s genuinely like once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. He loved those boys, and he loved his girl. He’s an incredible dad, he really is. He’s a silly guy, and he really incorporated that into his parenting style. He was the foundation of their family.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Alex’s family. There is also a Meal Train page to help provide for his wife, Brandy, and their three children.

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Josh Helmuth

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Springs may be the Olympic City. But Monument has the latest local athlete pushing to make Team USA.

Lilly Lundy recently won her weight class in the Under-17 division at nationals in Spokane last week. In doing so, she earned a spot to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, this summer.

In fact, Lilly will be one of just 10 athletes competing for the United States. To top it off, Lilly has been wrestling at 100 pounds and qualified at 94 pounds. During the high school season, she only lost to state champions or nationally ranked wrestlers. Those few losses were actually a good omen.

Her coach says she’s everything you’d want in an athlete. 

“Lilly’s a great kid. Leader. .. She’s like a one-percenter. Does everything right. Never complains. Very coachable, “said Cole Jackson, Lewis-Palmer High School’s head wrestling coach.

Lilly has a week-long camp at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center this week. July through August, she’ll be in Azerbaijan. Her goal is to be an Olympic wrestler. 

Not bad for a girl who’s only been wrestling for 5 years. 

“It feels amazing. It feels so unreal because I never thought I was going to be in this position, and I’m just super grateful too,” said Lilly.

Have a champion at your school? Tell us all about ’em! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com!

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Sadie Buggle

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, Colorado Springs city councilmembers voted unanimously to dissolve the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission (LETAC), marking the end of a body created nearly six years ago to strengthen trust between police and the community.

The decision follows an earlier unanimous vote on April 14, when councilmembers advanced an ordinance to eliminate the commission ahead of final approval this week.

LETAC was created in the summer of 2020, in the wake of nationwide protests for police reform following the highly publicized death of George Floyd, and locally, the 2019 police shooting of De’Von Bailey.

According to a now-removed city webpage, the commission’s mission was to “make recommendations to City Council which would promote improved understanding and relationships between the police department and the public.”

Its goals included collecting community concerns, providing feedback and policy recommendations to the City Council, and offering input on budgeting and resource allocation based on audits of law enforcement performance.

Earlier this year, LETAC members themselves recommended that the city disband the commission and replace it with a new citizen-led body that reflected “the evolved needs of our growing city.” That recommendation, passed by the city council in March, ultimately led to Tuesday’s vote.

In a joint statement, Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Police Chief Adrian Vasquez thanked commission members for their service and said the Colorado Springs Police Department has already implemented several recommendations since completing an independent audit in 2021. Those changes include updated use-of-force policies, expanded de-escalation training, and increased transparency through data sharing.

Mobolade also emphasized that he remains responsible for overseeing the police department, adding that “ensuring that all voices are heard; clearly, respectfully, and consistently” remains a priority.

Read the full joint statement below:

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission for their service, their time, and their willingness to step into complex and often difficult conversations. Their work came at a pivotal moment in our city’s history, and their input helped move Colorado Springs forward in meaningful ways. We respect their decision to dissolve the commission and thank them for their commitment to strengthening our community.

In 2021, the Colorado Springs Police Department undertook an independent, third-party audit to enhance transparency and accountability. Since then, the department has implemented key recommendations, including strengthening policies around the use-of-force, expanding de-escalation training, and increasing transparency through improved data sharing. These actions reflect a continued commitment to progress and to building public trust.

As Mayor, I am accountable to the people of Colorado Springs for the performance and oversight of our Police Department. Chief Vasquez and I are fully aligned in that responsibility and in our shared commitment to leading with integrity, transparency, and results.

Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing this work by engaging former LETAC members and the broader community to identify new and effective ways for residents to share input directly with the Mayor’s Office. Ensuring that all voices are heard; clearly, respectfully, and consistently; remains a priority.

Together, we will continue to focus on what matters most: keeping our community safe, strengthening trust, and ensuring accountability remains clear, direct, and responsive to the people we serve.”

– Mayor Yemi Mobolade

Community calls for stronger police oversight

At the April 28 city council meeting, several residents voiced their support of the dissolution, but also urged city leaders to replace LETAC with a more powerful oversight body.

Brandon Rincon, with the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, criticized what he described as a lack of independent accountability.

“Currently, there is no mechanism for holding officers accountable outside of police investigating themselves, and we know that time and time again, police fail to actually act in a sense of justice when it comes to investigating other police officers,” Rincon said.

Memphis Curry, also with the group, read a statement on behalf of a family member of a man killed by Colorado Springs police last year, who echoed those concerns.

“For too long, this city has offered the illusion of oversight while families bury loved ones and officers remain protected by the same system that failed us,” Curry said. “We do not need another advisory board designed to absorb outrage and produce no real change. We need real power in the hands of the people.”

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