Author: KRDO

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — After a legal battle, a Colorado Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) group will be able to continue giving rides to patients for the foreseeable future.

MedRide, which provides Medicaid patients with non-emergency rides to doctors’ appointments and other medical services, got into a legal battle with state officials earlier this year.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) accused the medical transport company of engaging in a “pattern of abuse.” According to documents, directors with the Colorado Medicaid program said claims had been missing member signatures, missing dates and times, or claims that were missing columns.

“For the last nine months we’ve been trying to remedy [this]. We were first accused of fraud, that’s been debunked by the State. We have not committed fraud. We have open books and [the State has] looked at our books, and we understand there’s some bad actors in our industry, but we’re not one of them,” a spokesperson for MedRide previously told KRDO13.

The spokesperson said that MedRide had been working to adjust to and satisfy several changes in policy and procedure by the HCPF over the last year. However, they said the state kept “moving its goalposts.”

In February, following efforts to suspend their contract, the HCPF opted to terminate its contract with MedRide entirely.

On Monday, spokespersons with both the HCPF and MedRide said they have reached an agreement, allowing MedRide to continue to provide non-emergent transportation to patients well into the future as long as the company meets several requirements.

According to a spokesperson with HCPF, the requirements for MedRide include:

Maintaining all required documentation to achieve successful credentialing that verifies driver and vehicle safety and fitness prior to transporting Health First Colorado members

Creating and administering a driver training program to ensure compliance with the Medicaid NEMT program

Reinforcing processes to ensure that the customer is eligible for Medicaid coverage and that the trip is eligible for Medicaid NEMT reimbursement 

Employing a compliance officer to ensure MedRide operates in compliance with regulations and guidance intended to protect members

Contracting with a third-party auditor to screen MedRide’s claims to ensure completion and compliance prior to submission for reimbursement

Limiting the number of rides MedRide can provide to Medicaid members until program compliance is established and maintained 

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement so both MedRide and HCPF can focus our time and resources on providing safe, affordable transportation services to eligible Colorado Medicaid members,” said Medicaid Director Adela Flores-Brennan. 

“We look forward to putting this behind us and continuing to operate as a fully compliant and good-standing provider of NEMT services for the Coloradans we are proud to serve,” said Greg Harriman, president and owner of MedRide.

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KRDO News

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A suspicious incident briefly shut down Fort Carson Gate 20 on Monday afternoon, a Fort Carson official confirmed.

According to officials with Fort Carson, the incident was reported around 2 p.m., but the gate was back open to traffic as of 2:40 p.m.

A Fort Carson official confirmed that they are investigating the incident.

Details about this incident are limited at this time. KRDO13 is working to learn more, and this article may be updated.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) says they are investigating a suspicious death after getting called in on a report of a body on Sunday afternoon.

According to police, they were called to the 400 block of West 10th Street around 2:16 p.m. Police say there was a deceased female inside the residence.

Police say they believe the death is suspicious, but it has not yet been declared a homicide until they can investigate further.

The Pueblo Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons and Crime Scene Investigations unit was also called in.

The coroner’s office has not publicly released the person’s name yet.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Romero at 719-553-3375. Information can also be reported via Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-542-7867 (STOP) or online at www.pueblocrimestoppers.com. 

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Bright lights, loud noises, and crowds sometimes aren’t ideal for people who have an Autism diagnosis, but leaders with El Paso County say they wanted to ensure it didn’t stand in the way of anyone coming to the county fair.

According to county leaders, a Sensory Day took place today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., marking its second year.

“We heard lots of really positive praise. Thank you for doing this. Thanks for creating this opportunity. We’ve wanted to come to the fair every year, but we just can’t manage it. We had such a great time. Thanks for helping us be part of our community,” said Jennifer Korb, executive director of the Autism Society of Colorado.

During the event, the Whittemore Building offered bounce seats, a coloring station, headphones, and other amenities for those seeking a quieter space to take a break. There were also baby animals in the Whittemore Building for people to come by and watch or pet.

Inside the Fair Office in Swink Hall, officials say people were able to borrow sensory bags with fidget and stim items to use throughout their visit.

Officials also say that for a couple of hours, the rides operated without music and flashing lights.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado State Patrol (CSP) says they’ve created a new DUI task force focused on the Pikes Peak region, and the team made several arrests over the weekend.

According to CSP, the new Pikes Peak Colorado State Patrol DUI Task Force is focused on curbing drunk or impaired driving throughout El Paso County’s major roadways.

This weekend’s enforcement coincided with the opening of the El Paso County Fair.

On July 12 and July 13, CSP says their troopers with the Pikes Peak DUI Task Force got the following results:

Total contacts made: 28

Total DUI/D Arrests: 4

Total Roadsides: 5

Citations Issued: 7

CSP is asking for the public’s help in reporting impaired drivers. After getting out of the impaired driver’s way, people should pull over and call law enforcement at *CSP (*277), 911, or 970-249-4392.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — El Paso County officials say new accessibility improvements are coming to two parks in Fountain.

According to county leaders, Fountain Creek Regional Park will be getting three additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant parking spots, along with new curb cuts and paved sidewalks.

Construction for the project begins this week and is anticipated to wrap up by the end of summer.

“Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the outdoors without barriers,” said Todd Marts, executive director of the El Paso County Parks Department, in a release. “These improvements are more than construction projects. They are part of our mission to ensure every park is a place where, regardless of ability, everyone feels welcome in El Paso County Parks.”

Additionally, county officials say there will be improvements to John Ceresa Memorial Park. According to officials, there will be paved sidewalks, seating areas, and other ADA-compliant features.

Contruction for that project will begin on July 21, 2025, and is anticipated to wrap up by the end of August.

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Sadie Buggle

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is warning about glue traps after an unintended animal got stuck in a sticky situation.

The sheriff’s office posted a video over the weekend showing a chipmunk stuck in a trap at a local business. Animal control was called in to help.

“With some mineral oil and plenty of patience, [Animal Control Officer Rupe] carefully freed the little critter and released it back into the wild,” wrote the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office says that glue traps can cause harm to pets and wildlife, and encourages residents to use “more humane options.”

“Let’s use solutions that keep all our neighbors safe. No glue required,” said the department.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirms they got a call for a shooting near the riverwalk early Monday morning.

According to the department, they were sent out just before 3 a.m. because a teen was in life-threatening condition at the hospital after being shot. PPD confirmed the teen is a girl.

The family of the teen tells KRDO13 that she’s 13 years old. They say the bullet went through her brain and that she’s already had two surgeries today, and says that she’s fighting in the hospital.

They say they had stopped for food before the 13-year-old went to a sleepover with friends when the shooting happened.

Police believe the incident happened near the riverwalk around 102 S. Victoria Ave.

The Pueblo Police Department says officers are reviewing security footage and speaking with two other people who were with the victim at the shooting.  Police are unsure whether the incident was random or targeted at this time.

According to the Police, they have the car in which the crime occurred and are actively investigating and working to develop a suspect profile.

Pueblo Police say that, due to this incident and a rise in crime downtown, their department plans to step up patrols in the downtown area. Which is something that many people along the riverwalk were happy to hear.

“The fact that Pueblo PD is circulating throughout the downtown area adds a layer of comfort, especially, you know, for a family of small children,” shared James Duncan, a Colorado Springs resident visiting Pueblo.

“We just enjoy the Riverwalk. Have the kids play in the little fountain here,” shared Duncan, “It’s so beautiful. The city has really put a lot into building out this particular part of downtown. And, it’s unfortunate that security is an added concern at this point, because if those things were not a factor, this place would really flourish.”

He says he’s hopeful for the added Police presence.

“I think that if we can support the police and they’re trying their best to protect the citizens of Pueblo and folks like us who are visiting, we can just be grateful for that,” said Duncan.

KRDO13 also reached out to the organization in charge of the riverwalk, the Historic Arkansas River of Pueblo (HARP), to see if they were planning to increase their privately contracted security. HARP declined to comment.

PPD also wants to remind the public that there are curfews in effect and that they will continue to enforce them.

When it comes to public parks, city code says it is unlawful to be in any public park in Pueblo between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Pueblo Police also want to remind the public that minors have a curfew from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. With the curfew changing slightly on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 11:59 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. They say these rules apply unless the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult person over the age of 21.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — More crews from Colorado have been dispatched to assist with search and rescue operations following deadly floods across the state of Texas.

According to Colorado Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One (CO-TF1), 33 members left early Monday morning.

Crews with CO-TF1 work to clear debris on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The work is part of their tasks in addition to search and rescue operations (Photo: Colorado Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One/Facebook).

CO-TF1 says they will fly into San Antonio, joining 48 members who have already arrived in Kerr County, Texas.

Rescue crews with CO-TF1 tread through water in Texas during their operations on Saturday, July 12, 2025 (Photo: Colorado Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One/Facebook).

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) says they have three additional crew members joining them as well.

This round of crews will be bringing a search and rescue K9, with four other K9s with their team already on site.

A K9 with a “U.S. Park Ranger” collar works alongside crews in Kerr County, Texas, on Saturday, July 12, 2025 (Photo: Colorado Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One/Facebook).

According to the CO-TF1, flash flood warnings halted operations along the Guadalupe River on Sunday. Crews will be back out this week.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There has already been a safety improvement project on South Nevada Avenue and South Tejon Street, south of Interstate 25, and upcoming repaving work on Nevada from Brookside Street to Fort Carson.

Get ready for another project in that busy corridor.

Starting at 7 a.m. On Monday, the intersection of Nevada and Ramona Avenue will close for a month, allowing workers to install new traffic signals and make other safety upgrades that will benefit drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The closure won’t affect northbound and southbound traffic on Nevada, but drivers will be unable to turn onto or off of Ramona at the intersection.

After improvements at that intersection are finished, a similar project will begin a block south at the intersection of Nevada and St. Elmo Avenue.

The city and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are teaming up on both projects, with hopes of completing them early next year.

Officials said that traffic is increasing at both intersections, as the corridor continues to transform under an Urban Renewal plan to revitalize the area.

In recent years, several old motels and vacant buildings have been demolished and replaced by new businesses; the Nevada/Ramona closure is between the north end of the Creekwalk shopping development and the longtime former Ivywild Pharmacy that is now a Snarf’s Sandwiches shop.

Most of the changes have happened on the west side of Nevada.

The projects at the two intersections will install curbs and gutters that meet federal requirements for the disabled; improve drainage; provide better crosswalks and signage; and beautify sidewalk areas.

A city spokesman said that the signals are approximately 40 years old, and their replacement cost is $1.2 million.

Detours for the Nevada/Ramona closure:

Westbound Ramona Avenue traffic: Detour south on South Nevada Avenue, west on St. Elmo Avenue, north on Tejon Street, and return to Ramona from the west.

Eastbound Ramona Avenue traffic: Detour south on Tejon Street, East on St. Elmo Avenue, North on S. Nevada Avenue, Return to Ramona from the east.

Pedestrian/Sidewalk access: Pedestrian access will be maintained with detours clearly marked. Some sidewalk segments near the work zone will be temporarily closed with “Cross Here” signage in place. 

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