Author: KRDO

Scott Harrison

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The opening of a new parking lot normally isn’t accompanied by fanfare and celebration.

Except in Manitou Springs, a tourist town where parking is always in high demand and short supply.

That began changing Monday, when town officials held a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dillon Mobility Hub.

The hub is a 91-space parking lot on the site of the former Dillon Motel, one of Manitou’s original hotels that opened in 1947 but closed a few years ago.

Officials spent $1.5 million to acquire the property east of the US 24/Maitou Avenue interchange. and convert it into a parking lot.

Manitou’s parking revenue from other lots and meters financed the project.

By establishing the new lot near the east entrance of town, officials hope to reduce traffic congestion in the downtown area and on neighborhood streets by drivers seeking parking.

Ben Schmidt, the town’s new public services director, said that the new lot is an option for people who want to spend the day shopping downtown, or for visitors to the Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline.

The two remaining motel buildings will be part of the new hub.

“They’ll be targeted to open in the fall of 2025 with full restrooms, and our parking and mobility offices for staff,” Schmidt said.

Officials are planning a second phase for the hub once they acquire the necessary funding.

“The second phase build-out is going to have mobility hubs for the Mountain Metro Transit bus systems,” Schmidt explained. It will look very similar to what we have here, but it will also have some great amenities like bike lockers.”

Several Park-n-Ride bikes are available at the hub as another transportation option.

The original Dillon Motel sign still stands.

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Rob Namnoum

Every year, the Rocky Mountain Vibes provides some great moments and for two men on the Vibes, it’s even more special, because the park is home to two generations of family, “The last two seasons been a surreal experience where in your wildest dreams you couldn’t have thought this up,” says Austin Chouinard.

Once upon a time, Bobby Chouinard played for the Sky Sox. When he got to the big leagues, he pitched for four team during his career, including the Rockies. Bobby is now the Vibes bench coach and the field now belongs to his son, Austin Chouinard. The father-son tandem working together to lead the Vibes to victory, “Oh, it’s incredibly cool. It’s a very good blessing that I’m able to play professionally. But being able to play at the same stadium is absolutely fantastic. It’s awesome” says Austin Chouinard.

His dad adds, “I coached him in Little League and youth ball, and high school, and (was) fortunate enough to coach him in college and then to be asked to help out here, it’s the same thing.”

It’s one thing to become a professional baseball player. It’s another to have a kid who does the same thing and on the same field, “It’s a surreal experience being able to play in the same stadium as he did a long time ago. I could I never even imagine that either,” says Chouinard.

Austin knows the field all too well, “Oh wow. I think I was like two or three. And the only thing I really remember is fireworks night. And there used to be a pizza stand up there where the Coca-Cola courtyard is. And I remember I would get a pizza every day and watch baseball,” says Austin Chouinard.

Baseball has always been a part of their lives, from the Sky Sox to the Rockies to now with the Vibes.

“In spring training when we got to bring him on the field for the Rockies when we were in Tucson in high Corbett Field, I think he’s like three years old and he was running around with a jersey on and a hat that was way too big. Being a player and then you get to bring your son along to a work day, right? Bring a kid to work day. And it’s it’s such a fun experience,” says Bobby Chouinard.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, COLO. (KRDO) – Four people are in custody after stealing as many as 12 vehicles over 48 hours. Police say two juveniles and two adults were working in tandem to steal the vehicles — causing thousands of dollars worth of damage after breaking car windows.

Court documents say 24-year-old Gabriel Cervantez posted bond on June 11th, then two days later police arrested him again, after they say he spent that time stealing up to 12 different cars.

“That number of motor vehicle thefts, especially by potentially a singular group, is incredibly large,” Bianca Hicks, spokesperson for the Pueblo Police Department told KRDO13 Investigates.

Pueblo police say they made arrests after the group was found in a stolen vehicle that they crashed while trying to evade capture.

“Not only do you have 12 vehicles stolen, but that also means that you have 12 victims, at least in these cases as well. and for a lot of people, their vehicle is tied to their livelihood,” Hicks said.

KRDO13 Investigates has learned that for the two adults charged, this isn’t their first run-in with the law.

Two weeks ago, Cervantez was charged with possession of a controlled substance and was held in the county jail until Wednesday, June 11th, when he bonded out. Then police say he started on the car theft spree.

Jynessa Wisthoff entered a guilty plea to one count of motor vehicle theft in April 2024. She was subsequently sentenced to 18 months of probation. Now, 14 months later, she’s been charged with another count of car theft.

“When you have folks who have committed crimes, been arrested for those crimes, and then are back out doing those things, or worse, it is a continuing concern for our department,” Hicks explained.

The Pueblo Police Department says that at the beginning of June, car thefts were down 7%, 40 fewer than at this time last year.

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Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – On Saturday, June 14, Brandon Martin was working as a volunteer security guard for the Pueblo “No Kings” rally. He says he was helping to maintain the peace with the protesters, communicating any issues to the police, and overall being another cog in the wheel of support for law enforcement to ensure things ran smoothly.

“I was actually the police liaison. So my whole role on the protesters’ side was to kind of be the first line of contact with the police in case anything happens, regarding police and protesters, and kind of work on calming down the protesters’ side of things,” explained Martin.

Martin tells KRDO13 it was an overall peaceful protest in Pueblo.

Now, Martin is being hailed a hero for his de-escalation efforts at the protest after aiding in the arrest of an armed woman, accused of attempting to draw her gun at the crowd.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2 arrested at Pueblo ‘No Kings’ protest, according to Police

“I saw this woman, and she had a Trump hat on – a camo one,” Martin said. “And she was just yelling and kind of, you know, just trying to get through the crowd. So me, being the role that I was, my first instinct was I went up and I was like, ‘Ma’am, where do you want to go? I’ll happily escort you in whatever direction you want.'”

Martin said as he escorted the woman one direction, she changed her mind and started to go another way. He says they had stepped to the side to figure out what direction to go when a protester started to yell at the woman.

“She hit and unbuckled her holster, and it was a two-button holster. So, bam, unbuttoned it. And, you can see in the video, my hands are up and I’m, I’m standing behind her and I’m just saying ma’am, please don’t do this,” recounted Martin.

He tells KRDO13 another security guard nearby was pleading to the woman, “don’t grab the gun, don’t grab the gun, don’t grab the gun.”

Martin tells KRDO13 that as soon as he saw her grab it, he grabbed her. Video obtained by KRDO13 shows the moment Martin took the woman to the ground on a platform in the Sister Cities Plaza in Pueblo.

Martin explained that there was a group of elderly ladies in the area, and that’s where his mind went in the moments leading up to the tackle.

“When I was coming up to the area, there was a whole row of 70-80-year-old women just sitting there. They couldn’t, you know, couldn’t stand anymore, they couldn’t really get up and move, they couldn’t be quick,” said Martin. “And, so in my head immediately I was like, well, if she even touches it, like, that’s the point. Like, I can’t risk it.”

Martin took the woman to the ground while he says another volunteer security guard helped to secure the firearm.

“It takes all of us to make sure we have a safe town and safe community. So if this is my bid I have to do right now, then I’m more than happy to do it until the professionals can get here,” shared Martin.

Pueblo police ended up arresting the woman. They tell KRDO13 she did have a firearm with her at the time of the arrest.

The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) also confirmed that one other person was arrested at the protest for a separate incident. Police say neither party was involved in the rally. 

On Monday morning, PPD identified the woman as 54-year-old Laura Hall. Police say she was charged with felony menacing with a deadly weapon and disrupting a lawful assembly.

“Yes, the woman in the video was one of two individuals arrested during the event. Neither appear to be associated with the No Kings March and Rally itself.”

-A spokesperson for the Pueblo Police Department (PPD)

KRDO13 obtained arrest records for Laura Hall, which detail an interview with a protester who was in a verbal altercation with Hall. The protester told police that Hall walked up and called them “full of hate” before reaching for her firearm.

The protester told police they felt terrified and were afraid for their safety and the safety of those around them.

PPD identified Hall’s weapon as a Polymer 80. They say the magazine inside the gun had 10 live 9mm rounds. PPD said there was no live round in the chamber.

Hall told police she was having a discussion about Native Americans and stolen land when she was pushed and shoulder-checked by protestors. At first, Hall told police she did not grab her firearm. Later, Hall said she may have reached toward the gun to move the holster.

Hall is being held in the Pueblo County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) was called to the intersection of Dublin Blvd. and North Union Blvd. just before 7 p.m. Sunday for a serious injury crash.

Police say initial reports describe a driver of a mini-bike going south on Union Blvd. at Dublin Blvd. CSPD said the mini-bike driver ran into a car driving east on Dublin Blvd.

Police say that before the officers got to the scene, the driver of the mini-bike was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

CSPD said the driver of the car was not injured.

Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

The intersection of Dublin Blvd. and Union Blvd., courtesy of Google Maps.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Pueblo Police say two people were arrested at the ‘No Kings’ protest in the Steel City, one of them arrested while in possession of a firearm.

In a video shared with KRDO13, several men in neon vests, reading ‘security’ on the back, are seen pinning a woman down on the ground before police officers come in to take her away.

A police spokesperson confirmed that video was taken at the ‘No Kings’ protest in Pueblo on Saturday. In the video, a member of the security team can be seen handing a firearm over to a police officer. Pueblo Police confirm the woman had a firearm in her possession at the time of her arrest.

The charges accompanying either arrest haven’t been made public as of Saturday night. It’s not clear if the arrests are connected in any way.

KRDO13 is working to learn more about the moments leading up to the arrests.

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Rob Namnoum

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks beat the Oakland Roots 1-0 on Saturday night.

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Celeste Springer

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story included a live stream. The live stream has now ended, but we are continuing to update the video at the top of this article with the latest content.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Crowds began to flood into downtown Colorado Springs near city hall on Saturday afternoon for what’s been dubbed a “No Kings” protest.

The rally joins nationwide protests “rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy,” according to organizers.

President Trump told reporters earlier this week, “I don’t feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”

“No Kings” also happens to fall on the same day as the large-scale military parade being held in Washington D.C in honor of the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with President Trump’s birthday.

CSPD says they’re prepared with personnel to monitor both this rally and events taking place for the first day of the Pride Festival in downtown Colorado Springs.

As of 12:45 p.m., CSPD said no arrests needed to be made at the protest thus far, noting “peaceful (and) lawful behavior.”

By the end of the protest, CSPD said that the protest was entirely peaceful, and a couple of verbal warnings were given to protestors to stay out of the street, but gave officers “no problem.”

Those protesting in Colorado Springs expressed concern over the Trump Administration’s actions and constitutional freedoms.

“We’re changing from a constitutional republic to a tyrannical despotism,” Pete Lee, a protestor and attorney, said. “So that’s why I’m here today. We need to send a message loud and clear … that this is not what the American people stand for.”

Lee went on to say that President Trump was violating laws through his numerous executive orders.

“At the root of it, it’s a violation of the rule of law and separation of powers … all of his executive orders, the vast majority of them, are violating laws that Congress passed. And he doesn’t have the power to alter those laws,” Lee said.

Jennifer Dolesh said that after everything that been happening in the country, it was important for her to be at the No Kings protest. 

“Well normally I’m not one of those people who comes out to a protest like this. It’s just that it’s absolutely ridiculous we are turning the troops on our own internal citizen,” said Dolesh.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo Police Department says they’ve arrested four people in connection with stolen vehicles; police believe the group could have stolen as many as 12 in the last 48 hours.

According to police, they recovered several stolen vehicles in the early morning hours of June 12. Police say at the scene, the suspects took off in one of the reported stolen vehicles.

Police say they lost control of the car, and crashed at the intersection of Pueblo Boulevard and Redwood Lane. After the crash, police say they got out of the car and ran off. Four suspects were later located and arrested.

Police say of those arrested were two adults and two unnamed juveniles. The two adult suspects were Gabriel Cervantez, 24, and Jynessa Wisthoff, 20. In addition to being charged with motor vehicle theft, police say the two are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“Besides the vehicle thefts, they may also be responsible for thousands of dollars in damage due to broken vehicle windows. Further criminal charges are anticipated,” wrote the Pueblo Police Department.

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