Author: KRDO

Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is hoping to make headway on some concerning statistics involving the matter locally.

CSPD has started a phone drive as a way to help sexual assault victims who so often are in domestic violence situations.

The process is as simple as taking your old, banged-up phone and dropping it off in the lobby of the Police Operations Center or any of the police substations across Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs Police Operations Center – 705 S. Nevada Ave.Gold Hill Substation – 955 W. Morena Ave.Falcon Substation – 7850 Goddard St.Stetson Hills Substation – 4100 Tutt Blvd.Sand Creek Substation – 950 Academy Park Lp.

Organizers say that simple act could help save lives.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, the number of sexual assault and domestic violence cases hasn’t gone down over the last several years. 

Officers told KRDO these numbers are part of the reason why they decided to do the phone drive.

Advocates for victims at the organization TESSA say, since technology is such a big part of our lives nowadays, it’s no surprise that offenders are using it to their advantage. 

“Their phones are being tracked and so one of the biggest pieces we have to definitely safety plan around is making sure they have a safe and secure device that they can still use for that access of resources and support that the offender is not aware of,” TESSA safe house manager, Bri Bebow, explained in an interview with KRDO Wednesday.

CSPD will reset the phone and make sure to delete all your personal information, or you can do that part yourself if that makes you feel more comfortable.

CSPD said the “Phone it Forward” campaign accepts all types of cell phones.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading a similar drive.

Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)- A letter sent to the Governor and other lawmakers in the state capitol was obtained by KRDO13. The letter was sent by the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), calling for action at our state legislature.

The CACP claims that years of legislation and policy decisions have slowly eroded public safety in the state. KRDO13 sat down with the Pueblo Chief of Police, Chris Noeller, to hear his calls that are amplified in the letter.

Part of what sparked the drafting of the letter was a shootout between Pueblo Police Officers and a self-admitted gang member, Billy Soto. Three officers were shot, and Soto was shot dead.

Chief Noeller tells KRDO13 that he hopes the injuries his officers suffered on that day are not in vain. He says he hopes this can be the positive change that he says their department and others across the country need. 

In a letter sent by the CACP, it details how the first officer who was responding to arrest Billy Soto, who was wanted on attempted murder charges, was sitting in his police car when he was ambushed. 

In that rain of gunfire, that officer was shot in the head. Another officer also suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirmed to KRDO13 that both of those officers have been released from the hospital and are recovering, but the third officer, who also suffered serious injuries, is still in the hospital recovering as of Wednesday night. 

Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller says soft-on-crime legislation is to blame for Soto, a repeat offender, being on the street.

“I said that the blood of my officers is on the steps of the capitol, and I mean it,” reinforced Noeller.

The police chief says it’s a miracle they’re alive. 

“I believe that this was a miracle, that God was at play here because a quarter inch, one way or the other, we’re talking about three dead cops for all three of them, and that’s how serious this assault was,” explained Chief Noeller.

Colorado police chiefs are now calling for change at our state legislature to hold criminals accountable. 

“They [state lawmakers] need to listen. I hope the citizens listen because I think they need to demand better. As a citizen of this state, I think I have the right to demand better. And I hope our governor listens. I know he’s got a plan, too. His goal is to make us one of the top ten safest cities in the country. I support that goal. My cops and I want to help him attain that goal, but we need help from the legislators to make that happen. We need them to look at the laws and give us teeth back into our criminal justice system and hold criminals accountable,” said Pueblo Police Chief Noeller.

We also asked the Colorado Springs Police Department about the letter, and the Chief of Police says they’re in full support.

“I stand in full support and applaud the remarks made by Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller. Chief Noeller’s comments highlight the importance of the letter submitted to Governor Polis and to our state legislators by the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. In recent years, legislative changes out of the Capitol have significantly limited law enforcement’s ability to hold prolific and violent repeat offenders accountable for serious crimes. These restrictions have impactful and ongoing consequences. The bottom line – poor legislation has made our city streets a more dangerous place for our citizens and officers, who are committed to doing whatever they are called to do to protect the Colorado Springs community every day. We need to provide officers with tools to make our cities safer, rather than provide a safe haven for prolific criminal offenders.”

– Adrian Vasquez, Chief of Police, Colorado Springs Police Department

You can read the full letter sent by CACP here:

An Urgent Appeal to Governor Polis and Colorado Legislative Leadership (final)Download

KRDO13 also reached out to House Minority Leader Pugliese, who represents El Paso County, for her thoughts on the letter. She shared this statement:

“I stand with the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police in their urgent call to address the public safety crisis facing our state. House Republicans have consistently pushed for tougher penalties and greater accountability for repeat offenders but too often the Democrats have prioritized the rights of criminals over victims, and progressive ideology over common sense. It is high time for our Democratic colleagues to join us in making public safety a bipartisan priority and pass laws that truly protect the people of Colorado.”

– Minority Leader Rose Pugliese

KRDO13 also reached out to Governor Polis for his response to the letter. A spokesperson shared this statement:

“Governor Polis appreciates the police chiefs in supporting his vision to make Colorado safer, which is what the Governor has been working to do, and agrees with the points they make and is grateful for their advocacy. He and the chiefs are in alignment on proactive legislation this year, and Governor Polis has fought for and signed laws to provide more funding to local law enforcement, invest in proven crime prevention programs, crack down on auto theft and illegal firearm activity to help local law enforcement and make our communities safer. That’s why we’ve seen crime decrease in almost every category between 2023-2024, including a 15% decrease in property crime, a 9% reduction in homicides, and a 26% decrease in auto theft. The Governor looks forward to partnering with law enforcement to advance our shared legislative public safety priorities, including passing a bill to address gun theft and making motor vehicle theft a more serious offense while wielding the veto if and when necessary. The Governor wants to continue building on this success and make Colorado even safer for all.”

– Eric Maruyama, a spokesperson for Governor Polis’s office

KRDO13 did reach out to Speaker Julie McCluskie for her response. This article will be updated with that information once received.

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) $114 million construction project has transformed the east side of the interchange at Interstate 25 and US 50 East and is being closely watched by many longtime residents.

“I’m liking what I’m seeing,” said James Tafoya, a Pueblo native. “I haven’t noticed any traffic impacts. Everything has been smooth. I was worried about that, as first.”

Hurley Sammon, another lifelong Puebloan, agrees.

“I was excited, I really was,” he recalled about the start of the project. “It’s about time. (The infrastructure) is old, you know? We need something new, something better. Something to get traffic moving, you know?”

Among five bridges CDOT will build, two will replace poor-rated bridges across Fountain Creek, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and I-25; the latter has been damaged by collisions from semi trucks.

The support structure for one of the bridges is clearly visible, as work continues since groundbreaking last November; CDOT officially announced the project a month earlier, after securing federal funding.

Other project objectives include repaving I-25 through the interchange with concrete; improving drainage and erosion control; building a sound wall to protect neighbors west of the freeway; create a new connection to the Fountain Creek Trail; and shift the interchange slightly north of its current location.

Some family members said they used walking their dog along the trail Wednesday as an opportunity to see the construction for the first time.

“The project is moving along very nicely,” said Scott Dalton, CDOT’s project manager. “We’re approximately 10% complete at this time. Traffic will continue to use the current bridges for another year or so. We’ll continue to watch them.”

The rebuilt interchange also will bring the Steel City and Home of Heroes its first diverging diamond interchange — a traffic pattern similar to what exists at the I-25/Fillmore Street and Powers Boulevard/Research Parkway bridges in Colorado Springs.

Some residents expressed concerns about the project.

“I can think of better things that need to be done,” said Beverly Rosales. “So, am I in favor of it? Not really. I think it’s a waste of our money.”

Janet Ortiz owns the Emergi-Medical Care Center on te east side of the project.

“I’m not really sure what it’s going to do to the property value, either — because this freeway traffic is going to run right alongside our building,” she said. “So, we’ll just have to wait and see how it’s all going to pan out.”

Some neighbors said that another project benefit was clearing out homeless camps and activity along the creek.

“I knew that there were homeless people down there, but not as many as I saw coming out of there,” one neighbor said.

CDOT expects to finish the project by summer 2027.

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – As pickleball continues to grow in popularity in the United States, more people are taking part that might not be who you’d initially expect.

A Colorado Springs pickleball regular spoke with KRDO13 on why he decided to try and go pro in America’s fastest-growing sport after his career in the NFL.

“If you’re looking to stay competitive and to get that competitive edge back, then I recommend getting out here and playing some pickleball because there’s nothing better than pickleball right now. Best sport alive right now,” said Jeret Smith, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the last three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Smith recently decided he will pursue the sport as his full-time job.

“It’s been incredible to see the ride pickleball has taken us all on,” Life Time Pickleball pro Mike McGregor said.

Smith plays all over the front range, including the Life Time in Colorado Springs with McGregor. The club is hoping to get the most people playing pickleball at the same time ever this Saturday for National Pickleball Month.

The sport has come a long way the last five years, both in the states as well as for Smith.

“I wanted to just play something that I could stay competitive in, and first I was like, ‘Oh, this is just a sport for older people,'” Smith said. “They beat me bad! And so, for me, I’m an athlete, and I’m losing to 70-year-old people, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to get better at this sport.'”

The Life Time in Colorado Springs is hosting its Pickleball “Agassi Open Play Day” Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants must sign up through their app. The club will have day passes available for non-members. The club is also hosting a tournament, “Dinco De Mayo,” May 16-18.

Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – We’re at that point in the season where a lot of us are anxious to get some color out in the yard, especially with a super warm weekend ahead. But experts say you have to be careful about how and what you plant right now since another cold snap isn’t out of the question.

“Dahlias, and we have some impatiens and petunias,” Susan Spencer, co-owner of Spencer’s Produce, Lawn and Garden Centers in Colorado Springs, listed.

Yes, the flowers can be as impatient as they want. But, Susan says YOU need to hold your horses when it comes to those guys.

Spencer’s has been at it for a while (like, since the 1930s) – so, yes, Susan knows what’s up.

“It’s just not time,” she told KRDO. “We need not only warm days but warm nights as well.”

No, don’t start crying (although we could use the moisture). There’s still plenty you can do this weekend!

“Things you could plant right now would be columbine, shasta daisies, beebalm, some yarrow,” Susan listed.

Susan also told KRDO that perennials (those plants that return year after year) get the green light this weekend – as well as other resilient species.

 “Trees and shrubs that have already been hardened off – which means they have been either grown outside, or you’ve conditioned them to be outside at night,” Susan explained.

If you don’t have much of a green thumb and you’re still really nervous you’re going to blunder, work on the soil and worry about planting after Mother’s Day. The dirt is almost as tricky as the weather around here.

“It is clay in a lot of areas or sand,” Susan told us. “You can add compost, raise your soil level, do whatever you need to do to get that soil ready. That’s probably the most important thing to get done.”

When in doubt, we’re told the best bet is to just put your flowers in a pot so you can take them inside if it gets too cold.

Bart Bedsole

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Not once, but twice, the Popeyes at Pikes Peak and Academy failed its health inspection. 

The first came on March 26, and the second on April 3.

Among the violations found during the two visits: 

The inspector found a dirty microwave and dirty ice machine 

Some of the heating equipment couldn’t keep cooked chicken at the proper temperature. 

There was debris in the handwashing sink, which is supposed to be empty 

KRDO13 Investigates spoke with a manager over the phone, who referred us to the general manager. However, no one ever called back to explain what went wrong or what’s being done to get back into compliance. 

As of April 9, Popeyes was still awaiting its third inspection. 

Zocalo on Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs failed its health inspection on March 25. 

The problems at Zocalo include: 

No hot water at the handwashing sink at the bar 

Birria consume and red salsa were held in the walk-in cooler for longer than the maximum 7 days 

Mango salsa and sour cream were found at the wrong temperature. 

During the inspection, one of the faucets broke and fell off 

KRDO13 Investigates visited Zocalo on April 7 to ask about the problems, but the manager politely explained the owner was out of town. 

KRDO13 Investigates requested a call for comment, but the owner never responded. 

Zocalo did pass its re-inspection on April 2. 

The Plaza Deli, a popular lunchtime spot for those working in and around the Plaza of the Rockies complex downtown had 9 violations. 

Part of the reason it failed: 

There was no certified food protection manager on duty 

Employee food was stored directly over restaurant food in the cooler 

The handwashing sink was blocked with gloves and towels. 

The longtime owner and kitchen worker told KRDO13 it’s the first failing score for the Plaza Deli in more than 20 years. 

She said unfortunately, the inspection came at an especially busy time. 

However, she acknowledged that violations are violations, and believes the problems were addressed. 

High scores

Just one restaurant earned a perfect score last week: the Chick-Fil-A at 1620 S Nevada.

Several other restaurants had just a single violation:

McDonald’s – 1824 S Nevada 

Monica’s Taco Shop #4 – 331 S Nevada 

J’s Jamaican Flava – 3016 S Academy  

Savelli’s – 301 Manitou 

Savelli’s, serving Manitou Springs residents and visitors since 1998, is known for its pizza, pasta, subs, and more.

Over the past three years, it has racked up a total of just three violations. 

Owner Misty Maestas credits her loyal and hardworking staff, praising the relatively young group for their willingness to listen and learn. 

“It helps me to have other people with me as a team be able to make it work, because Iican’t be here 24-7,” she said. 

Maestas trains them to perform the various kitchen tasks, but also explains why those tasks are important for maintain a high level of food safety. 

She also credits the restaurant’s relationship with the health department, describing her normal inspector as a partner who is eager to educate and assist, rather than an adversary. 

“I usually reach out to her (inspector) at least once a year to ask questions to either clarify things I don’t know, or that I do know, just to confirm things sometimes, because I don’t want to pass on incorrect information,” Maestas says. 

Don’t forget to look for the Top Score and Perfect Score awards at your favorite restaurants to know the kitchen is clean.

Click here for the full list of recent inspections by the El Paso County health department. 

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – What teams should transgender athletes play on? That was the main topic of discussion Thursday night at the School District 49 Board meeting.

The discussion was expected to draw a large crowd.

The “Preserving Fairness and Safety in Sports” policy would require student athletes to play only on teams that align with their gender assigned at birth. The policy states, in part, that there are “inherent differences between boys and girls’ and classification of sports team participation by biological sex is needed to protect female athletes’ rights to safety and privacy.”

Former Olympian Eli Bremer told KRDO13 Investigates that he believes school districts need rules like this.

“I think it’s never appropriate for a girl or a woman to have to give up her position for a man. And, and I don’t think that regardless of how many people there are, that the policy should allow for that,” Bremer said.

LGBTQ advocates, however, told us that policies like these do more harm than good.

“This isn’t about sports. It is about making a statement that trans people are not welcome in D49, which not everyone in the community believes,” Ollie with Inside Out Youth Services said.

KRDO13 Investigates reached out to D49 School Board President Lori Thompson. Thompson prepared the ‘Preserving Fairness and Safety in Sports’ item for Thursday night’s agenda. She declined our interview request and responded with this statement:

“The proposed policy addresses critical issues surrounding athletic competition, placing focus on fairness, safety, and ensuring that women have opportunities in sports. JBA is the result of productive discussions with our legal counsel following the first reading of a draft resolution acknowledging the significance of recognizing biological sex in sports and private places. We anticipate and welcome a robust discussion on proposed policy JBA from members of our community, our student board of representatives and board directors. We will listen closely to all feedback prior to casting votes at an upcoming meeting, which follows our well established process as the committee tasked with overseeing the business of School District 49.” – Lori Thompson

When reached for comment, the Colorado High School Activities Association told KRDO13 Investigates they don’t make recommendations for school districts making policy around transgender athletes:

“CHSAA understands that this is a challenging and uncertain time for our member schools, given the complex interplay between state laws and federal directives. We recognize the difficult position this places districts and school leaders in as they work to balance evolving directives with local expectations and state statutes.

CHSAA strongly encourages each school and district to consult with their own leadership teams and legal counsel to interpret the potential impacts and anticipated outcomes of this federal directive within their unique context.

It is important to note that CHSAA’s bylaws have never mandated specific actions for our member schools. Rather, they reflect the rights afforded under both Federal and Colorado state law and are designed to align with existing legal protections for all students.

Until further clarification is provided by state leaders, legal experts, and the judiciary, CHSAA is not in a position to offer legal guidance. That said, CHSAA remains committed to closely monitoring ongoing developments and working with our partners at the state and national levels to determine the most appropriate and informed path forward for our schools and student-athletes.”

Rob Namnoum

“When he says he’s ready to play, he’s gonna play,” says Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. There you have it. If all goes well, the Captain Gabe Landeskog, will be back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Avs think he’ll fit right in, “He’s a gifted player. He’s been on the ice a lot. I think getting like there will be some getting up to speed stuff, but I think he’s going to be a good player for us. He’s healthy enough to play and I’ll just put him in the lineup,” says Bednar

Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor adds, “There’s obviously going to be a transition period for him and getting to his day to day routine down, you know, once he’s rationing things up. So we’re not concerned that he’s going to be able to find that and get comfortable really quickly.”

Challenges aside, Landy’s return is remarkable. He missed three years of hockey after four knee operations. He had cartilage transplant surgery, something no NHL player has ever come back from and for the guys who have seen the struggle, they couldn’t be happier, “He’s had a rocky road and so it’s exciting to see him kind of feel participating practices and hopefully continue on from there. But I know everybody’s waiting for him in here and we just want to obviously have him make sure he’s mentally ready and happy to have him back with the boys,” says Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.

Sadie Buggle

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A portion of southbound South Academy Boulevard remained closed Friday morning as crews finished repairs to a water main break confirmed by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU).

The break prompted a closure of southbound Academy between Hancock Expressway and Drennan Road; only one northbound lane is open from Drennan to Jet Wing Drive.

CSU spokesman Alex Trefry said that the lane closures will remain effective until Sunday morning.

The break has been repaired and the excavated area restored but crews will need until Sunday morning to prepare the affected segment for regular traffic.

According to Trefry, a private contractor doing underground work struck the 24-inch main just before 1:30 a.m. Thursday;, CSU is investigating the circumstances of that incident.

In a post on its Facebook page Thursday night, CSU said that the break was 16 feet below street level and under a stormwater drain.

The utility said that crews of 4 to 6 people are alternating 12-hour shifts until repairs are finished.

“We’re asking everyone to please drive safely through the area,” Trefry said. “Please follow the construction signage. Do not speed. There are people working out on the roadway, and for their safety and yours, please slow down as you’re driving through.”

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior saw several instances of drivers running red lights and drivers knocking down cones to avoid long traffic jams on southbound Academy and eastbound Hancock.

A number of people even drove into the closure, only to eventually turn back around.