Author: KRDO

Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Local food pantries are reporting an uptick in shoppers as the government shutdown nears its fourth week.

Cross Fire Ministries tells KRDO13 that they typically have 20 families a day sign up as new guests, but after recipients of SNAP benefits were alerted that they would not have access in November, Cross Fire Ministries says the new sign-ups doubled.

On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on.

The same day, the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry at Freedom Church reports its biggest distribution yet. In two hours, they say they served 54 families representing more than 100 people. The food pantry says it typically serves 30-40 people on Sundays.

KRDO13 spoke with many people who rely on SNAP benefits, who say Cimarron Hills Food Pantry is a great place to find essentials.

One woman, Kaveen Rose, works nearby and tells KRDO13 it was a shock to hear the federal SNAP benefits were ending.

“I wonder what the heck I’m going to eat for breakfast or lunch or dinner, depending on what I’m working. But I worry about how I’m going to eat. It’s like, well, I always needed a diet. I didn’t think that I would be on one now,” said Kaveen Rose.

For now, Rose says she finds comfort in the food and the people at the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry. She says people like Pastor Scott Maxon and the other volunteers are always willing to listen.

“It’s just a wonderful opportunity to give back. You know, one of the mottos for our food pantry is serving our community in Jesus’ name, so people can go get food anywhere, any food bank. But what makes us unique is is we take an interest in the folks that come and visit us,” explained Pastor Scott Maxon.

The food pantry is always accepting financial and food donations to continue giving back to the community. You can connect with and find ways to donate to the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry here.

KRDO13 also reached out to multiple school districts to see if they would assist students and families during this time.

Colorado Springs Academy School District 20 sent this communication to families:

Academy District 20 has learned SNAP benefits for November may be delayed. However, school meals are still available. For families in need of additional food before SNAP benefits are available, there are local resources that can help:

·         Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1- or 866-760-6489 or visit www.211colorado.org

·         Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-foeod or email info@feedingcolorado.org

·         Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: 855-855-4626

Academy District 20 also participates in the state program, Healthy School Meals for All, meaning free breakfast and lunch will still be provided at school.

A Colorado Springs School District 11 spokesperson tells KRDO13 that they have food pantry programming at certain schools throughout the year.

Colorado Springs School District 11 has notified families that they can continue to rely on free school breakfasts (where available) and free school lunches. Many of our schools are also stocked with food pantries to assist families who may be experiencing need. Programs like Cougars Care at Coronado High School exemplify the generosity and community spirit that support our students and families year-round.

As always, our school counselors and community liaisons are working closely with families to connect them with community resources and local partners, including Care and Share Food Bank, Pikes Peak United Way, and numerous churches who generously support our school communities.

Harrison School District 2 is encouraging families to take advantage of the free school meals for students.

In Harrison School District 2, we’ve been proactively communicating with our families, staff, and community partners about this situation. All D2 students continue to receive free breakfast and lunch, and this program will not be affected. We’re encouraging families to make the most of both meal opportunities for their students.

To further support students and reduce food waste, we’re launching a USDA-approved Share Table program. This allows students to leave any unopened, shelf-stable items—for example, a sealed applesauce cup—on a shared table for other students to take if they wish. It’s a simple, effective way to ensure good food doesn’t go to waste while helping address food insecurity.

We also maintain an up-to-date list of local food pantries and distribution sites located near our district or with strong ties to our families and staff. These resources are available on our district website for anyone who may need additional support. 

Here is what Pueblo School District 70 will provide:

Pueblo County School District 70 students will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch. There is no change to the current meal schedule. We understand that some families may need additional support during this time. We have provuded information for local resources, including Colorado 2-1-1, to help families access food and other essential services.

Pueblo School District 60 also has many plans in place to support students.

All Pueblo School District 60 students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch each school day. In addition, the district partners with several community organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and local libraries, to expand access to meals outside of school hours. Boys & Girls Club members receive meals through club programming, and free suppers are also available to anyone under the age of 18 at participating library locations. These meal programs are funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and offered through the Colorado Food Program.

To help ensure students have consistent access to food, the district’s food share program makes shelf-stable items that are not consumed during the school day available to any student who needs them. In addition, many D60 schools operate on-site food pantries or backpack programs, allowing families to take food home for evenings and weekends. The district’s nutrition services provider, SFE, is also coordinating a canned food drive in partnership with D60 to further support students and families who may experience food insecurity during the federal government shutdown.

All D60 students will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch. School meals will not be affected by the federal government shutdown. Pueblo School District 60 will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, Monday through Thursday, at every school site.

KRDO13 also contacted District 49 and has not received a response.

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Josh Helmuth

It’s one of the fastest-growing high school sports in America, and recently, the new team at Fountain-Fort Carson High School had their night to truly embrace what’s become a tremendous athletic achievement.

To celebrate their inaugural season in flag football, the girls team at FFCHS celebrated their first Senior Night on October 6. They won the game, defeating The Vanguard School, but the night was about so much more.

Michael Clayborn is the head coach. He says the team is really about a movement, noting that the team worked tirelessly throughout the season and that Senior Night was well-deserved and great to see the community support.

Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

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Bradley Davis

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s the final weekend showing for “The Vampire of Cripple Creek” at the Butte Theater, a classic Dracula melodrama with the theater’s signature Cripple Creek twist.

The Butte Theater is one of the last in the country to perform classical American Melodramas regularly, according to its website. Made popular in the American West in the 1800s, Melodramas are classic “hero saves the damsel in distress from the villain.”

At the Butte Theater, each script is molded to reflect the town’s charm. In this play, you’ll hear references to historical Cripple Creek figures, visits to Cripple Creek’s 1800s “red light district,” jokes about rising home prices on the front range and, of course, donkeys.

The final weekend of The Dracula of Cripple Creek purposefully coincides with Halloween. The final five performances are Thursday through Sunday.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO Springs, Colo. (KRDO) — A viewer recently recalled her close call with a bicycle on Tejon Street, one of the few streets in town where bike riding is illegal.

Annie-Marie Young said that it had never happened to her before.

“I got out of my car, just like normal, and I popped up on the curve here,” she explained, re-tracing her steps. “And it startled me so much. As I got onto the sidewalk, I saw a bicyclist coming at me, fast! There was no way I could move quickly enough to get out of his way.”

But she said that somehow, she narrowly avoided the collision.

“The rider kept going and didn’t acknowledge me or say anything,” she said. “Is it safe for people to ride bicycles on sidewalks with all of the people walking there?”

According to city officials, bike riding is legal on streets, with a few exceptions: downtown, on Tejon Street and Vermijo Avenue, which are considered to have heavy pedestrian traffic; and the same applies in Old Colorado City, on Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 28th streets.

Young’s near-collision happened on the newly-widened block of Tejon, between Colorado and Pikes Peak avenues.

However, enforcing bicycle riding on sidewalks can be difficult because police don’t always catch violators in action.

City officials depend on the honesty policy — that pedestrians and cyclists will be alert and travel safely, and that cyclists will obey the law.

At some intersections on sidewalks where biking is illegal, the city has painted signs on the sidewalk asking people to walk their bikes or their scooters across.

Jason Benjamin owns the Kava Works bar on Pikes Peak Avenue and said that he worries more about people colliding with scooters than with bicycles.

“I see that happen every night,” he said. “People riding extremely recklessly on these electric scooters. I have seen collisions with other scooters, not necessarily with a pedestrian, yet. But, that could change.”

City officials said that scooters and even skateboards are also legal on sidewalks except in the above-mentioned areas.

“I don’t have an issue with any of these riders if people are going slow, riding safely, and not weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic,” Benjamin said. “If they want to go fast, they should use the bike lanes.”

However, there is a limited number of bike lanes downtown.

Young may have the best solution.

“I’m going to look both ways before I step onto a sidewalk,” she said. “Just as I look both ways before crossing a street.”

During coverage of this story on Monday morning, two more viewers shared their thoughts on the subject.

Among them was Larry Scubarth, 74, of Colorado Springs, who said that he is a disabled veteran.

“I cannot drive a vehicle because of my vision,” he wrote in an email. “I live downtown and walk or take the bus. “Every day, there are near misses between me and scooters or bicycle riders on the sidewalk. And people leave the scooters wherever they arrive, lying on the sidewalk, barring myself and neighbors, most of us with physical or vision disabilities. It’s finally refreshing to hear that SOMEONE is addressing the problem.”

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Marina Garcia

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – A group of residents living in the East Side of Pueblo has banded together to support their neighbors through this uncertain time of SNAP benefits being cut off.

A neighborhood advocate we spoke to says a majority of those living in her neighborhood rely on those benefits, herself included, and something needed to be done.

“If it’s stressing me out, it’s stressing other people in my neighborhood out. And, as a council, we decided that if our neighbors are hurting, struggling. We’re struggling,” says Amanda Welty-Soto, a neighborhood advocate.

To ensure no one goes hungry, they’ve started a food drive at a local grocery store.

Supermarket Gonzalez, located at 224 E Fourth St, will now be the location for anyone who wants to donate perishables.

“We had a secret shopper, purchase $500 worth of food, anonymously, and donate it,” says Amanda, shocked by the community engagement.

Amanda says that though their focus is to help their neighbors on the East Side, she hopes they inspire other neighborhoods in Pueblo and beyond to do the same.

“We’re hoping that this encourages other people in other neighborhoods to try to do the same thing, try to be a good neighbor to your neighbor, learn their names. Don’t let your neighbors or neighbors go hungry,” says Welty-Soto.

The council says they intend to distribute the food on Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis.

The time has not been confirmed, but Amanda says they will be sure to post updates on the Pueblo East Side Community Facebook page.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Is there anyone more Absolutely Colorado than a ski swap where some of the profits go to help those in need?

This weekend, the 2025 Colorado Springs Ski Swap came to the Roy J Wasson Academic Campus.

The swap lasted two days: Friday and Saturday. During that time, people could stop by and purchase new and used winter sports gear at a discounted price.

Dale Roberts, the founder of Rocky Mountain Ski Swap, said the swap fills a need in the community and helps bring families together.

“We want to help strengthen the family, but when you’ve got 2 or 3 kids, that can get quite expensive to outfit them to be up on the hill skiing down the slopes. And so this gives us an opportunity. We can outfit the kids for under $200, and let’s say they grow out of it. Well, they bring it back next year, sell it on consignment, and get the next size up, so they’re good to go for another year,” Roberts explained.

On Friday, guests had to pay an $8 entry fee, but a portion of that fee and of the sales will go to help the Food Bank of the Rockies.

If you missed out, the next ski swap might be a bit of a drive. Roberts says they’ll be in Denver on November 14th.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) –

UPDATE:

The intersection has since reopened.

The Colorado Springs Police Department says one person was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Two vehicles were involved in the crash.

Original Report:

Drivers are being asked to seek alternative routes as multiple lanes on popular thoroughfares are closed due to a car crash.

The crash happened at the intersection of E Pikes Peak Ave and S Union Blvd. The Colorado Springs Police Department announced the lane closures at 6:35 P.M.

KRDO13 has a team at the scene and is working to learn how many vehicles were impacted, if there were injuries, and the cause of the crash.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Annnnnnnndddddd Still! Your 4A High School Band Champions are the Rampart Rams.

This weekend, marching bands from as far away as Fruita and Montrose traveled to Air Force’s Falcon Stadium for the 4A State Championship Competition.

The Rampart High School Band came in as the reigning champs and ended the night holding the trophy again after a dominating performance.

The Rams won with an 88.25 score, but that’s not all. They swept the High Music Performance, High Visual Performance, and High General Effect competitions.

Rampart High School is no stranger to band dominance. This is the second time on the other side of the century mark that the Rams have repeated as champions. In 2005 and 2006, the Rampart High School won back-to-back band championships, then had to wait more than 15 years to win again.

Congratulations to the Rampart High Marching Band!

Photo courtesy of Rampart High School.

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Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – There’s already more than a handful of bars and breweries in Colorado Springs where you can watch the football game. But how many of those are open before eight in the morning to show what the majority of the globe would call real football?

The Brit Pub, located on the first two floors of Experience at Epicenter Apartments at 645 S. Sierra Madre St., on the west side of Weidner Field, is the place to watch live football and all the major competitions and leagues.

Nova is the co-owner of the Brit Pub, and he says every detail of this place reflects his roots.

“Listen, there’s a pub on every single corner in England, okay? I’ve been going when I was young, when I was born, at weddings, christenings. I know people have been married in pubs…. It’s an identity, okay? It’s part of your DNA,” says Nova.

Guests can find gems throughout the pub, which make its authenticity one of a kind.

“It’s our first real, authentic-looking British pub in town, which I’m really excited to see,” says Sean Forrest, a guest at the pub.

Guests will see English-made furniture, a hallway filled with team memorabilia with a signed jersey by David Beckham, and artwork of notable Brits such as Elton John and Mick Jagger.

And believe it or not, this space was almost used for something far less exciting.

“This was going to be the gym for the apartments…they said no, we’re not going to have the gym. We’ll move the gym somewhere else,” says Nova.

However, the guests we spoke to are thankful that it was not the case.

Nova tells us that as we approach the holiday season, their event calendar is full, so be sure to stay updated here.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. — A Pueblo Man spent years renovating an old house, hoping to see a return on his investment or make it the new family home, only to have it go up in flames.

Now the family in Pueblo is asking for help after a fire made their home uninhabitable.

The home sits along East First Street near South Hudson Avenue, where the Pueblo Police Department says the fire began overnight on October 22. Police say the fire department remained on the scene until 4 a.m., but the house is unlivable.

In the following days, Elizabeth Diaz started a GoFundMe to help her parents recover from the damage, who thankfully weren’t home at the time of the fire. Diaz says her father, Jose Burgos, spent years remodeling the home by himself, making the fire even more disastrous.

“When I say he literally just finished it, like, he literally just finished remodeling it with the hopes of, you know, selling it or potentially moving in. So it’s devastating seeing how, you know, his hard work just gone,” Diaz said. “They’re heartbroken.”

As for a potential investigation into the fire, a spokesperson for the PPD says there is currently no evidence pointing to this being an act of arson.

For now, the home sits locked while the family works to manage the damage.

“My parents have always helped me whenever I needed something, and I know that people in the community have always received help from my dad as well. He’s helped many people, whether it’s moving or doing things. I’m just doing this GoFundMe, just to help them have some relief from the devastation of losing their home,” Diaz explained.

Click here to donate.

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