Author: KRDO

Bart Bedsole

LOW SCORES

It takes a lot of violations for a restaurant to be shut down, but that was the case recently for The Block Bar and Grill on Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs. 

The violations found on May 9 include: 

No handwashing sink on the cook line or anywhere near the cook line

The mechanical dish machine was broken, so there was “no method to properly wash, rinse, and sanitize dishes” 

The inspector also found excessive mold on almost all surfaces in the walk-in cooler 

Several items in the cooler were older than 7 days, including birria and green chile that were made more than 2 weeks earlier

There were multiple flies going in and out of the kitchen due to the back door being wide open.

Following the inspection, a sign on the door said it was “closed for maintenance”. 

When the doors reopened, KRDO13 went to The Block to ask about the violations. 

The bartender said the owner was out at the time and didn’t respond to a request for comment. 

It was re-inspected on May 23, and passed with five violations noted.

Mamitas at Powers and South Carefree wasn’t shut down, but it did tie a Restaurant Roundup record with 18 violations, and it has now failed 3 inspections in the last year.

On May 12, the inspector found: 

There was no certified food protection manager on duty

An employee was eating lunch on a prep table in the kitchen 

Multiple containers of salsas, green chili, beans, and rice made at least a day earlier were not dated 

The back door was left open several times during the inspection, and there was also a gap at the bottom of the door, potentially allowing insects or rodents inside

The owner declined to speak to KRDO13 directly, but through a hostess said that high turnover makes it hard to keep the entire kitchen staff fully trained on all aspects of the health code. 

***UPDATE 5/28/25*** – Mamitas also failed its re-inspection on May 28 with 13 violations.

Just up the road, L&L Hawaiian BBQ at Powers and Barnes failed its inspection with 10 violations noted. 

10 is an improvement over the 14 violations found back in September of 2024. 

Among the problems discovered last week: 

An employee didn’t wear gloves when grabbing bread from a bag; another employee was seen repeatedly wiping gloved hands on their apron 

The inspector found grime and slime in the chute of the ice machine 

Dishes were stacked up while still wet, instead of being completely dry 

The owner did not respond to a request for comment. 

L&L Hawaiian has yet to be reinspected.

HIGH SCORES

There were quite a few high scores last week, including perfect scores at the Skirted Heifer at Powers and Dublin, as well as the new Rocks 24 Pizzeria on Fountain Blvd. 

Earning an almost perfect score were the Schnitzel Fritz at Main Street and Bradley in Security-Widefield, the Fruteria Y Taqueria Guatemalteca just north of Peterson Road and Hwy 24, and the Bunzy’s and Booze on Boulder near the Olympic Training Center. 

Yes, there is plenty of booze inside, but it’s the other half of the restaurant’s name that grabs the most attention. 

A “bunzy” is sort of like a roll, and sort of like a hot sandwich. 

“So we saute and grill everything, put it into homemade dough, and then we bake it,” says owner Nicole Martinez. 

Martinez now holds the trademark on the name of it. 

“You can make a bunzy, but you just can’t call it a bunzy,” she explained while smiling. 

While Martinez is plenty proud of her bunzies, stone-baked pizzas, cookies, and more, she’s just as proud to be part of a community of small businesses. 

“I think they (the public) think it’s easy.  It’s not,” she explained, “You know, you’re here every day, you’re making everything homemade, and that’s tough to do.  Not a lot of people do that anymore.  A lot of stuff is out of cans.  Everything is homemade here.” 

Nicole doesn’t just promote other local or regional businesses.  She directly supports them, too. 

Hawkins Commercial Appliance Service maintains her kitchen equipment. 

J1uan, 2, 3 provides deep cleaning for her exhaust hood. 

Spew Graphics provides all the embroidery for her hats, shirts, aprons, and other merchandise. 

Even the artwork on the walls and furniture was created by local artists Rocky Rodriguez, Erin Gallespie, and Erin Margaret Hill, who created a rat pack-inspired mural in the dining room. 

“A lot of small businesses have gone out of business, so I would tell people that if you care about your small business, go to them, don’t go to chains,” she says. 

Look for the KRDO13 top score awards at your favorite restaurant to know the kitchen is clean. 

Click here for the full list of recent inspections in El Paso County. 

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — District 49 has announced locations where kids can get breakfast and lunch this summer at no cost to families. The service is even open to kids who aren’t enrolled in a D49 school, the district said.

Kids aged 1-18 will need to go to eat in person, as the district says there will not be a to-go option. Funding for the meals comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

D49 says the service runs Monday through Friday, from June 2 to June 27.

Service times:

Breakfast 7:40 – 8:00 a.m.

Lunch 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Service locations:

Falcon Elementary School of Technology (FESoT) Cafeteria – 12050 Falcon Hwy, Falcon, CO 80831

Odyssey Elementary School (OES) Cafeteria – 6275 Bridle Spur Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

Stetson Elementary School (SES) Cafeteria – 4910 Jedediah Smith Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirms that several families got into a fight at Mountain Vista Community School.

Police say two people involved in the brawl were taken outside, but continued to fight. They also say in total, roughly 6 to 8 people were involved.

CSPD says one person has been detained. According to the district website, today was the last day of school; kindergarten and 5th-grade continuance ceremonies were also scheduled.

Police say there were minor injuries reported.

KRDO13 has reached out to the district for more information. This article may be updated.

Ashley Salea-Vivas is a 7th grade student at Mountain Vista Community School she told us what she went through.

“The principal says there was a lockdown. Lockdown! They repeated, like, multiple times. And then I went to hide under a teacher’s desk,” said Salea-Vivas. “And then everyone was scared. I was scared, too. I was shaking so much. My hand was shaking. Everything was shaking. I was scared, really scared.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said that the school was put on lockdown and students were dismissed. CSPD said the school went on lockdown and students were released to parents, but the school district says that the school was put on secure status, not a lockdown. The district also said that the school did not dismiss.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says they were able to catch an alleged car thief thanks to Flock cameras.

Law enforcement has boasted the license-plate reading cameras in the past, pointing to their success in flagging stolen cars or wanted criminals.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the cameras alerted them that a stolen car was seen driving on Platte Avenue.

Troopers from Colorado State Patrol (CSP) were able to locate the car, which had pulled into a parking lot. However, the sheriff’s office says once their emergency lights came on, the car went into reverse and hit the CSP car. Sheriff’s office deputies then blocked the car in and managed to arrest the driver and passenger.

Deputies say the driver, identified as 21-year-old Erica Cadena, allegedly had fentanyl on her. The passenger, 21-year-old Braedan Shumway, allegedly had meth on him.

The passenger was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and the driver was booked into jail for motor vehicle theft, 2nd degree assault, eluding, and possession of a controlled substance, according to deputies.

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Scott Harrison

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — It’s wasn’t described as an emergency repair job, but town officials said that a repaving project Thursday on the main route through town had a high priority.

The work done by crews was actually less repaving and more filling large potholes on a block of Manitou Avenue between Pawnee Avenue — in front of the Manitou Springs Public Library — and Canon Avenue.

Officials wanted to restore the street segment to cover several spots where digging into it was required for water main repairs this winter, adding that temperatures have only recently become consistently warm enough for asphalt work.

The project also was delayed by the realization that Manitou Avenue is the business route for US 24 — which passes above the town — and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) had to approve any changes there.

Finishing the project before the start of Memorial Day weekend and the summer tourist season further lends a sense of urgency to the project.

The street repairs increased traffic congestion in what’s already a heavily-traveled corridor under normal conditions.

No parking was allowed in the affected block, and the work didn’t affect pedestrians visiting the many shops on the avenue — although it likely too longer to find parking.

A town release earlier this week announced that crews would work from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday but the project’s contractor, Pyramid Construction, said that the project would be finished by the end of the day Thursday — emphasizing that the patches are only temporary because more work is needed on the water main in the filled locations.

The town previously hired Pyramid to do 15 other projects this season that will be traditional street repaving; The Road Warrior reported on those streets in March.

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Bradley Davis

BLACK FOREST, Colo. (KRDO) – Hiking, yoga… and sound baths? The Meadowgrass Music Festival returns this weekend to the La Foret Conference & Retreat Center with its trademark mix of live music and Colorado outdoor experiences.

The festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Day tickets are available, but Meadowgrass has space available for tent, car and pop up camping across the hundreds of acres of the retreat center for patrons who want the full multi-day experience.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and ends on the main stage at 10 p.m. each day, followed by a late night show from 10:30 p.m. to midnight in one of the lodges.

Meadowgrass will feature 22 bands located locally, regionally and nationally. The festival will have food trucks, an art market, guided hikes, workshops, yoga, a beer garden and a sound bath (creating soothing sound vibrations with crystal or metal bowls).

The festival is hosted by the volunteer non-profit organization, Rocky Mountain Highway. Kids 12 and under get in free. You can find ticket information here.

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Tyler Cunnington

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Questions are mounting about a Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) wastewater infrastructure project after some claim the utility financed the near-$400 million project using ratepayer dollars rather than requiring the developer who stands to benefit most to cover the cost.

Mailed flyers, TV commercials and websites have been created by the development group behind the Karman Line Annexation, pushing voters to say ‘Yes’ to the vote happening in a special election on June 19 that will decide whether the land annexation moves forward. That land is located between Banning Lewis Ranch and Schriever Space Force Base out east.

They argue that Norwood Development Group, who owns not just Banning Lewis Ranch but a majority of the developable land in Colorado Springs, is sticking CSU ratepayers with a $400 million bill by having the utility pay for the wastewater plant instead of paying for it themselves.

The project in question is the East Wastewater System Expansion (EWSE), which would connect mostly undeveloped eastern Colorado Springs to CSU’s central infrastructure using large pipes and pumps to send wastewater to the Las Vegas Street treatment facility, which has capacity for more volume.

The city says without an expansive project such as this one, the city’s wastewater services could face an overload by 2028.

A video provided by Colorado Springs Utilities shows the infrastructure mapped out.

The project is just one of several costly large-scale endeavors by CSU after a multi-billion dollar budget was approved by the Colorado Springs City Council in November of 2024 for the next five years. KRDO13 Investigates previously reported the rate increases would raise utility bills for families by an average of nearly $1,000 per year by 2030.

In light of the concerns raised in the flyers and other mediums, former State Senator and current practicing attorney Bob Gardner drafted a seven-page letter to Colorado Springs City Council, requesting that the utility explain why the agreement was made to use ratepayer dollars as a loan, instead of having the developer group finance it.

Subsequently, on Wednesday, CSU held a press conference to outline all aspects of the EWSE.

The controversy stems from a 1988 development agreement between CSU and Banning Lewis Ranch, when the land was first annexed into the city. That agreement was amended in 2018, which stipulated that CSU would bear the responsibility of constructing core wastewater infrastructure off-site from Banning Lewis Ranch, while the developer would be responsible for all on-site infrastructure that connects to those central pipes.

Gardner believes that the city violated the development agreement, as well as the city code when making the decision to undertake the financing of the EWSE.

Specifically, he cited City statute 7.4.303.B.2, which states:

“Electric, Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Systems: The subdivider shall pay for the design, installation, and construction of all the required electric, gas, water, wastewater, and stormwater systems necessary to serve the development in compliance with this UDC, this Code, the most recent version of the Colorado Springs Utilities Gas, Electric, Water and Wastewater Line Extension and Service Standard, the Engineering Criteria, and the rules and regulations of Colorado Springs Utilities and the Stormwater Enterprise.”

He also cited CSU’s 2023 Wastewater Line Extension & Service Standards, which require developers to cover all costs for system extensions, with the option to seek cost recovery from future users through a 20-year agreement.

However, CSU says that the utility has always reserved the right to serve as a developer for certain projects.

“We followed all of our processes, existing utilities, rules and regulations that have been in place for decades that give us the authority to evaluate large wastewater projects and act as the developer when it’s in the best interest of the community,” explained the utility’s CFO, Tristan Gearhart.

Gearhart says that it was the most cost-effective course of action, and the EWSE would enable development to begin eastward within the city instead of stunting it any longer, since wastewater infrastructure is required before any kind of development can take place.

“I believe that what we have decided on here is ultimately the best solution from both an operational and a financial standpoint for all of our customers,” Gearhart added.

CSU says that in 2019, the utility identified seven different plans for achieving eastward expansion of wastewater infrastructure, and ultimately arrived at a scenario to use the Las Vegas Street water treatment plant.

As a result, the $396 million dollar project was determined the best course of action, especially considering they’d be able to recoup the costs of the EWSE through Advanced Recovery Costs, which are essentially fees passed onto homeowners or other customers through one-time fees from the developer.

The utility says existing properties in the area – like homes, the Colorado Springs Airport, and CSU’s Horizon Campus – would pay those fees once the pipelines are in service, while future developments, including more homes in Banning Lewis or the Karman Line project, would also share those costs.

CSU says they fully intend on recouping all 100% of that $396 million through the recovery fees, which could be anywhere from $750 for residential single-family units to as high as $3,900, depending on how much a property uses and relies upon the EWSE.

Gearhart says this method of financing a project is in no way atypical for CSU.

“It has been smaller infrastructure, typically not to that same $396 million level. But the advanced recovery agreements and recovery agreements have been used for many, many years at the utilities as a way for development to pay for the infrastructure that they will specifically use,” Gearhart said.

Conversely, the utility says if they were to build an entire wastewater treatment plant instead, the ratepayers would bear the entire cost of that project, since it is not eligible to have advanced recovery costs. A project of that magnitude would cost upwards of $600 million, according to CSU, slamming ratepayers much harder.

CSU explained that by 2030, through their increased rates, utility customers will pay $365 specifically towards the EWSE.

Yet, when KRDO13 Investigates asked if or when ratepayers would be repaid, as their funds served as a loan for the utility, Gearhart stated it could be decades, and that ratepayers would not get a direct credit but rather would see “less rate pressure moving forward.”

So far, roughly $6 million has already been recouped, according to Gearhart.

During the presentation on Wednesday, the Karman Line Annexation was mentioned multiple times as developable piece of land that would greatly benefit from the EWSE.

KRDO13 Investigates asked the ownership of Karman Line for comment, in light of their campaigning efforts scrutinizing Norwood and CSU. The group sent this statement over text:

“CSU did hold project update meetings with the Home Builders Association, of which some in our development group are members. Nobody on our team was part of discussions about Norwood Development Group’s obligation to finance the project, nor did we have any input on how the wastewater expansion project would be built.”

“The founders of Karman Line support the expansion of wastewater services in Colorado Springs and acknowledge our project will benefit from the creation of the eastern wastewater system. However, we believe development should pay its own way and are committed to paying for all the legal obligations required by our annexation agreement, City Code, and CSU Standards, including the extension of wastewater services to our property and do not seek to shift those costs to ratepayers.”

The ESWE was not up for an approval or a vote on Wednesday; instead, the presentation was made to the utilities board and city council to clear the air amidst the swirling questions and accusations.

Construction is set to begin in mid-2026 with the goal of completion by 2030. CSU says there will be certain lines and infrastructure online and active before 2030, but that will be determined later during construction.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A busy road in downtown Colorado Springs is set to close down for over two years starting in less than two weeks. 

East Boulder Street will be closed for the Palmer High School renovation from Weber to Nevada. The developers say the 2-and-a-half year closure is temporary, but they do plan to request a permanent closure from the city.

Come June 3, drivers who typically pass through East Boulder Street will have to find a new route to get from North Nevada Avenue to North Weber Street.

After June 3, the block will gradually begin filling up with construction equipment and materials.

“For the safety of both students and staff, because we have over 1200 students on site,” Doug Abernethy with RTA Architects explained. “We really need to close Boulder Street in order to allow construction to occur, because we have a 3 to 4-story academic wing. It requires quite a bit of space for a crane in the construction. So Boulder’s got to be closed to accommodate students and staff, but also the construction workers and actually the logistics of building the building.”

Abernethy says the school will shift student pick-up and drop-off to North Nevada Avenue.

Another area that will be slimming down is North Weber Street.

“There are going to be some temporary construction barricades that will reduce this. It’ll be one lane in each direction, but then there won’t be that center median,” said Tony Cingoranelli with Adolfson and Peterson Construction.

Abernethy further explained that the bike lane and parking on the west side of North Weber Street will be shifted over in order to accommodate the construction. That area is slated to be closed through July 20, 2026.

The closures raise some concerns for business owners further along East Boulder Street.

“That’s going to hugely affect our business, because it is a major fanfare. This is one of the largest crossings to downtown. That’s part of the reason we signed here was because we do have this incoming traffic,” explained Claire Schroder, an owner of Toodles Tearoom.

The owner of Toodles Tearoom on Boulder Street also points to other businesses trying to open up shop in the area. She explained how some buildings nearby are trying to fill in spots for new shops downtown.

“With that road closed, that’s a major issue for them, I’m sure not only for construction, but then if they have a launch and there’s no access to it, that’s going to be a massive problem,” Schroder shared.

The city says the district and developers will have to reapply for the construction permit every 90 days.

Colorado Springs School District 11 plans to apply for the permanent closure of East Boulder Street in the next two months. 

“As we’re working through this first phase of construction, there’s an extensive engagement process that will continue to occur to consider the closure of Boulder,” Abernathy said. “And so we have to apply to the planning department, and then ultimately that needs approval by the city council. That will run in parallel with the first phase of construction.”

In the meantime, drivers will have to reroute. District 11 provided this map of potential alternative routes:

PAST COVERAGE: Palmer High School could expand across Boulder Street in Colorado Springs

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Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – With the warmer weather sticking around, rattlesnakes are coming out of their dens and possibly into your personal space. We spoke with wildlife officials on how you can avoid a bite like some of the gnarly ones Coloradans have seen over the last few years.

Wildlife officials say people can’t merely stay away from areas rattlesnakes frequent to ensure their safety, since they can be found almost anywhere around here. 

“Prairie rattlesnakes are well-distributed across most areas of Colorado,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson John Livingston. “Can live anywhere up to elevation lines as high as 9,500 feet, but more commonly found 7,500 feet and below.”

Colorado Springs falls within those elevation parameters.

Carissa Welch, and her dog Rizzo, who got bit trying to protect her, will tell you that. Welch will also tell you the vet bill was expensive, but worth it. 

“There’s no amount of money I wouldn’t pay to save his life again,” she told KRDO while Rizzo was undergoing treatment.

Rattlesnakes are thriving in Pueblo, too.

“It’s a fairly large bite area,” said Luis Linhares who was attacked by a rattlesnake in 2023. “So, the large vipers are around here.”

“I’m surprised he pulled through this,” Luis’s wife, Linn Smith, said in a KRDO interview days after the attack.

So, how do we keep ourselves and our pets safe?

According to Livingston, rattlesnake season is usually from April to September, and the reptiles like to hangout on trails in the morning to warm up.

He says don’t try to go around them.

“You just want to slowly back away off that trail,” Livingston elaborated.

Keep your dogs on a leash, don’t hike with earbuds (that way you can hear the warning rattle), and wear long, thick pants and closed toed shoes in grassy areas… even in the heat.

Above all – you should call 911 immediately if you get bitten since the venom spreads fast.

“A cytotoxin that they have starts breaking down your muscles and your fat when they bite you,” Livingston explained. “When they bite pray, and feed on pray, it helps them digest and breakdown that animal.”

Livingston says while rattlesnake bites aren’t usually fatal, they can be deadly depending on your size, the size of the bite and how quickly you’re treated.

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Celeste Springer

UPDATE 5/22/2025: Clerk Justin Grantham says the DMV is back open and accepting appointments.

FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Fremont County DMV is currently unable to process vehicle titles and registrations, according to Clerk Justin Grantham.

In the meantime, drivers can still make appointments for next week, and Clerk Grantham says the Cañon City DMV is still operating as normal.

County officials say the temporary pause is because a piece of hardware that is used for internet and network connections is not working and needs to be replaced. Clerk Grantham says the Governor’s Office of Information and Technology is working to get it replaced. They believe the hardware will arrive as early as the end of business on Wednesday, May 21.

If you need a new registration, you can visit the DMV kiosk at 1703 Fremont Dr, Cañon City, which is inside City Market. Officials also say you can make an appointment for next week by heading here.

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