Author: KRDO

Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Eight calls to dispatch in a matter of hours have landed Pueblo City Councilman Joe Latino in the hot seat.

Audio recording of the calls obtained by KRDO13 show that Councilman Latino called about homeless people, though the issues varied across several locations in Pueblo. Call logs also show that he was asked to call the non-emergency line, and while he did at some points, he reverted to calling 911 later in the evening.

You can listen to the full calls below. Please note, these are unedited and some contain profanity.

What were the calls about?

911 call placed at 4:54 p.m.

In his first call to 911, Councilman Latino reported a group of homeless people who had moved into a vacant property.

“We got some homeless f*cks that moved in with their trailer in the back of a vacant house here,” Councilmember Latino told dispatch. “I want them out of there.”

911 call placed at 4:57 p.m.

According to the timestamps provided to KRDO13, he calls back to 911 just three minutes later, and tells the dispatcher he “wants a report back as to what’s been done.” At this time, the dispatcher asks him to call the non-emergency line.

911 call placed at 5:12 p.m.

In his third call to 911, he tells the dispatcher that he doesn’t have an emergency, but is calling to follow up and asks to talk to a supervisor.

“We’ve had quite a busy day, but I will definitely go ahead and pass the message along to my supervisor and have them reach you as soon as we can,” the dispatcher says.

Call to non-emergency line placed at 5:19 p.m.

A few minutes after the third call, he placed a fourth call to dispatch, this time reportedly under the non-emergency line. He tells the dispatcher that homeless people are lining Sante Fe Avenue, and police need to come out to enforce the Sit-Lie Ordinance.

Call to non-emergency line placed at 8:10 p.m.

About three hours later, call logs show he calls the non-emergency line to ask for a supervisor again.

911 call placed at 11:32 p.m.

According to call logs, a few hours after that, Councilmember Latino reverted to calling 911 again. This time, he reported that homeless people were bothering people outside a Loaf ‘n Jug.

911 call placed at 11:37 p.m.

In his seventh call of the evening, he calls 911 once again about the homeless people at the Loaf ‘n Jug.

“I just called about 5 minutes ago, and I seen three police officers– they were standing around bull sh****** up on the northside there,” he said. “[The homeless people are not] supposed to be on the streets anymore. They just moved, so you don’t have to worry about them now ‘cus I got them out of here. But you need to send an officer down here to check on things,” he later added.

Call to non-emergency line placed at 1:48 a.m.

His final and eighth call comes in at 1:48 a.m., according to call logs. It’s about nine hours after his first call. This call is back to the non-emergency line. He expresses frustration with how things went throughout the evening, and the lack of police dispatched to the locations he called from.

“I will be dealing with the chief [of police] myself as it relates to the nonsense that goes on,” he said. “I apologize to you because you’re just doing your job,” he later said to the dispatcher.

In the council meeting, Councilman Latino said that he’s been frustrated with the police department and has been seeing some of the issues on the streets firsthand.

“I used to be able to walk down the streets, the damn streets, at 6 or 7 o’clock at night after football. We can’t do that anymore. It breaks my heart,” said Councilmember Latino.

But Pueblo Police Chief Noeller says dispatch is already inundated, fielding hundreds– sometimes thousands– of calls a day.

“When people repeatedly call 911 over issues that don’t rise to the level of being a 911 call, it impacts our ability to get people to the calls where we actually have an incident where somebody’s in danger,” said Chief Noeller.

Pueblo Police want the public to know they are able to call the non-emergency line for non-life-threatening emergencies and non-active incidents. The Pueblo Police non-emergency line is 719-553-2502.

Larger conflict in city council

The calls were the topic of an explosive city council meeting in Pueblo on Monday, but it’s just the latest episode of a feud between the mayor and the city council.

Mayor Heather Graham called out Councilmember Latino, saying that she’s asked him multiple times to stop calling 911 and tying up emergency lines.

“When you have a city councilor calling 911 and tying up the line at 11:30 at night, there’s, there’s just more serious cases that we should be responding to at that point,” said Mayor Graham.

But Councilmember Latino hasn’t been part of Graham’s fan club either. The councilmember told KRDO13 on Tuesday that he led the most recent push to remove her from office.

“It needs to go back to the city manager. I was instrumental in helping with that organization for that because I thought we needed somebody to stand front and center. But basically, it’s not been very good; the results have not been good. So I’m going to support going back to the city manager, city council form a government, you know, and other things that have gone on that have pushed me in that direction,” shared Councilman Latino.

Now, he’s pushing for the City of Pueblo to reinstate a City Manager-led form of government, getting rid of the mayor’s position.

On Monday night, an ordinance passed that will allow voters to decide if they will change part of the City’s Charter. Now, a question will be added to the ballot to see if voters would like to change the form of government from Mayor to City Manager.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says remains were found in an attic, and they believe they are those of a man missing since December.

EPSO says that on Monday, they were called out to a home in the 4300 block of McGrew Circle. Contractors were conducting a mold inspection at the property and located the body, deputies said.

Deputies learned that a missing man, 41-year-old Rueben Matthews, had previously been connected to the address. Matthews was reportedly last seen leaving the area of the home on Dec. 14, 2024.

“Despite several searches of the surrounding area, including an extensive area search with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit, as well as several locations Mr. Matthews was known to frequent, deputies were unable to locate Mr. Matthews,” read a release from the sheriff’s office.

EPSO says they do not believe there was foul play involved in this case.

While the remains have tentatively been tied to Matthews, the coroner’s office will still need to make a positive identification and determine his cause of death.

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Celeste Springer

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) — A Perseid meteor shower will light up the sky for people across Colorado tonight into tomorrow morning. The spectacular sighting is a favorite among those in the Northern Hemisphere, as Perseids can be seen shooting across the sky at rates as high as 50 to 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA.

What are Perseids?

The shower peaks each year around mid-August, and according to NASA, it’s the most popular meteor shower of the year. They can be seen around the same time each year because they are the result of Earth passing through debris trails that were left behind by comets making their way around the sun.

When can I see them?

Nationwide, the peak time to view Perseids will be the evening of Aug. 12 into the morning of Aug. 13. While peak viewing time begins around midnight, when the sky is dark, it might be possible to see them as early as 10 p.m.

The best time to view Perseids in Southern Colorado this year is 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Southern Colorado is expecting some cloud cover at 10 p.m. Tuesday night, particularly in Pueblo and Las Animas Counties, but as we approach later hours, the sky will begin to clear up.

Viewing tips

Try to look away from the moon so your eyes can adjust for the best view. Light pollution is the biggest hurdle for viewing showers. It’s always best to try to get away from an area of town with a lot of lights. At best, try to look at the darkest part of the sky. Remember to be patient; your eyes will need time to adjust, and it may take time to start seeing showers.

Meteorologist Chevy Chevalier’s “Science is Cool” Trivia

So, how big are the meteoroids associated with a meteor shower?

A.) A grain of sand

B.) A golf ball

C.) A beach ball

D.) A small SUV

Meteoroids (i.e., the stream of debris released from a comet or asteroid) are usually as small as a grain of sand. Despite that, Perseids can still appear pretty bright!

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — As the fall semester begins for schools across the state, drivers must adjust to a new law that places another restriction on passing school buses that are loading or unloading students.

The law became effective in late May, after the spring semester for most schools.

Under the law, drivers approaching a school bus from the opposite direction can no longer pass a bus that has its flashing lights on and its stop arm deployed, on a street that has painted lines or a painted median separating directions of traffic.

In other words, those drivers may continue only if there is a raised median or other physical barrier between directions of traffic.

It may seem surprising that Colorado didn’t already have such a law in place, but recent statistics have led lawmakers to increase their focus on safety.

Rep. Amy Paschal, D-El Paso County, was one of three co-sponsors of the legislation.

While on a ride-along with Academy District 20 to prepare for students returning to school this week, KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior saw an approaching driver on a neighborhood street fail to stop for a bus that had its lights flashing and stop arm deployed.

According to statistics from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), there have been five crashes over the past five years involving drivers who failed to stop for school buses while picking up or dropping off students; one of the crashes resulted in an injury, while the others resulted in property damage.

The CSP also said that troopers cited 15 drivers for failing to stop for school buses with flashing lights last year, and nine more drivers were cited from January through May of this year.

And all of that doesn’t count the number of violations that law enforcement officers don’t see.

“We do a survey every year in Colorado,” said Joey Eisenhut, director of transportation for Academy District 20, in Colorado Springs. “Last year, we did our survey on the 30th of April. And statewide, there were about 350 stop arm violations. And what that means is a car passed a bus when its stop arm was out. In Colorado Springs Academy District 20 on the 30th of April last year, which was the day that we did our count, we had 24 alone on one day in Academy District 20.”

However, many school buses are equipped with cameras that can record violators and identify vehicles; that video can be turned over to law enforcement for further investigation.

If you are cited, penalties can be stiff.

“It is a summons to court and six points towards your license,” said Trooper Hunter Mathews. “Past that, you’ll show up to talk to the judge and determine what your actual penalty is. It could be a monetary fine. It could be community service. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding why you got that ticket.”

When Drivers Should Stop for a Stopped School Bus

Drivers must stop at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection.

You are not required to stop if the school bus with its red lights flashing is on a roadway opposite you that is separated by a raised or depressed median or other physical barrier.

You must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are no longer operating.

Use caution after the school bus begins to move, as there will be children crossing or near the roadway. Wait and watch before proceeding.

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Rob Namnoum

The players on Pueblo West care about one thing, “Ball means everything,” says Pueblo West safety Grant Hribar. Ball means everything, especially for the senior class. They’re trying to leave a legacy, “We want to win and we want to  want to have that ring on our finger. Where where  we have that for the rest of our lives. We could show our kids,” says Pueblo West linebacker, Joren Flores.

P-Dub hopes to continue to go in the direction that took them to the class for a semifinal game last season, “Breaking in a lot of new faces and  a lot of baby faces. But they’re good kids and they’re here to work. And that’s that’s what’s most important,” says Pueblo West head coach Clint Buderus.

As the season is set to begin. The players reflect on how losing to Montrose motivated them this summer, “That sticks with me every single night,” says Hribar.

Flores is equally motivated, “I think about it every night. That really broke us down. But as a group of seniors, we really got together and we were like, Hey, we need to set the culture right. We need to set things straight and we need to focus up and we need to get. We need to beat them.”

Buderus adds, “At some point. We’ll talk about  the last couple of years with Montrose and that rivalry we’ve got going with them.  I guess it’s only a rivalry if you beat them every once in a while. But  yeah, they definitely circle that one on the calendar for sure.”

That game is a long ways away, Halloween night.  For now, these players say all they think about is ball  24 seven.

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KRDO News

FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A Fremont County man who was accused of helping his brother escape from prison has received a deferred sentence, according to court documents.

Video, featured above, shows the escape and arrest.

On Monday, Kyle Vanvliet was sentenced to a 2-year deferred sentence and 2 years of probation, according to documents.

Kyle Vanvliet (Source: Fremont County Sheriff’s Office)

Vanvliet’s arrest affidavit stated that, back in June of 2024, he helped his brother Kegan escape from the Fremont County Detention Center by meeting him at a nearby gas station and giving Kegan his car.

In an interview with a detective, Kyle said that he didn’t go to the gas station to help his brother. He said that he always sat at that gas station.

At the time of his escape from prison, his brother Kegan Vanvliet was accused of attempted murder.

Kegan Vanvliet (Source: Fremont County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities say Kegan Vanvliet led them on a manhunt, which ended later about 40 miles away in Colorado Springs.

According to court records, back in March, Kegan was sentenced to six years for his part in the prison escape case.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department has publicly released the identity of a motocyclist who died in a crash along Drennan Road on July 19.

According to police, 27-year-old Johnny Givens died after he improperly took on a roundabout near the 4100 block of Drennan Road. He was believed to have been traveling at a high rate of speed, police said. Police also said the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

The Colorado Springs Police Department says his death marks the 31st traffic fatality in Colorado Springs in 2025.

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Scott Harrison

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — For the second straight week, drivers along part of Mesa Ridge Parkway (State Highway 16) adjusted to a lower speed limit.

However, Monday’s change apparently didn’t result in additional traffic impacts.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) lowered the speed limit to 35 mph during school hours along Mesa Ridge High School as classes resumed.

Two weeks ago, CDOT reduced the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph on three miles of the parkway between Interstate 25 and Powers Boulevard (State Highway 21).

As KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior previously reported, CDOT reduced the speed limit after a study that found a large number of crashes in the area during the past five years, particularly at the Mesa Ridge/Syracuse Street intersection in front of the school.

But CDOT said that it relied on other feedback in making the final decision.

“We’ve had significant conversations with both the city of Fountain and the school district (Widefield District 3),” said Pepper Whittlef, a CDOT program manager. “The original request for a speed limit reduction during school hours did come from the school district. So, that started the ball rolling probably over a year ago. “We’ve had a lot of discussion with the school district on this intersection of Syracuse, and then just to the corridor as a whole.”

CDOT added that Fountain police will be in charge of traffic enforcement in the new school zone.

Classes resumed Monday for freshmen at the high school, with the remaining grades returning on Tuesday.

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior noticed that the flashing yellow lights in the school zone were not operating on Monday, which may have caused faster traffic than otherwise.

CDOT later explained that it was waiting on the district to confirm its start and finish times; district officials said that the signals were on Tuesday.

Samantha Briggs, a school district representative, surveyed the back-to-school scene at Mesa Ridge on Monday.

“It looks about the same as what we’ve seen in years past,” she observed. “”There will be some backups. We just ask that people be patient, take their time, and just cooperate so we can keep everybody safe.”

Briggs added that there has been talk within the district of possibly upgrading roads behind the school to reduce traffic congestion even further.

Parents taking their kids to school have mixed feelings about how effective the lower speed limit will be.

“I definitely think it’s going to cause some backup for sure,” said Amanda Pappan. “But I do feel that it’s going to be beneficial for the safety of the students. That’s my main concern.”

Jenn Calnan is more concerned about speeding along Mesa Ridge.

I’m still concerned that people are going to do 55 and still not slow down,” she said. “I think they need to increase police presence out here.”

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Marina Garcia

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – A fallen tree put an end to river fun for tubers and kayakers on the Arkansas River Sunday. The large tree fell straight across the channel, creating a dangerous obstacle.

Colorado Springs Parks and Wildlife are advising recreationalists to be careful around the area. It’s just a little over three miles above the area known as the Swallows.

But it’s not just at the river; we’re seeing this happen all over Pueblo this weekend.

A local tree trimming business tells KRDO 13 that the weather during this time keeps them very busy.

“It’s been really random. These storms come through, and all of a sudden it’s 70-mile-an-hour gusts and trees are failing,” says Danny Moberly, owner of Moberly’s Tree Service.

This last month, the owners say they have seen people get trapped in their houses, and they’ve had to use cranes to safely remove the fallen trees. 

Danny tells us, one factor that could keep trees from falling over is proper pruning practices.

He suggests thinning out the limbs so the wind can blow through them while also keeping the snow from building up and breaking the branches.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says they’re still assessing what it will take to remove the tree from the river, but we will keep you updated as crews continue working during these high winds.

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Michael Logerwell

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Governor Jared Polis has made a verbal declaration for a fire burning in Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County.

The Oak Fire is burning just west of Pagosa Springs, north of Highway 160. The governor’s office says that due to the fire quickly spreading, it exceeded the capacity of the local fire department and county resources. Then the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office requested help from the state.

As of Sunday night, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office says the blaze is at 150 acres and mandatory evacuations are in place up to and including the Elk Park subdivision.

With this declaration, the State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans are activated. In addition to local, county, and federal agencies, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Colorado State Patrol are all helping in this time of emergency. The National Guard is also helping fight the blaze.

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