Author: KRDO

Scott Harrison

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The main route to the Manitou Incline and Cog Railway experienced slightly more traffic congestion Monday because of a project to remove several trees that were too close to the street.

Manitou officials announced Friday that the downhill (southbound) side of Ruxton Avenue — a narrow corridor on the west side of town — would be closed between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the project.

Flaggers were on duty to direct traffic through the uphill (northbound) lane during the tree removal.

Tall Timbers Tree Service conducted the tree removal, using a three-person crew with heavy equipment.

“We’re going to be sectioning it off, breaking pieces down, and then chipping or hauling the material away,” said Dylan Schreiber, a manager for Tall Timbers. “We have some high power lines in the game that we have to be careful about.”

Schreiber said that the owner of the rental property where the trees are, paid to remove the trees for other reasons: They have damaged the building’s foundation, the sidewalk and tree roots and even clogged the plumbing.

“A lot of pipes that we have out here, are clay pipes,” he explained. “So that with any little cracking, these invasive roots can get in there and cause problems.’

Schreiber also said that his crew worked around rainy weather Monday.

According to him, the trees are Russian elm — an invasive species that grows quickly and is difficult to control.

“(Gen. William) Palmer, when was starting Colorado Springs, so I’ve been told, he brought Siberian elms out here, not knowing that they were invasive,” Schreiber said. “And now, we have them everywhere. We’ll never eliminate them. They’re just part of our environment now.”

Additionally, the city said that Mountain Metro Route 33 to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway was affected during this work.

The crew finished the job by 1 p.m.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A family of musicians spanning three generations will move from restaurant to restaurant in Colorado Springs Monday performing Spanish music for Cinco De Mayo.

Linda Gutierrez and her brother Margarito Salazar play guitar and sing vocals, while Linda’s granddaughter adds a unique element with her violin.

Tune in to Good Morning Colorado to watch KRDO13’s Bradley Davis speak with the performers at the El Campesino Mexican Restaurant and hear some authentic Spanish music!

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Sunday, advocates flooded the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs to bring attention to missing and murdered indigenous people. The rally comes ahead of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. 

Here in Colorado, the volunteer task force is helping family members with indigenous heritage who have been faced with violence and injustice. 

Indigenous people face some of the highest rates of violence in the country, according to the Department of Justice.

It’s why the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force (MMIR) helps community members get the extra push to solve their family’s missing persons case or find justice in a murder investigation gone cold. 

“Today we’re here with The Missing, Murdered Indigenous Task Force and supporters, taking a walk just to honor those people who have gone missing and have been murdered. Those whose cases are unsolved. Just gathering so we can be a voice for those who have lost their voices,” explained Alonzia Fairchild.

Alonzia Fairchild came to the rally for her mother.

“Last year in May, my mom went missing, and we tried to inform police that things were out of the norm for her day-to-day routine, and just in our journey of posting fliers and trying to do everything as a family to get more answers or see where she went.”

While searching tirelessly for her mom, Marcie Fairchild, MMIR stepped up. 

“One of my sisters got connected with the task force, and they were able to help us dramatically with more fliers posting,” recounted Fairchild, “They’ve been such a support.”

Police found her remains in Denver in October last year, according to our Denver news partners.

“When we did find my mom, she was discovered in October, and we did not know. She wasn’t identified until February. So it wasn’t until March that we were having services for her. And not able to pull resources from our own family, the task force was able to donate to us. That way, we could transport her back to Oklahoma to her tribal land,” shared Fairchild.

Now, Alonzia Fairchild marches in solidarity for those who haven’t found closure like she has. 

“In some of these cases, some people have been missing and never been found at all. So I take solace in the fact that I am a lucky one, that I have my mom back. But now I need to also just be that voice and be that standing power for those that aren’t as fortunate as me,” stated Fairchild.

On Monday, the Denver Police Department (DPD) told KRDO13 that Marcie Fairchild’s case is still under investigation. DPD said no arrests have been made and that there are no further updates at this time.

Anyone with information regarding Marcie Fairchild’s disappearance is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tips can also be submitted online at metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. 

OTHER: New details emerge in 50-year-old cold case of man missing from Colorado Springs

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Michael Logerwell

ELIZABETH, Colo. (KRDO) – In 2023, Justin Langley completed umpire training with ‘Protect the Game’ and today he’s calling high school baseball games behind the dish.

RELATED: Colorado non-profits partnering to give veterans free umpire training in Colorado Springs

“I’m getting paid to do something I love, and it’s fun,” Justin Langley is two years into his umpiring career.

After he was medically discharged from the military in 2012, Langley said he had many jobs but nothing steady until an ad for free umpiring classes and gear came across his Facebook page in 2023. He went to the classes, got the free gear, and was off and running.

“I’d say that we as a society have missed these opportunities in the past, and so Protect the Game stepping up has been a blessing,” Langley told KRDO13.

Langley has even managed to find a silver lining in the one aspect that’s driving away many from the umpiring profession: heckling from coaches and parents.

“Being able to take that, tongue lashing from fans and from coaches, and as a veteran, obviously, with PTSD and those kinds of things are difficult. right. Being able to learn to adjust to that, and to overcome that has been a big blessing,” Langley said.

While Langley says his newfound umpiring career has helped bring much-needed stability to his life post military it’s done even more for others.”[Other veterans] went through, and it just took them from homeless status to getting some money and finding shelters, getting back on their feet.”

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Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Pueblo Police said on Friday, April 25th, Emilio Garcia was ejected from a car that he was a passenger in in a high-speed crash on I-25. For nearly a week, he had been fighting for his life in the hospital, but sadly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Two others in the car were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) is investigating the crash. PPD says the driver of the car Garcia was in could be facing charges. PPD says that the driver ran into another vehicle on the highway at a high rate of speed.

Emilio Garcia was only 16 years old. On Saturday, at UC Health Parkview, family members of Emilio Garcia were able to raise a Donate Life flag in his honor. 

Family members said throughout his life, Emilio Garcia would look out for other kids in the neighborhood. They tell KRDO13 if he knew they didn’t have a safe home to go to, he’d bring them over for dinner and to stay the night. They say he’s still giving back to this day.

“He gets to continue to give that same gift that he would always give to others. You know, they get to live on through him,” explained Augustino Garcia, Emilio’s brother.

His family shared stories of Emilio’s fearlessness. They say he’d never back down from a challenge and was always “one million percent savage” no matter what came his way. Emilio’s family tells KRDO13 he was a smooth talker, able to get out of anything with his smile and kind words.

“He was fearless. And whether it was doing typical boy stuff or helping somebody, whether it was a friend to move or someone needed something, he did it,” shared Sharon Garcia, Emilio’s mother.

Now they’re left grieving the loss of their brother, son and nephew gone too soon, but are grateful he’s able to give life to others. 

“He’s still a hero. His story is not done. His story is still ongoing. And he’s just proving how much of a hero he is to more than just us,” explained Emilio’s mother, Sharon Garcia.

On Saturday, just speaking about Emilio and telling stories of his life brought smiles to the faces of the Garcia family. They say Emilio was always the topic of conversation in their family.

In honor of Emilio’s love for cars and motorcycles, his family is planning a procession for his memorial service. The service will be held on Friday, May 9th, at 2 p.m. at the Pueblo Mt. Carmel Veterans Center.

“I’d love to have as many cars and motorcycles as we can get for him on the road,” shared Emilio’s brother, Augustino Garcia.

If you’d like to help the Garcia family during this difficult time, the family has created a fundraiser that you can find here.

Emilio’s father is calling for justice for his son, telling KRDO13 that someone needs to be held accountable.

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Michael Logerwell

DALLAS, TX. (KRDO) – After tying up the series at three games apiece on Thursday night, the Avalanche went into the American Airlines Center looking to keep their Stanley Cup Dreams alive.

If the Avs win, they will face the winner of the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets series. That series, also tied 3-3, will play the deciding game on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

After a neck-and-neck first period with no goals, Logan O’Connor picked the pocket of an attacking Stars player trying to take advantage of a power play. O’Connor had other ideas, flipping the script and finding Josh Manson on the other end of the ice. Mason then put the puck just past Dallas Goalie Jake Oettinger with 9:50 into the second period.

Feeling fresh after the second intermission, Nate MacKinnon added on, bringing the Avs’ lead to 2-0.

But there’s a reason a two-goal lead is the most dangerous lead in hockey.

In less than ten minutes of game time, former Avalanche Star Mikko Rantanen led a three-goal onslaught. Taking back the lead and reminding Colorado what they’re missing.

Rantanen ended the game with a hat-trick, undoubtedly the Star of the game. He even picked up the assist on the one goal he didn’t send directly into the net.

The Avalanche will start their off-season while the Stars get ready for the winner of the Blues vs. Jets series.

Final score: Stars 4, Avalanche 3.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A new study by Apartment Insights shows that the price of apartments in Colorado Springs is trending down for the first time in a decade.

“It’s a really good time for renters,” say Doug Carter, Co-Owner of Apartment Insights.

Carter tells KRDO13 Investigates an influx of new apartments has led to lower prices. It’s as simple as supply and demand.

“Primarily because of all the construction we see everywhere. It’s always supply and demand. And there’s been a lot of construction. There will still be a lot of apartments being finished this year, which is a good sign for renters,” Carter said.

Chart from Apartment Insights’ quarterly report.

Carter says the supply is finally catching up to the demand. This graph (seen above) shows that rent prices in Colorado Springs have dropped from their peak of around $1,500 in the middle of 2022.

Right now, the average rent price is $1,375, about $57 cheaper than this same time last year. Over the course of a year, that would save a renter roughly $684.

A big reason for that price drop, and why Carter expects the rest of the year to be good for renters, is a 13.5% vacancy rate for all rentable apartments.

Despite the high vacancy rate, however, Carter says apartment units are flying off the shelves.

“There were more apartments rented last quarter than we’ve ever seen,” he says.

In the first three months of 2025, 816 people rented new apartments. Expanding the scope to 12 months, 3,671 new apartments were rented, an all-time high.

While Carter expects the rest of the year to be a boon for renters, the more distant future is still a bit uncertain. “For the rest of this year, with all the construction still being completed, it’s a good time for renters. Beyond that, with the economy, it’s hard for everybody right now. It’s really hard to know. But at least right now, renters are getting some relief,” Carter said.

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Tyler Cunnington

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Friday, an El Paso County judge handed down a sentence to a Colorado Springs man who had a lengthy criminal history. Justin Kula will serve 48 years behind bars for running over a parole officer with his car and killing her in 2023.

In late September of 2023, Justin Kula was wanted after he allegedly failed to check in with his parole officer. On Sept. 28, 2023, parole officers attempted to stop him in the parking lot of a convenience store. It was there, a judge and jury believe he drove into one of the parole officers, ran them over, and killed them, and fled from the scene.

On February 19 this year, an El Paso County jury found Justin Kula guilty of vehicular homicide, manslaughter, among other charges. The next day, the jury also found Kula guilty of three habitual offender charges, which serve as sentence enhancers to the four counts he was convicted of:

Vehicular Homicide (Felony)

Leaving the scene of the crime (Felony)

Manslaughter (Felony)

3rd-Degree Assault (Misdemeanor)

KRDO13 Investigates previously reported that Kula had 13 prior felony convictions in the state of Texas, along with 18 arrests.

In 2023, Kula was parked at a convenience store when he was approached by parole officers. Security video showed that he quickly backed his vehicle out of the parking spot before speeding out of the lot, hitting several cars, and fatally running over Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval in the process.

His arrest affidavit showed he had been using meth and heroin at the time of the incident. He also told detectives he thought he was being robbed, and claimed he did not know Sandoval was a law enforcement officer when she and others opened his car door.

His defense team explained similar sentiments in their Opening Arguments of the trial on Monday, February 10, calling Officer Sandoval’s death a tragedy, but not a crime.

Conversely, the prosecution, led by Rachel Powell, the Chief Deputy District of the 4th Judicial DA’s office, argued that the officers were wearing marked uniforms and that Kula had fled from the scene.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – People living in Colorado Springs can soon catch up with the Wienermobile.

“Relish the moment,” read promotional material for the hot dog on wheels.

Visit Colorado Springs says the event is for one day only– Saturday, May 3. Tickets should be purchased in advance.

This is not just an up-close encounter with the Wienermobile, but an immersive lunch tour featuring a selection of gourmet hot dogs.

The 2-hour walking tour starts in downtown Colorado Springs, and a guide will take guests to several locations for tastings. Beer and cider are included at the first stop, according to Visit Colorado Springs.

Finally, the tour will end at the iconic Wienermobile where guests can get Instagram photos to their heart’s content.

Tickets are $68 for adults and $58 for kids. You can purchase those here.

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