Author: KRDO

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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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Police Department announced they are investigating the deaths of two people after a 911 call came in reporting a shooting on Sunday afternoon.

The police department says the 911 call came in just before 2:30 p.m. The caller described a shooting along Sod House Trail, a residential street near Oro Blanco Dr and Barnes Rd.

When officers arrived at the house in question, they say they located one adult male and one adult female with at least one gunshot wound. CSPD says all parties involved in the incident are accounted for.

After the initial response by police officers, the homicide unit arrived and took over the investigation.

Now the police department is asking if anyone has any additional information regarding this incident to call 719-444-7000 or Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers.

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Samantha Hildebrandt

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released the identification of the motorcyclist who died after a crash around 6 p.m. on Aug. 9 on N. Union Blvd. and Garmish Rd.

El Paso County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on the deceased rider and identified him as 20-year-old Spencer Lehmkuhl. 

Police say on the day of the crash, officers learned a motorcycle had struck an SUV along N Union Blvd.

Medical personnel responded to the scene, and life-saving measures were attempted, but the motorcyclist died at the scene.

The Colorado Springs Major Crash Team has since taken over the investigation and believes speed to have been a factor. No arrests have been made at this time.

CSPD says this is the 35th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs in 2025.

This intersection was the scene of two motorcycle deaths within 48 hours. For more information on the city’s response, read previous reporting: Traffic tragedy in Colorado Springs: Another fatal motorcycle crash; what’s next at dangerous intersections?

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Rob Namnoum

For the second straight season, Pine Creek has a new coach. Trevor Hudson takes over as the man in charge and he is eager to get started, “Like a fat kid with a piece of cake, man. I’m excited to be here, man. I’m excited to get it in. I’m excited to just be here and build something.  We’re trying to take it to new heights. We try to do things better than everybody else,” says Hudson.

Hudson’s career began at Falcon. He’s coached in Las Vegas, and is coming off of a state championship in California. So naturally, Pine Creek is a perfect fit, “You come into a program where there’s a culture and an expectation of winning. I mean, I couldn’t ask for a better job,” says Hudson.

Hudson’s practices are tough, “He brings us a whole new standard and discipline in how we work and how hard we work,” says Pine Creek quarterback, Brady Walden.

Malakai Harkley adds, “We’ve been doing morning weights. Monday to Thursday. And then we have a second practice from Monday to Saturday, 3 hours a day for the practice and 2 hours in the morning. Pretty intense.”

His players like his style, “Coach Hudson is definitely more intense, but he’s also a very highly energized guy. So he definitely makes practices fun, and interacts with us more,” says Pine Creek tight end, Caleb Petree.

Jackson Minton says “A practice with him is like… it has like it’s little mood swings. He’s hard on us. Like he’ll make sure we’re on your percent. But he also has a side where, you know, he can joke around. He can be a funny guy.”

Coach Hudson adds, “I want to be a coach who relates to his players who be able to have a good time. But at the same time, you know, when it’s time to work. I want to get invited to some weddings some days, so things of that nature. So to do that, you have to build that relationship.”

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