Author: KRDO

Rob Namnoum

It’s quite the climb to the summit of Pikes Peak. When you arrive at the top– that’s when the drivers realize only a select few from around the world can accomplish such a feat, “Oh my gosh. I’d see this race when I was a little kid and I would just see these kings, these gods. I never even thought I would ever, ever be associated or be able to compete here. And now that I’m here, it’s feel like a tiny little molecule,” says Lew Bouchier.

“The first time you raced up Pikes Peak,  what were your initial thoughts?” KRDO13 asked Bouchier.

“Just not die. It was very intimidating, you know, It was like, whoa, if I miss this corner, I’m done,” Gregoire Blachon.

The majestic views of Pikes Peak are awe-inspiring, and to compete against the best the world has to offer is attractive to most drivers.

“This is like being at the Olympics. I cannot believe that I can be possibly included in any of this. It’s literally every single person here, in every single one of these cars.  Just absolute amazing talent. And you think you’re alone in it and then you get here and  they understand,” says Bouchier.

It’s that understanding that makes the Hill Climb so endearing and the reason why everyone helps one another out.

“There’s a little community up there so you can go to the next guy and be like,  Oh, we forgot this. Oh, we have two of them. Borrow it or whatever. Everybody’s friends are competing, but it’s friendly for the most part,” says Evan Bond, a pit crew member for Lew Bouchier.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The closure of a third of a mile of a busy Colorado Springs street is in effect after being delayed by city officials a month ago.

It means that the closure will now affect the start of the fall semester for a nearby charter school in District 49.

Officials revealed that the delay was caused by addressing an underground spring, similar to one that had been an issue in the area for most of last year.

Crews began placing concrete barriers and signs Monday night on Dublin between Fieler Drive and Mustang Rim Drive, as well as at the intersection of Dublin and Peterson Road.

The closures are required for a $15 million improvement project on Dublin between Fieler and Marksheffel Road that KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior first reported on last fall.

Officials had hoped to end the closures before classes resumed at the Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy, but the delay means that traffic patterns to and from the school will temporarily change when classes resume.

City officials said that more information about those traffic patterns will be released later.

“Then you have an adjustment with (Vista) High School,” said Kent Mathews, a neighbor. “There’s a ton of traffic that comes this way off Dublin, to make the right-hand turn to get to Vista. So, there’s school traffic in both directions that’s just going to be massive and an utter headache. But it needs to be done.”

Improving the drainage of the groundwater that contributes to spring formation is one of the project’s objectives; crews used a network of French drains to resolve the previous spring that caused splashing and ice hazards to traffic.

Drainage upgrades include more storm sewer pipes, inlets, and water quality structures.

Crews will also widen Dublin from two to four lanes and build a center median between Fieler and Marksheffel to match the alignment on both ends of that segment.

Another project benefit is building wider sidewalks and improving connections to the nearby trail along Sand Creek; that pleases Steven Foster, who rode his bike along the closure on Tuesday.

“I was hoping they’d get it done sooner, but it’s something that’s been needed for years,” he said. “It’s taken them long enough. It’ll be nice to have bicycle lanes and sidewalks through here. Overall, it’ll be great having this.”

City officials said that the three-month closure will allow crews to finish the project sooner.

At one point, The Road Warrior saw several vehicles drive through the closure — including a speeding pickup truck that nearly struck some of the concrete barriers.

That led police to post patrol cars at each end of the closure.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Three local caregiving businesses are partnering to host a pickleball open play on Saturday to raise money for the local chapter of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s organization.

The group calls itself the ABC Community Partners. It’s a partnership between Able Care Mobile Therapy, Bristol Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving. Each group said they work extensively with people who suffer from Alzheimer’s.

The open play is Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the indoor Peak Pickleball courts at the Chapel Hills Mall. It’s $35 to learn with a pickleball pro and $50 to guarantee a court for 2 hours of free play.

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Rob Namnoum

Ernie Ramirez will compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the first time on Sunday. Ramirez put many hours into getting his car ready for the Hill Climb so when his car passed inspection he became emotional.

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Celeste Springer

WASHINGTON (KRDO) — U.S. Northern Command says that they have directed military installations across the continental United States and Alaska to enforce additional security measures due to “world events.”

That being said, U.S. Northern Command says that they are not aware of any specific threats to installations.

Employees and visitors to military installations should expect to see more security measures and possibly face longer wait times to get on base.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Academy (USAFA) has also announced changes to their own security protocol. On Saturday, the academy announced that all visitors must use the south gate entrance. Visitors who try to use the north gate will be redirected to the south gate, officials said. General visitors not sponsored by an organization are not authorized to visit, the USAFA said.

Department of Defense (DOD) ID cardholders are encouraged to use the north gate to enter. The Santa Fe Trail is closed to all personnel for the portion that crosses the Air Force Academy installation.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) says that a section of eastbound US 24 will close throughout Monday due to rockfall mitigation.

According to CDOT, the closure runs from Rampart Terr Road (near Cascade-Chipita Park) to US 24 Business (through Manitou Springs).

CDOT says eastbound traffic is being routed to a single lane, moving head-to-head with westbound US 24.

Map courtesy of CDOT

CDOT says the closure is running from 9 a.m. on Monday, June 16, to 3 p.m. that same day.

Expect delays if heading that direction as cars are following a different traffic pattern than usual.

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Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) said it has an urgent need for new animal foster homes in Pueblo as it faces an influx of animals in need of around-the-clock care.

The non-profit said it has over 1,400 animals in its care across its shelters in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. It said an increasing number of the animals coming into the Pueblo shelter are kittens and puppies who need bottle care or animals recovering from injuries. HSPPR said its staff struggles to keep up with the needs of these animals without the help of foster homes.

There are a few requirements to become an animal foster family. You have to be 18 years or older with a reliable form of transportation. If you have your own pets, they must be up to date on their vaccinations. You’ll have to schedule a home visit with HSPPR and have permission from your landlord if you are renting.

You can start the process of becoming an animal foster family here.

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Scott Harrison

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The opening of a new parking lot normally isn’t accompanied by fanfare and celebration.

Except in Manitou Springs, a tourist town where parking is always in high demand and short supply.

That began changing Monday, when town officials held a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dillon Mobility Hub.

The hub is a 91-space parking lot on the site of the former Dillon Motel, one of Manitou’s original hotels that opened in 1947 but closed a few years ago.

Officials spent $1.5 million to acquire the property east of the US 24/Maitou Avenue interchange. and convert it into a parking lot.

Manitou’s parking revenue from other lots and meters financed the project.

By establishing the new lot near the east entrance of town, officials hope to reduce traffic congestion in the downtown area and on neighborhood streets by drivers seeking parking.

Ben Schmidt, the town’s new public services director, said that the new lot is an option for people who want to spend the day shopping downtown, or for visitors to the Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline.

The two remaining motel buildings will be part of the new hub.

“They’ll be targeted to open in the fall of 2025 with full restrooms, and our parking and mobility offices for staff,” Schmidt said.

Officials are planning a second phase for the hub once they acquire the necessary funding.

“The second phase build-out is going to have mobility hubs for the Mountain Metro Transit bus systems,” Schmidt explained. It will look very similar to what we have here, but it will also have some great amenities like bike lockers.”

Several Park-n-Ride bikes are available at the hub as another transportation option.

The original Dillon Motel sign still stands.

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Rob Namnoum

Every year, the Rocky Mountain Vibes provides some great moments and for two men on the Vibes, it’s even more special, because the park is home to two generations of family, “The last two seasons been a surreal experience where in your wildest dreams you couldn’t have thought this up,” says Austin Chouinard.

Once upon a time, Bobby Chouinard played for the Sky Sox. When he got to the big leagues, he pitched for four team during his career, including the Rockies. Bobby is now the Vibes bench coach and the field now belongs to his son, Austin Chouinard. The father-son tandem working together to lead the Vibes to victory, “Oh, it’s incredibly cool. It’s a very good blessing that I’m able to play professionally. But being able to play at the same stadium is absolutely fantastic. It’s awesome” says Austin Chouinard.

His dad adds, “I coached him in Little League and youth ball, and high school, and (was) fortunate enough to coach him in college and then to be asked to help out here, it’s the same thing.”

It’s one thing to become a professional baseball player. It’s another to have a kid who does the same thing and on the same field, “It’s a surreal experience being able to play in the same stadium as he did a long time ago. I could I never even imagine that either,” says Chouinard.

Austin knows the field all too well, “Oh wow. I think I was like two or three. And the only thing I really remember is fireworks night. And there used to be a pizza stand up there where the Coca-Cola courtyard is. And I remember I would get a pizza every day and watch baseball,” says Austin Chouinard.

Baseball has always been a part of their lives, from the Sky Sox to the Rockies to now with the Vibes.

“In spring training when we got to bring him on the field for the Rockies when we were in Tucson in high Corbett Field, I think he’s like three years old and he was running around with a jersey on and a hat that was way too big. Being a player and then you get to bring your son along to a work day, right? Bring a kid to work day. And it’s it’s such a fun experience,” says Bobby Chouinard.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, COLO. (KRDO) – Four people are in custody after stealing as many as 12 vehicles over 48 hours. Police say two juveniles and two adults were working in tandem to steal the vehicles — causing thousands of dollars worth of damage after breaking car windows.

Court documents say 24-year-old Gabriel Cervantez posted bond on June 11th, then two days later police arrested him again, after they say he spent that time stealing up to 12 different cars.

“That number of motor vehicle thefts, especially by potentially a singular group, is incredibly large,” Bianca Hicks, spokesperson for the Pueblo Police Department told KRDO13 Investigates.

Pueblo police say they made arrests after the group was found in a stolen vehicle that they crashed while trying to evade capture.

“Not only do you have 12 vehicles stolen, but that also means that you have 12 victims, at least in these cases as well. and for a lot of people, their vehicle is tied to their livelihood,” Hicks said.

KRDO13 Investigates has learned that for the two adults charged, this isn’t their first run-in with the law.

Two weeks ago, Cervantez was charged with possession of a controlled substance and was held in the county jail until Wednesday, June 11th, when he bonded out. Then police say he started on the car theft spree.

Jynessa Wisthoff entered a guilty plea to one count of motor vehicle theft in April 2024. She was subsequently sentenced to 18 months of probation. Now, 14 months later, she’s been charged with another count of car theft.

“When you have folks who have committed crimes, been arrested for those crimes, and then are back out doing those things, or worse, it is a continuing concern for our department,” Hicks explained.

The Pueblo Police Department says that at the beginning of June, car thefts were down 7%, 40 fewer than at this time last year.

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