Author: KRDO

Bradley Davis

FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) – As the smoke started to settle around their house in the unincorporated community of Wetmore, Ron Fridz thought he had more time.

“Looking at the smoke in the sky, I was thinking we have plenty of time. Three hours, four hours,” Ron said.

→ All updates, links to latest evacuation orders and continuous coverage on the Aspen Acres wildfire

Instead of hours, one small shift in the weather pattern afforded Ron and his family mere minutes to leave home.

 “The wind changed all of the sudden, and the smoke started coming over us, and that’s when we got the mandatory evacuation,” Ron said.

“If you’re walking around outside, you can feel the smoke in your lungs, and the smoke is just everywhere, and you can see the flames,” Ron’s wife, Elizabeth Fridz, said.

A sheriff knocked on their door to break the evacuation news. Fortunately, they had already packed up for a Fourth of July camping trip that had already been canceled by a different wildfire raging in another part of the state.

As of Thursday afternoon, the flames had yet to engulf Wetmore, but they’re just a few short miles away, and anxiety is high.

“I’d just thank all the firefighters for all their hard work and hope they save the town of Wetmore,” Elizabeth said.

Thursday afternoon, all roads leading into Wetmore were closed to all except residents, who are being cautioned to turn around.

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Scott Harrison

FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Highway 96 through Wetmore in Custer County is closed as part of the latest evacuation from the “Aspen Acres” fire, but on Thursday, many drivers were either unaware of it or were hoping to be allowed through.

→ Find the most up to date information on the Aspen Acres fire here

A checkpoint is in place at the junction of Highways 67 and 96, manned by county deputies and state troopers.

Overnight and until late morning, deputies manned a second checkpoint on Highway 67, 11 miles north of Wetmore, just south of Florence in Fremont County, at the County Road 15 intersection.

The Wetmore checkpoint is around five miles west of the roadblock established on 96 at the Pueblo County line; the closure ends at Silver Cliff, just outside the county seat of Westcliffe.

Residents of both counties began expressing concern on Wednesday as they watched wildfire smoke approaching, and even saw ashes falling.

Authorities said that winds shifted overnight, causing the fire to briefly spread southeast and southwest, but expected winds to change again after sunrise and continue the fire’s northward advance.

Many drivers were trying to reach Westcliffe, and were told by authorities that they’d have to detour to westbound US 50 and take Highway 69 to Westcliffe — a trip that could take at least 90 minutes.

“We were trying to go back up to get our trucks and our chipper, so we can go to work in Florence, but they’re not letting us through,” Robin Boyd, a local contractor, explained. “We’re waiting on a phone call from our supervisor.”

Some drivers came from longer distances, disappointed at having to detour.

“I’m going back to Arvada,” said Tirion Tompkins, another contractor. “It’s just too long of a detour. I knew the fire was close by, but I didn’t think that Highway 96 might be closed.”

Tyler Shull, of Woodland Park, spent a long time pulled over and trying to rearrange his schedule.

“I’m going to have to coordinate with a realtor, and also some clients, on how to get to where I was going, and when the deadline for an inspection is,” he said.

Drivers had mixed feelings — frustrated by the road closures but understanding the need for them.

“I’ve lived out here for around 35 years,” Boyd said. “I’ve seen a few. They’ve evacuated me before, on other fires. This one seems to be the worst one I’ve ever seen, to be honest.”

There’s no timetable yet on when road closures because of the fire will end; stay tuned to the KRDO networks for updates.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Authorities announced new evacuations and pre-evacuations for neighbors in the path of the Aspen Acres Fire, now in its third day of straddling the Pueblo/Custer County lines.

LATEST FIRE STATS & EVAC ORDERS: https://krdo.com/news/2026/07/06/aspen-acres-wildfire-updates-evacuations/

Residents of the Red Creek Ranches area in Pueblo County were ordered to leave immediately.

At around the same time, officials placed the Wetmore community of Custer County in a pre-evacuation status — meaning residents should be ready to flee at a moment’s notice.

Some of the evacuees could add to the total already staying at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, where a Red Cross evacuation shelter is operating.

Dave Duran, the shelter’s director, said that approximately 20 evacuees are currently staying there as of noon Wednesday, with some only eating there while staying elsewhere.

Duran responded to a Facebook post from the Aspen Acres Campground, which reads that authorities told the staff it’ll take several weeks to reach full containment on the fire.

“We’re dealing with people who have been evacuated — which is some people from those areas, and right around there,” he said. “And if the people who have been evacuated need a place to stay, we’re gonna figure that out. We can easily provide more beds, and at the moment we have all the staff, food, and volunteers we need.”

The shelter offers three meals daily and provides a nearby animal shelter where evacuees can keep and visit their pets.

One of the shelter visitors is John Clay, 74, who evacuated from his home in Beulah.

“This is the fourth time I’ve evacuated because of a wildfire,” he said. “As far as I know, my house is still there. We have quite a network in Beulah. It’s always reliable, so you cross-reference. I think it could go from 50 to 75 houses destroyed.”

Clay said that he’s concerned about the fire destroying the homes of people who work remotely or rent their homes as Airbnbs.

For a list of other shelters and help resources, visit: https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2026/06/29/aspen-acre-fire-evacuations/.

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Levette Sanchez

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — According to Colorado Springs Recreation and Cultural Services, Gold Camp Road will reopen to the public starting Thursday, July 2.

This follows the massive cleanup and repair work on the road after storm damage from early June. The work included removing storm debris, repairing the road, and installing fresh roadway crossing markings and crossing signs, according to the city.

The city says it will continue work on the park’s stone retaining walls.

As for the Fourth of July, North Cheyenne Cañon Park will be open to vehicle traffic until 2 p.m. or until the park reaches capacity. The city says Gold Camp Road will be closed at this time to help manage visitor safety and traffic.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) programming department created a new craft to help people get decorative with their 4th of July celebrations.

PPLD Senior Library Associate in Programming, Bradley Butzin, will walk participants through his original marbling technique to create unique American Flag decorations. The class is no-cost to participants.

For programs like this one, PPLD adds a literacy component to highlight resources offered by the library. For this class, Butzin will help participants use the library’s databases and research tools to learn more about the history of the American Flag.

Wednesday’s class is full, but there is a waitlist. He will also host more flag marbling classes throughout the Summer. He created printable step-by-step instructions for families to make the flag at home. You can find that here.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Firefighters are hoping for some level of containment Wednesday on the wildfire that grew far less on Tuesday than when it erupted on Monday.

LATEST FIRE STATS & EVAC ORDERS: https://krdo.com/news/2026/07/06/aspen-acres-wildfire-updates-evacuations/

Authorities revealed on Tuesday that the fire has grown from 23,000 acres to more than 28,000 as of 3 p.m., with containment at 0%.

But firefighters expect another day of red flag conditions that will bring temperatures in the 90s, with strong winds and a continued high fire risk.

KRDO 13 has a crew roughly halfway between Beulah and Colorado City, at the three-way intersection of Burnt Mill Road, 3R Road and Crow Cutoff.

That’s where a checkpoint remains in place by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and where fire crews are gaining access to the fire via 3R Road.

On Tuesday, the fire was moving in two directions: west and north; as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, a smoke plume re-formed on the west end where the fire burned previously.

KRDO 13 spoke with a property owner who decided against evacuating, and said that strong winds blew some of the flames past his home — a home he’s had for ten years, and now hopes to sell it.

Monday’s strong winds, which prevented the use of aerial resources, subsided enough on Tuesday to allow two planes to drop retardant on the fire.

There were some new evacuations in the area on Tuesday, and only property owners with livestock could opt to remain.

The air was fairly thick with smoke at dawn on Wednesday, obscuring the full moon and turning the rising sun to a deep red.

Late Tuesday night, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office announced that the official investigation into the fire’s cause has begun and will be conducted by the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

The office also said that crews expected to finish building a temporary bridge late Tuesday night to replace a century-old Colorado Department of Transportation bridge that burned and collapsed during the fire.

KRDO 13 will provide updates as they become available.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO CITY, Colo. (KRDO) — In a wildfire that grew from two acres to 23,000 in one day, firefighters battling the Aspen Acres Fire will take any help they can get.

And they got more of it on Monday evening.

That’s when FEMA — the Federal Emergency Management Agency — approved federal funding for 75% of firefighting costs.

The funding will cover the management, mitigation, and control of the fire.

However, FEMA funds don’t provide assistance to individual home or business owners, nor do they cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

It’s unclear how many homes, structures, or other property may have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.

FEMA’s authorization of disaster funds may come as a surprise to many state leaders after President Trump — in what was widely considered a political move — denied disaster funding for two wildfires earlier this year.

There was another positive sign on Tuesday, as two planes began dropping flame retardant on the fire; however, crews had only a few hours before winds intensified again.

Although winds were considerably calmer on Tuesday, the fire continued to spread quickly — burning between Colorado City and north of Beulah, and creating two large plumes.

Meanwhile, in Colorado City, smoke cleared considerably, and people there hoped the worst was over.

“I’m packed and ready to go,” said Sandra Yant, a resident. “Oh, I was scared. I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know what to do. Because I’ve never been this close to anything like this before.”

Stan Woods, who was visiting Colorado City, expressed sympathy for fire evacuees.

“God bless ’em,” he said. “Hopefully, their homes are not affected, and everything turns out great for ’em. It’s a terrible thing. It’s Colorado wildfires.”

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Rob Namnoum

The NBA curtain has been pulled open for the new Nuggets, Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins, “We identified these guys early. They both bring something unique energy, effort,” says Nuggets Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, Jonathan Wallace.

They were selected in the second round but the Nuggets brass believes they are first round talent, “I know I can bring, you know, a lot of energy, and defense,” says Trevon Brazile.

Bryce Hopkins added, “Be yourself. Be authentic.”

These energizer bunnies were taken because of their team first attitude.

“I love to win. I love to compete,” says Brazile.

Bryce Hopkins played for the ultimate competitor at St. John’s in head coach Rick Pitino, were losing wasn’t an option, “You know, it’s not a fun environment to be, around, you know, Coach Pitino, when we lose, there was kind of a fear for us to lose,” says Hopkins.

Or it sounds like any day playing for Pitino, “I remember there was a time in practice, I think I missed a boxing, assignment. I remember you told me, you’re not that effing good. There were coach guys like Donovan Mitchell. So, you know, just being in that environment every day pushed me to be the best player I could possibly be,” says Hopkins

Trevon Brazile put guys on posters in college. He still remembers the first time he ever dunked, “First dunk man. Maybe freshman year of high school I hit like a late growth spurt. So probably a freshman in high school,” says Brazile.

The Nuggets brass is hoping that during their freshman year in the NBA they will have an impact, “Both these guys have unique ability to change the game on both ends of the floor. You know, they’ll they’ll be able to fill the gap for us,” says Wallace.

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Abby Smith

CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Officials confirm that the Aspen Acres fire has burned approximately 101,961 acres with 71% containment as of 9 a.m. on Aug. 4.

According to the Alaska Incident Management Team, the number of structures lost is believed to be around 850 as of the morning of July 10.

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced on July 24 that the Pueblo County Evacuation Center at 1650 Cooper Place is closing operations at 5 p.m. The center will remain on standby in case it needs to reopen, according to officials.

On July 23, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office said it expected the San Isabel area to reopen Friday, July 24, but warned residents that there was no cell service or power in the area. Officials said the area will remain on pre-evacuation and residents should prepare to leave if necessary.

PCSO announced it expected evacuation orders to be lifted for the town of Rye starting Thursday, July 23. Officials say the areas would remain on pre-evacuation notice. Colorado City is expected to be taken off of pre-evacuation notice at the same time.

On July 17, officials confirmed that at least 241 homes/commerical properties have been lost in Pueblo County. PCSO says 208 are in Beulah, 28 in Rye, 2 in Colorado City, and 3 in unincorporated Pueblo County.

At least 85 homes in Custer County have also been lost, according to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.

Find the latest Aspen Acres wildfire containment status and evacuation orders here → 

Mandatory Evacuations:

Click here for a map showing evacuation status.

Places in the blue boxes are in pre-evacuation status.

Pre-evacuations:

Click here for more locations. Places in the blue boxes are under pre-evacuation status.

Lifted evacuations:

West of I-25, North of Cummings St., East of S. Crow Cutoff, East of Haynes Rd and South of Jerry Bass Lane.

Fremont County locations have been placed on awareness status.

On July 13, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office downgraded zones under pre-evacuation status to awareness status.

Zone FS-5 in Pueblo County

Road Closures:

For the most accurate updates on road closures from the Colorado Department of Transportation, please visit https://www.cotrip.org/home

Evacuation shelters:

Custer County: Lange Hall

Lange South 3rd Street, Westcliffe, CO, 81252

Custer County: Pathfinder Park

Pathfinder Regional Park, Colorado 115, Florence, CO 81226

Large Animals:

Colorado State Fairgrounds.

Enter on Gate 7 westbound on Small Ave.

Anyone with livestock may park their RVs at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Check-in will be required at Gate 7.

Trucks and trailers are staged at the Colorado State Fairgrounds for livestock evacuation needs. Please contact the Pueblo CART Livestock Division — Community Animal Response Team at 719-251-0245.

If you’d wish to volunteer and help the Pueblo CART Livestock Division, please fill out this form: Volunteer Sheet for Pueblo CART Livestock – Aspen Acres Fire

Custer County Residents:

If you’re a Custer County resident looking for information on your impacted area, please call Custer County’s Non-Emergency number at 719-792-6411.

Donations:

If you want to help or need assistance from CART, please call these phone numbers: CART needs grass hay and senior horse grain at the State Fair grounds (gate 7)

Donations: 719-850-2139

Volunteers: 719-340-0772

Rescue Needs: 719-251-0245

For those wishing to donate prepared food, contact our Joint Information Center (719-583-4640) to coordinate.

United Way of Southern Colorado is accepting donations at the Resource Assistance Center at 2670 Delphinium St. in Pueblo starting Tuesday, July 28.

Donation information with United Way of Southern Colorado 719-225-8580; 1591 Taos Rd., Building D, is open from 7 AM – 7 PM as of Friday, July 3rd.

Visit www.unitedwaysoco.org/emergencyinfo to donate, view the current list of needed items, and learn more.

Clothing donations are not needed at this time.

Pathfinder Park (Fremont County), 6639 HWY 115, Florence, Colorado

719-618-8731

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region: visit the link to make a monetary donation, view the current list of needed items, and learn more here at https://www.hsppr.org/resources/aspenacresfire/

Disaster Survivor Portal:

This Entry form will ask you about damages to your property, as well as what needs have come up for you post-disaster.

Re-entry resources:

Here’s a PDF to learn more about what the D.A.C. can help you out with: Aspen Acres Fire DAC

Returning Home After a Fire Checklist

Food Safety After a Fire

Facts about livestock disposal following a fire

Bottle Water Advisory

Pine Drive

Signal Mountain

Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance

Cleanup Guidance and Assistance

VOAD Clean-up Hotline 970-283-7325

PPE and Respiratory Protection

PCSO released the following drone video showing the Pine Drive area in Beulah following the fire:

This article will be updated.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Increased speed enforcement begins Tuesday on I-25 through the project in which crews are replacing five bridges at the US 50 East interchange.

But you won’t see law enforcement officers on duty there.

Instead, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has installed four sets of cameras to monitor speeds along a stretch of nearly two miles between 13th and 29th Streets.

CDOT says speeding is “an issue” in the zone but couldn’t provide specific numbers on how often it occurs.

The agency said that the Pueblo Police Department, not the Colorado State Patrol, has been conducting speed enforcement in the zone, and the only available data is that officers issued 20 speeding tickets from February through May.

However, CDOT said that because of the narrow and changing work zone, there are no safe areas for officers to monitor traffic speeds and pull over violators.

The cameras don’t work like red light cameras on city streets, which activate when drivers run a red light.

Instead, the cameras will monitor all traffic through the zone by recording license plate numbers, and determining a vehicle’s average speed through the zone.

The first month will be a grace period during which violators will receive warnings in the mail; after that, speeders will receive $75 citations.

CDOT said that the cameras will remain in operation only for the remainder of the construction period, which is scheduled to end next summer.

The agency also said that it has used the cameras in other work zones and is satisfied with their operation.

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