Category: krdo-local-news

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — People who live and drive along the two-mile stretch of Oro Blanco Drive on the city’s northeast side have mixed feelings about the condition of that street.

They’re happy that it received a much-needed repaving that finished last month; it was the last street on this year’s paving list, and mild, dry fall weather allowed crews to continue paving later than usual.

However, it’s the last step in the paving process — re-striping, or applying new lane markings — that many people have complained to KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior about.

Among the concerns: That it took too long between the end of the paving and the re-striping, and without those markings, it was difficult for drivers to know where traffic lanes, bike lanes, and turn lanes are located.

“I’ve seen several near-crashes because of it,” said neighbor Gilbert Ekholm.

Another concern that has neighbors and drivers most upset is the city’s decision to remove the center turn lane on the busiest segment of Oro Blanco between Barnes Road and South Carefree Circle.

The city plans to replace that lane with a pair of narrower yellow lines, and that has residents worried about the safety of making left-hand turns on the street.

“There are 19 turn-offs into the neighborhood between Barnes and North Carefree,” Ekholm explained. We have a lot of turn-offs, so we’d have a lot of traffic being stopped up. There are another 13 between North Carefree and South Carefree. Plus two churches. Drivers have come close to being rear-ended while waiting to turn left. Yet the city left the center turn lane on the north end of Oro Blanco (between Barnes and Austin Bluffs Parkway) even though it has far fewer turn-offs.”

A city spokesman mentioned two reasons for the change: Reducing speeding along the street and meeting the city standard of a consistent 11-foot-wide traffic lane.

The striping is scheduled for completion next week.

In a city Facebook post on Wednesday, in which officials announced that repaving work on Woodmen Road would end this weekend, five people complained about the loss of the center turn lane on Oro Blanco.

By Friday afternoon, someone had posted a sign along the street with the phone number for Todd Frisbie, the city traffic engineer, asking people opposed to the stiping change to call him.

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Bradley Davis

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Six non-profits in the Manitou Springs region are talking big game before hitting the arcade games on Friday at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade.

“The trash-talking online has been a little much. We might have to have security here,” new Penny Arcade Owner John Weiss said in jest.

Group members will compete in skeeball, horse derby racing, air hockey and pop-a-shot. The winners will get arcade prizes, gift cards from local stores and, most importantly, bragging rights.

“I’m just going to lie and say I’m here for a good time. For a fun time. I’m here for the fundraiser, but I do have a little bit of that competitiveness inside!” said Pikes Peak Library District Foundation giving coordinator Marcie McNulty.

The arcade said all money paid by spectators and participants will benefit the non-profit organizations. People can choose which one they want to contribute to, or have their admission split up equally between the organizations.

“You put community together with fun, and I’m all about it,” said Rocky Mountain Women’s Film development officer, Kathy Stults.

The competition is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It costs $30 to specate, which includes all the quarters you need to play as many games as you wish at the arcade.

The participating groups are Rocky Mountain Women’s Film, Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, Wild Connections, Manitou Art Center and the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation.

Weiss said he plans to host a fundraising event at the arcade once a month. He said the next one will benefit the Manitou Springs Carnivale Parade.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The two-year, $15 million Dublin Improvements Project continues to move eastward, with the latest phase starting this month.

This phase affects Dublin Boulevard several blocks east of Marksheffel Road, including the intersections of Issaquah Drive and Van Winkle Drive.

Along the affected blocks of Dublin, crews removed the center median and have shifted all traffic to the north side of Dublin.

Removing the median created space to make a temporary left-turn lane into businesses on the south side of Dublin.

Coming soon are traffic signals at the Dublin/Issaquah intersection. That installation is in progress.

Eventually, that segment of Dublin will expand from two to four lanes and include new, wider sidewalks.

The left-turn lane is also necessary because a block of Issaquah, south of Dublin, is closed until the end of next month for a full reconstruction.

That block closes one of the strip mall’s entrances, and one of three entrances to the subdivision south of Dublin.

Van Winkle Drive is closed, as well, but residents can still access the neighborhood a block farther west at Mustang Rim Drive.

All of this means increased traffic congestion and long waits to make left turns along that part of Dublin.

Drivers should be alert to construction activity and allow themselves extra time.

The overall project covers Dublin from Marksheffel to slightly west of Peterson Road.

Other project aspects include drainage upgrades and trail connections along Sand Creek.

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Sadie Buggle

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – An over two-mile stretch of southbound I-25 in northern Pueblo has reopened after a deadly crash on Wednesday involving a pedestrian, Pueblo police say.

The incident shut down a section of the highway for many hours, but it was reopened around 9:40 a.m.

A spokesperson with the Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirmed that the overnight crash involved a pedestrian and that the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene; however, officials have not yet shared specific details on the crash.

Pueblo police say they were at the scene investigating since around 2 a.m.

As of 8 a.m., the closure impacted the section of I-25 between Exit 102-Eagleridge Boulevard and Exit 99A-CO 96/6th Street. CDOT traffic camera footage showed drivers are being diverted off the interstate and around the closure.

#I25 southbound: Road closed due to a crash between Exit 102 – Eagleridge Boulevard and Exit 100B – 29th Street. https://t.co/iyK0wUZnZF

— Coorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) December 10, 2025

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Josh Helmuth

Editor’s note: a previous version of this article listed the date of the holiday dinner for the chosen students. The school has requested that the date not be made public to protect student-family privacy.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A charter school in Colorado Springs is overjoyed that a record-breaking number of its students are being “adopted” for the holiday season this year. 

Atlas Schools, a K-12 charter school in Colorado Springs, announced 120 students are being helped as part of its Adopt-a-Student holiday program this year, far surpassing last year’s number of 79 students.  

The program is meant to help students whose families may be struggling financially during the holiday season. Students are nominated by school staff and, once selected, are given a “meaningful holiday gift,” along with a night that includes a warm dinner, games and holiday celebration later this month.

The experience comes through the generosity of Atlas Schools’ current and former staff, board members, neighbors, and community partners.  

“This program exists to remind our students and their families that they are seen, valued, and deeply supported by their community,” said Atlas Schools CEO Brittney Stroh. “For many families, providing holiday gifts can be difficult during times of hardship. Adopt a Student helps bridge that gap with dignity,joy, and care,” she said. 

The Adopt a Student event at Atlas Schools is now in its 14th year. What started as a small act has grown into a cherished school tradition. 

“At Atlas, we are committed to providing not only a high-quality education, but a true sense of community. We believe a happy child is a better student, and that education thrives when students feel safe, supported, and celebrated,” said David Turner, Director of Family Experience. 

For more information on how to support the Adopt a Student program next year, please contact: David Turner, Director of Family Experience at david.turner@atlasschools.org or 719.358.7196 Ext:114. 

Do you know someone or something remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com. 

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Abby Smith

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A water main break on Tuesday afternoon near the busy intersection of Academy and Union boulevards has been temporarily repaired, and the situation didn’t affect traffic during Wednesday morning rush hour.

Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) alerted customers of the break, which closed all three southbound lanes of Union between Academy and Montebello Drive as of 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Map courtesy of CSU

CSU said that detours were set up via Montebello Drive to Academy Boulevard and urged drivers to use caution.

A spokesperson for CSU told KRDO13 in a statement:

“Rapid freeze/thaw cycles, aging infrastructure and other conditions can contribute to water main leaks or breaks. Our water system is large and complex with more than 2,200 mains. Crews worked quickly and safely to complete the repair and are now backfilling the site.”

Several residents of nearby El Capitan Drive told KRDO13 they didn’t experience any water pressure issues or shutdowns, but they did express some annoyance at the traffic disruption in the area.

The break caused traffic backups for at least an hour on Union as drivers tried to detour around the area.

Tensions rose to the point that KRDO 13 saw one driver leave his vehicle to argue with another.

Colorado Springs police sent a community service officer to help guide traffic.

Around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Union Blvd was reopened to drivers. However, drivers aren’t out of the woods just yet. CSU said that on Wednesday, the same stretch of road will see lane shifting as crews repave over the repair spot.

However, crews normally pave in temperatures above 50 degrees, and the highs are forecast to be in the mid- to upper-40s.

Thursday offers more favorable paving conditions, with temperatures in the low-60s expected.

However, crews finished the paving on Wednesday.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – After seeing KRDO 13’s morning coverage on The Pet Cross, a woman rushed an injured dog to the mobile vet clinic for help.

“Nobody was helping, so somebody had to step up and help this dog,” said Bridget Spangler, who picked up the dog, Koda, after seeing a Facebook post and brought him to The Pet Cross.

Twice a month, Dr. Lisa Thompson loads up her 20-year-old “vet truck,” drives 50 miles to Colorado Springs, and donates her time, supplies, and expertise to pet owners like Montz and their animals. All vet expenses are free.

“I don’t want them to imagine life without it. I want to help them keep their pets in their life,” Dr. Thompson said.

“You have guilt, and you want to do the right thing,” said client and volunteer Kimberly Bolding, who started bringing her service animal to Thompson a few years ago. “As a responsible pet owner, I don’t know if I could keep him, and that idea brings tears to my eyes. I can’t imagine being without him.”

Dr. Thompson is true to her Non-profit’s slogan, “Every Pet needs a Vet.” It’s why she founded The Pet Cross six years ago.

That’s when Thompson and her husband flew to Texas and bought her mobile vet clinic. She drove it back the same day and went to work helping pet owners who can’t afford to take care of their animals. Now, she needs a little help.

“I think this dog actually has a chance now,” Spangler said about Koda after bringing him to Dr. Thompson.

Dr. Thompson said she provides most of the medical supplies out of her own pocket but relies on donations for pet food, collars and other pet clothing that she gives away. She said she’s shorthanded on both volunteers and donations. Click here if you would like to help.

She said her appointments started booking up 10 weeks in advance, so she had to move to walk-ins only. She said she needs more volunteers and donations to keep up with the increasing lines.

Thompson hosts her last two clinics of the year today and on Dec. 31 in front of the Marian House food pantry off of W Bijou. In 2026, she is moving her clinic to America the Beautiful Park. Barring holiday or weather conflicts, she drives down the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. She posts clinic updates on Facebook.

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Rob Namnoum

FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) — Florence High School was our week nine winner of the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award. On Tuesday, the Florence cheer squad received the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award plaque.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The display recently ranked second nationwide by USA Today is getting an upgrade this year with new displays for participants to enjoy each night until January 1.

The exhibits include millions of lights across over 50 acres and over 90 hand-made light sculptures. A drone show will light up the sky each night as well.

“It’s just magical up here on the mountain,” said Cheyenne Mountain Zoo communications and marketing director Rachel Wright.

Santa will be at Electric Safari each night through December 23 to take photos and accept letters. Most animal exhibits will remain open for the nightly event, as well as access to the sky ride and carousel. The giraffe and Budgie (bird) feeding will also stay open.

You’ll see some giraffe sculptures throughout the zoo that are wearing construction hats that are pretty great,” Wright said. “It’s a nod to our historic construction project that’s going on with our giraffe habitat.”

Electric Safari runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. every night except for Christmas Eve. Tickets range from $19 to $24 for adults, depending on the day. Tickets are free for zoo members. Everyone needs a timed-entry pass to view the lights.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Getting around on the city’s northwest side can be time-consuming for residents, and even an adventure for drivers unfamiliar with the area.

The reasons are that many of the streets in that area don’t connect, and the entire northwest side is cut in half by a mesa and railroad tracks.

Because of that, Pueblo officials have planned two projects to make significant transportation improvements in the area.

One project will extend Sun Mountain Boulevard — formerly Spaulding Avenue — northward between 24th and 31st streets and include two roundabout intersections.

A current segment of the boulevard runs between 18th and 22nd streets, and officials said they’d eventually like to extend it to 24th Street.

However, the latter segment would have to cut through private property, where a fence sign reads Keep Out: Bull in Field.”

“I don’t think the landowner wants to sell,” a neighbor told KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior.

A second project will build or repair 68 transit bus stops across the west side, to meet federal requirements to improve transportation for the disabled.

The city received nearly $17 million for both projects, with construction expected to start next year and end in 2027.

Before work begins, though, officials will hold a public meeting to gather feedback; a meeting scheduled last week was postponed because of snowy weather.

Officials also revealed that two more projects are in the design phase but are not funded yet.

One of those projects is an idea that has been considered for decades — building a bridge over the railroad tracks at 24th Street.

Currently, the only way for drivers to cross the railroad tracks and the mesa north of downtown is at a train crossing on 29th Street, and across a bridge on 18th Street.

A bridge would connect both sides of 24th Street and link to the new Medal of Honor Boulevard being built west of the 24th Street/Pueblo Boulevard intersection.

The other future project would extend High Street south, from 24th Street to as far as 17th Street.

Neighbors who live near where the railroad tracks split 24th Street expressed excitement about the bridge plan.

Once built, the bridge would essentially make 24th Street the northwest side’s only continuous route between Interstate 25 and Pueblo Boulevard, and connect to Medal of Honor Boulevard through Pueblo West.

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