Category: krdo-local-news

Samantha Hildebrandt

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)– A deadly overnight crash in Colorado Springs leaves one person dead and two others seriously hurt.

Police say it happened just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning at the intersection of East Fountain Boulevard and Academy Park Loop.

When first responders arrived, they found one person dead at the scene. Two others were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

Because of the severity of the crash, the department’s Major Crash Team was called in to investigate.

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Samantha Hildebrandt

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)– Police are investigating after a 7-Eleven employee was stabbed while confronting a group of teenage shoplifters in Colorado Springs.

It happened just before 11 p.m. Friday on the eighteen-hundred block of South Nevada Avenue—near Southgate Road.

Investigators say several teens tried stealing items from the store. When an employee stepped in, one of the suspects stabbed them while another assaulted them. The group took off before officers arrived.

KRDO13 spoke to a business behind the convenience store, and they say these shoplifting situations happen more than usual.

“Honestly, it doesn’t really surprise me around here,” says Alexander Donnelly, a vape store employee. “After starting my job here. At first, I was like, oh my gosh, this is kind of crazy. But, after working here for a little bit, I feel like I have become immune to it.”

Police believe the suspects are between thirteen and eighteen years old, described as white and Hispanic teens wearing dark clothing.

The victim was taken to the hospital—no word yet on their condition. The investigation is ongoing.

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Michael Logerwell

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) – At 1:30 Saturday afternoon, shoppers at the Walmart along Highway 85/87 were abruptly asked to leave the building by store managers.

The reason for the evacuation was the smell of gas.

The City of Fountain said that customers reported the smell of gas to employees, who then chose to evacuate the building as a precaution.

When the Fountain Fire Department arrived, they used their gas detectors to identify where the leak was coming from, but they couldn’t find the leak. The gas detectors all showed zeros.

However, they were able to figure out where the smell was coming from; it was coming from the refrigeration section towards the front of the store.

Colorado Springs Utilities representatives came out to the store. An initial assessment of the smell coming from a drain in the refrigeration section, and it was not natural gas.

The store reopened that same afternoon. No customers or employees reported injuries.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – More than 50 Pueblo residents in the Bessemer neighborhood are now more prepared for fire danger.

This weekend, the Pueblo Fire Department, Red Cross Volunteers, Black Hills Energy, and Xcel Energy went door-to-door checking to see if homes have working smoke detectors.

Whether it was a smoke detector without batteries or a home with no smoke detector at all, PFD and the Red Cross were there to help. The fire department says that in all, 60 lives were made safer today.

Everything, even the full installation of smoke detectors, was free to households in the area.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Across the country, millions are participating in another round of ‘No Kings’ protests aimed at the current Trump Administration.

One of those protests took place here in Colorado Springs at America the Beautiful Park.

People in El Paso County came pouring in from east Cimarron Street and west Colorado Avenue, holding up signs and parading in costumes. All of which is part of the nationwide movement, which organizers say signifies our democracy.

While everyone gathered, the crowd listened to speeches by local leaders, danced to music, and embraced the overwhelming support from those around them.

Organizers of the event said that today’s protest “aims to bring people together across El Paso County to stand for democracy, unity, and progress,” adding that, “this event is part of a nationwide movement declaring that in America, we don’t do kings.” The rally also included community workshops, voter registration, and more.

After meeting at America the Beautiful Park, the crowd marched around the downtown area of Colorado Springs. People walking the sidewalks were also surrounded by drivers in the streets who slowly drove alongside them, honking their horns and chanting.

On the other side of the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) said on social media in the days leading up to the nationwide protests that “We expect the Left’s ‘Hate America’ rallies tomorrow to be filled with angry rants and totally false narratives.”

However, an organizer we spoke to says that could not be farther from the truth.

“I heard it being called the ‘I Hate America’ rally, and I think that it’s the furthest thing from it. Moments like this in this collective group of people, we all love this country, and we love it enough that we want to work to make sure that it lives up to its potential,” says Shawn Maddox, a ‘No Kings’ organizer.

Watch the report live tonight after the college football game on ABC at 9:15 p.m. and again at 10 p.m.

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Heather Skold

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — This Fall, members of Fort Carson’s 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, will deploy to the Middle East– all to support U.S. Central Command, according to The Mountain Post. 

Ahead of any deployment, it’s natural for the military member and their families to experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and tension; the unknowns are countless. 

Here to help: the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic.  The clinic has 22 locations nationwide, with one of them being in Colorado Springs. 

“The family takes on a whole new identity, potentially,” said Amy Moore, Cohen Clinic Director.

The clinic provides in-person therapy to individuals, couples, and children, as long as the serving member meets post-9/11 criteria. Face-to-face video therapy via CVN Telehealth is also available. 

“As a caregiver, especially, you’re trying to look strong. You’re trying to look supportive for your family member who’s deployed, who’s serving our country, and that’s so much to handle on top of your shoulders.” 

For Andrea Keits, a 28-year “spouse of the military,” she’s learned that flexibility and compromise made her marriage last. 

“I may look like I have my life together, but my sock is bunched at the bottom of my shoe.  Deployments are hard.  Families go through different things; no one’s journey is the same,” said Keits. 

She brings a lot of learned experience, now serving as the clinic’s intake coordinator.  She remembers the demands that came, not being stationed close to family as she and her husband Derrick, expanded their own nuclear family. 

The Cohen Clinic accepts TRICARE health insurance. 

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A Silver Cliff woman is suing Brian Cotter in small claims court, according to records obtained by 13 Investigates.

The lawsuit is for $3,105, plus court costs. The woman says she is suing because she prepaid for cremation services and wants her money back.

Deborah ‘Debby’ Paladay tells 13 Investigates her family had trusted Davis Mortuary for 48 years.

Paladay explained that they used the Cotters’ services for her mother, father, brother, previous husbands, and daughter. She described all of her family members as the most outstanding people, while noting that they deserve better.

“We had trusted Davis Mortuary for so long. I also just went ahead and did pre-paid cremation,” explained Debby Paladay.

Paladay said that she wants her money back, so the financial burden doesn’t fall on her kids.

“I’ve got to get that money back or my kids are going to be stuck with that expense whenever I go,” shared Paladay. “When this all happened, I just felt like that trust was so violated. And, I wanted to get my 3,000 back because I’m retired. I don’t have a ton of money.”

She’s encouraging others to fight for their money back.

“Things like this shouldn’t have ever happened. And because they did, people got to step up and stand up for themselves,” stated Paladay.

We also reached out to the Division of Insurance (DOI) to see what they’d recommend for other families who may be in a similar situation.

DOI has initiated an inquiry that will assess potential impacts to pre-need funeral contracts that may be related to the Davis Mortuary, and we are encouraging Coloradans to submit requests for assistance related to pre-need funeral contracts through a form on our website: https://doi.colorado.gov/information-regarding-the-davis-mortuary

At this time, DOI’s investigation is ongoing, and we are not able to share more information as ongoing investigations are confidential.

-A Division of Insurance spokesperson

Cotter is at the center of a Pueblo County controversy and investigation. He was the Pueblo County coroner, but also owned his own funeral home business.

Back in August, inspectors alleged that they noted a smell of decomposition in his funeral home, Davis Mortuary. They claimed that there was a door hidden behind a display, and when they removed it, they allegedly found remains in various states of decomposition.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) said that there were 24 bodies found, and it’s believed that they were all brought to the funeral home between 2010 and 2012. As of the last update from the CBI in early October, six of the bodies have been identified.

As of this publication, no criminal charges have been filed against Brian Cotter, or funeral home co-owner Chris Cotter. However, Brian Cotter did step down from his position as county coroner.

The CBI says that they want to identify all of the bodies before the district attorney’s office evaluates potential charges.

“As we’ve indicated from the very beginning, this is a slow and tedious process,” said District Attorney Kala Beauvais on Oct. 1. “I am determined to get this case right. The filing of charges will be done right the first time.”

To read all of our updates on the Davis Mortuary case, click here.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released an update on K9 Roam, the police dog that was stabbed during an incident with a suspect this week.

K9 Roam was seriously injured, with wounds to his neck, abdomen, and leg. Due to the severity, emergency veterinarians decided that amputating one of his back legs would be necessary.

On Friday, CSPD announced that Roam is working on sitting up and taking steps.

“First and foremost, we want to thank the incredible team at Animal ER Care on North Nevada for the amazing care for Roam. This week also happens to be Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week. And while our vet teams take great care of our dogs all the time, it is in these unexpected and trying times we feel that gratitude even more,” a post by CSPD read in part.

The suspect, 37-year-old Anthony Bryant, was arrested following the incident. A Fort Carson spokesperson confirmed he is a Sergeant, assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group, having served for over 16 years with the Army.

Bryant was booked into the El Paso County jail and is facing multiple felony charges, including animal cruelty, resisting arrest, and burglary.

CSPD Chief Vasquez says that any residents who want to donate funds for their team should do so through the Colorado Springs Police Foundation. There is a tab specifically designated as a “K9 Roam fund.“

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says they arrested two people after an incident, including one woman who is accused of assaulting a deputy during her apprehension.

According to the sheriff’s office, a car was involved in a vehicular eluding incident on Oct. 12 and was later located outside a local hotel just after midnight on Oct. 13.

Deputies say the car was associated with Patrick Duffy, age 42. EPSO says he had multiple felony warrants out for his arrest.

They approached him at his hotel room, and deputies say he was taken into custody without incident.

42-year-old Patrick Duffy (Source: EPSO)

Meanwhile, there was a woman in the hotel room who deputies allege provided them with a fake name. It was later determined that her true identity was Amber Adams, age 29.

Adams also had active warrants out for her arrest, deputies say.

EPSO says she attempted to get away from deputies, but was apprehended. The sheriff’s office alleges that during her arrest, she kicked at deputies and struck one in the face with her elbow.

“This incident is another example of our deputies’ professionalism and commitment to safely apprehending dangerous individuals,” the sheriff’s office says. “Assaulting my deputies will never be tolerated. Their actions prevented further harm and ensured these wanted fugitives were taken off the streets.”

In addition to the charges she faces under her pre-existing warrants, EPSO says she faces the following new charges:

Second Degree Assault on a Peace Officer

False Reporting

Resisting Arrest

Obstructing Government Operations

EPSO says she is being held on a $10,000 bond.

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Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — In a mountain town with a population of slightly more than 600, you wouldn’t expect speeding to be an issue.

But third-year mayor Todd Dixon said that it’s what his constituents ask him about the most.

“We don’t have a 24/7 police force,” he explained. “We just have a marshal and a deputy, and obviously, they can’t be here every day, 365 days a year.”

The mayor stated that a 24-hour traffic survey conducted by Marshal Sean Goings found that between 40 and 60 vehicles traveling through town were exceeding the 25 mph speed limit by at least ten or fifteen miles per hour.

Dixon said that Goings found a solution.

“Earlier this year — probably in August or September — the marshal came to us and said there was a company that would, basically, put a speed camera in,” the mayor recalled. “And they would just share in the revenues from the tickets. That’s how they would get paid. So, it’s literally a no-cost issue for the town.”

The camera, which went online on Wednesday, is a mobile unit that records drivers who exceed the speed limit, takes photos of the license plates, and sends the owners a $40 citation.

“Our goal isn’t to make a profit,” Dixon insisted. “We’re just trying to get people to slow down. The biggest concern we have is a child or a pedestrian being hit, injured, or killed.

To that end, the town has also installed a radar speed sign on Ute Pass Avenue, the main street there; it alerts drivers to their speed and compares it to the posted speed limit.

Dixon said that for the first 30 days, violators will have a grace period from camera fines and receive only a warning.

The mayor also revealed that speeding is a concern not only in town, but on US 24 above the town, past two connecting intersections.

Dixon said that the marshal’s survey found highway speeds often exceeding the 55 mph limit, with one driver going as fast as 93 mph.

“I was thinking there were around 13 incidents from 2017 to 2023,” he said.

Goings is asking the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to install two cameras, one in each direction, on the highway.

“Our jurisdiction includes both sides of the highway,” Dixon said.

The mayor said that Goings is gathering data on traffic citations from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and crash data from CDOT to further justify the need for highway cameras.

“It could take months to get a decision,” Dixon said.

The town’s Board of Trustees recently passed an ordinance authorizing Goings to take action in the matter.

“I’ve also heard that Chipita Park (a neighboring town) is also having speeding issues.” Dixon said.

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