Category: krdo-local-news

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — We often see makeshift memorials created along local roads, streets and highways where loved ones died in vehicle crashes, and many friends and relatives take pride and find comfort in those creations.

However, El Paso County officials say that the collection of crosses, photos, flowers, stuffed animals, and other items poses a concern because there is no policy to manage them, maintain them and keep them consistent.

The county is in its second week of a new policy approved by commissioners to address that concern, a policy that many local governments already have.

Joshua Palmer, the county’s chief engineer, said that the policy helps the county remain accredited by the American Public Works Association.

“There’s hundreds of different items that (we) had to go through and determine, ” he explained. “Do you have a policy? If you do, does it need to be updated? How does it apply? You need to improve it.”

Currently, a citizen is not required to register to create a memorial, to seek permission to do so, or to pay for establishing and maintaining it.

The new policy requires a citizen to submit an application; if it’s approved by the county’s chief engineer, the applicant must pay a $100 fee and receive a blue, personal sign for the lost loved one that will remain at an approved location for five years.

County employees will make and install the sign, return it if it has to be moved for roadside work, and replace it if it becomes damaged.

The fee covers some but not all of the cost of providing signs to replace handmade memorials, the county says.

Officials say that a sign honoring the victim of a crash will include the victim’s name, or be sponsored by another person or entity authorized by a family member.

However, a sign remembering an impaired driver will not bear that person’s name, but will be allowed to include a safety message.

There are 15 memorials along county roads, and those memorials are grandfathered in and not required to follow the new policy.

Some of those memorials include different types of signs, but the county seeks more consistency in that regard.

The county also says that no photos or other personal items can be placed around memorials, under the new policy.

OTHER LOCAL ROADSIDE MEMORIAL PROGRAMS

Colorado Springs has no formal process regarding roadside memorials, but if officials receive a complaint about them and an inspector determines that they pose a safety hazard, they will be removed and stored by the Operations and Maintenance Division for at least three months.

People who installed the removed materials can reclaim them by contacting the city.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has a formal program that requires an application and a fee of $150 if approved; signs are installed for a maximum of two years and can only be placed on state highways.

Pueblo allows a free placement of a roadside memorial for a maximum of 45 days; for a $200 fee, the city will erect and maintain a sign for up to six years; citizens can pay more for a memorial bench or a tree plaque on city property.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – In a new report, Colorado ranked first in the country for Disc Golf availability as the sport continues to surge in popularity, according to UDisc.

UDisc is a popular disc golf scorekeeping and course-finder app. It releases a report every year based on user data. In its 2026 report, it found Colorado has surpassed 320 disc golf courses statewide, with Denver becoming a nationwide powerhouse. The app found the Cottonwood Creek Park course to be the most popular spot to play in Colorado Springs.

UDisc said its users played over $20 million rounds of disc golf in 2025.

Local disc golf mobile store owner Alan “Disczilla” Corbin has played the sport for almost 50 years. He said he picked it up while in the Marines in the late 1970s, and he’s watched the sport blossom.

“I moved to Colorado from Florida, and the first thing I did was look up on the internet and found the Cottonwood course,” Corbin said. “I came out here and made about 10 friends on the first TeePad, and my wife said, ‘I’ve been in the military for 20 years and don’t know that many people!’ And I said, ‘Well, you’ve got to get out and play disc golf!'”

He said he’s seen the sport transform from localized pockets to a nationally televised event. He said some of his former mentees have gone on to travel the world and make money from the sport.

“I played in Denver with the deaf disc golf players,” Corbin said. “When they throw and hit a tree or something, they turn and start explaining, and I know what they’re saying because I’ve been there before.”

Corbin’s course is off East Blaney Road in Peyton, and his mobile RV store travels all across Southern Colorado.

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Josh Helmuth

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — For 96 years, Al Duran has lived a life most people would write books about, but has never talked much about.

How about the fact that he lied his way into the U.S. Marine Corps at 16? Let’s start there.

Duran, a Pueblo native who grew up with seven brothers, six of whom served, built a military career spanning three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

“I was born in a barn,” Duran said with a laugh. “For real.”

His story, much like his home, is filled with history if you know where to look.

Inside, there are glimpses of a life well-lived: old photos, prayer books, keepsakes.

“This is more of my wife’s decor,” Duran said, walking through his home. “I had prayer books like this.”

Outside, even his yard tells a story.

“You can’t imagine the leaves that this place gathers,” he said, impressive landscaping for a man 96 years young.

But it’s what Duran rarely shares that may define him most.

A war he wasn’t old enough to fight

During World War II, Duran was just a teenager when his brother was killed in Germany. Determined to serve, he found a way in, even if it meant bending the truth.

“Like any 15, 16-year-old, I wanted to be a part of it,” he said.

Duran used a backdated baptism certificate; his sister helped him edit, changing his birth year to appear older.

“I got in the Marine Corps by presenting my baptism certificate, which my older sister backdated,” he said. “The guy looked at me and said, ‘Your hard luck,’” he added with a laugh.

Duran joined at the tail end of World War II and went on to serve in both the Korean War and Vietnam — three wars in total. Yet, those closest to him say you wouldn’t know it.

“He’s a really humble guy,” said his son, Michael Duran. “He doesn’t talk a whole lot about what he did and how he did it.”

One more mission: Honor Flight

After decades of quiet service, Duran finally took a different kind of journey.

At 95 years old, he traveled to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight of southern Colorado — an organization dedicated to flying veterans to see the memorials built in their honor.

He made the trip alongside his son.

“The one thing that I was more impressed with was the willingness of guardians to take us older people around,” Duran said. “And the kindness that the flight people showed us.”

For a man who spent much of his life out of the spotlight, the experience left a lasting impression.

“Seeing people of all nationalities going and coming and then being able to treat some of those guys — welcome them home or help them get by on their wheelchairs,” he said. “I don’t know what else to think about the Greatest Generation, but I think that was it for me.”

A life worth remembering

Although largely independent, Duran’s family helps care for Duran at home in Pueblo.

“We help look after him, make sure he has what he needs,” his son said.

And while Duran may never seek recognition, those who know his story say it deserves to be told — a reminder of sacrifice, humility and a generation that rarely asked for thanks.

Not bad for a man born in a barn.

If you’d like to donate to Honor Flight of Southern Colorado, please click here.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Tonight, Mayor Yemi Mobolade kicked off his campaign for re-election.

In 2023, running as an Independent, candidate Mobolade bested Republican Wayne Williams in a run-off election. The final vote totals:

Mobolade – 71,491 (57.51%)

Williams – 52,812 (42.49%)

Now, years later, Mayor Mobolade is going back to the voters, this time with a track record.

“What I wanted to do, [with announcing early] was truly to call attention to this. To this day and a year from now, because April elections, Colorado Springs elections, we’re lucky if we get 40% turnout. I want people to remember this day and to show up for me, but also truly for the city of Colorado Springs,” Mayor Mobolade answered when asked why he announced his campaign so early in the election cycle.

The election for the mayor’s office is slated for April 6, 2027. For voter information and resources, click here.

KRDO13 also asked the mayor about the recent auditor’s report, which KRDO13 Investigates learned about.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Colorado Springs Mayor responds to audit regarding use of city resources

On Friday, Mayor Mobolade said that he supported a policy regulating the use of the city’s resources by elected officials.

Tonight, we asked him what tangible steps had been made.

He said his team has already begun looking into a policy to regulate the use of city resources by an elected official and found that Colorado Springs was behind the curve.

“Many large cities have already figured this out. We have not. So this is an opportunity for us to, to grow up in many ways. The city auditor is actually sorry to research other cities and then went, yeah, Colorado Springs. This doesn’t have any clear rules around this. But the good news is we have a lot of great examples of top 50 cities that are already doing this. And it’s not this is not this is not new or an issue for them,” said the Mayor.

The Mayor did not provide a specific timeline for when that policy could be introduced.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — A highly-anticipated project that took nearly two years to complete and cost almost $40 million, officially ends on Friday when officials hold a grand opening for the new Medal of Honor Boulevard.

The 3.3-mile, four-lane road will provide the area with its first direct route between the Pueblo Boulevard/24th Street intersection on Pueblo’s west side, and the intersection of Joe Martinez and Purcell boulevards in Pueblo West.

Workers built the road through the Honor Farm Open Space, and is part of a larger project to build a new Pueblo County Jail at the east end of the road.

Officials announced late last Friday afternoon that the road will open to traffic after an 11:30 a.m. ceremony this Friday morning, beside the jail at the intersection of Medal of Honor Boulevard and Dockum Road.

The opening of the new road — which essentially is an extension of Joe Martinez Boulevard — may ease traffic congestion on US 50 to the north, which has long been the only direct connection between Pueblo and Pueblo West.

In an effort to improve travel through Pueblo’s west side, officials also want to eventually build a bridge that would cross a mesa and railroad tracks on 24th street; those geographical barriers currently separate much of the west side from the rest of the city.

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior first reported on the idea in January, and officials say that a bridge would create a direct connection between Interstate 25 ad Pueblo West.

“We were just talking about how much we need that,” said west Pueblo residents Patricia Rush and her daughter, Amanda Bull, while driving through the area. “The new road is great, but a bridge on 24th Street would be even better.

Some drivers said that they’d like to see Medal of Honor Boulevard’s wide configuration on the three miles of Joe Martinez Boulevard, west to where it ends at McCulloch Boulevard.

Officials also plan to spend $12 million over the next four years to make a variety of traffic, parking and pedestrian upgrades near the new road and elsewhere in the area.

“Oh, I’m definitely looking forward to the new road,” said Kevin Subia, of Pueblo West. “It’s gonna save us a lot of commute time, a lot of gas. We go back into Pueblo all the time, so it’s definitely gonna be a big convenience. Hopefully, we’ll also get some businesses along the roadside.”

Funding for the new road came from a voter-approved ballot measure in 2016 that allowed Pueblo to keep $66 million in surplus tax revenue.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – 3 people are dead in Pueblo as police begin an investigation that stretches miles.

The police department says it started when its officers went out to investigate a shot spotter alert at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning in the 1200 block of East 4th Street.

At the scene, officers found two people dead, one on the street and another in a vehicle. Pueblo County Coroner Gregory Graheck is identifying those two found dead as Glenn Allen Beeman Jr., a 40-year-old man, and Amanda Leigh Manion, a 41-year-old woman.

While still at that scene, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office was notified of another gunshot out in Pueblo West. Deputies found a man who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The coroner is identifying the man found in Pueblo West as 19-year-old Glenn Allen Beeman III.

At this early point in the investigation, the Pueblo Police Department says Beeman III is the suspect in the double homicide.

The case remains under active investigation.

The Manion family released the following statement on April 5:

It is with profound sorrow that the family confirms the tragic loss of Amanda Manion, her estranged ex-husband Glenn Beeman Jr., and their son, Glenn Beeman III. The events unfolded in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 4th, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals.

In the wake of widespread speculation, the family wishes to publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding this immense loss. This tragedy was the direct and cumulative result of a catastrophic failure within the mental health system. Glenn Beeman III suffered a severe and complete mental collapse, which initiated a tragic sequence of events beginning with the taking of his mother’s life.

The family wishes to acknowledge the heroic intervention of family members present on the scene. Their courageous actions successfully dissuaded Glenn III from causing further harm to others, ending with him taking his own life.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Eric Manion released the following statement:

“Unfortunately, we are here to mourn a deep and sorrowful loss. There are many questions, regrets, and conflicting feelings over the events that transpired. Although our initial thoughts naturally turn to anger and outrage, we are not here to cast judgment upon the deceased. We are here to find answers and hope—hope for a future where we can learn to function without the people we have lost. We must all come together in this time of great despair, comfort each other, and continue to live and move forward.”

The family respectfully, but firmly, requests that the media and the public respect their privacy during this period of profound shock and grief. The family will not be participating in interviews, and no further information will be released at this time.

GoFundMe for donations: https://gofund.me/17c5b6271

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Steve Roldan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Colorado Springs resident who is a champion of protecting her home and her neighbors’ homes is spreading the word about fire mitigation in southern Colorado.

She’s working with other homeowners and the Colorado Springs Fire Department to get the word out about keeping their properties safe from wildfires during drought conditions.

Carol Cannon has made it a priority of hers since going through the Waldo Fire. “So many people lost their homes, and to feel helpless is a horrible feeling in the middle of a wildfire,” said Cannon. “Knowing can take some personal accountability and responsibility in doing my own yard and encouraging my neighbors to do so, is one way to get control,” Cannon added.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department has a free chipping program starting next month that allows people to dispose of brush on their property. You do have to live in the Wildland Interface District. They also go out to properties in that same area to consult with homeowners on how to better mitigate their homes.

For more information on CSFD’s Chipping Program and on the wildfire mitigation consultations for homeowners, you can click on the following sites.

Neighborhood Chipping Program | Colorado Springs Fire Department

Education Services | Colorado Springs Fire Department

Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Board

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Drivers now have an extra week to prepare for repair work that will close the I-25 bridge over Garden of the Gods Road overnight for several weekends.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said that the repairs — originally scheduled to start Friday night — have been rescheduled to next Friday night because a section of the bridge to be repaired wan’t prepared in time.

CDOT will repair the bridge deck, widen it and replace expansion joints at both ends.

The full bridge closures will begin next weekend (April 10-13) on the northbound side, followed by a similar closure southbound on the following weekend (17-19).

Two more full closures, one in each direction, are scheduled for the first two weeks of May.

“The majority of the work will be completed Friday,” said Patti Henschen, a CDOT engineer. “And all of these are contingencies, so to speak. Weekends number 3 and 4, it’s in the event that we do not finish the northbound work this coming weekend, and we don’t finish the southbound work next weekend.”

The closure hours are between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., overnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Drivers also should be aware that during the first closures next weekend, the northbound I-25 entrance ramp from Fillmore Street will be closed all three nights.

“That’s to reduce traffic volume in the work zone and make it safer,” Henschen explained. “The contractor can only do this work in the fall and spring. We’re doing it now because it’s when there’s the least traffic on I-25 — between spring break and summer travel season.”

Centennial Boulevard and Nevada Avenue are the primary detours around the closures.

The bridge work is included in CDOT’s overall $62 million project to improve the freeway between Fillmore Street and Garden of the Gods Road.

It started in the fall of 2023 and should be completed late this summer.

Crews have replaced the twin bridges on Ellston Street, widened lanes, and improved drainage; currently under construction are the center median concrete wall, and acceleration/deceleration lanes designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

Meanwhile, city officials are upgrading traffic signals at two intersections immediately east of I-25 — Northpark Drive and Mark Dabling Boulevard.

For more information, visit: https://www.codot.gov/projects/i25gogfillmorelanes/about.

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Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A Korean restaurant was temporarily shut down after the health inspector reported handwashing violations and dirty dishware. A beloved mom-and-pop taco shop also failed its recent health inspection. But another local favorite – that often sees lines out the door – is this week’s high score.

Low scores:

Yong’s Korean Kitchen on S Circle Drive was temporarily closed after failing its recent routine health inspection with 21 violations.

An employee was caught preparing food without washing their hands, the inspector saw meat marinating in a dirty bowl, raw chicken and pork were at an unsafe temperature, and there were no dates on some food items.

We stopped by to find Yong’s Korean Kitchen back open after passing its re-inspection.

“We retrained our entire staff,” the restaurant manager, Don, told KRDO over the phone.

Don told us they’ve found ways to ensure the food is at a safe temperature, too.

“We switched that to a smaller portion in a metal container that should conduct the cold better,” he said.

Monica’s Taco Shop on S Nevada Avenue also failed its recent routine health inspection.

Monica’s wasn’t shut down, but it did face a dozen violations.

Some cooked food items were at unsafe temperatures; the inspector noted that the cooks were using unsafe cooling methods, and beans and lettuce were stored on the floor.

Monica’s passed its re-inspection.

High scores:

We have a perfect score this week: Pizzeria Rustica on W Colorado Avenue!

And, we have two high scores to report:

Nova West – an arcade bar with some fun eats on W Colorado Avenue – and Omelette Parlor on E Fillmore Street!

“It’s not that we’re working, anticipating a health inspection – we want our customers safe,” the manager, Susan, told us.

Staying clean is even more impressive when you’re so busy. The place was packed when we stopped by on a random Wednesday morning!

“I think that we offer what people are looking for,” Susan said. “A good, reasonably priced meal with large portions.”

Like… pancakes-bigger-than-the-plate large.

It should be noted: even though the servings are big, the flavor does not waver!

Reminder: all of our high and low-scoring restaurants are based on routine health inspections conducted by the El Paso County Health Department.

Click here for a look at all the most recent health inspection scores.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) is expanding its accessible Easter egg hunt. For the first time, children not part of the CSDB student body will participate in today’s hunt.

Every April, CSDB uses special eggs to host an egg hunt for its blind and low vision students. Each egg has an electronic noise maker inside, so children who can’t see well can use their hearing to find the eggs.

This year, CSDB wanted to expand its impact. In addition to its 35 participating preschool and elementary school students, the school extended an invitation to the entire blind and low vision community. It said it expects 10 children to attend this year who are not part of the student body.

The egg hunt is on Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m on the front lawn of the school’s historic Lions building off of N. Institute Street.

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