Category: krdo-local-news

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s more than a walk for many at Memorial Park on Saturday.

“What Alzheimer’s does is it changes your life,” Richard Helstein said at the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Helstein lost his wife, Sue, to Alzheimer’s.

Helstein said that despite his wife’s diagnosis, she never let the disease define her by taking up hobbies like dancing until she couldn’t anymore. While Sue is gone, Helstein says he’s thankful for his family and the community that comes together during events like the Alzheimer’s walk on Saturday.

“There’s a feeling that Sue is looking down, is seeing all of these things, and is smiling at the love from this particular family,” Helstein said.

A significant community came together this weekend, with the Alzheimer’s Association reporting that they raised $200,000 at the walk, which is 60% of their $330,000 goal. To learn more or make a donation, visit their website.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Lake Pueblo State Park is brimming with wildlife. Deer, coyotes, owls, and even a salamander or two, but what about an emu?

On Sunday, Lake Pueblo State Park put out a message on social media inquiring, “If you have lost your emu, please contact the park.”

According to the Smithsonian, emus are not native to Pueblo–only Australia. One of the largest birds in the world, emus weigh more than 100lbs and stand taller than five feet.

The state park said the bird was spotted in this picture along Highway 96 at mile marker 46 on Sunday at 12:30 pm.

Now the big bird has been captured by local authorities and is being held by animal control.

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Marina Garcia

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) – Friends and family are stepping up to help three children left behind after police found two dead inside a Fountain home.

On Thursday, the Fountain Police Department responded to a 911 call after dispatchers heard a disturbance and left the phone line open.

Upon arrival, officers found two dead in a home on the north side of town. The FPD has not released any further details, but family and friends have identified Amanda Larribas, who they say was a wonderful friend and even better mother.

KRDO13 spoke to Amanda’s best friend, who has started a GoFundMe to ensure a safety net for Amanda’s children.

“The GoFundMe that we set up is going to go towards them, towards all the kids, towards their future. And just to secure everything for them,” says Kristina Ford, best friend of Amanda.

Kristina Ford was once Amanda Larribas’ neighbor on Bonita Drive. They were two stay-at-home moms who quickly connected over their shared love for their children. Which is why once Kristina heard the news, she rushed to Amanda’s house to make sure her three kids were safe.  

“I left work, and I went straight there. And I got the kids…and I didn’t want to…let them out of my sight,” says Kristina.

Loved ones have since been bringing children toys and supplies to Kristina’s home and have set up a vigil at the front door where Amanda lost her life.

Kristina says the kids’ grandmother is working towards getting custody of the three children, and it’s a battle she hopes is won.

Fountain police are still investigating, but if you would like to donate to the GoFundMe, you can do so here.

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Marina Garcia

Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) has confirmed the end of the Wild Horse Inmate Program, which provided rehabilitative skills to inmates for 30 years.

According to CDOC, the program was a partnership with the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which provided the notice to CDOC that the program would conclude at the end of November.

CDOC says the program provided unique rehabilitative skills to the incarcerated population while supporting the BLM’s mission to manage and protect wild horses and burros.

“We are saddened by the discontinuation of this successful partnership and impactful program,” said Andre Stancil, Executive Director of CDOC. “The Colorado Department of Corrections is immensely proud of the legacy of this program and the positive impact it has had on participants, staff, and the community. While we regret the end of this chapter, we remain committed to working with BLM to ensure a smooth transition and to creating new opportunities that advance our mission of rehabilitation and public safety.”

CDOC says that it will remain committed to creating new opportunities that advance recovery and public safety.

CDOC confirms that BLM will oversee the relocation of the 100 horses in the program.

A specialist who spoke to KRDO13 says she’s seen how interacting with animals can change a person’s life.

Faithful Hearts is an equine learning center in Woodland Park, which doesn’t partner with the Wild Horse Inmate Program, but was sad to hear the news.

The organization uses horses to help people who are dealing with mental health struggles, a method they swear by. One big reason is the unique setting where the therapeutic benefits come in a barn rather than an office.

The director of Faithful Hearts says she’s witnessed it where clients struggling with substance abuse can come away with an entirely new perspective.

“Just to watch those, some of those, you know, grown men break down into tears when they realize, you know, the horse can sense everything and the horse can see right through him. And they just need to be honest and real with themselves. And it gets to the root of the reasons for the addiction, not just kind of masking,” says Stephanie Smith.

Smith says the horses are patient and submissive, but if people want their horse to cooperate, they’ve got to work for it.

“If they want that kind of response, they’ve got to learn to control their emotions and their energy in their presence. And so that’s where the real healing starts to take place. And self-awareness.”

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – One person is in the hospital and another on the run as police search for suspects in a shooting along Potter Place, in the neighborhood just east of the Citadel Mall.

The Colorado Springs Police Department says they were called about the shooting at 5:38 on Friday evening. Once at the scene, officers found one man with non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound.

The police say that the man is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact them.

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Celeste Springer

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted out of Thornton has been arrested after leading deputies in a chase. Deputies allege he kidnapped his child, whom he didn’t have custody of.

According to the sheriff’s office, 46-year-old Phillip Lee Torres was out on bond, facing charges for “serious child sex assault and kidnapping charges that he was about to go to trial on.”

The sheriff’s office says he had allegedly cut his ankle monitor off and ran off with his child without permission from the child’s caregivers or the state on Sept. 25. The sheriff’s office stated that it was believed Torres was fleeing the state, possibly to Mexico.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office says a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert was issued for his truck, and an Amber Alert for his child was also sent out.

According to the sheriff’s office, tips began to flood in from residents who received the Amber Alert, and the truck was also spotted using license plate reading cameras.

Police officers in Salida located the truck, but while attempting to pull Torres over, he allegedly fled. The sheriff’s office says that deputies and officers pursued Torres, who was reportedly going more than 100 miles per hour at some points.

Eventually, law enforcement was able to stop the truck using stop sticks, the sheriff’s office says. Video of the incident can be viewed at the top of this article.

The sheriff’s office says his child was taken in without injuries and returned home.

Torres faces the following charges, according to the sheriff’s office:

Vehicular eluding: Created a substantial risk of bodily Injury by operating a vehicle in a reckless manner (Class 5 felony)

Child Abuse: Knowingly or recklessly, where no death or injury results (Class 2 misdemeanor)

Reckless endangerment (Class 2 misdemeanor)

Violation of a criminal protection order (Class 1 misdemeanor)

Reckless driving (Class 2 traffic misdemeanor)

Speeding: 40 or more over the posted speed limit (Class 2 traffic misdemeanor)

Drove motor vehicle when license under restraint (Class A traffic infraction)

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Celeste Springer

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Manitou Springs Police Department says its team is searching for tips related to the disappearance of a local woman.

Police say Margaret Woolsey, age 57, has been missing since August.

“Despite the diligent and ongoing investigative efforts, Ms. Woolsey’s whereabouts remain unknown,” said the police department in a release.

Woolsey is described as a white female, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build, brown hair, and brown eyes. Police say it’s unusual for her to lose contact with friends/family and “concern for her well-being is growing.”

If you have any information, you are urged to call Detective Strider at the Manitou Springs Police Department at (719) 685-2542.

“All tips, no matter how small, are appreciated and will be treated with urgency and discretion,” the police department said.

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KRDO News

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says that a 37-year-old man has been arrested, accused of home invasion and assault in Fountain.

According to the sheriff’s office, Fountain police officers were called out to the 900 block of Grinde Drive on Tuesday morning. A victim had reported that the suspect, Geoffrey Chinnow, allegedly forced his way into their apartment, held them at gunpoint, and fired two rounds into the floor.

The Fountain Police Department told KRDO13 that they believe that Chinnow was searching for his girlfriend, and believed the apartment belonged to friends of his girlfriend.

Chinnow reportedly left the victim’s apartment, and police began to surveil his home to try and catch him. When police saw him at his house, EPSO says their SWAT team was called in to help execute warrants.

EPSO says Chinnow was taken into custody without incident.

“Coordinated operations and shared resources strengthen public safety and ensure violent offenders are brought to justice. Our community will not be terrorized by violent offenders who illegally bring guns into our neighborhoods,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal in a release.

The sheriff’s office says he faces the following charges:

Second-degree assault

Illegal discharge of a firearm

Menacing

Possession of a weapon by a previous offender

Criminal mischief

First-degree burglary

EPSO says he is being held on a $25,000 bond.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Shortly after his election two years ago, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said that he wanted more crews repairing potholes on city streets and roads.

He announced that he had achieved that goal on Thursday, at the annual State of the City address, held at The Broadmoor.

“I recently added 12 new crew members to our pothole response teams so that we can respond more quickly and effectively,” he told his audience.

Mobolade said the most common complaint he hears from citizens is to do a better job of filling potholes.

The city has eight dedicated, full-time pothole crews and can increase that number to 12 when necessary.

Still, the mayor emphasized that officials depend on the public to report potholes that repair crews may be unaware of.

“And we have made it easier for you to help,” Mobolade revealed. “Last month, we rolled out the new and improved GoCOS app — a one-stop shop where you can report potholes, graffiti, broken sidewalks, downed trees, park maintenance issues, and more than 90 other non-emergency concerns. Think of the GoCOS app as your pothole app. Be our eyes because your reports do make a difference.”

The mayor added that filling potholes is only a temporary solution, and that’s why he thanked voters for their continued support of the taxpayer-approved sales tax increase to fund expanded street repaving.

That 2C program, created by the previous mayor, John Suthers, was initially approved in 2015, renewed in 2020, and was renewed again — for ten years — last fall.

In the early years of 2C, officials said that it would take time to see a significant decline in pothole numbers because the city had fallen so far behind in street maintenance.

“This initiative will invest $820 million into our roads and extend their lifespan,” Mobolade said.

Many citizens were surprised at how high the number of pothole repairs was at the beginning of 2C — in some years approaching or surpassing 100,000.

After crews filled 60,000 potholes in 2022, the figure increased to 85,000 in 2023, and again last year, to 94,000; with three months remaining in this year, the number is 52,000.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The timing was late Thursday morning for KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior, who was on Bonforte Boulevard to investigate when street repaving would start there.

A member of the paving team stated that work will commence on Friday and is expected to take up to two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Crews have only finished milling (removal of old asphalt) within the past week, and the team member said that Bonforte has many potholes that must be filled while repaving proceeds.

Also being paved is MacNaughton Road, a circular street that connects to Bonforte at two intersections and is in a similarly rough shape.

The two streets are the first to officially kick off the 2025 paving season, which had been delayed for various reasons, including rainy weather, planned and emergency utility repairs, and the removal of trees in one neighborhood that had damaged the concrete and asphalt infrastructure.

That latter street, Saratoga Road, slightly east of Bonforte on the city’s northeast side, still needs the damage fixed before crews repave the crumbling neighborhood street.

“We’re getting the root balls pulled out, and the concrete is going back in right now,” said Chuck Roy, the city’s acting public works director. “We were just notified last week that there’s a little bit of a sanitary sewer line that needs to be fixed. So, we’re going to see if they can jump in there before we get the paving done.”

Paul Okins lives on Saratoga and shares the same mixed feelings as his neighbors, glad that the street will be repaved, but wishing that crews didn’t have to cut down more than 40 trees in the process.

But repairs should solve another concern there.

“The roots under the trees had cavities where cockroaches could swarm and whatnot,” he explained. We had lots of cockroaches in that area, under the sidewalk.”

Roy previously said that there is an effort to have trees donated to affected homeowners, who were surprised to learn that the removed trees were on city property and not theirs.

Okins went ahead and purchased two maple trees, one for the front yard and one for the back.

“They’ll provide shade as they grow,” he said. “The trees that were cut down, they provided lots of shade on a hot day, but they were huge. I wanted trees that are smaller and easier to maintain.”

On Thursday, crews were vacuuming dust and making final preparations for Friday on Bonforte.

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