Category: krdo-local-news

Alexander Brunet

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters walked out of the La Vista Correctional Facility on June 1, 2026, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections. Peters’ release comes just weeks after Colorado Governor Jared Polis officially commuted her nearly 9-year prison sentence.

La Vista is primarily a medium-security facility for women.

PRIOR COVERAGE: Gov. Polis grants clemency to former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters

Our team was live outside of the front doors of the La Vista Correctional Facility, awaiting her release.

Peters was convicted on seven counts — four felonies and three misdemeanors — after being accused of giving access to election software to an unauthorized person.

A jury in Grand Junction found former Colorado clerk Tina Peters guilty of seven out of 10 counts, including four felonies, in a security breach of her county’s election computer system.

In 2024, the jury found Peters guilty on the following charges:

Three counts of attempt to influence a public servant

One count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation

One count of official misconduct

One count of violation of duty

One count of failure to comply with secretary of state requirements

Her sentence began in October 2024, and she appealed it in January of this year, a few months after President Donald Trump announced that he’d be pardoning her.

Gov. Jared Polis commuted Peters’ sentence several weeks ago, making her eligible for parole as of midnight Sunday.

Under a commuted sentence, Peters won’t be required to serve the remainder of her sentence, but will remain a convicted felon.

Tina Peters’ attorney spoke with KRDO13 about her release and how she is today.

“I did speak to her. She’s, you know, she needs time. She needs a little bit of R&R, a little rest and relaxation, to get to be her old self again,” said Peter Ticktin,

Peters’ attorney, Peter Ticktin, says Peters will meet with her parole officer as needed. He also said she will be required to communicate with them regarding requests to leave the state. KRDO13 reached out to the CDOC for more details on the terms of Peters’ parole. CDOC said it could not share the time of Peters’ release. The department also said it could not comment on Peters’ parole specifically and shared general parole guidelines.

“You know, they say freedom isn’t free. Well, now, Tina Peters is,” said Peter’s lead attorney, Peter Ticktin.

Ticktin maintained that Peters did nothing wrong and agreed with the statements she made on a podcast with Steve Bannon, claiming that “she was in prison as retribution.”

These claims are not true, according to the courts, where Peters was convicted in 2024 of multiple felonies for allowing fellow election deniers access to local voting systems in search of voter fraud following President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. 

In Gov. Polis’s commutation letter, he wrote, “Importantly, your application demonstrates taking responsibility for your crimes, and a commitment to follow the law going forward. For these reasons, I am commuting your sentence.”

We reached out to the outgoing governor’s office today for comment regarding Peters and her attorneys’ statements following her release. The governor’s office directed us back to his previous statements, which you can read below, and his recent post on Substack.

“Tina Peters committed real crimes. She violated the public trust. She broke the law. Her actions imposed real costs on Mesa County. She deserved to be convicted. She deserved to serve time in prison. She remains a convicted felon beyond today, the last day she’s behind bars. Going forward, she’ll have to abide by strict conditions of parole.”

“Tina Peters finally accepts responsibility for her crimes and pledges to follow the law going forward. Tina Peters said: ‘For years I’ve dedicated myself. But I made mistakes. Four years ago, I misled the Secretary of State when allowing a person to gain access to county voting equipment. That was wrong.’ I am glad that she is finally taking accountability for her actions.”

– Previous statements from Governor Jared Polis

Her attorney thanked Governor Polis and President Trump for “giving Governor Polis some things to think about.” Ticktin also said Peters will continue to fight.

“We don’t know what kind of help she’ll be able to give to whom. But I can tell you that she’s not finished fighting for our country, one way or another. I mean, she has no plans right now. It’s going to take time to get that all figured out. But she is still the American hero that I just told you about,” said Ticktin.

He stated that those opposed to Peters’ release are criminals in their own right.

“I’m hoping, I don’t know if that’s going to happen or not, but I’m hoping that Jena Griswold actually does find out what it’s like to be on the inside of a prison cell,” Ticktin continued, “She should be going someplace to pray that that that people don’t come after her because I’m asking the DOJ to prosecute Jena Griswold, and I expect that it will happen.”

The Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, spoke with KRDO13 about Peters’ release.

“Overall, it’s a gross injustice to Coloradans or our elections and our democracy. Literally, she gets out of prison and goes on to Steve Bannon’s show and continues to spew lies and conspiracies, and her lies and her actions have been used to fuel the threat environment, further undermining our elections through conspiracies,” said Jen Griswold.

She said that she strongly opposes Governor Polis’ decision to commute Peters’ sentence.

“Ultimately, Tina Peters compromised her voting equipment. My office discovered it. We investigated and ensured that she faced accountability. Anyone breaking the law deserves to face accountability,” Griswold continued. “Her words on the Steve Bannon show, her lawyer’s words underlined that she does not have remorse. I continue to believe that this was a horrendous decision, both for our elections and election workers, but also for our democracy.”

Griswold noted that Vice President JD Vance had mentioned that Tina Peters may be considered for compensation from the DOJ’s government weaponization fund. Griswold said this sends the wrong message.

She also says that the calls for her to be criminally prosecuted are unfounded.

“That is based on conspiracies, lies and falsehoods. And I think the big picture is, Tina Peters committed crimes. The Court of Appeals, when they looked at her case, they they, again affirmed that she committed crimes,” stated Griswold.

She said this is part of a larger election denial movement, using fear to deter election officials from safeguarding elections.

“Tina Peters, her attorneys, what they’re trying to do is undermine elections. You do that by attacking elections, pushing out conspiracies, and creating a threat environment. So, election workers leave their jobs,” explained Griswold.

Several people gathered outside La Vista — including one man from Hawaii — to show their support for Peters.

Meanwhile, another man drove around the facility in a truck, pulling a trailer with the message “Free Tina,” and holding what appeared to be an orange prison jumpsuit with the name of Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State, on it, blaming her for Peters’ conviction.

KRDO13 asked Griswold about this, and she said it was unfortunate, but would not stop her.

“I think it’s really unfortunate. Again, the threat environment has been used to incentivize threats against election officials. I’ve received over 3,000 threats against myself, but also my husband or our one-year-old child. Four men have been found guilty of threatening my life. But I’ll tell you what. I’ll never back down, and they’re not going to intimidate me. So I think it’s really sad,” said Griswold.

Griswold is running for Colorado Attorney General.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released a statement about Peters’ release.

“Tina Peters remains a convicted felon who knowingly violated Colorado law and compromised election security. A Colorado jury found her guilty of four felonies for breaching secure election systems.

Tina Peters’ release does not change the facts of her case, nor does it change our obligation to defend our democracy. At a time when President Trump continues to attack vote-by-mail, undermine confidence in our elections, and pressure public officials to bend to his political agenda, we must be even more vigilant in protecting the rule of law and the integrity of our electoral system.

Colorado’s gold standard elections are among the most secure, accessible, and trusted in the nation in part because election workers, county clerks, and public servants follow the law. A jury convicted Tina Peters. An appeals court upheld those convictions. Coloradans should not be forced to subsidize anyone, especially Peters, who knowingly violated election security laws and betrayed the public trust. I will keep fighting to protect our democracy and stop this taxpayer-funded slush fund before a single dollar is paid out.”

– U.S. Senator Michael Bennet

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – In just four short years, a student from Vista Ridge High School has elevated his karate skills from beginner to World Champion in the International Combat Organisation (ICO) World circuit.

Jared Garcia started Karate when he was 12. Standing around five feet and two inches tall, it became apparent that Garcia’s flexibility and kicks made up for his shorter stature.

“He started at a really young belt level,” said Jared’s mom and coach, Erika Garcia. “He started right out of white.”

Now 16 and standing almost six feet tall, Garcia has become a force in the ICO. Last year, he won the 14-17-year-old World Championship in Wales, competing against kids two years his senior from all weight classes.

The owner of Team Army, a professional martial arts team sponsored by the U.S. Army, was at the championship watching the competition. Less than 10 minutes after Jared’s victory, he paid Jared a visit and made him a part of the team.

Before winning his championship, Jared first achieved his black belt with a surprise student in his testing class.

“We actually got it at the same time. We got to test together,” Erika, also a black belt, said.

“I wasn’t really expecting it in that moment,” Jared said. “I really loved having her in the same test.”

This fall, Garcia will return to defend his title in France. His family started a GoFundMe to help pay for his travel.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirmed to KRDO13 that it is responding to a call for service regarding a shooting near the intersection of Union Blvd. and St. Vrain St. just after 8 p.m. Saturday.

A KRDO13 crew on scene captured a large police presence near the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

It’s unclear if anyone is injured at this time or if a suspect is in custody.

KRDO13 has contacted CSPD for more information and has yet to hear back.

Details are limited at this time. This article may be updated as we learn more.

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Mackenzie Stafford

SALIDA, Colo. (KRDO) – A Monte Vista woman was arrested on May 27, 2026, by the Salida Police Department (SPD). Vanessa Salvio faces charges of criminally negligent homicide and theft in connection with the Jan. 26, 2026, death of Lukas Brown.

Brown, also from Monte Vista, died in Salida, Colo., from acute fentanyl and xylazine toxicity after Salvio admitted to providing and administering fentanyl to him, SPD says. Officers report Salvio also confessed to stealing property belonging to Brown from the motel room where he died.

Salvio told a detective she not only provided fentanyl to Brown but also administered it by blowing it into his mouth from her mouth, according to police. Brown experienced a medical episode shortly after this and died despite attempts at lifesaving measures, SPD said. An autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office confirmed Brown’s death was a result of acute fentanyl and xylazine toxicity.

On the afternoon of Jan. 26, 2026, SPD, Salida Fire and Chaffee County EMS responded to a local motel for reports of an unresponsive male, according to SPD. Salvio was with Brown in the motel room at the time of his death, according to police.

When speaking with a detective, SPD said Salvio admitted to providing fentanyl to Brown and administering it into his mouth. She reported that Brown began to have a medical episode shortly after she gave him the fentanyl, according to SPD. Officers say Salvio notified motel personnel, who then called for medical assistance, but Brown died shortly after.

After the scene was cleared, police say Salvio was permitted to return to the motel room to retrieve her belongings.

The following day, Brown’s family went to the motel to retrieve his property and discovered some items were missing, police said. Salvio was subsequently interviewed about the missing property and admitted to stealing it when she returned to the room, SPD said. Police say Salvio returned the stolen property to authorities.

Officers say that on May 27, 2026, a Salida Police Detective submitted an arrest warrant/affidavit to the Chaffee County District Court. They say the detective requested that Salvio be charged with One Count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a Class five Felony, and One Count of Theft, a Class 1 Misdemeanor. A Chaffee County District Judge reviewed and signed the arrest warrant, setting bond at $2,000 cash/surety, police shared.

On the evening of May 27, 2026, Salvio was taken into custody on her arrest warrant at her home in Monte Vista, according to police. Officers say she was transported to the Rio Grande County Detention Center in Del Norte.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says its officers responded to the Barnes and Austin Bluffs area of Colorado Springs on Thursday. This is where CPW says a 125-pound male yearling black bear was wandering the area.

CPW, Deme Wright

Wildlife Officers immobilized the bear and placed it in a wildlife trailer, according to CPW. The bear was given a “wake-up” drug and then relocated and released several hours south into a better bear habitat, the wildlife agency reports.

RELATED: Mother bear, cubs relocated after being found under deck of Colorado Springs home

WATCH: Bear caught on camera raiding bird feeder in Gleneagle

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Mackenzie Stafford

SOUTHERN COLORADO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Saturday afternoon.

The advisory impacts Teller, El Paso, Pueblo and eastern Fremont Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to, Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs, Canon City and Pueblo, according to CDPHE.

The department warns that this increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults, as well as in people with lung disease, such as asthma. CDPHE recommends reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

The advisory expires at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30.

An intrusion of ozone from high in the atmosphere may result in ozone concentrations reaching the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category within these areas Saturday afternoon and evening. CDPHE expects ozone levels to gradually decrease on Saturday evening.

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Danny Mata

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Michigan resident has donated $2,500 in gas gift cards to Silver Key Senior Services in Colorado Springs. The donation will help the nonprofit continue its transportation program for older adults struggling with rising fuel costs.

Laurie Applebaum, who lives near Detroit, sought a nonprofit that could use a significant amount of gift card money she had. Her search led her to Silver Key Senior Services, which provides transportation and Meals on Wheels programs for older adults in the Colorado Springs area, all the way Monument and Palmer Lake.

Silver Key Senior Services was experiencing increased challenges due to the cost of gas, which affects its ability to maintain vehicle operations for its programs. Seth Chapin, director of transportation at Key Senior Services, expressed excitement about the donation, stating he “danced a little bit inside” upon hearing the news.

Chapin detailed the services provided by the organization. “Any appointment from a doctor’s appointment, dentists; maybe they want to go get their hair done every Friday. We can provide that ride,” Chapin said.

The donation consisted of gas gift cards, each worth $500, totaling $2,500.

Applebaum had initially faced difficulty finding an organization to accept the donation. She discovered Silver Key after seeing a KRDO13 news story about the organization.

Applebaum confirmed during a phone interview with KRDO13 that she has no ties to Colorado, but wanted to find a way to help. She said Silver Key was an ideal recipient because it allowed her to assist many people with a single donation.

Chapin noted that the donation means the organization “were able to help more people for a longer period of time.” He estimated the donation would directly benefit “well more than 100 people.”

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Drivers who may have wondered about a long, winding, flexible pipe at the bottom of the 8th Street hill for the past few weeks, now may be curious about why it’s gone and where it went.

In a daylong operation on Wednesday, crews with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) inserted a 24-inch water line into a boring hole between the Motor City Drive intersection and Walmart.

The hole was bored — or drilled — to a depth of 30 feet to place the line under Bear Creek.

A small segment at the insertion point remains above ground; CSU said that it is extra length, is no longer needed, and will be cut from the main line.

The south end of the new pipe will attach to the existing water main, and the opposite end will connect to the remaining extension of the new line north to Cimarron Street.

Sliding a new water line underground, even downhill, isn’t as easy as you might think.

Heavy machinery pushed the pipe downhill, inch by inch, while another machine pulled and held it at the proper angle for insertion.

However, for unspecified reasons, crews had difficulty getting the pipe’s front end into the hole.

Another challenge was the pipe sliding on rubber rollers supported by metal stands, and in several places, the pipe moved too far to one side — requiring workers to readjust it and keep it from sliding off the supports.

The insertion process began at 10 a.m. and was finished by 7 p.m.

In the meantime, drivers should watch for several potholes at the 8th Street/Motor City Drive intersection.

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Mackenzie Stafford

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – On Thursday, Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, and community partners joined Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to announce the growth of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This includes the 357-acre Denman property and the City of Colorado Springs’ purchase of an adjacent 127-acre parcel.

CPW says the additions increase Cheyenne Mountain State Park to roughly 3,184 acres and protect open space at the entrance to one of the region’s most visited outdoor destinations.

CPW and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) also signed an agreement supporting expanded recreation at Rosemont Reservoir on Pikes Peak. Officials say these initiatives aim to increase public recreation opportunities and conservation in the Pikes Peak region.

The agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities will open Rosemont Reservoir, situated at more than 9,600 feet of elevation on Pikes Peak, for camping and various hand-launched, hand-powered, and electric-powered watercraft, with CPW managing the new recreation sites.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis emphasized the importance of these outdoor spaces.

“Colorado’s outdoor spaces are truly inspiring, and I’m excited we can enjoy even more of our incredible lands with this new expansion. Colorado Springs is already a destination for outdoor experiences, and this will add more choices for camping and boating,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

Colorado Springs Mayor Mobolade highlighted the connection between the city and its natural surroundings.

“At the heart of today is a simple but powerful truth: Colorado Springs is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty,” Mobolade said, “Places like Cheyenne Mountain are more than scenery. They are more than postcard views or a backdrop to our lives. They are part of our identity. Part of our story. Part of what makes this city feel like home.”

Mobolade also recognized the role of the city’s voter-supported Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) program in making the expansion possible.

CPW Director Laura Clellan said that these projects support the future of outdoor recreation.

“These projects expand public access opportunities and support the future of outdoor recreation in Colorado,” Clellan said. She added that “The expansion of Cheyenne Mountain State Park and new camping opportunities at Rosemont Reservoir on Pikes Peak show what can be achieved when partners share a vision and work together to increase access to Colorado’s outdoors.”

The Trust for Public Land’s Mountain West Region Vice President Jim Petterson noted the long-term benefits of the conservation effort.

“This expansion ensures that one of Colorado Springs’ most treasured outdoor spaces will remain protected and accessible as the region continues to grow,” Petterson said.

The ceremony also included the official ribbon cutting for 11 new full-hookup campsites at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, bringing the total to 62 full-hookup sites, CPW shared.

“By conserving this land now, we’re protecting wildlife habitat, expanding recreation opportunities and preserving the mountain landscapes that define this community.” Jason Hagan, Cheyenne Mountain State Park manager, underscored the collaborative nature of the park’s growth.

For the Rosemont Reservoir project, Amy Brandenburg, Pikes Peak Recreation Area Parks manager, said she is very excited for this area to be open for camping and recreation after some construction.

“So the campgrounds aren’t there yet. We still need to build them, so we’ll be breaking ground soon for campgrounds,” Brandenburg said.

She noted that camping will require a parks pass or the Keep Colorado Wild pass on vehicle registration, along with a camping fee, and will operate under a reservation system similar to other Colorado Parks and Wildlife sites.

CPW expects to have more wildlife officers dedicated to the Pikes Peak Recreation Area, including Rosemont Reservoir. Officials hope to open the campgrounds by late summer.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Die-hard fans of the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s demonstration squadron, couldn’t believe it when it happened last year, and they expressed more disbelief and frustration when it happened again on Thursday.

Adverse weather conditions led officials to cancel the annual post-commencement air show, except for the traditional flyover above the new second lieutenants.

The decision was made shortly before noon, followed by groans of disappointment in the parking lot of Scheels All Sports on Interquest Parkway, which has held a Thunderbird “watch party” for the past five years.

A Scheels representative said that the event, which includes free hot dogs and entertainment, draws thousands of fans.

Weather-related safety concerns also led to the Thunderbirds being grounded last year.

Much of the Scheels crowd believed the air show would start between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., but instead got only a brief flyby over the horizon from the squadron and an overhead pass by a single jet.

“I wish someone had just told us sooner,” said Andrea Rivera. “It’s kind of a bummer because there are some people who come in town for it, and then they don’t get to see it — until next year. So, it’s kind of frustrating.”

Daniel King said before the announcement that if the air show were to be completely canceled, it would likely come after Air Force officials waited as long as they could for weather conditions to improve.

“The sky this time looked better than it did last time,” he recalled. “But you never know. I’m sure that people are disappointed, but once they get over it, they’ll understand.”

King’s nine-year-old grandson, Gunter Frazier, reminds us why the Thunderbirds own a special place in the hearts of many in the Pikes Peak region.

“What I like most about them is the noise, the flying… just the fun!” he exclaimed. “The fun of it, is just awesome! I want to be an Air Force pilot, maybe (fly with) the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, or just fly military planes.”

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