Category: krdo-local-news

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – If cats have nine lives, this kitty in Colorado Springs has given two of his back to his family.

Shilah Marette said three years ago, Tinnie, her 20-pound Russian Blue cat, started acting strange around her mother. She said Tinnie typically ignores her mother, but that night, he wouldn’t leave her lap.

Later in the evening, her mother started feeling bad. They called 911 and found out she was having a heart attack.

“He’s kind of a family hero,” Shilah said.

About a year later, Marette said she was sound asleep when Tinnie started headbutting her under her chin until she woke up. After what happened to her mother, Marette took the warning seriously and woke up her husband. That’s when she lost feeling in half her body and realized she was having a stroke.

“If he wouldn’t have woken me up, I don’t think I would have seen the morning light,” Shilah said.

After all of his heroics, Marette and her husband decided to enter Tinnie the two-time lifesaver into the “America’s Favorite Pet” competition. The competition is currently in its first round. If Tinnie is in the top five by Feb. 5, he will move on to the next round. As of Tuesday morning, he was in fourth.

“He’s my baby in every sense of the way. I think I’d be lost without him,” Shilah said.

The first vote is free. People can also pay money for additional votes, with each dollar donated counting towards an extra vote, and 25% benefiting the non-profit PAWS. You can find Tinnie’s page here.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Gingersnap Rescue Ranch said it’s short on volunteers during the colder, winter months as it cares for over 250 rescued farm animals.

The ranch houses goats, horses, cows, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, ducks, Llamas and more. It takes in farm animals left without a home that would otherwise be butchered, abandoned or left without proper care. Oftentimes, the animals are injured, and the rescue ranch helps nurse them back to health.

The Gingersnap Rescue Ranch petting zoo is open to the public all year long. Most of the animals are accessible for feed and pets.

Gingersnap started as a goat milk farm until the Hanover fire in 2018 burned down most of their facilities and killed a large number of their animals. With the remaining stock they were able to save, Eryn Maggard and her husband decided to open a rescue ranch instead, and started to rebuild. Eight years and hundreds of animals later, the ranch shows no sign of slowing down.

For more information, click here.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — UPDATE: Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) announced early Monday afternoon that this project is now delayed.

In a statement released just before 2 p.m. Monday, CSU said that lane closures on two of three westbound lanes of Austin Bluffs Parkway between Goldenrod Drive and the exit ramp to Union Boulevard will be delayed “until additional preparation and inspection work can be completed.”

CSU explained that the delay helps ensure the lanes won’t close until absolutely necessary.

Instead of starting an initial two-week closure on Monday and ending two more closures by the end of March, CSU has changed the schedule to start the first phase later this month and complete the final two phases by the end of May.

(PREVIOUS STORY FROM MONDAY MORNING)

Reliving the same day is the theme of the movie Groundhog Day, and many drivers may feel the same way later this month.

For the second time in 18 months, utility work will restrict traffic on a 2/3-mile stretch of Austin Bluffs Parkway between Goldenrod Drive and the exit ramp to Union Boulevard.

Two of the three westbound lanes will close to relocate underground electric lines.

Drivers should be aware of increased traffic congestion and occasional backups, and consider detouring around the area if possible.

It’s part of an ongoing project by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to build the new Central Bluffs power substation on the north side of the Austin Bluffs/Goldenrod intersection.

Construction on that project began in August 2024, when crews closed the right westbound lane in the same area to relocate an above-ground natural gas line.

That work ended in late April of last year.

There have also been occasional eastbound lane closures related to the overall project.

CSU said that the latest westbound closures will be the first of three similar closures in the area over the next few months.

The new substation is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

CSU also seeks citizens’ suggestions on choosing a design for the substation’s outer wall. For more information, visit: https://www.csu.org/current-projects/central-bluffs-substation.

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Marina Garcia

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – During a recent board meeting, commissioners discussed potential solutions the county is looking at to address the next fiscal budget shortfall.

One option considered is to furlough employees.

During meetings earlier this week, Pueblo County commissioners addressed some driving factors of the current budget that led the county to this deficit.

Commissioner Miles Lucero addressed two major purchases, the Wells Fargo building and the county jail, which is an $18 million debt. Commissioner Paula McPheters said declining marijuana tax revenue isn’t helping either.

Regardless of reasoning, a union representative voiced concerns that unpaid days are harmful.

“Behind every service is a person, a person with a family, a mortgage or rent, medical bills, and responsibilities. These are not abstract roles. They’re real people,” says Union Representative Josette Jaramillo.

However, commissioners told those in attendance at this week’s meeting that furloughs may be necessary.

“The unfortunate part of all of this is I don’t think unless we exhaust every option, the employee options, the real estate options. We’re not going to get to where we need to be,” says County Commissioner Miles Lucero. 

In a work session on Thursday, the board concluded that ten of the current holidays will become unpaid, affecting all county workers, saving $1.5 million. First of many strategies, says the board.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Up and down I-25 on the Front Range, you’ve probably seen this truck. On the back, a massive satellite-looking metal structure, kind of looking like a tipped-over Christmas tree or bugle snack. Then on the back, a banner with ‘ICE’ crossed out.

But is this vehicle even legal?

KRDO13 showed pictures of the custom build to the Colorado State Patrol. A sergeant told us over the phone that they would pull this vehicle over immediately because the license plate couldn’t be seen. That’s before even getting to talking about the rest of the structure.

Despite that, when we shared this picture (seen above) with CSP, showing a trooper right behind the vehicle in question, a spokesperson said that a citation was not issued, and the trooper never made contact with the vehicle.

KRDO13 security camera still.

Here at KRDO13, we got a good look at the truck up close when the driver came into our parking lot both Thursday night and Friday morning.

The driver wanted to speak with us about his issues with the trump administration’s immigration policies and raise concerns about aggressive drivers he said were trying to push him off the road.

However, KRDO13 spoke to drivers who say that the vehicle has been seen driving extremely slowly on the highway or even pulled over on the shoulder.

As for our local police department, we’ve seen some pictures that show Colorado Springs Police Officers pulling over the truck. KRDO13 reached out to the Colorado Springs Police Department to ask if they’ve issued any citations or pulled over the driver, but they haven’t answered our questions.

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Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Currently, the closest thing to a highway roundabout in southern Colorado was built several years ago, on an exit ramp at the junction of US 50 and Highway 115 in Fremont County.

But the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is preparing to construct a traffic circle on a major highway.

Work will start in the fall of 2027 at the intersection of US 24 and Judge Orr Road — a route experiencing heavier traffic due to continued growth in the Falcon community.

The project will last for two years and cost between $10 million and $15 million.

CDOT said that the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) asked CDOT to take action because of the frequency of speeding and crashes at the intersection.

The roundabout construction requires that CDOT close the US 24 intersection at Blue Gill Drive, a mile-long neighborhood road slightly west of the roundabout location.

Blue Gill also connects to the highway farther south, and CDOT said that the east intersection will be moved to an undetermined location.

CDOT said that initially, crews will stripe the roundabout for one lane of traffic in each direction, but it will eventually have two lanes.

The alighnment of Judge Orr Road skews the intersection, CDOT said, making the roundabout design more challenging.

The agency said that the overall goal is not necessarily to slow traffic down, but to keep drivers safe.

Keith McCafferty, a former mayor of Ramah, in the northeastern corner of El Paso County, said that he doesn’t like the roundabout plan and would rather see less-expensive measures, such as adding turn lanes and passing lanes.

“I can’t see how the school buses, the semi trucks, and the construction vehicles are going to navigate a roundabout there,” he said.

CDOT has yet to decide if it will schedule a public meeting on the roundabout project.

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Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The city of Pueblo rolled out its bingo card for the 2026 Pueblo Restaurant Month this February with 36 participating restaurants.

It’s essentially a scavenger hunt. You can pick up a bingo card at any of the 36 participating restaurants. Ask your waiter for a stamp at each restaurant you dine at and spend at least $25. Once you get six in a row, Bingo! Write your contact information on the back of the card, and drop it off at The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Building.

Once you’ve submitted your card, you will be in a drawing to win $500 cash and gift cards to all 36 participating restaurants.

You can pick your card up starting on February 2nd. Your card must be turned in by March 2nd to qualify for the drawing.

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Mackenzie Stafford

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – For the first time, KRDO13 is hearing from a mother who lost her fiancé, son and two soon-to-be stepchildren in a horrific crash. The family, who is from Colorado Springs, was driving in Douglas County on Highway 83 at the time.

It was a tragic incident in November after a man reportedly stole a car and hit the family head-on. Only two people survived, one of them is Jordan Green, Jennifer Watkins’s son, who is now back on his feet.

In the crash, Green broke both femurs and a hip.

“He’s got a rod through one femur, and he’s got a plate and screws in the other, with one right above his knee. And then he’s got some screws in his right hip,” detailed Watkins.

Green lost his soon-to-be stepdad, Alvin Corrado, and brother, Jase Green. Watkins says Corrado taught her so much, including what unconditional love looks like, and that she was lucky to have the time with him she did. Jase Green is remembered as the most beloved kid in all his classes and by his classmates, leaving a lasting impact. Watkins says he was funny, adorable, a great kid, quiet at first, but had the biggest heart and loved his mother.

It’s unimaginable grief, but the fact that Jordan is alive and recovering is the only thing his mom says keeps her going.

“We weren’t sure what was going to happen and if he was going to be able to walk or if he was going to be able to play basketball or anything,” explained Jennifer Watkins.

Green is now able to stand and is even working on playing basketball.

“For him to be walking, the way he’s walking and doing the steps he’s doing is just a miracle,” shared Watkins.

But it’s a long road to recovery that Watkins says her son never should have been on.

“I’m angry, and my son is angry,” said Watkins.

Walter Huling III, the suspect who CSP crashed into the family, was out on parole at the time, according to inmate records. 

“He took his best friend from him,” stated Watkins.

Autopsy results show he was under the influence of alcohol and meth.  Records from our partners at 9News in Denver show that Huling violated his parole multiple times ahead of the crash. They include missing drug tests, missing parole officer meetings, violating court orders, and admitting to consuming mushrooms and alcohol. 

All of these could have been reasons for his parole officer to ask for a revocation order to send him back to prison, but that didn’t happen. 

“I wonder what he did that made him such an upstanding citizen at that point, that he was still considered high risk, that y’all just let him waltz on out the door and kill my family,” questioned Watkins.

KRDO13 reached out to the Department of Corrections about Huling’s release and received this response on Monday.

Regarding the tragic incident involving Walter Huling, the Department extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families.  Huling was on parole at the time of the incident and was scheduled for discharge from parole in January 2026. The Department takes parole supervision and public safety with the utmost seriousness; we continue to address supervision-related concerns related to this and other matters to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures. Decisions to release someone on parole or revoke parole are made by the Colorado Parole Board, an independent entity.

Our mission remains focused on a balanced approach: ensuring those who pose a risk to the community remain incarcerated, while providing the necessary rehabilitation and support for those transitioning to life after prison.

– A Colorado Department of Corrections spokesperson

“Colorado dropped the ball. If it wasn’t for them, my family would still be alive,” said Watkins.

Watkins wants the state to take a closer look at parole requirements to keep dangerous offenders in custody and unable to hurt other families. She says the system needs to be changed to help either rehabilitate offenders or keep them behind bars, not just release them on parole.

“Something better has to get done. When my son said, we have to make something good come out of this, I have no control. I can’t bring my son back for him. I can’t do anything. Everything else is out of control for me. It’s I can at least do this to bring awareness to this. That’s all I can do for my son. That’s all he’s asking me to do,” explained Watkins.

No matter what, she’ll continue to advocate for her sons. She says she plans to join Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and continue raising awareness.

If you would like to support Watkins and her son during this time, there is a verified GoFundMe here.

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Celeste Springer

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A driver is dead and eight passengers were transported for medical treatment following a multi-vehicle crash on eastbound I-70 on Thursday morning, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) says. Troopers say the crash involved a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) snowplow, two passenger vehicles, and a sprinter van carrying a hockey team from California.

The Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene at milepost 218 in Clear Creek County around 8:53 a.m. 10 people were inside the sprinter van at the time of the collision, and CSP says the area of Loveland Pass is facing extreme weather conditions.

According to the CSP crash investigation, the CDOT plow truck was traveling westbound on I-70 when the driver lost control, traveling through the median and breaking the cable rail into the eastbound lanes. The plow then collided with a Toyota Tacoma that was traveling eastbound. The Toyota then went through the median and struck a BMW traveling westbound.

CDOT says the plow continued eastbound and struck the sprinter van that was traveling eastbound, which caused the van to go down an embankment and the plow to come to rest on the shoulder.

According to the CSP, of the eight people requiring medical attention, seven were transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. An additional juvenile was flown by medical helicopter to an area trauma center with critical injuries. The remaining occupants of the sprinter van included one adult male passenger who refused medical transportation, as well as the driver who was declared dead at the scene.

None of the drivers or passengers of the other vehicles involved were transported to the hospital.

The crash resulted in a significant closure of eastbound Interstate 70. Officials initially closed the highway at milepost 216 at 9:10 a.m. before extending the closure back to milepost 205.

As of the last update from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office at 12:15 p.m., westbound I-70 is fully open, but traffic is backed up approximately six miles to Silver Plume. I-70 East remains closed.

CSP says as of 3:40 p.m., the status of the seven passengers from the van is unknown; however, the CSP victims advocate team has been deployed to support all passengers.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash. The identity of the deceased driver will be released by the Clear Creek County Coroner.

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Josh Helmuth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Coltin Bridgmon is a senior at The Colorado Springs School with a million reasons he knows he’s going to a top university.

Bridgmon has so many scholarship offers (from 13 different schools and counting) that the cumulative amount exceeds $1 million. And the reason schools want him is more than just about his grades.

Teachers and counselors at The Colorado Springs School say Coltin has been named the Kodiak Male Athlete of the Year; he’s won the National Honor Society Character Award; and he has more than 200 hours of community service club recognition. Mr. Takacs, his math teacher, also said Coltin is the top math student in the school simply because of his hard work.

He’s the whole package.

Coltin hasn’t yet chosen which school he will attend in the fall. But he did say he’s considering studying to become an aerospace engineer or a teacher.

Is there someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

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