Category: krdo-local-news

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — You may tend to think of water main projects as happening only on major streets, such as the current project on Galley Road and another scheduled to start this fall on 8th Street.

Actually, however, most of the more than 60,000 linear feet of replaced water mains from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) last year occurred in neighborhoods.

One such project is in its third month, north of Cache La Poudre Street — covering two blocks of Corona Street and a block of Royer Street.

CSU is installing an eight-inch water main to replace the old main that is at least a century old.

Crews recently finished work on Royer Street, is currently working on Corona between Cache La Poudre and Tampa Street, and will next move a block north to San Rafael Street.

“Currently, there’s a water main in a nearby alley, and we’re going to be taking that one out of service and installing a brand new main in the roadway here,” said Alex Trefry, a CSU spokesman. “You can see that there’s a trench sort of through that middle of the roadway. And so, installing that new main also means we’re installing those new service lines. So, as that new main gets installed, we’re connecting the individual homes to it.”

Construction means that some neighbors have to park a block or so farther away, and the street is closed to all but local traffic.

“I rent a house with five other people, and we’re all moving out soon,” said Jacks Sawyer, a student at nearby Colorado College. “It won’t be easy for us to move if we don’t have access to our driveway.”

Other neighbors say that crews have been friendly and helpful, even to the point of helping to direct tge few people who can park on the street.

Aside from the water main project, another crew has completed concrete work — building curbs, gutters, sidewalks and ramps — to prepare for eventual repaving on Corona.

“I had a sidewalk that was so dangerous for probably 15 years,” said Jo Lynn Garlow. “It has finally been replaced, and it’s fantastic. And the crews were great.”

Trefry said that the old water main — in an alley between Corona and Royer — will not be removed for a number of reasons relating to safety, protecting the current infrastructure and disrupting the neighborhood routine.

CSU expects to finish the project this summer, at a cost of $1.6 million.

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Michael Logerwell

PALMER LAKE, Colo. (KRDO) – On Monday morning, Palmer Lake Trustees and residents filled the community building to hear presentations about the potential fiscal, traffic and water impact of the proposed Buc-ee’s location in Palmer Lake.

After the presentations, community members and local leaders raised questions.

Financially, the report, conducted by Economic Planning & Systems Inc., says the Buc-ee’s would generate a significant annual sales tax increase. Specifically, the study estimates $955,087 more tax revenue for the town in 2027.

It’s not all green for Palmer Lake. The study says upgrades for the police and fire departments, along with roads and water, would need to be made to accommodate the gas station chain. The study estimates a 23.7% increase in town spending from $4.23 million in 2025 to $5.23 million in 2027.

In a study on the impact to the town’s water usage, GMS Inc. made several recommendations for the town to consider in providing water to the proposed Buc-ee’s. The study recommends a new water treatment plant, well and distribution system.

In total, the cost estimate for these new developments is $10,422,600. That figure breaks down to $5.6 million for the water line extension and $4.7 million for the additional well and treatment center.

At this stage, who is paying for what isn’t official.

Some residents who live near the proposed Buc-ees, but not in Palmer Lake, came into the meeting with concerns about the water aspect of the project, beyond the immediate solution to provide water for the Buc-ees project.

Roy Martinez said he has real concerns about the long-term water sustainability for Palmer Lake. He tells KRDO13 he didn’t feel those long-term questions were addressed.

“Not whatsoever. They tried to address my question, with the long-term sustainability of the basin, the groundwater basin, their water resources, but I did not feel they gave me an answer,” Martinez said.

Trustee Tim Caves did respond to Martinez’s question during the workshop. He said the revenue from the Buc-ees could be used to invest in a future sustainable water project.

“We’re the ones being long-sighted in hoping that financially this is a good and sound thing for our future of water,” Caves said during the meeting.

For traffic, the third-party study recommended two areas for improvement:

County Line Rd (east of Beacon Lite Rd): Minor Arterial to Principal Arterial

Beacon Lite Rd (north of south site access): Local Rd to Minor Arterial

However, Stolfus & Associates, Inc. said I-25 would see very little impact from the addition of the gas station. They anticipate 533 weekday AM peak hour trips, 661 weekday PM peak hour trips, 967 weekend midday peak hour trips, and 10,947 weekday daily trips. Only 25% will be site trips, and the rest will just be passing by.

Of those trips, very few will be coming from the town of Palmer Lake – the study estimates that 97% will come from I-25 drivers.

One attendee asked about traffic noise; however, that was outside the scope of this particular traffic study.

Several attendees told KRDO13 after the meeting they still had big questions about the project that had gone unanswered.

You can read all the studies yourself here.

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Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – A family in Pueblo is speaking out after they say their young daughters saw something that no child ever should.

According to the family, the girls, ages 12 and 15, were at Mitchell Park – located just a few blocks from Park View Elementary School – when a man allegedly exposed himself to them.

The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) has confirmed to KRDO13 that it is investigating the report as a case of indecent exposure. 

15-year-old Krystyna Delaney says she and her younger sister were playing at the park on Sunday afternoon. She says when they started to walk home, she noticed a car driving slowly behind them. 

According to Krystyna, the car pulled up beside them, and they could see a grown man inside touching himself. She said the grown man then asked her and her 12-year-old sister a vulgar question. 

It prompted Krystyna to jump into action.

“I grabbed my sister, and I immediately called my mom, and then I just started running,” Krystyna recounted.

At the time, Krystyna said she was purely focused on getting her little sister to safety.

“I did not know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if my sister and I were going to be okay or not. All that was focused on my mind was just making sure that she got home safely,” she said.

Luckily, their mom rushed over to pick them up – but the incident left the whole family shaken. 

“This park is two blocks away from a school. A school that my younger kids go to,” the girls’ mother, Dalena Crafton, said. “I don’t even feel safe with my children walking home from school anymore.”

Crafton said she alerted the principal of Park View Elementary School and Pueblo police, who are now investigating the incident.

The 15-year-old told KRDO13 she wanted to speak out so that no other families would experience what she did.

“I just hope that nobody else has to go through what my sister and I had to go through, because nobody deserves to go through that,” Krystyna said.

She tells KRDO13 she’s had a hard time leaving the house since, and feels she is constantly looking over her shoulder for him.

Although she was left uneasy by the incident, she says she’s grateful that she and her sister were not seriously injured.

“All of these horrible thoughts are going through my head on what could have happened to my sister if I wasn’t there,” Krystyna said.

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KRDO News

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs is now home to a new gym to support a unique Paralympic sport.

On Monday, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee opened the doors on their new state-of-the-art Goalball court at the Olympic Training Center.

Goalball is a sport open to blind athletes, where teams throw a ball towards the opposite side of the court. The opposing players lie on their side and attempt to block shots from the opposing team. 

The opening marks the permanent residency of goalball at the Olympic Training Center in coordination with the sport’s national headquarters in Colorado Springs. 

“It’s incredible. When I was younger, I loved playing sports. But with my vision impairment, I wasn’t able to compete at the level I wanted to. So with goalball, it was life-changing because it was the first time I could be an athlete first,” said Eliana Mason, a Team USA Goalball player.

The gym will serve many athletes as they prepare for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, California.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs Utilities is giving a word of caution to those who may have received an “Annual Water Test” flyer in the mail.

While some residents might be led to believe the mailer came from CSU, they say they are not associated with the flyer. In fact, they are advising residents to use caution.

According to a photo shared by CSU, the flyer advertises an “in-home water test kit” and “free water quality analysis.”

“These tests are likely a deceptive tactic by companies trying to sell expensive, unnecessary water filtration system,” read a post by CSU.

The flyer is titled “Annual Water Test Notice” and even has a return deadline.

CSU says that while they sometimes conduct water sampling, they will always contact customers in advance, and kits will have their official logo.

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Celeste Springer

PEYTON, Colo. (KRDO) – The National Mill Dog Rescue says they are in urgent need of dog food donations.

The National Mill Dog Rescue focuses on rescuing dogs from the breeding industry, most commonly puppy mills.

The rescue says their food supply is running low, and they are anticipating more dogs to come into their care.

The rescue has made donations easy, setting up an Amazon wishlist.

“Every donation makes a difference. Let’s make sure these deserving dogs continue to feel safe, full, and loved as they begin their new lives,” wrote the group on Facebook.

You can purchase items from their wishlist by clicking here.

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Celeste Springer

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado State Fair tickets are having a 2-hour flash sale. Tickets are only $5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, May 5.

According to state fair officials, the deal is only available for general gate admissions. They are limiting tickets to four per email address.

This year, the fair runs from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 in Pueblo.

To snag your tickets during this short window, click here.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) is offering free PFAS testing for residents’ well water.

According to officials, PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, can cause long-term negative health impacts. More commonly, they are referred to as “forever chemicals.”

PREVIOUS REPORTING: High concentrations of PFA’s found in Pueblo private wells

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used to make consumer and industrial goods since the 1940s.

Unfortunately, most do not break down and can work their way into soil and drinking water, and have been detected in humans and animals worldwide.

The ATSDR says increased exposure to certain kinds of PFAS is associated with:

Increases in cholesterol levels

Lower antibody response to some vaccines

Changes in liver enzymes

Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia

Small decreases in birth weight

Kidney and testicular cancer

If residents are interested in getting free testing, PDPHE says there will be a public meeting at their headquarters on May 7, 2025 at 6 p.m. Their address is: 101 W. 9th St., Pueblo, Colorado 81003.

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Scott Harrison

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The main route to the Manitou Incline and Cog Railway experienced slightly more traffic congestion Monday because of a project to remove several trees that were too close to the street.

Manitou officials announced Friday that the downhill (southbound) side of Ruxton Avenue — a narrow corridor on the west side of town — would be closed between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the project.

Flaggers were on duty to direct traffic through the uphill (northbound) lane during the tree removal.

Tall Timbers Tree Service conducted the tree removal, using a three-person crew with heavy equipment.

“We’re going to be sectioning it off, breaking pieces down, and then chipping or hauling the material away,” said Dylan Schreiber, a manager for Tall Timbers. “We have some high power lines in the game that we have to be careful about.”

Schreiber said that the owner of the rental property where the trees are, paid to remove the trees for other reasons: They have damaged the building’s foundation, the sidewalk and tree roots and even clogged the plumbing.

“A lot of pipes that we have out here, are clay pipes,” he explained. “So that with any little cracking, these invasive roots can get in there and cause problems.’

Schreiber also said that his crew worked around rainy weather Monday.

According to him, the trees are Russian elm — an invasive species that grows quickly and is difficult to control.

“(Gen. William) Palmer, when was starting Colorado Springs, so I’ve been told, he brought Siberian elms out here, not knowing that they were invasive,” Schreiber said. “And now, we have them everywhere. We’ll never eliminate them. They’re just part of our environment now.”

Additionally, the city said that Mountain Metro Route 33 to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway was affected during this work.

The crew finished the job by 1 p.m.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A family of musicians spanning three generations will move from restaurant to restaurant in Colorado Springs Monday performing Spanish music for Cinco De Mayo.

Linda Gutierrez and her brother Margarito Salazar play guitar and sing vocals, while Linda’s granddaughter adds a unique element with her violin.

Tune in to Good Morning Colorado to watch KRDO13’s Bradley Davis speak with the performers at the El Campesino Mexican Restaurant and hear some authentic Spanish music!

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