Category: krdo-local-news

Bradley Davis

MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) – Rather than Rudolph, glowing police cruisers and firetrucks will lead Santa with their lights so bright through Monument Tuesday night for the annual “Santa on Patrol.”

It’s like a parade, but instead of throwing out beads or candy, the officers are helping Santa deliver toys to children who need them in the Tri-Lakes area.

The local police and fire departments partnered with Toys for Tots to collect toys for Santa starting in October. The decorated caravan ships off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Santa will join the parade to personally hand out each toy before his long night on Christmas Eve.

Santa on Patrol uses Pikes Peak United Way to find families who need help. If you would like to apply for next year, call 2-1-1 next Fall and ask for help, or fill out an application from a local organization in your area. You can find a non-exhaustive list here.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — It might be the best Christmas present 18 homeowners on Kern Street could have expected, and although the payoff is still two years away, at least they can anticipate it now.

A week after KRDO 13’s Road Warrior report in early November about the street’s poor condition, neighbors received a visit from Richard Mulledy, the city’s public works director, who announced that the street will be repaved in 2027.

“I was surprised that he was surprised at the condition of the street,” said homeowner Dave Cozad, who contacted The Road Warrior about the situation.

“And he told me: Mr. Cozad, I haven’t been on this street for 20 years. And I don’t remember it being like this. And I said: Well, it’s taken 20 years for it to get this way.”

Cozad said that the street was on the repaving list a few years ago, but was removed without notice.

“The director said that he doesn’t believe it was ever on the list,” he said.

It is now.

Mulledy confirmed that concrete preparation work — including new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and ramps — will take place next year, and repaving from the 2C expanded paving program will occur the following year.

“We (neighbors) had a get-together recently to celebrate,” Cozad revealed. “We’re happy.”

He explained that the street has quickly deteriorated for decades, after homes along the street were built on clay soil that shifted, broke numerous connections to wastewater lines, and required excavations and repairs that damaged the street and turned it into something like a jigsaw puzzle.

Mulledy emphasized that not every neighborhood can expect to be moved up on the paving list and that there must be extenuating circumstances to do so.

“But I’ll tell you what every neighborhood can expect,” he said. “We’ll look at it, and we will assess it, and we will honestly look at it with the other needs and other neighborhoods and streets in the city. We’ll look at the older infrastructure, and we’ll put it in the correct place.”

Cozad also said that the same shifting clay that broke wastewater lines also cracked walls and foundations in homes — damage that neighbors had to pay for repairs.

“I paid around $15,000,” he said. “But we’re all just glad that the city agrees with the repaving need here.”

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A neighborhood food pantry is facing potential closure after the City of Colorado Springs says it poses a safety risk in a designated bear management area.

The outdoor pantry is located off of Rockrimmon Road on the west side of Colorado Springs.

The city says the pantry is in violation of bear codes, saying the food could attract danger to the quiet residential area.

When SNAP benefits were in limbo due to the fall government shutdown, K Harris and her husband wanted to help their neighbors and provide a blanket of food security.

Harris says even after snap benefits were reinstated, the pantry has remained in high demand. Harris said she restocked it the first time, but since then, community donations have kept the pantry full.

“The gratitude has been off the charts. People are like, thank you so much. My family is, you know, so grateful. I’ve had people leave handwritten notes,” said K Harris.

Harris says it’s been all positive feedback from her community, which left her even more shocked when a code enforcement officer told her she needed to shut it down because the pantry sits in a bear management area.

“The notice basically says that when you’re in the bear management area, you can’t have food waste outside, you know, your trash cans, things like that. But we don’t feel like that applies to the pantry…We don’t feel like that applies to packaged food because all of the stuff is not waste,” says Harris.

According to a copy of the complaint Harris posted on the pantry’s website, a neighbor had complained to the city that the pantry was bringing homeless people into the area. The tipster wrote that they were concerned about the safety of nearby children.

That report led the city to look into bear management area codes.

But rather than shutting down Harris and her husband made upgrades. Installing a gate on the pantry and latch-lock, in addition to a sign reading “no bears allowed.”

“I do think it’s bear safe. I mean, I don’t think-I think it would have to be an extremely, extremely determined bear. It would have to tear down my fence in order to be able to get into that pantry,” Harris said.

When asked about the code violations, a spokesperson for Colorado Springs said,

“The City of Colorado Springs supports community efforts to help neighbors in need, while also having a responsibility to protect public safety, wildlife, and residents. In this case, the property is located within the City’s Bear Management Area, which was established due to frequent and dangerous encounters between bears and unsecured food sources.

Under City Code, food and other attractants stored outdoors in the Bear Management Area must be secured in bear-resistant containers or structures. Unsecured food, regardless of intent, can attract bears into residential neighborhoods, increasing the risk of property damage, human injury, and the eventual harm or euthanasia of wildlife. These requirements are in place to protect residents, visitors, and wildlife alike.

Neighborhood Services responds to reported concerns by evaluating conditions against the City Code and educating property owners on compliance. The citation issued in this situation was based on the presence of unsecured attractants, consistent with the requirements of the Bear Management Area regulations. At the same time, the City recognizes the importance of understanding the broader context of community-based food assistance efforts. A staff member from the City’s Housing and Homelessness Response team will be reaching out to the resident to learn more about the food pantry and to explore appropriate, safe options that align with City regulations while supporting community needs.

More information about the Bear Management Area and why securing food is critical in bear-active areas is available at ColoradoSprings.gov/Bears.”

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Mild fall weather allowed crews to stay on schedule in repaving a 1.5-mile stretch of Woodmen Road, and now officials will watch how winter weather may affect a different paving material used in the project.

Stone mason asphalt (SMA) is the product used in resurfacing the busy road, from just east of the Academy Boulevard interchange to west of Interstate 25 at the Woodmen/Rockrimmon Boulevard interchange.

Paving started in late September and was completed last weekend.

Officials said that they were impressed with how SMA held up to heavy traffic in the Denver area and wanted to try it on Woodmen, which averages 60,000 vehicles daily.

SMA is thicker than traditional asphalt and harder to work with, but officials said that they’re happy with how it has performed so far.

“If you happen to be stopped at a street and you look down, it looks pretty rough,” said Richard Mulledy, the city’s public works director. “And that’s because of that structural stability. It’s not as noisy as you would expect with tire noise. We’ve been really, really happy with that because we were really careful about noise conditions through neighborhoods.”

Although SMA costs up to $53 per ton more than traditional asphalt, he said that the city will consider using it on selected future projects if it saves on maintenance costs.

“We’ll see how it does this winter,” Mulledy said. “We’re repaving six miles of Circle Drive next year. SMA could be a good candidate for that.”

Earlier this year, crews stripped off the previous asphalt that was mixed with rubber from old tires, which didn’t hold up well in Colorado’s high-altitude climate.

However, the city decided not to apply SMA to the Woodmen Bridge over Academy.

“We milled that off, down to the original deck — which is concrete — and that’s actually the finished condition,” he explained. “Now, when you drive and look at it, it looks a little spotty, discolored, unfinished. The sun will bleach that out. Over time, it will look better.”

In a separate but related project, crews repaired the bridge, which was built nearly 15 years ago, by replacing joints and broken concrete, and using improved materials to upgrade the bridge’s weathering surface — officials said it had deteriorated faster than expected.

In another related project earlier in the year, crews rebuilt the center median on westbound Woodmen, just east of I-25, to lengthen the left turn lanes onto the freeway and reduce traffic congestion.

The bridge repair cost $2.7 million, funded by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. The paving was part of the city’s annual 2C expanded paving program, funded by a voter-approved sales tax increase.

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Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Most families bond over board games or perhaps a day at the park, but a Colorado Springs family has taken an interest in software coding.

Now, a lot of apps are made for children, but not many are made by children.

This app, Fight or Delight, checks both those boxes, and the Rushing family says it helps students reflect on their emotions through language analysis.

Created for students, it works as a journal in which kids can submit entries describing their day. The app will then respond with whether the day was a flight, meaning a bad day. Or a delight, meaning it was a good day.

Bonnie Rushing tells us her daughter, who is six years old, can’t wait to use the app at the end of her day.

She says it allows young students to express themselves, with another important element—increased family communication. 

“You can look at trends, okay. She’s had three pretty rough days in a row. What does that mean? How can we help her? Why is it rough? And you can go back and see her entries,” says app creator and mother, Bonnie Rushing.

The family tells us they intend to keep developing the app. For example, they’d like to add time stamps to the entries and make versions for older students, too. 

However, the family has a very important message for everyone: you shouldn’t always trust what A.I. tells you, and humans should always double-check their work.

Fight or Delight is not available in app stores yet, but Rushing tells us it is a work in progress.

If you are interested in trying the app, you can do so here.

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Samantha Hildebrandt

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Police responded to a domestic disturbance last night after 8 P.M on the 600 block of Erie Road.

Officers say a man was stabbed while another party tried to gain entry into the home.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives from the domestic violence and adult sexual assault unit have taken over the investigation. Agustin Sanchez Flores was arrested on multiple domestic violence-related charges.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing at this time.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s an Absolutely Colorado event that’s been giving back to kids in Pueblo County who needs help during the holiday season.

Mary “Mama” Jaramillo started the Christmas Stocking Giveaway, but even after her death in 2009, the event has continued the giving tradition.

Now the Mama’s Christmas Stocking giveaway is run by Melissa Rodriguez, Jaramillo’s daughter. She told KRDO13 that her mother started the event by giving away Christmas stockings, jucie and cookies. At the event this weekend, Rodriguez said they’ve upgraded to giving out pizza and gifts to kids while continuing the Christmas stocking tradition.

In recent years, other parts of the community, like the Pueblo Police Department and local restaurants, have stepped up to expand the reach of the annual holiday event.

Based on pictures posted by the Pueblo Police Department, the calm weather made for a great day at St. Annes Park.

All photos from the Pueblo Police Department.

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Marina Garcia

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s been nearly one year since a disturbing discovery was made on Pueblo’s north side, and no arrests have been made.

Family members say they still don’t know how 33-year-old Eric Anthony Tress ended up dead inside a freezer in the backyard of his neighbor.

Yesterday his family celebrated his birthday, marking another year around the globe.

But instead of a celebration, it’s a somber event, with one key person absent, and family members pleading for answers, refusing to let this be just another cold case.

“We should have been celebrating his life, not grieving his death,” says Eric’s mother, Wendy Tress. “It feels like it happened yesterday.”

On Christmas Eve, 2024, Pueblo police officers were called to a home on the north side of Pueblo.

There they found 33-year-old Eric Anthony Tress’ body in a freezer, in a neighbor’s backyard.

“Sometimes I can still kind of hear him saying my name around the house. You know, Ash. Was that Eric?” Says his grieving sister, Ashley Tress.

And almost a year later, his family still doesn’t know how he got there…or why.

KRDO13 reached out to the Pueblo Police, but we are awaiting any updates they may be able to provide.

“We want him to be at peace, you know, and I think justice would bring all of us peace,” says Ashley Tress. “I’m just glad I have my necklace because he’s always with me, my brother. Always. He was like my best friend. He was always there for me, no matter what.”

The family is urging anyone with information to call the police department.

They will also be hosting a vigil for Eric on December 23, at 2318 N. Main St at 6:30 at night and they are inviting all to attend. 

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Michael Logerwell

FT. CARSON, Colo. (KRDO) – Good news from Ft Carson after smoke and flames were seen from its property on one of the windiest days of the year.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Smoke visible from fire on Fort Carson

On Friday, Ft Carson told KRDO13 the fire in the base’s impact training area was around 1,600 acres, and it seems that’s the biggest it will get.

Saturday afternoon, a Ft Carson spokesperson shared the good news:

“All perimeter lines established around the fire held throughout the night. Smoke will be visible as crews continue to monitor the fire within the impact area.”

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Heather Skold

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Downstairs on a Wednesday afternoon, you’ll find the entire basement of Peak Pickleball filled with players, some more experienced than others, but all with smiles on their faces. 

They come from different backgrounds, with one common denominator: they’ve all served our nation. 

“It definitely brings a whole new level of community and new stories that you don’t hear outside your own branch,” says Cody Krantz, about the Military Adaptive Court Sports League, or “MACS.”  Veterans of all military branches are here for the camaraderie and the competition. 

Krantz is equal parts encourager and sneaky-fast player.  

“In the line of duty, I sustained a head injury, which led to some seizures and neuropathy.  I still have my leg, but loss of use of the left leg, some weakness in the left arm.”

Because of his injury while a K9 MP in the Army, he plays from his adaptive wheelchair, which has, by his own admission, a distinct advantage: “nifty little storage devices,” he laughs as he wedges multiple pickleballs through the spokes of his wheelchair.  “I can load up my wheels with 16, 20 pickleballs and just practice my serves over and over again. Reload, roll over, and go at it again!”

To him, the group has given him so much more than a good workout.

“It’s just become a blessed part of who I am,” says Krantz.  “Being in a dark place, feeling alone, coming out of the military, it was one of the first groups to bring me in, to bring me that family, that camaraderie.”

For Mick Tingstrom, MACS Pickleball Director and Army veteran himself, it’s the perfect environment for those who’ve served. 

“You’re trying to find your purpose: what am I supposed to be doing now when I take this uniform off?  Many of us have seen things that most people shouldn’t see,” says Tingstrom.  “This feels like therapy, except fun!”

MACS averages 50 players per week; players with seen and unseen injuries. 

Thanks to generous donations, the group gets to play for no cost at Peak Pickleball. 

Active duty and retired military members are welcome to join MACS.

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