Category: krdo-local-news

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A couple in Colorado Springs has created a new hiking group that encourages families to bring their children along to help new parents find a community in the outdoors.

It’s called the Colorado Springs Parents hiking group. The two co-founders, Kati Lynn and Andrew Pannier, moved to Colorado last summer with their young daughter. The two said they had trouble finding hiking groups they could join and fit in with while bringing their two-year-old along.

The group meets one or two times a month at different spots in the Pikes Peak region. Kati-Lynn and Andrew said they vet each trail to make sure it’s safe for young children and brings water for participants.

The two use Facebook for all group communication.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A Colorado Springs family is grieving the loss of their father after a Mother’s Day hit-and-run.

On Sunday, May 11, just after 3 p.m., the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) was called to the intersection of South Murray Boulevard and East Fountain Boulevard. 

That’s where they found 70-year-old Fred Brockway, who witnesses say was crossing the street when he was hit by a car that just drove off. 

Fred Brockway’s four children say they didn’t even know this had happened until a day after he was hit. 

They were by his side while he was trying to recover. The family tells KRDO13 it was an awful, heart-wrenching experience.

They say they were told he was making progress until they got a call with tragic news.

“They said that he’s inevitably going to pass because of his injuries,” explained Fred’s son, Cody Brockway.

His daughter, Shauna Price, explained that his heart failed from a blood clot

“I mean, he had a broken elbow, broken shoulder, both legs, ribs, and a really bad head injury. So we were in for a long road ahead, regardless,” added Celeste Aragon, Fred’s daughter.

After fighting in the hospital for days, Brockway passed on Wednesday.

“You never thought your father would die from being hit by a car. We thought it’d be natural causes, of all things. It was a shock,” explained Fred’s daughter, Shauna Price.

His family remembers him as an incredible, hard-working father. They say he loved Star Wars, Star Trek, and Indiana Jones. 

“He was my best friend. We did everything together. And I tried to have him around for my child as much as possible, so that he could spend time with his ‘grumpy,'” recounted Fred’s son, Drew Brockway.

He was the grandfather to their children, and now they’re devastated he won’t get to be here for the rest of their children’s milestones. 

Fred Brockway’s children are frustrated in the wake of their father’s passing. They say they’ve been having a hard time getting answers and want to find justice on behalf of their father.

As of Sunday night, Colorado Springs police have not been able to confirm if an arrest has been made. 

As the family grapples with this unexpected loss, they’re raising funds to lay their father to rest. If you would like to support them during this time, you can do so here.

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Michael Logerwell

BREAKING UPDATE: MONDAY 5:58 A.M. – Just before 6 a.m. on Monday, the Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed the discovery of a deceased person when firefighters were clearing units after a fire in a storage facility.

CSFD officials say they are now working to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

According to the CSFD, The Colorado Springs Police Department is now conducting a death investigation.

Firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire just before 9 p.m. Sunday at Public Storage, on Van Teylingen Drive, north of the Academy Boulevard/North Carefree Circle intersection.

Several dozen units in a center section of the business appear to have been damaged or destroyed by fire, smoke and water; contents of the units included furniture and at least one car and motorcycle.

The scene was active for much of the morning, with the Regional Bomb Squad, the Metro Crime Lab and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office assisting; the latter will perform an autopsy on the body.

One man who rents a unit says his property apparently wasn’t seriously damaged.

“I have some paintings in there that I was worried about,” he said. “They’re covered with soot. My hands are black from brushing it off. I was here when the fire happened and when I saw the firefighters spraying water on the roof of the units, I was worried.”

By late morning, authorities had cleared the scene and the only activity was from managers securing the property and crews making repairs.

It’s unclear how many renters are affected.

Managers declined comment and referred media inquiries to their corporate office in California.

PREVIOUS STORY — Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Fire Department is ringing the second alarm for a structure fire along Van Teylingen Drive, near Palmer Park.

Through social media, the fire department said the blaze is spread across multiple units at the Public Storage facility.

Firefighters are asking the public to avoid the area.

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Michael Logerwell

MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is charging Miguel Borja with five counts of attempted homicide of a peace officer and three counts of attempted homicide after the sheriff’s office says he intentionally blew up a residence with law enforcement inside.

Monument Police responded to a call about a family disturbance on Front Street in Monument Saturday evening. Because of Borja’s criminal history, the sheriff’s office also responded in a supporting role.

Deputies say they saw Borja attempt to light another individual on fire, then barricade himself inside the home.

While attempting to communicate with Borja, officers and deputies smelled the strong odor of gas coming from inside the residence.

The sheriff’s office says that when deputies and officers attempted to enter the residence, the home exploded. At the time of the blast, two officers and three deputies were inside the home. All five were transported to area hospitals and later released. Today, a spokesperson with the sheriff’s office said the officers and deputies in the explosion are doing okay.

After the explosion, the sheriff’s office says Borja was taken into custody, then transferred to a Denver area hospital for burn injuries sustained during the blast.

The sheriff’s office says Borja is facing these charges:

One count of Attempted First-Degree Assault

One count of First-Degree Arson

Three counts of Attempted Homicide

Five counts of Attempted Homicide of a Peace Officer

One neighbor said their home was filled with smoke after the explosion.

“As a single mom, that’s all you think is there’s a fire. I need to get my kid out of the house, and we’re going to get to safety,” explained Jessica Enders.

Enders tells KRDO13 she’s grateful for the response from law enforcement, who reassured her and her family in the smoky haze that their home was not on fire and they were safe.

Neighbors tell KRDO13 the family in the home has always been kind and friendly to those in the area.

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Karla Sosa

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)- Parents, staff and community members will soon know more about the future of the Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy.

An emergency meeting is scheduled for Monday morning.

This comes on the heels of the Colorado State Board of Education upholding a decision by Pueblo District 60 to not renew the Chavez Huerta contract.

KRDO13 talked with a parent, she didn’t want to go on camera, but said, “We love our school and they’ve treated us well. The programs they offer are amazing, and I stand behind the school in hopes that we can stay open.”

Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy is made up of three schools César Chávez Academy, Ersilia Cruz Middle School and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High. It’s a public charter school authorized by School District 60 and has been in existence since 2000.

Back in January, the D60 school board made a decision not to renew its charter agreement with Chavez Huerta. District leaders said the school was one of the lowest-performing in the district and had lower enrollment.

This week’s decision by the Colorado State Board of Education left many community members in shock.

“Personally, I’m really disappointed that was a 3-2 vote. And, so I wish them well in appealing that they’re not going away,” said Steve Nawrocki, a Pueblo resident. “I can assure you that they have not given up. They’re going to appeal that decision by the local school board.”

After learning about the Colorado State Board of Education decision, Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy posted on their social media account a full statement reading in part “We are resilient. We are strong. And we will keep fighting for our school community.”

According to state officials, the contract between Chavez Huerta and D60 expires on June 30.

D60 told KRDO 13 on Friday in a statement that they will assist Chavez Huerta administrators, families and students in making a smooth transition to other D60 schools.

On Monday morning Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy will have a meeting at 7:15 a.m. in the Ersilia Cruz Middle School cafeteria.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s not your typical Memorial Day run. On Saturday at America the Beautiful Park, civilians, Veterans, and uniformed Military members were invited to go above and beyond, not just for themselves, but for homeless veterans.

Runners filled backpacks with 25 pounds of food donations then set off on 5k, 10k, or 30k runs to drop off the food. Food which will go to feed homeless veterans.

For some, it was a rough march, but well worth getting to the finish line.

“Well, I’m a veteran, and I’m all about supporting veterans and all causes. And it’s great to support them both in our efforts and our food donation, and in our time. You know, that’s what we should all do with events like this,” Jim Gilbert, a veteran who ran in today’s event, told KRDO13.

All the proceeds from the event went directly to benefit the Special Forces Foundation, who helped organize the event.

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Michael Logerwell

BLACK FOREST, Colo. (KRDO) – An early morning fire reduced a large barn in the Black Forest area to ash and a few wood planks.

Black Forest Fire Rescue and several other agencies were called to Snow Mass Drive just before 12:30 a.m. When they arrived, crews realized the fire was closer to Herring Rd.

The first responders found a 40×40 ft barn fully engulfed in flames.

Pictures shared by Black Forest Fire Rescue show what little was left behind by the blaze.

Firefighters stayed on the scene for three hours, mopping up the flames and hotspots.

The fire rescue group reports some good news: no people or animals were injured in the barn fire.

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Heather Skold

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Very rarely does a couple vow their “I dos” and abruptly pick up their new dog — still wearing their wedding attire — at the shelter after the ceremony. 

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region shared the newlyweds’ story on their Facebook page. 

The two saw an adorable Husky puppy on the HSPPR website, and placed what’s called a “choice hold” on the dog.  The agreement requires future animal owners to pick up the pet as soon as they become available, thus increasing the chances animals will be adopted. The Husky wasn’t quite ready when listed online; they knew they just had to wait for the right time.

Newlyweds pick up adopted Husky after wedding

Luckily, it was just a matter of days — May 5 — before the couple was informed that the puppy was ready for adoption.  There was only one hitch: that was the date they were to wed. 

So, as any convinced future dog owner does, the couple said their vows at Garden of the Gods Park, surrounded by their family and friends — and then drove straight to the shelter to meet the Husky. 

It was love at first bark.  The dog curled up and went to sleep in the bride’s arms.  

The two, in a wedding gown and dress shirt, signed the adoption papers for the puppy, who they named Talkeetna.  

The Humane Society aptly wrote, “the best love stories? They always leave a little room for a dog.”

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Florida’s governor signed a bill this week to make his state, along with Utah, the second state to ban adding fluoride to the water supply. The passage comes as US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr calls the mineral “industrial waste”.

At a news conference Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis said, “Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine, but forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don’t have a choice, you’re taking that away from them.”

But did you know the effects of fluoride on teeth were first discovered in Colorado Springs by Dr. Frederick McKay.

Director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Matt Mayberry said it was Dr. Fredrick McKay who first looked into the brown stains.

“Many of the children that [Dr. Fredrick McKay] treated here had brown staining on their teeth,” he said.

Mayberry added that Dr. McKay then looked past the brown stains, and noticed the children he treated had far fewer cavities than children in Boulder.

After decades of work by Dr. McKay and others, municipalities started adding fluoride to the water to prevent cavities.

“They began to dial in what is the proper amount of fluoride that can be used by humans that can not cause the brown staining, but prevent cavities,” Mayberry said.

So what would happen if other states start following in the footsteps of Florida and Utah and remove fluoride from the water supply?

KRDO13 asked a local dentist, Dr. Nora Balota, what the impacts could be for the larger state populations that no longer have fluoride in their water.

“I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen, and I don’t think anybody really does. I think the most impact will [be] the access to care. Can you go to your dentist?” Dr. Balota asked.

Dr. Balota says fluoride is helpful in protecting your teeth, but agrees that too much can be a problem. She believes basic hygiene is likely the best way to prevent cavities.

“If I only brush your teeth once in six months, we’re in big trouble,” she said.

Another medical expert, Dr. Helen Yang Meyer, who practices at the Colorado Endodontic Group and sits on the board of the Colorado Springs Dental Society, disagrees with the decision to remove fluoride from drinking water.

“It’s a shame that some people in Utah and Florida have taken the benefits of community water fluoridation for granted and chosen to remove its protection,” she said.

Yang Meyer added that those most impacted will be the elderly and youth populations.

The Colorado Department of Public Health says drinking optimally fluoridated water prevents approximately 25 percent of cavities.

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Tyler Cunnington

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado House Bill 25-1062 is waiting to be signed by Governor Polis, and would increase the minimum penalty for stealing a firearm to a felony. Previously, a stolen weapon had to be worth at least $2,000 in order to qualify as a felony.

It’s an issue we previously reported on, as gun thefts have plagued the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) for the past several years.

The police chief said the bill would be a huge help in their enforcement.

In 2023, CSPD says more than 800 firearms were reported stolen to them. It marked a five-year high for the department.

“We have so many weapons either stolen out of vehicles, stolen out of stores, pawnshops,  or out of homes and burglaries that are used later in a crime,” said Chief Adrian Vasquez with CSPD.

But similar legislation failed in 2024. Local senators Marc Snyder (D.) and Nick Hinreichsen (D.) are sponsoring the bill once again. The bill is bipartisan, with Republicans like Byron Pelton also sponsoring.

Senators Snyder and Hinreichsen are confident Governor Polis will sign it into law this go around.

Chief Vasquez says it could help his officers nab prolific offenders.

“We might have caught them doing quite a bit of shoplifting, as an example, in which we would have to write them a summons. But they have that firearm, our honor and the firearm stolen. Now they’ve increased themselves into a felony range.”

He also says the new law would mean fewer criminals are being enabled to commit violent crimes.

“Not only being used for things like robberies or, you know, carjackings. We’ve had some carjackings this last weekend, for example. When does it spill over into now? Somebody’s been injured. You have shots fired. You know, maybe they’re more apt to to to use it in that regard,” he said.

KRDO13 also reached out to Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller, who has seen four of his officers wounded by gunfire this year.

He applauded this pending legislation, saying firearm thefts “needed this level of accountability for some time,” adding, “It is nice to see the state legislature finally recognizing this fact and the harm stolen firearms bring to our community.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story named the bill HB 25-1026. The correct name of the bill is HB 25-1062. We apologize for the error.

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