Category: krdo-local-news

Bart Bedsole

Raw sewage in the bathroom contributed to a failing score for a popular fried chicken restaurant in Fountain last week.

On July 18 at the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen along Hwy 85/87 near Center Valley Drive, the health inspector found 10 violations, including: 

Raw chicken, cut lettuce, and cut cabbage were out of temperature, possibly due to the cooler door being left open 

There was a large number of flies

There was an excessive amount of fumes or smoke in the kitchen area

Raw sewage was coming up from the drain in the men’s bathroom 

A health department spokesperson confirmed that the restaurant was briefly shut down due to the sewage problem, but it reopened a short time later after a plumber showed up to fix it. 

KRDO13 visited the restaurant on Monday to ask about the violations. 

The manager on duty, Exavier Diaz, didn’t have specific knowledge of the issue, but told KRDO13 that the building was old, and the owner was in the process of removing and rebuilding the pipes. 

When we asked about the flies in the kitchen, Diaz said a seal on the back door is broken, and is also in the process of being repaired. 

Aside from the structural issues, however, Diaz said he believes the kitchen is extremely clean, and said customers should feel safe eating there. 

This location, however, was far from the only Popeyes to fail an inspection in recent months. 

KRDO13 sorted through months of inspection reports and found that five Popeyes in El Paso County have failed at least one health inspection since the beginning of the year, with at least two failing twice in 2025. 

Popeyes – 2839 E. Fountain 

Popeyes – 7480 Austin Bluffs 

Popeyes – 3450 Austin Bluffs 

Popeyes – 3815 E Pikes Peak 

Popeyes – 6666 Camden 

KRDO13 reached out to the Popeyes corporate office, but no one responded to comment on the frequent failures. 

The Popeyes in Fountain passed its re-inspection on July 28. 

OTHER FAILING SCORES:

Pikes Poke Bowl – 9290 Highland Rdg Hts – 13 violations 

Mama Poke – 3502 Hartsel Dr – 12 violations 

Cheba Hut – 5697 Barnes Road – 11 violations 

HIGH SCORES

Paris Crepe – 1027 S Tejon 

Jack in the Box –  6314 Hwy 85/87 

Firehouse Subs – 7543 N Academy Blvd 

Sushi O Sushi – 3643 Star Ranch Rd 

Rocha’s Mexican Fast Food – 1534 S Nevada Ave 

Wendy’s – 13481 Bass Pro 

El Preson Bar Grill and Billiards – 908 N Circle Dr 

Edible Arrangements – 7541 N Academy Blvd 

The Brass Tap – 13271 Bass Pro 

Swirly Cow Frozen Yogurt – 11605 Meridian Market View 

Noodles & Company – 5844 Barnes Rd 

The location on Barnes is the busiest Noodles & Company in the city of Colorado Springs. 

The chain that began in the Denver area is currently headquartered in Broomfield, with more than 60 locations throughout Colorado, more than any other state. 

While the classic mac and cheese option remains a top favorite, the restaurant also offers noodles with an Asian or Mediterranean flavor. 

Area Manager Kyla Pryse said the variety of options makes it appealing to nearly everyone. 

“Honestly, everybody loves to come here as a family or friends, and they get to pick.  There’s something for everybody,” she says. 

Pryse also explained that Colorado Springs is a test market for new dishes, giving local diners a chance to try them out before anyone else. 

“It’s really cool because the team gets to test all the new dishes.  Sometimes they’ll bring in fresh new ingredients and we get to play with that, and then we get to serve it to our guests every day,” she says.

Some of the dishes might be rolled out nationally afterward, while others may be discontinued. 

The recent high score wasn’t a fluke either. 

The Barnes location had a perfect score in November of 2023 and just two violations in October of 2022. 

Click here for all the most recent health inspection results in El Paso County. 

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed one person died after a crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Columbia Thursday morning.

Boone County Sheriff’s spokesperson Brian Leer told ABC 17 News the driver was stopped near I-70 and St. Charles Road by a deputy for having stolen license plates. During the traffic stop the woman drove off resulting in a chase.

Leer said the car in the chase was tied to a homicide in Colorado Springs. While the car may have ties to a homicide, the Colorado Springs Police Department told KRDO13 that they don’t believe the woman driving was tied to the homicide. Leer stated over the phone that they do not believe the woman is a local to Missouri.

The chase continued until the driver got off at the Midway exit, but turned back towards Columbia using the ramp onto I-70. Leer said the driver turned while on the ramp and went into the grass and a ditch before she was hit by an oncoming semi-truck.

The car rolled and she was thrown from it, according to Leer. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died.

Troopers said the crash involved a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw one car with visible damage to its front and driver’s side while it was being towed away.

A Boone County Sheriff’s SUV was also seen at the crash site with damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle. Leer confirmed to ABC 17 News that the damage was from the pursuit, but when the car hit another Sheriff’s vehicle, no deputies were hurt.

A Boone County Joint Communication alert was sent out at 9:38 a.m. about a crash on I-70 that shut down both eastbound lanes. A second alert was sent out before 10:30 a.m., reporting all lanes are back open.

An ambulance, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boone County Sheriff and Boone County Fire Protection District, was at the scene.

The Missouri Department of Transportation Travelers map showed traffic backed up for several miles around 10 a.m.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says that someone has been run over by a car after a suspected road rage incident, according to a sergeant at the scene. The suspect is still on the loose as of 12:07 p.m., according to police.

According to the sergeant, it appears a person got out of their car and, at that point, was run over.

The incident happened near Union Boulevard and Palmer Park Boulevard.

A sergeant on scene says that the person who was hit was taken to the hospital. A spokesperson with CSPD says the person has life-threatening injuries.

While the on-scene sergeant says preliminary information points to the incident being road rage, they say they are still investigating.

KRDO13 obtained security camera footage from a neighbor that shows the incident happening just before 11:30 a.m.

An esthetician in training, who asked to stay anonymous, at the nearby Beautiful You Skincare Academy, tells KRDO13 she was in the middle of giving a facial to someone when she saw the aftermath.

“I was doing a facial, and then since we have those open windows, I saw a lady running. So I was kind of concerned, so I looked out the window, and I saw them running to the man who was lying on the ground, and it obviously looked like he was really injured,” she explained.

After seeing him in the middle of the road, she’s just hoping he can make a full recovery.

“I just really hope the man is okay. You know, that’s not a way to handle anything like, you know, hitting anyone,” said the student.

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Celeste Springer

Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, according to the WWE.

Hogan was a professional world wrestling champion and TV personality. He also dipped into politics, speaking at Republican National Convention events.

The wrestling superstar was recognizable to many, with his iconic mustache and his propensity to call everyone “brother.”

His career was not without some controversy, however. In 2015, Hogan apologized for racist remarks, which he said were recorded in an “unauthorized sex tape,” CNN reported.

The WWE posted the following statement on his passing:

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The U.S. as a whole received a “C” grade for overall infrastructure for the first time, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

However, in a state-by-state analysis, Colorado received a “C-,” covering 14 aspects of infrastructure, including dams, bridges, water quality, schools, and energy.

And that may not be the worst of it.

In a revelation that likely won’t surprise many Coloradans, the state received a”D+” for road conditions — a drop from the “C-” it received in the previous ASCE report in 2020.

The ASCE released the grades in March, but members of the Colorado chapter gathered at Denver International Airport (DIA) on Wednesday to discuss the implications of the state’s low grades.

“Colorado has its own unique characteristics, trends, and challenges,” said Sarah Klarich, who’s in charge of government affairs for the state ASCE. “So, it is important to have a localized report that speaks to our state’s needs and future outlook.”

The ASCE listed several reasons for Colorado’s low grades, including challenges such as increasingly extreme weather events, 39% population growth since 2000, and aging assets that stress those critical networks.

Still, the low grades — especially for roads — will frustrate and disappoint many residents at a time when they’re paying more in taxes, and their local governments are investing more in road maintenance.

Yet the numbers aren’t improving enough to satisfy drivers.

According to the ASCE report, 48% of roads are in good condition nationwide, but this percentage drops to 34% in Colorado.

“As we rebuild infrastructure in this country, we have to do it well,” said Phil Washington, the CEO of DIA. “We have to do it sustainably. We have to do it quickly. We have to do it ahead of schedule and under budget.”

In offering solutions to the dilemma, the ASCE said that Colorado needs more public-private partnerships, better planning of road projects, and increased citizen involvement.

El Paso County and Colorado Springs have become somewhat of a leader in implementing those ideas and sharing the cost of projects.

For example, the city and county are teaming up on the widening of Marksheffel Road, a three-year project scheduled for completion next year.

In a similar partnership, the Copper Ridge Metro District is fronting part of the cost of connecting the north end of busy Powers Boulevard (State Highway 21) to Interstate 25; that effort began in 2019 and won’t be finished until 2030 at the earliest.

Also expected to be finished next year is a joint county/Colorado Department of Transportation project to widen the south end of South Academy Boulevard.

Colorado Springs also follows the ASCE’s planning requirement by performing concrete work — sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and ramps — to protect the integrity of paving projects.

Yet perhaps the best example of citizen involvement is the city’s 2C expanded street paving program, funded by a voter-approved sales tax increase in 2015 and since extended twice by voters.

And in recent years, six local municipalities have joined the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, which levies a one-cent sales tax to finance infrastructure and transit projects.

Still, the question is whether these efforts will ever be enough to catch up or stay ahead on road projects.

.To see the full report, visit: https://infrastructurereportcard.org/

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Neighbors caught on camera a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) raid at a local animal rehabilitation center last Friday.

The Rocky Mountain WildHeart Wildlife Rehabilitation Center said CPW issued it a Cease and Desist order after Friday’s raid. The center gave our team documentation of CPW’s seizure of 11 of their animals, including foxes, squirrels, raccoons and a porcupine.

Animals seized by CPW

According to documents provided by the rehab center, CPW cited fines of over $1,600 each for both the owner and her mother. The main infraction, according to documentation, was that CPW viewed the animal cages at the center as too small and felt the size could hinder the growth and development of the animals.

The owner showed us at KRDO that she had texted pictures to CPW Wildlife Officer Phil Gurule in 2024, showcasing that the center had upgraded to larger cages.

Anderton said Gurule did an inspection on the evening of May 22 and that he told WildHeart it had until 8 a.m. the next day to get bigger cages for their porcupine and foxes.

On May 23, Anderton texted Gurule photos and videos of the new cages.

Gurule replied, in full, “Perfect! That looks great… I see the porcupine is already in there… Just shoot me a pic when the foxes get in the enclosure… I will be in contact with you… It might be a week or so because next week is even busier than this week. I appreciate it!”

After Anderton followed up with the fox pictures, Gurule replied again, “Thank you! I will reach out in a week or so… come take a look at everything in person. I appreciate it!”

“Two months later, almost, he shows up with animal control and a whole bunch of officers,” Anderton said.

Based on the documents provided by Anderton, the two defendant statements given to both her and her daughter by the CPW on the day of the raid are dated for two different times. Anderton’s documentation is dated July 18 (the day of the raid), while her daughter’s is dated July 12.

Both documents date the violations as May 22, which is the day before Anderton’s and Gurule’s text chain after Gurule’s inspection.

CPW case against WildHeart

Animal Law Enforcement was also on the raid. Anderton provided documentation showing no violations, outside of an order to take two animals in for vet care, a cat with a suspected urinary tract infection, and a bird with a foot injury.

Animal Law Enforcement Welfare Check

Anderton did not let us take a look out back at the cages when we asked. She told our team that it was due to the fact that there were still some wildlife on the property, and that they don’t allow people back there when they have wild animals on the property. She would also not provide us with pictures other than those of the cages she sent to Gurule.

We reached out to CPW for comment, who stated that there is more context outside of the documentation Anderton provided for us, but they cannot share the information with us right now because it’s an active investigation.

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Sadie Buggle

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Pueblo officials announced Tuesday evening that emergency repairs to a stormwater sewer require closing a heavily-traveled intersection for the next two weeks.

Starting on Wednesday, the city’s Stormwater Department will begin the work at Elizabeth Street and 24th Street; Elizabeth will be closed at 23rd and 25th streets southbound, and eastbound toward Greenwood Street.

Closure signs and barriers were in place around the intersection by 7 a.m., but officials haven’t provided details about why repairs are needed and how the work will be done.

However, a cook at the nearby Burrito’s Betty restaurant said that a crew dug into part of the intersection several months ago.

“We weren’t told then what they were doing, and we weren’t told this time either,” he said. “It hurt our breakfast and lunch business last time, and I’m afraid it’s going to happen again.”

A neighbor at the intersection said that the intersection flooded around the time of the previous work.

“They put in new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks,” she recalled. “But they seemed to have trouble after that.”

The situation created frustration for drivers, some of whom moved plastic barriers to get through the closures, while others tried to cut through the restaurant parking lot in a vain attempt to avoid the closures.

The city’s release stated that neighbors will still have access to their homes and that they received a notice on their doors earlier this week, explaining detours and available alternate routes.

But the neighbor mentioned above said that she didn’t get the notice.

“I knew about it from the flashing message board at 29th and Elizabeth,” she said.

A second week of closures is necessary for phase two of the repairs, which will shut down the block of 24th Street between West Street and Elizabeth Street starting July 31.

Courtesy: City of Pueblo

Courtesy: City of Pueblo

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – After Pueblo Police arrested a man for assaulting a burglary suspect, KRDO13 Investigates wondered: What are the limits around making a citizen’s arrest?

RELATED COVERAGE: Man arrested along with burglary suspect for assaulting the burglar

On July 17, Pueblo Police were dispatched to the 700 block of Joilet Avenue. At the home, they found a man tied up with duct tape and three other men around him.

The man tied up was 21-year-old Joseph Mares. One of the men standing near him was 26-year-old Cruz Alarcon. Both men would end up in handcuffs. Mares for 2nd degree burglary and Alarcon for 2nd degree assault.

Before the police arrived on the scene, neighbors told us there was a whole lot of commotion.

“I heard a lot of screaming, a lot of punching, a lot of fighting.” Nadine Cozzolino told KRDO13 Investigates.

However, the arrest affidavit says there was more than just a fight.

The Pueblo Police Department says security camera footage from a nearby home shows Alarcon threatening a tied-up Mares with a pistol and hitting him with the butt of the gun multiple times, even threatening to kill the man at one point. Then police say Alarcon kicked Mares in the head and stomped on his legs, all while he was still tied up.

Pueblo police say that goes beyond what’s legal in a citizen’s arrest.

KRDO13 Investigates spoke to a local attorney who said the most important part of a citizen’s arrest is that the person making the arrest has to perceive the crime. He said there is some leeway given when making the arrest, but excessive force is prohibited.

The Pueblo Police Department clarified on social media that it was what Alarcon is accused of doing after Mares was tied up that earned him criminal charges.

Both men have bonded out of jail.

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Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — As the county gradually replaces nine timber (wooden) bridges that are around 75 years old, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is doing repair work to keep its timber bridges in use for a longer period.

A current CDOT project is rehabbing 21 timber bridges along highways 9, 24, and 67 in El Paso, Teller, and Park counties.

CDOT is spending $1.8 million to reinforce the timber supports under the bridges with steel beams; the agency said that the work will extend the use of the bridges by 30 years and save the high cost of replacing those structures.

Patti Henschen, a CDOT engineer, said that the bridges were built between the 1930s and 1960s; Calhan in eastern El Paso County has one of the largest and oldest bridges, built in 1935.

“A lot of these have not had any type of repair.,” she said. “This is the first repair that we’re doing for them. Some of them have had some minor repairs done to them over the years, but not significant like this.”

Eleven of the 21 timber bridges are in eastern El Paso County, between Peyton and Ramah, near the El Paso/Elbert county line.

The project began on the eastern end and will gradually move west, with work expected to continue through the fall.

Henschen said that a future project will repair 22 more timber bridges south of the current project area.

For the project this summer, crews will conduct traffic control during the bridge work to provide added safety.

Some drivers say that while they’re glad to see the project happen, they’d rather that CDOT repave US 24 through Calhan; the agency said that a project to repave the highway through Calhan and Peyton is scheduled for next summer.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Arapahoe Flight Club and Falcon AeroLab are teaming up this week to take kids up on a helicopter ride.

“For some, this is the coolest thing they’ve gotten to do in their lives, and for these kids, once they have a ‘Why?’ in their life, the ‘How?’ doesn’t matter,” said Falcon AeroLab founder Mark Hyatt.

“We’re motivating the generation that’s going to replace us as pilots,” said Arapahoe Flight Club founder Diego Blandon.

Today’s flight group was a private camp of high school students interested in aviation from across the country. The crew took KRDO13’s Bradley Davis up in the helicopter on the final flight, but it’s safe to say the experience was tailored for these kids.

“It’s the earliest way of travel I remember from when I was four years old. I saw airplanes take off and land at the airport, and I was immediately hooked,” camper Rydell Wilkins said.

“So, the highlight of your vacation is flying there and back, huh?” Davis asked Wilkins.

“Exactly. I’ve been excited since I got to the airport and then came here,” Wilkins said.

The campers will also tour the Air Force Academy, experience a wind tunnel and build large plane replicas that they will launch and repair after impact.

Multiple kids said they are actively pursuing a post-high school career at the Air Force Academy.

“I think it would be fun to experience the brotherhood and things like that, and I think it would be good to serve the country for at least some part of my life since I’ve been here all of my life,” camper Carson McElvain said.

Falcon AeroLab and the Arapahoe Flight School also provide local public school students helicopter rides at free or reduced rates, primarily through Colorado Springs School District 11.

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