Category: krdo-local-news

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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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Sunday, advocates flooded the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs to bring attention to missing and murdered indigenous people. The rally comes ahead of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. 

Here in Colorado, the volunteer task force is helping family members with indigenous heritage who have been faced with violence and injustice. 

Indigenous people face some of the highest rates of violence in the country, according to the Department of Justice.

It’s why the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force (MMIR) helps community members get the extra push to solve their family’s missing persons case or find justice in a murder investigation gone cold. 

“Today we’re here with The Missing, Murdered Indigenous Task Force and supporters, taking a walk just to honor those people who have gone missing and have been murdered. Those whose cases are unsolved. Just gathering so we can be a voice for those who have lost their voices,” explained Alonzia Fairchild.

Alonzia Fairchild came to the rally for her mother.

“Last year in May, my mom went missing, and we tried to inform police that things were out of the norm for her day-to-day routine, and just in our journey of posting fliers and trying to do everything as a family to get more answers or see where she went.”

While searching tirelessly for her mom, Marcie Fairchild, MMIR stepped up. 

“One of my sisters got connected with the task force, and they were able to help us dramatically with more fliers posting,” recounted Fairchild, “They’ve been such a support.”

Police found her remains in Denver in October last year, according to our Denver news partners.

“When we did find my mom, she was discovered in October, and we did not know. She wasn’t identified until February. So it wasn’t until March that we were having services for her. And not able to pull resources from our own family, the task force was able to donate to us. That way, we could transport her back to Oklahoma to her tribal land,” shared Fairchild.

Now, Alonzia Fairchild marches in solidarity for those who haven’t found closure like she has. 

“In some of these cases, some people have been missing and never been found at all. So I take solace in the fact that I am a lucky one, that I have my mom back. But now I need to also just be that voice and be that standing power for those that aren’t as fortunate as me,” stated Fairchild.

On Monday, the Denver Police Department (DPD) told KRDO13 that Marcie Fairchild’s case is still under investigation. DPD said no arrests have been made and that there are no further updates at this time.

Anyone with information regarding Marcie Fairchild’s disappearance is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tips can also be submitted online at metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. 

OTHER: New details emerge in 50-year-old cold case of man missing from Colorado Springs

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Michael Logerwell

ELIZABETH, Colo. (KRDO) – In 2023, Justin Langley completed umpire training with ‘Protect the Game’ and today he’s calling high school baseball games behind the dish.

RELATED: Colorado non-profits partnering to give veterans free umpire training in Colorado Springs

“I’m getting paid to do something I love, and it’s fun,” Justin Langley is two years into his umpiring career.

After he was medically discharged from the military in 2012, Langley said he had many jobs but nothing steady until an ad for free umpiring classes and gear came across his Facebook page in 2023. He went to the classes, got the free gear, and was off and running.

“I’d say that we as a society have missed these opportunities in the past, and so Protect the Game stepping up has been a blessing,” Langley told KRDO13.

Langley has even managed to find a silver lining in the one aspect that’s driving away many from the umpiring profession: heckling from coaches and parents.

“Being able to take that, tongue lashing from fans and from coaches, and as a veteran, obviously, with PTSD and those kinds of things are difficult. right. Being able to learn to adjust to that, and to overcome that has been a big blessing,” Langley said.

While Langley says his newfound umpiring career has helped bring much-needed stability to his life post military it’s done even more for others.”[Other veterans] went through, and it just took them from homeless status to getting some money and finding shelters, getting back on their feet.”

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Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Pueblo Police said on Friday, April 25th, Emilio Garcia was ejected from a car that he was a passenger in in a high-speed crash on I-25. For nearly a week, he had been fighting for his life in the hospital, but sadly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Two others in the car were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) is investigating the crash. PPD says the driver of the car Garcia was in could be facing charges. PPD says that the driver ran into another vehicle on the highway at a high rate of speed.

Emilio Garcia was only 16 years old. On Saturday, at UC Health Parkview, family members of Emilio Garcia were able to raise a Donate Life flag in his honor. 

Family members said throughout his life, Emilio Garcia would look out for other kids in the neighborhood. They tell KRDO13 if he knew they didn’t have a safe home to go to, he’d bring them over for dinner and to stay the night. They say he’s still giving back to this day.

“He gets to continue to give that same gift that he would always give to others. You know, they get to live on through him,” explained Augustino Garcia, Emilio’s brother.

His family shared stories of Emilio’s fearlessness. They say he’d never back down from a challenge and was always “one million percent savage” no matter what came his way. Emilio’s family tells KRDO13 he was a smooth talker, able to get out of anything with his smile and kind words.

“He was fearless. And whether it was doing typical boy stuff or helping somebody, whether it was a friend to move or someone needed something, he did it,” shared Sharon Garcia, Emilio’s mother.

Now they’re left grieving the loss of their brother, son and nephew gone too soon, but are grateful he’s able to give life to others. 

“He’s still a hero. His story is not done. His story is still ongoing. And he’s just proving how much of a hero he is to more than just us,” explained Emilio’s mother, Sharon Garcia.

On Saturday, just speaking about Emilio and telling stories of his life brought smiles to the faces of the Garcia family. They say Emilio was always the topic of conversation in their family.

In honor of Emilio’s love for cars and motorcycles, his family is planning a procession for his memorial service. The service will be held on Friday, May 9th, at 2 p.m. at the Pueblo Mt. Carmel Veterans Center.

“I’d love to have as many cars and motorcycles as we can get for him on the road,” shared Emilio’s brother, Augustino Garcia.

If you’d like to help the Garcia family during this difficult time, the family has created a fundraiser that you can find here.

Emilio’s father is calling for justice for his son, telling KRDO13 that someone needs to be held accountable.

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