Category: krdo-local-news

Celeste Springer

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado is entering into arguably one of its most photogenic times of the year, as leaves turn from green to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Visitors are expected to flow into popular “leaf-peeping” destinations, hoping to get the perfect photo among seas of Aspen treetops.

But while a photo is forever, so is damage to the local environment.

“While shortcuts for the perfect selfie can be tempting, staying on the trail will decrease your risk of injury and protect trailside plants and local wildlife,” read a release from CPW.

CPW also asks that you “leaf” it as you found it; only park in designated areas, as driving over some areas can damage vegetation. Officials ask that you not carve names into trees, pull down branches, or move rocks.

Park rangers want to remind visitors that they will issue tickets or tow cars parked illegally. Planning ahead can help prevent issues. You can check out their Colorado State Parks Guide by clicking here. Additionally, extensive park information can be found here.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) asks that you keep the following things in mind while adventuring:

Be aware of vehicles traveling at lower speeds

Watch for vehicles pulling off the roadway or parked along the road

Find safe, designated areas to park

Be aware of pedestrians outside of their cars to take photos

For pedestrians, watch out for passing vehicles

While you explore the fall colors, if you catch a great photo, it could land you a prize.

Click here to submit your photo in KRDO13’s Fall Colors competition to win up to $1,500 in prizes.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has released new details in a bizarre case last month where a man was found shot to death following a traffic accident.

On Aug. 26, deputies say they received a report of a three-vehicle accident near the intersection of Highway 24 and Blue Gill Drive, near Judge Orr Road.

One of the vehicles involved was a white pickup truck, and a caller said a passenger inside the truck was either seriously injured or deceased. EPSO says the driver of the truck had fled the scene.

EPSO says the passenger of the pickup had been shot and was pronounced deceased. He was identified as 29-year-old Noel Gutierrez-Cano.

Deputies began their search for the driver of the pickup who fled. Ultimately, EPSO identified 26-year-old Jose Cruz Diaz Vazquez. EPSO says that Diaz Vazquez is an undocumented immigrant who was arrested in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on an unrelated outstanding warrant on Sept. 3, 2025.

While in custody for his unrelated warrant, EPSO says deputies were able to interrogate him. He has now been charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of Noel Gutierrez-Cano.

Details are still limited on when or where Gutierrez-Cano was allegedly shot by Diaz Vazquez.

EPSO says Diaz Vazquez is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond for the murder charge.

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Scott Harrison

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — Several viewers have told KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior that they’re concerned about student safety along Mesa Ridge High School because of a perceived lack of speed enforcement by police.

Early last month, as reported by The Road Warrior, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reduced the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph on a three-mile stretch of Mesa Ridge Parkway between Interstate 25 and the south end of Powers Boulevard.

That decision included establishing a 35 mph school zone outside the school, at the request of Widefield School District 3 and based on an earlier CDOT traffic study.

“People are still speeding when the school speed limit signs are flashing, and with no law enforcement,” one viewer recently wrote.

Sgt. Matthew Davidson, of the Fountain Police Department, responded to that concern on Tuesday.

“I can tell you that we’ve been extremely busy just from the reduction of the speed limit on Mesa Ridge Parkway in general,” he said. “And in the last six weeks, we have issued 152 citations in that period, on Mesa Ridge Parkway, for that reduction of the speed limit zone.”

Davidson said that limited resources prevent officers from even stronger enforcement; the department has only three officers assigned to the traffic unit, and they’re often called away to respond to higher-priority matters.

He mentioned another reason why speed enforcement may not be easily visible to many drivers.

“Unfortunately, on Mesa Ridge Parkway, the design of the roadway is kind of restrictive in allowing us to actually park and get out after people,” Davidson explained. “We’ve used fully-marked police cars. We have unmarked police cars. We’ve used our police motorcycles and different aspects of enforcement through that area. And every one of them has its own challenge.”

The sergeant said that he’d like to see a few more speed limit signs and school zone flashing lights because he finds that most violators are distracted or unaware of the lower speed limit.

“We’re trying to talk with CDOT about that,” he revealed.

Davidson also hopes that the steep fine for violators will deter speeding.

“All school zone fines are generally doubled for the charge that you’re getting stopped for,” he said. “So, a simple ten mph over in a school zone is going to cost you, here in the city of Fountain, about $305. So, we’re trying to make an example of that and have people pay attention.”

Davidson also disagrees with CDOT’s earlier statement that new businesses across the parkway from the school — including a King Soopers grocery store and the future opening of In-N-Out and Whataburger — aren’t expected to significantly increase traffic congestion at the Mesa Ridge Parkway/Syracuse Street intersection near the school.

“I think we’re going to see more pedestrian traffic once those burger places open,” he said. “There’s a new road (Mesa Road) behind the store that connects to Fountain Mesa Road, but most of that traffic just gets back on Mesa Ridge Parkway.”

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KRDO News

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is in Washington, D.C. this week, along with dozens of other community leaders.

They’re there as part of an annual trip, but the mayor is taking the opportunity to get some face time with federal partners and get some clarity on the recent decision to move Space Command. 

In early September, the Trump Administration announced that Space Command would move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. 

There are still plenty of questions regarding how many staffers will move and what, if any, infrastructure will leave.

While there aren’t answers to those specific questions yet, Mayor Mobolade told KRDO13 that he’s confident that the city is still a hub for aerospace and defense. He also says he’s advocating to bring more opportunities here. 

“So more or less it’s that– What we lost, it’s not any future economic development. It’s just bragging rights. That’s what, at the end of the day, that’s what’s on the table and what this fight has been about,” said the mayor.

The mayor also said he’s meeting with congressional members from Colorado and elsewhere to outline the city’s priorities, including addressing public safety and homelessness. The hope is to add Colorado Springs to the conversation nationally when any new funding or program opportunities arise. 

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KRDO News

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) –The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says they’ve arrested a woman after a major fight at an apartment complex off Hampton South.

EPSO says they were called out to the fight around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 12. According to EPSO, when they got on scene, there were about a dozen people arguing. Deputies learned there were victims inside and found multiple people in an apartment with various injuries.

EPSO alleges that the suspect, 18-year-old Aolani Barnes, and three unnamed juveniles forced their way into the apartment and assaulted the people inside.

The sheriff’s office says victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

Barnes faces charges for first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and third-degree assault, according to EPSO.

EPSO says she was taken to jail on a $5,000 bond, but has since posted bond and was released.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Pueblo County Commissioners have chosen Dr. Gregory Grahek as the new coroner.

Grahek will take over the role for the next 15 months, and then an election will be held for residents to decide the next coroner, commissioners say.

Dr. Grahek will need to go to the clerk’s office for fingerprints and undergo a background check. Then, county commissioners say they will officially appoint him and hold a swearing-in ceremony.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Dr. Grahek has worked as a hospitalist, a medical consultant and nurse practitioner. He received his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2020 from Regis University, according to his profile.

“He has a strong medical and administrative acumen, which would help rebuild the office and trust with the community. He has managed his practice and staff with care and compassion for many years,” said Commissioner Paula McPheeters.

Dr. Grahek was considered against four other candidates:

Zolanye McCulley-Bachicha

Justin Dean Youngren

Felicia McQueen

Jessica Martinez

Commissioners said that none of the five candidates owns a funeral home.

In a meeting on Tuesday, Commissioner Miles Lucero expressed some concern over appointing Dr. Grahek, as he runs his own private medical practice, which could take up a lot of his time.

“[Grahek] told me explicitly, time commitment-wise, he would be expecting to spend 40-ish hours a week on the coroner job, 30-ish at his practice,” said Commissioner Lucero.

Commissioner Lucero also said that Dr. Grahek does not have direct experience in death care or death investigation.

KRDO13 Investigates brought these concerns to Dr. Grahek.

“That’s not true, really. I’ve been in medicine for almost 19 years. And the end stage of life is death, so I see it every day. I deal with it,” contended Dr. Grahek.

We also asked Dr. Grahek about balancing both roles.

“I think the reality is, the coroner’s job is not 9 to 5. It’s going to be when the coroner’s needed, and it may be Sunday night at dinner. It may be two in the afternoon on a Tuesday. You know, all through my career, I’ve balanced multiple things,” Dr. Grahek continued, “I think at first it’s going to be a little chaotic, because most of my focus is going to have to be towards the coroner’s office, but things will stabilize.”

Dr. Grahek will replace Brian Cotter, who recently resigned. Cotter was at the center of an investigation after Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) inspectors alleged he had left decomposing bodies in a hidden room of his privately-owned funeral home.

“Mr. Cotter stated that the bodies were awaiting cremation and admitted that some bodies had been in the room for approximately fifteen years,” suspension records say.

Additionally, Cotter allegedly told inspectors that he “may” have given family members of the deceased fake cremated remains.

The CBI is currently investigating the case, but as of publication, Cotter does not face any criminal charges.

The district attorney’s office has asked that families remain patient, as the CBI must complete the investigation before the DA can assess any potential charges.

To read all of our reporting on this case, click here.

Dr. Grahek sent an open letter to Pueblo County residents. You can read the letter below.

Pueblo County Residents,

It is with a grateful heart and much humility that I thank the Pueblo County Board of Commissioners. 

As the newly appointed County Coroner (pending a background check), I would like the community to know that I plan to earn your respect and trust in this very important position. It was a rigorous process, and I know the County Commissioners were thoughtful in their final selection. There were some great candidates, including myself, that applied and have a heart to serve the community that I was born and raised in.

A few words kept coming up throughout the process that I internalized. Words like heart, trust, administrative, change and a few others, but those are the ones that stick out to me the most, and it seems as though those are the words resonating with Pueblo County.  

As your new Coroner, here are my commitments to you, the Citizens of Pueblo County:

I will always operate with heart. The passion for taking this position is something I feel I have been called to do.

A person just doesn’t know what they don’t know. I will make pragmatic changes based on consultation with the community, staff and County Commissioners. Change for the sake of change isn’t how I operate, but change for the sake of the greater good of the whole is my mission. I hope I’m able to update you all as changes occur, and I further hope that you understand that while change is hard, sometimes it is necessary.

 I bring a wealth of administrative skills to this position, as was highlighted in my resume that I submitted for consideration. I plan to put those skills, my education, and my experience to work for the people of Pueblo County, but we are going to have to work together, and communication is the key.

Finally, I’d like to address the word trust. This might be the biggest and most important of the words I have listed. I plan to earn not only your trust, but I want to earn your respect. Over time, I hope that I’m able to prove that my holding this position is just what our community needs at this moment in time.

I look forward to serving you, the citizens of Pueblo County, in the interim. I will work hard, and with all of the sensitive scenarios that will come my way, I will approach them all with empathy and professionalism. 

We have work to do in Pueblo County, and I’m here to bring back the honor and trust that this position deserves.

I thank the Pueblo County Commissioners, once again, for their appointment.

Sincerely,

Greg Grahek, DNP

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has arrested a suspect accused of attempting to burglarize their building on East Vermijo Avenue.

According to the sheriff’s office, they got a report of possible damage and vandalism made to their office on Friday morning.

EPSO says they looked at security camera video, which allegedly showed a man trying to force his way into the building and vandalize security systems.

A few hours later, EPSO says sheriff’s office employees saw the suspect, who was wearing the same distinctive clothing as in the video, walking across the street.

Deputies say they took 62-year-old Mitchell Highsmith into custody. EPSO says he faces charges for:

Criminal attempt: second-degree burglary

Felony criminal mischief

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Josh Helmuth

The Fremont Economic Development Corporation sponsored a surprise TradeSTART event at Cañon City High School September 11. The goal? Inspire an entire future workforce to enter into a military trade that could provide a long and fulfilling career.

The event was 90 minutes long and impacted roughly 1,000 students. During that time, they remembered those lost on 9-11, a ceremony led by the CCHS Jr. ROTC color guard, followed by a Flight For Life helicopter landing, Dreamwood Homes building a tiny house and interactive activities geared towards trades in the military.

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Scott Harrison

CAÑON CITY, Colo. (KRDO) — Crews are in their third month on the city’s biggest paving job of the season, so pardon their dust.

They’re repaving a half mile of Justice Center Road, between US 50 and Grandview Lane, on the eastern edge of town.

The two-lane street was last repaved in 1998 and had shown every bit of its age, with numerous potholes, crumbling asphalt, and in some places, no sidewalks or curbs at all.

As its name denotes, the road is home to key departments such as the Cañon City police, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, jail and courthouse, the Department of Human Services, and several other agencies — all on the north end.

On the south end are two churches and an apartment complex.

Workers are gutting the street, removing old asphalt and concrete, and installing new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.

The project is around halfway finished; crews have paved the southern end and are now focusing on the northern end, which also leads to a shopping center containing a movie theater.

Construction requires allowing only one lane of southbound traffic through the area, and drivers can detour east or west at the Grandview intersection.

“We’re looking at about 4 to 6 more weeks of construction,” said Leo Evans, the city’s public works director. “The job’s been going pretty well, but obviously we’re getting into the heavier impacts now that we’re working north.”

KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior spoke with several people who said that the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.

“Potholes are all gone, and for the workers, we now have a sidewalk that we are able to utilize and take walks on, instead of on the dirt,” said Dena Lucero. “It’s wonderful!”

Cameron Wormgoor agrees.

“Just because I can’t be comfortable all the time, doesn’t mean that we don’t keep building or keep fixing what’s broken,” he said. “We invest in the future.”

The city’s other major project was a $3 million revitalization of five blocks of the historic downtown area.

That project started in February and was supposed to be completed in time for the annual Music & Blossom Festival in late April, but was slowed by numerous weather delays.

The city hopes to kick off another paving project this fall, on the north end of 9th Street; that work will continue through next June.

It will cover 1.5 miles between College Avenue and Washington Street, and include replacing part of an existing water main.

The cost could run as high as $14 million, but some of it will be covered by federal funding acquired by the city.

“We get a lot of complaints about that street,” Evans said.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A young local artist is turning in his page-sized comic book drawings for his own studio, where he helps beginners walk out with their own paintings worthy of a picture frame.

“It makes me feel like that was my purpose,” said “Yes, You Can Paint!” Instructor and owner Bishop Russ. “I realized I got more enjoyment from giving people the artwork and inspiring them through art rather than the art itself.”

Russ just opened his store in the Chapel Hills Mall earlier this month. He’s painted the walls with floor-to-ceiling murals, except for one he left blank for his students to sign after finishing their class.

“When they take those pictures, or when they walk out of the class, you can tell those smiles are real, and that’s a big honor. To give them something that they never thought they could do.” 

Russ shared his methods with KRDO13’s Bradley Davis and helped him paint his very own ghost portrait.

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