Category: krdo-local-news

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Officials said that they’re not sure when the interchange at US 24 and Peterson Road was built, but some longtime residents believe it happened during the 1960s.

A much-needed upgrade is planned for the interchange just outside the north gate of Peterson Space Force Base.

“To me, it’s been a long time coming because this place, sometimes it’s hard to get in and out of here,” said Dave Bickett, an Ellicott resident. “So, I think it’s going to be a good deal.”

Between the interchange and the base is a shopping center with eight businesses — including a Dairy Queen that, on a warm day, attracts customers from miles around seeking ice cream and other treats.

Traffic to and from the businesses, the base and normal highway traffic create a steady amount of congestion that the interchange can no longer handle efficiently.

The highlights of the upcoming project are two roundabouts — one on each side of the highway — and other improvements to include better traffic flow and access for pedestrians, bicycles and transit buses.

At a Wednesday afternoon media briefing about the project, Gayle Sturdivant, deputy public works director for Colorado Springs, said that the bridge over Peterson Road won’t be demolished.

“It’s actually going to be reused,” she explained. “If you drive underneath the bridge today, you’ll see slope sides with it. You’ll (eventually) see new sides put in, new walls underneath there, opening up the span underneath the bridges so we can change the lane configurations coming underneath US 24 there on Peterson Road.”

Local leaders, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Department of Defense (DOD) and base leadership have worked on the details for eight years; a DOD grant is providing two-thirds of the funding.

Sturdivant also said that the project coincides with the base’s plan to increase north gate access by changing the gate configuration — which some members of the base community said will increase arriving and departing traffic through the day.

Some of the nearby merchants — such as Reese Sattler, owner of Rocky Bowl Bistro — are concerned about how construction will affect them and their customers.

“I’ve seen other restauranteurs in the Springs, over on South Academy, have the same issue,” he said. Hey, we are going through all of this construction, and now we’re having a tough time. And these are all successful small businesses. So I’m thinking (that) I’m brand new. What’s going to happen to me?”

Construction starts next month and is scheduled to end late next year.

Officials will sponsor an open house Wednesday to provide more details about the project; the event is from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Colorado Freedom Church, 6862 Galley Road.

More information is available on the project website: https://coloradosprings.gov/US24Peterson.

Bradley Davis

BLACK FOREST, Colo. (KRDO) – KRDO13’s Bradley Davis speaks with a couple cast members of Varmint, a Western Horror film shot entirely in Black Forest and acted by an entire Colorado-based cast.

Cast talk about behind the scenes work on Good Morning Colorado!

The movie will be the closing film in the Western Film Festival in Coleman, Texas. It makes its theatrical debut at the Icon Cinema in northern Colorado Springs May 13. Cast and crew will hold a Q&A after the movie for people interested.

Rob Namnoum

“I know that every every player is curious about it,” says Rockies manager Bud Black.

Hitters in Major League Baseball are curious about torpedo bats. They are baseball bats that look like a torpedo. The design of the bat helps improve making contact with the ball and bat speed, “So I think it just depends on your swing and where you miss,” says Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, “I would try it out. I mean, see if I like it or not before using it in the game or should.”

Rockies third baseman adds, “I try it? I mean, you don’t know if you’re missing something big that can,  you know, change how you feel in the box and stuff like that. So. Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Worth trying.”

“Yeah, I got a couple on the way.  I’m not too sure if I’ll commit to it or not, but, you know, see how I like it and then go from there,” says Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle.

Doyle says he will try the torpedo battle, but he also believes that baseball bats  don’t help you perform sorcery.

“I’m a firm believer that, you know, it’s not the wand, it’s the wizard or whatever saying you can go with there. But, you know, I’m gonna try it and see if I like it at all. I don’t really think it matters what bat you use. I think it’s more the hitter,” says Doyle.

Speaking of the hitter, Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland tries to get them out for a living.”good curveball” and he says torpedo bats are not.  He is trying to make sure that hitters miss his pitches,

“Me personally, I don’t care. I’m trying to miss barrels, not hit barrels. So if they think it works, if it’s  placebo effect, whatever, if there’s actual science behind it, numbers we’ll see after this season, after five seasons of how those numbers stack up against normal,” says Freeland.

“But we’re still in that,  you know, test pilot  time period. I’m not sure whether it’s  a trendy fad or whether there’s really, truly something behind them. Time will tell,” says Black.

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs Police tell KRDO13 Investigates they are still searching for another driver involved in the road rage crash that killed a 21-year-old and shut down the interstate for hours on Friday.

At this point in the investigation, police couldn’t say what charges the driver would face.

KRDO13 Investigates obtained police documents that describe the road rage incident in more detail.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

CSPD: Road rage incident leads to fatal crash and hours-long closure on I-25 in Colorado Springs

21-year-old identified as victim in I-25 road rage crash, three passengers still in critical condition

Durriel Humphrey is now facing felony charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, along with misdemeanor charges of reckless and careless driving.

The arrest affidavit details his interview with police after the Friday night crash. Humphrey told authorities a white Dodge Charger was tailgating him, and he did not like to be tailgated. Then Humphrey said the charger changed lanes, sped up, and cut him off.

Humphrey then told police he sped up to 75mph to get ahead of “the joker,” and began waving at the driver of the charger. He said he was hoping it would get the car to leave him alone.

Another driver interviewed by police reported seeing Humphrey giving someone the finger. They added seeing Humphrey and the white car weaving in and out of traffic, causing drivers to suddenly brake.

After speeding up, Humphrey said he hit a grey Toyota, which hit the SUV that 21-year-old Salvador Diaz was driving. 

Humphrey is out on bond, and his first court date is at the end of April.

Colorado Springs Police have not named any other suspects, but told KRDO13 Investigates they have solid leads on who the second driver involved in the road rage incident is.

Mackenzie Stafford

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, the Manitou Springs Police Department (MSPD) announced it will be offering free handgun locks to residents. MSPD says it’s part of its ongoing commitment to firearm safety.

The department says the locks are available on a first come, first served basis. They can be picked up at the police department window at 606 Manitou Ave.

Police say one of the main goals is to prevent accidents. Just a few years ago, a 4-year-old child shot and killed himself in Manitou Springs after his family reportedly left a loaded gun in the front seat of the car.

Ultimately, the mother of the child pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and criminally negligent homicide in 2022. Prosecutors said her son’s death could have been prevented.

PAST COVERAGE: Parents arrested, face child abuse charges after 4-year-old dies from self-inflicted gunshot

Manitou Springs Police Chief Bill Otto said it was a tragic situation.

“A loaded firearm where a young child can get ahold of it. Nothing good is going to happen. Nothing at all,” said Manitou Springs Police Chief Bill Otto.

The 4-year-old’s death happened in the parking lot of a marijuana dispensary. According to court documents, the boy’s father went in to buy marijuana and left a loaded gun in an open dashboard cubby. The boy’s mother, Ashlynne Perez, was in the car when her 4-year-old unbuckled from his car seat and crawled to the front; court documents say Perez turned away and heard a bang. 

“Unfortunately, that poor little child and his family paid the price,” said Otto.

The charge against the father was dismissed, and the case was closed, according to Colorado Court records. The mother, Ashlynne Perez, was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation after she pleaded guilty to two charges following her 4-year-old son’s death.

“If that handgun lock, was on that that firearm, that accident would not have happened,” said Otto.

Police Chief Bill Otto is encouraging community members and parents alike to come get a free lock for a simple fix that could save a little one’s life. 

“It’s important to us in a way that we do not have to respond to a kid that has accidentally got ahold of mom and dad’s gun and shot themselves or someone else. As we all know, kids are inquisitive. They’re curious. They see the guns lying around. They want to pick them up. They want to play with them. They have no idea how it can be so dangerous in the finality of it if they accidentally shoot themselves,” explained the police chief.

MORE DETAILS: Manitou Springs Police Department offering free handgun locks

“We discovered we have about 30 to 40 extra gun locks they can use for handguns, long rifles, shotguns. Instead of leaving them sitting around, we might as well put them to good use and give them to our community if they want them. All they have to do is come by first come, first serve, and they can have a free gun lock,” Chief Otto added.

MSPD shared these photos of the handgun locks available.

Source: MSPD

Source: MSPD

“If anybody, anybody, whether or not, they’ve used firearms before or they have no clue on how these things work, come down. There will be an officer around that can show them how the firearm works, whether it be a rifle, again, a shotgun, or a handgun. We’ll take the time, and we’ll make sure they understand the basics of how to handle that firearm and the lock to go along with that,” said Chief Otto.

Chief Otto also explained that he is more than happy to order more handgun locks if there’s a demand in the community.

Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Officials with Manitou Springs say a 64-year-old man died on Tuesday morning while attempting to climb the Manitou Incline.

Officials say members of the Manitou Springs Fire Department responded a little after 10 a.m. for reports of a man in distress.

When first responders arrived, they said people nearby were already performing CPR. The victim was roughly 150 to 200 steps up the incline, officials said.

While an official cause of death has not been released, city officials sent the following statement:

“Many visitors underestimate the impact of our altitude and rugged conditions, especially in areas like the Incline.  Manitou Springs would like to remind everyone to take the incline slow, stay hydrated and know your personal limits.”

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Southern Colorado branch of Two Men and a Truck is partnering with Mary’s Home to bring essentials to struggling single moms this Mother’s Day.

“It takes a village to make sure we’re here to help these women,” said Two Men and a Truck Colorado Springs franchise manager Jackson Wibbles.

It’s part of the branch’s annual Movers for Moms program, now in its 18th year. It’s the first year partnering with Mary’s Home, who helps single mothers overcome homelessness.

“They’re really the hardest working people I’ve ever met,” Mary’s Home CEO Matthew Ayers said about single mothers. “They’re my heroes.”

Two Men and a Truck has donation boxes out around town in Colorado Springs and Pueblo where people can drop off their donations, including at Colorado Springs branch location at 3220 Fillmore Ridge Heights.

While Mary’s Home said it appreciates all donations, it puts the strongest emphasis on gift cards, baby items, toilet paper, tissues and toiletries.

“They’re protecting their kids. They have big goals for life,” Ayers said. “We see kids moving from crisis and not really knowing where their next meal or safe space is going to be, to just thriving!”

Two Men and a Truck will collect items until May 9, the Friday before Mother’s Day. It also has an Amazon wishlist people can buy items from online. You can also donate directly to Mary’s Home on their website.

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Officials plan to reopen a segment of JD Johnson Road on Wednesday, for the first time since closing it because of flood damage in June 2023.

On the same day, Garrett Road — just around the corner from JD Johnson — will close for two months because of similar work.

And that’s not all: Next week, a part of Ellicott Highway — several miles northeast — will close for six weeks for repairs there.

JD Johnson and Garrett roads were affected by flooding in Black Squirrel Creek; Ellicott Highway was damaged by flooding in Brackett Creek.

Crews have built a low-water crossing to replace the section of JD Johnson that washed out, and will build a smaller version on Garrett; the crossings are designed to allow low drainage levels to flow under those roads but will be closed to traffic during high-water periods.

“We would have done Garrett together with JD Johnson,” said Veronica Cid, a senior engineer for the county. “But because the two roads are next to each other, we shouldn’t close two roads. We use one or the other as a detour.”

Workers will install a 48-inch culvert under Ellicott Highway to convey future drainage from Brackett Creek, and all three creek crossings on the affected roads will be paved with concrete for increased stability.

The county is spending $8 million — mostly from federal funds — to make repairs, and should finish the work this summer.

Crews also are widening and stabilizing the creek channels to better contain high-velocity flows.

Officials hope that the new infrastructure better prepare them for the next once-in-a-century flood.

A construction worker said that crews also will make minor improvements to the entrances to the National Mill Dog Rescue near the Garrett/JD Johnson intersection.

“These roads are built up higher than the rescue property,” he explained. “It’s hard for them to get the motor homes that they use to rescue dogs, in and out. So we’ll be doing some good-neighbor work to help them out.”

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, April 15, licensed shops will be able to sell recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs. However, not all stores that’ve applied for licenses will get their chance to sell to recreational users.

The City of Colorado Springs says 53 stores have applied for a retail license of a possible 86 licenses. As of April 14, only 27 applications have been approved.

“We’ve put a lot of work in on the back end, just getting the licenses and all that settled,” Dustin Taylor, the operations manager for The Epic Remedy, said.

According to the city’s database, these five stores are still waiting for inspections before obtaining their retail license.

A small group of stores, like Fountain Organics on Rio Vista, are still waiting for inspections before they can start selling.

Despite tomorrow being the first day licensed stores can sell to recreational customers, Taylor says Tuesday won’t be a grand opening day, “We have to kind of spend the day, tomorrow, getting that stuff into our system, getting it barcoded and getting the merchandise here in the stores so that we can begin sales.”

Because of specific rules, The Epic Remedy and the other licensed stores haven’t been able to even set up their stores with recreational products.

The Epic Remedy store on Fountain Ave.

Today, the interior of The Epic Remedy store on Fountain Blvd is half empty. Taylor says their stores are still serving medical customers during the transition.

“We won’t be fully merchandised right out the gate tomorrow,” Taylor says. Tuesday will be more of a soft opening. They hope to be able to sell recreational products in the afternoon. Potential customers are already excited. Employees at the Fountain Ave. location say people have been calling, inquiring about recreational products all morning.

However, the true size of the Colorado Springs recreational marijuana market remains to be seen.

“This is an untapped market here in Colorado Springs. So really, we kind of have to look outwardly at Denver and Pueblo,” Taylor said. “We definitely anticipate a much higher volume of people coming through, and we’ve done our best to prepare as much as we can.

However, not every store will start selling retail products. Taylor says The Epic Remedy location on N Academy will stay medical only. Taylor says they wanted to keep one store selling only to medical customers, and that location wouldn’t qualify for a retail license anyway. Just across the street sits Unique Play Place, a child care facility.