Local, Regional & State News

Las Animas Police are still gathering more information following a call they answered over the weekend. Around 1:17 Saturday afternoon, officers were called to the area of Ambassador Thompson and Bent Avenue. They received a report of a man who wasn't responding and was lying on the sidewalk. First responders tried to revive the man with CPR and an ambulance crew was called and responded. He was declared dead at the scene. The man's identity has not yet been released. N

Colorado lawmakers are facing a busy day to include gun legislation. Check out the agenda here. https://leg.colorado.gov/agenda/floor/202604081 https://leg.colorado.gov/agenda/floor/202604082

The following is a news release from Colorado SBDC Ready to take the next step in your business or take the leap in starting your business? Don’t miss the 4th Annual Small Business Summit! Colorado’s rural entrepreneurs are creating some of the most exciting business opportunities across the state. The Small Business Summit connects entrepreneurs from across the Eastern Plains through a full day of educational breakout sessions and strategic networking. Designed to support bu

by Norman Kincaide A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request granted by the Pike National Forest and Cimarron and Comanche National Grassland (CCNG) in reference to the revised CCNG Management Plan and Draft Assessment on September 2, 2025 by Norman Kincaide of Rocky Ford, CO, has provided an initial document drop. On February 2, 2026, Gregory Berquist, Forest Service, desired further clarification of the FOIA search as too many error messages compromised document capture.

~Anne Boswell You might have heard the term "unfunded mandates" tossed around. Today, Tuesday, March 31st a bill that would require a hearing to show how bills affect local communities is set for discussion on the Colorado House Floor. Representative Ty Winter and Senator Rod Pelton sponsored the bill that would allow the leadership of the house and the senate to choose five items to have a hearing on. It would be a time to talk about how legislation would affect local com

~Anne Boswell Staring next year you might not get something to eat your delivery order with, unless you remember to ask specifically for a fork or spoon. Colorado Democrats are bringing a bill that would eliminate single use utensils in orders unless you ask for them. According to the bill's text summary it would expand the "Plastic Pollution Reduction Act." The bill would take effect on January 1, 2027 and would require the establishment to leave out the plastic eating uten

~Anne Boswell Otero County Commissioners presented a letter at Monday's meeting that they wrote to US. District 4 Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. The letter encouraged her to help Southeast Colorado secure a local transit hub to be based in Las Animas. The transit hub would make use of a vacant building at 306 Bent Avenue, in Las Animas. It was once known as the Sara Lee Bread facility. The request was made by Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development Inc. as their Community

by Norman Kincaide Trish Pheffer Leone, Chair, Otero County Republican Party, gaveled the County Assembly to order at 10 A.M. at the Fowler Elementary School cafeteria. The credentialing committee counted a total of seventy-two delegates eligible to vote. State Senator Rod Pelton, up for election for Colorado Senate District 35, spoke, emphasizing his excellent working relationship with Rep. Ty Winter, House District 47. Winter was unable to attend the Otero Assembly as he ha

Otero County held their Republican County Assembly today, Saturday, March 21. Shortly after the assembly wrapped up, candidate for Otero County Sheriff Brian Lovato announced on his social media that he would be moving forward with the nomination due to current Sheriff Shawn Mobley declining. An announcement on Sheriff Mobley's official political social media page is expected. ###

Southeast Colorado business owners, you might want to read on, and share with other small business owners you know. A Small Business Summit is planned for April 22nd in Fort Morgan and April 23rd in Lamar. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs from across the Eastern Plains. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, the Small Business Summit will provide valuable breakout sessions throughout the

You've had the bad news. We unfortunately have to give it to you quite often. In this week's report from Colorado State Representative and Caucus Whip Carlos Barron, three bills are set for action this week. House Bill 26-1290, Criminal Offense of Assault will be heard in the Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, March 24th. It's a bill that would expand who counts as an emergency medica care provider. It would lower the mental state of assaulting certain public servants from "in

~Anne Boswell Right now, it's just a bill, but that's how laws start out. The Colorado Senate has introduced a bill and passed it through committee and a third reading on limiting how you can protect your property against rodents. Senate Bill 26-062 would make it illegal to use mouse and rat poisons. It would also make it a crime to distribute such products unless there was a public health emergency declared. Sponsors of the legislation state that the bill protects children

Full disclosure. I just had a significant birthday, today, March 17th so I was curious about discounts. I looked them up, so you don't have to and thought I would share. Not my usual content, but I hope it's appreciated. COLORADO DISCOUNT CHEAT SHEET 👵 Senior (55+) Discounts – Colorado These are very common and predictable : 🛒 Safeway (statewide) → ~10% off first Wednesday each month   💊 Walgreens (statewide) → 20% off first Tuesday of the month   👕 Kohl’s (statewide)

~By Norman Kincaide, Ph. D.   The United States Forest Service Pike and San Isabel National Forest and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands office held a Need to Change workshop at Otero College Banquet Room, La Junta, Colorado and City Hall, Elkhart, Kansas, March 11, 2026 from 4 to 7:30 P.M. At Otero College twenty participants and twelve Forest Service employees engaged in workshop activities. Heather Stokes moderated the overall workshop via zoom from Montana. James

By Norman Kincaide During Colorado Preservation Inc.’s (CPI) 29 th  Saving Places Conference, February 11-13, 2026, Ordway Pharmacy and Bent’s Old Fort were added to the Most Endangered Places list. The Ordway Pharmacy at 231 Main Street, has stood empty since 2020 when it moved across the street. It had been the cornerstone of daily life for residents of Crowley County for 100 years. Generations of families passed through its doors, making it a cornerstone of daily life for

(news release from the Colorado Secretary of State's office) Denver, CO – The Elections Division of the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced today that proponents of Proposed Initiative #108, "Penalties for human trafficking of a minor,” have submitted the required number of signatures to appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election Ballot. Proposed Initiative #108 submitted 169,775 petition signatures. After reviewing a five-percent random sample of the submitte

~Anne Boswell If you opened up an unknown number to see a text reading "Colorado Traffic Violation Notice," you're among of few of us who have seen such a thing. The text reads that you've been recorded and have a violation such as not paying a toll, not registering your vehicle, etc. They threaten that if you don't take action by clicking their link they will transfer such information to a recovery department with a 35% additional fee. They threaten that there will be lega

By Norman Kincaide Ten years ago, I entered upon my first active participation in a political campaign. This happened at the GOP State Assembly in Colorado Springs, April 2016, when Kimmi Clark Lewis asked if I would be one of her Facebook page administrators. I said: “Yes.” Lewis recognized my writing and publishing skills during the defeat of the Canyons & Plains National Heritage Area in 2014 and desired to enlist those qualities in her campaign for Colorado House District

~Norman Kincaide On February 17, 2026, the United States Forest Service (USFS) held a Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (CCNGs) Preliminary Plan Revision Webinar by Beth Davis, Land Management Planner, Plan Revision Project Leader, during which a maximum twenty-seven individuals participated. A follow up webinar with no formal presentation was held on February 25, thirteen individuals attended of whom six were USFS employees or contractors, discussing issues with the

(Las Animas, CO) -- If you saw law enforcement out in Las Animas this week installing what looked like cameras, you're among a few who reached out to us. The cameras were being installed on a utility pole on Highway 50 between Maple and Grand. A citizen stopped to snap a photo and contacted us with questions. We then reached out to Mayor Charles Shupe and Police Chief David Daughtery to ask what the cameras would be used for. Mayor Charles Shupe stated that the city has b