Local, Regional & State News

~Anne Boswell Lamar City Council voted to table discussion on an item that would move the city closer to a sale of its electric utility to a rural electric cooperative. It came from a meeting this summer where Southeast Colorado Power Association approached Lamar Light and Power with an interest to purchase them. As expected, the next step would be to do a study or evaluation of the utility. At Monday night's council meeting the item of discussion was an ask from the Co-o

~CNYW Staff, & Anne Boswell Every now and then, I see a question or comment about why one news organization reported something before another. Sometimes the question is, “Why didn't you wait until everyone had a chance to get the story?” Well... that's not really how journalism works. And since Colorado News Your Way is an independent, local news operation, I thought I'd pull back the curtain a little and explain how this business actually works. If you get the story, you get

Las Animas Police Officer Thomas Dunagan and Prowers County Coroner is on unpaid admin leave with the LAPD following charges filed in the 16th Judicial District. He is set to be in court Monday, September 21st at 10:30. The following is a news release from the Bent County Sheriff's Office On September 9, 2026, formal charges were filed in Bent County District Court against Las Animas Police Department Officer Thomas Dunagan following an investigation conducted by the Colorad

~by Anne Boswell Wildlife photographers could have a new requirement and fee coming to them if a petition makes its way on the agenda of a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting. Colorado resident Patt Dorsey submitted the petition this summer. It would mean that if you want to photograph Colorado's wildlife and sell the prints or use them for paid gain, such as on a website, you would need to pay up. Dorsey is asking that resident photographers apply each year for a

~Anne Boswell When you get that Blue Book that explains the questions on the ballot this year, there will be as many as 14 questions. One that's received some controversy in Colorado is #109, Male and Female Participation in Sports. The woman who started the petition to get this question on the ballot for you to decide, Erin Lee, is a Wellington mother and the leader of Protect Kids Colorado, the group behind two 2026 ballot measures concerning transgender minors. She is a d

~Anne Boswell Today is Labor Day, federal, state, and city offices are closed. Banks are also closed as well as many businesses. The La Junta City Council meeting scheduled for tonight will be moved to tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 8th. Tonight, gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx is coming to Las Animas. Marx will be bringing his newly named lieutenant governor running mate with him, George Markert. The question-and-answer session rally will be held at the Las Anima H

A divided Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to begin rulemaking on a petition that would prohibit shooting prairie dogs on public lands, despite calls to gather more information first. Some sportsmen worry the process could limit public input as hunting season approaches. The agenda listed the action to be taken at the meeting at Otero College as: Division recommendation concerning potential regulatory changes related to the avocational take of prairie dogs on pub

(news release from the Rocky Ford Police Department) Rocky Ford, Colo. – August 30th, 2026 – A lengthy investigation into narcotics sales in Rocky Ford and surrounding communities resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Marty Crew. Crew was charged with several counts of Distribution of a Schedule I and Schedule II Controlled Substances, Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. Marty Crew (46yo) was arrested by members of the Roc

Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. The Rocky Ford R2 School Board met Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the full board was in attendance. Under good things 45 little cheer leaders were on the field for the latest Meloneer game, they were also in the Arkansas Valley Fair Parade. Under recognitions, Teresa Walz, Ag Teacher and FFA Sponsor, was honored during the Kids Rodeo in La Junta for her years of service to the Rodeo. Veronica Viescas, 3rd Grade Teacher, went the extra mile to assist t

~Anne Boswell (La Junta, CO) -- Otero College’s Construction Management program is getting a gift from the City of La Junta, a property at 322 Harriet Avenue. City Manager Michael Hart explained in a special call meeting that it would allow the students to rehab and renovate the structure with valuable on the job skills. When finished, Otero College would be able to sell the building to finance another project. “It's essentially a junk property that the city has and has ha

~Anne Boswell 8/31/2026 Rocky Ford Mayor Duane Gurule officially steps down today, August 31st as Mayor. The city is searching for a replacement. Gurule has not given a reason for the withdrawal but says he will remain committed to bettering the community of Rocky Ford. Gurule is currently running for Senate District 35, challenging incumbent Rod Pelton. There’s a special city council meeting planned in La Junta tonight. While council normally meets on the first and thir

by Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. Colorado is experiencing the worst Water Year ever recorded. A well below normal snowpack was exacerbated by warm temperatures in December, January and February, followed by the hottest March on record. The remaining snow months of April and May proved very disappointing. This year’s mountain snowpack has been the lowest on record. Statewide, median snow water equivalent (SWE) as of April 13, was 19%. The peak snowpack was very low, 51% of average

~Anne Boswell In today's segment of the Colorado News Your Way Ballot Breakdown, Drugs. You, the voter, will get to decide in November how Colorado deals with offenders caught with Fentanyl with tougher penalties. So, our state already has felony penalties for offenses connected to fentanyl but the measure, if approved would toughen those. In addition, offenders would be required to get treatment in some cases. There's a lot to it but let's start here: SIMPLE POSSESSION Curr

~Anne Boswell Let's just take a step back! Pump the brakes, and share concerns on data centers. Monday afternoon, Lamar City Council hosted a work session that was open to the public on the topic of introducing a data center. And following that work session was a city council meeting that had the topic on the agenda. Lamar resident Jerry Scofield stood to talk about his feelings of being against having a data center in the city of Lamar. "One of the big things they're talkin

news release from the Colorado State Patrol (TELLER COUNTY, COLO) - On August 25, 2026, at approximately 7:15 a.m., troopers were conducting a traffic stop on Highway 24 near milepost 286 (West of Woodland Park). During the attempted traffic stop, the two troopers were shot. One trooper has serious wounds, and the second trooper has minor wounds. This is an active and ongoing investigation. We will provide updates as they become available. We ask that motorists avoid the are

The following is a news release from the Colorado Secretary of State Injunction of Trump Major Mail Ballot Executive Order Reversed Following SCOTUS Determination Denver, CO – The United States Supreme Court has granted a stay of a federal injunction blocking major portions of President Trump's Executive Order on mail ballots in a 6-3 decision along party lines. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has issued the following statement: I am disappointed that the Supreme Co

By Norman Kincaide After the Pledge of Allegiance, Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District came to order at 10:30 A.M., August 19, 2026. After a quorum was established, the board recessed to the Enterprise meeting to approve routine items, which were moved, seconded and passed. The Enterprise meeting adjourned and the regular board meeting reconvened. Visitors were introduced and routine items moved, seconded and approved. There were no committee or legal reports. Lower Ark

~Anne Boswell If you've been following the talk on the Flock cameras you're not alone, if you're new to the conversation, you're not alone. Much is still unknown about the US's fairly recent implementation of Flock Cameras in cities and towns. A Flock camera is a unique type of camera usually placed high on a pole on a city street. It reads your license plate number as you drive by it. It takes a photo of your car and records and time and location where it was noted. Poli

The following is a news release from the Colorado State Patrol (COLO) – We talk a lot about the distractions caused by cell phones, navigation tools, and food, but one of the most overlooked driving dangers isn’t something you do. It’s how you feel. Anxiety, stress, and fatigue can all impact your mental state, which then can alter how you drive. “As you drive, your brain is constantly processing speed, distance, signals, pedestrians, and weather conditions, often in fraction

~Anne Boswell I'm sure you've enjoyed the rain. The weeds have as well. In fact, they're thriving! While we're thankful for the rain, some folks in La Junta are concerned with an overgrowth of weeds and took to social media to talk about it. The original post inquired about code enforcement's ticketing on weeds in yards and popping up through sidewalks. They expressed frustration that nothing is being done. And they called out the La Junta City Manager, Mayor, and City Cou