Local, Regional & State News

(News release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation) Joint Investigation by Colorado Bureau of Investigation, DEA, 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Office Targets High-Volume Designer Drug Enterprise and Related Financial Crimes June 12, 2026 – CBI – Eagle County, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office in conjunction with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office today announced

The following is a news release from the Bent County Fair Board (Las Animas, CO) -- With just over a month to go, excitement is building as Bent County prepares for another memorable county fair. The 2026 Bent County Fair runs July 23 through August 1 and will feature several new additions alongside longtime favorites. One of the biggest highlights this year is the debut of a community talent show, set for Monday night of fair week. Fair board members say they’re excited to

~Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. When the federal government is allowed to create another federal government land designation (Wild & Scenic River, Wilderness, National Heritage Area, National Conservation Area), the residents are allowing it to further exploit its power, influence and control over property which affects the surrounding region. They are also mechanisms for nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations to flourish and defraud the taxpayers of the United States. Furthe

At the last Rocky Ford City Council meeting, it was decided in an almost unanimous vote to proclaim June as Pride Month in the City of Rocky Ford. A story we wrote about it got a lot of attention on social media. Tonight, Tuesday, the Rocky Ford City Council again as a Pride Month Proclamation on the agenda, listed as PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS 8.1 Presentation – Pride Month Proclamation presented to SECO PRIDE The meetings are live streamed on Facebook on the city'

(The following is a news release from the Colorado Secretary of State) Denver, CO – Beginning today, Colorado County Clerks may begin mailing ballots to active voters for the June 30, 2026 Primary Election. “County clerks will mail ballots this week to Colorado voters,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “I hope every eligible Coloradan will make their voice heard in the upcoming Primary Election.” County Clerks must mail ballots to voters by Friday, June 12 for the Prima

Las Animas Schools are looking to hire a few folks for the upcoming school year, but no listing yet of a position for a new principal at the elementary school. The position will be vacant due to the school board's selection of Lana Gardner as the new district superintendent. Since the school board's meeting minutes have not been updated since January 2026, and there is no social media post, we learned of this from our friends at the Bent County Democrat newspaper, who publish

The City of Las Animas will have to make a decision soon on what to do with the city's water tank. According to the City of Las Animas 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report, a significant deficiency was detected last year. The report states that it may allow contaminants or disease causing organisms to get into the drinking water. That could cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps and possibly headaches. The findings suggested steps the city could take to correct the problem in the 2.

Many La Junta residents went to social media to post their fears after receiving a reverse 911 call Thursday evening telling them to "shelter in place." The following is a news release provided to us by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation concerning what happened. June 5, 2026 – CBI – La Junta, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) assisted the La Junta Police in making two arrests following a standoff. On June 4, 2026, at approximately 6:27 p.m., La Junta Police

Several La Junta residents went before City Council Monday night to voice concerns over the "Brick and Tile" Park. Four La Junta residents stood to tell council members they are bothered at all hours of the night with children screaming, multiple cars doing burnouts and doughnuts, and loitering in the park late at night. Kate Smith and her husband Cole live on eighth street near the park and say there's an abundance of "Riff Raff." "It's just not fun to live on our block anym

You're not alone if you've traveled rural Colorado's bedraggled highways and roads, hit a huge bump to utter words that would make your mama blush. Right now the state of Colorado is reviewing signatures on a petition that would let you, the voter, say that money collected to fix the roads actually goes to fixing the roads. Sounds crazy but in the past a large portion of the state's transportation budget has gone to projects like bike lanes, public transit like buses and rail

You've likely received a text that made you wonder. It states something urgent, something like you're wanted in court for a traffic violation. You know you didn't receive one but you start to worry that maybe you were caught giving the pedal some extra love through one of those sneaky traffic cameras. Maybe. Wrong! It's very likely you're the target of fraudulent text messages going around the state claiming you must appear in District Court for a traffic violation. First

Tuesday night's City Council meeting in Rocky Ford was a much talked about topic in the hours leading up to the meeting. That's because a proclamation was making the social media rounds, screen shot texts, and the topic of community conversation. The proclamation drawing so much pre-meeting attention was that Rocky Ford would go on-record to support June as "Pride Month" for the small town in Otero County. Resident James Budnick went to the podium to voice his concerns and le

(Las Animas, CO) -- Wednesday was supposed to be a day for finality, closure, maybe some justice for victims who lost their mom in a Bent County auto-pedestrian death last year. Instead, it will be more time to wait. A pre-sentence investigation report now moves any action for the court to consider to July 9. The defense asked for the report for their client, Tina Tallman, the prosecution had no objections. Many of us don't know, so we asked. A pre-sentence investigation r

(Las Animas, CO) -- Wednesday, May 27th several members of the community are planning to attend a plea sentencing hearing for a woman charged in the death of Las Animas resident Susie Martinez. Martinez was killed by impact from a vehicle December 8th, 2025 as she crossed in the crosswalk of Highway 50 and Elm Avenue near St. Mary's Church. There have been several victim's impact statements given during past hearings and they will be read aloud by those victims at Wednesday

~Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District came to order at 10:30 A.M. May 20, 2026. After a quorum was established, the board recessed to the Enterprise meeting, approved routine items then adjourned. The regular board meeting reconvened. Visitors were introduced and routine items were approved. There were no committee or legal reports. Under General Manager’s Reports, Alli Schuch, Executive Director, Fountain Creek W

~Anne Boswell Crunch, crunch, crunch. The small pebbles of the track at the Cheraw School makes background noise along with a loudspeaker blasting inspiring music as students, teachers, staff, and community members walk making loops, talking, laughing and enjoying the cool Colorado morning air. But this walk is perhaps a little different, or how it got its start anyway. Language Art teacher Dr. Timothy Snyder is also a Veteran, and Adjutant/Finance Officer for the La Junta A

(Las Animas, CO) -- A big change is coming to the Bent County Fair Royalty Program. The Bent County Fair Board voted unanimously at Monday night’s meeting to expand eligibility to include allowing participants from neighboring counties to audition. Fair Board President Leeann Ridley brought the idea to the board saying she felt it could increase participation. Lamar, with the Prowers County Royalty has already opened up their program to girls from other counties and the Ar

(news release from Barbara Shively) The “Voices of the Passed” cemetery tour returns to Boggsville, Colorado, on Friday, May 22nd from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Come enjoy the fun! You can take a horse-drawn wagon ride and come face to face with the heroes and scoundrels of our past while listening to stories of our ghostly residents. There are a lot of surprises in store this year. We have an eccentric judge, who at age16, was a member of Robert E. Lee’s body guards and remained

~Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) held a meeting on the Purgatoire River Watershed Strategy in the Pioneer Room, Student Center, Trinidad State College, May 11, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 P.M. This meeting was to illustrate the Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Plan, (HCCP) published in December 2024. This strategy defines priority wildlife species, priority wildlife landscapes and movement corridors that connect these landscapes. The goal is to selec