December 3rd 2025
CPW announces plans to reintroduce more wolves by end of winter.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it plans to reintroduce more wolves into the state by the
end of winter. However, the state is facing challengers in sourcing wolves for the
program. CPW can no longer import wolves from Canada after the federal government
issued a cease and desist notice as CPW's permit from The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service does not list Canada as a location they can source wolves from. Washington state
has also decided not to provide wolves to colorado. That leaves Oregon, Idaho,
Wyoming and Montana as potential sources for wolf relocation. No decision as to the
sourcing of wolves has yet been made public by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. CPW says
it still hopes to release between 30 and 50 wolves in the next 3 to 5 years in Colorado.
CPW released new statistics on conflicts between people and bears.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife yesterday released new statistics showing that the number of
conflicts between people and bears is at its highest level in Colorado since 2019.
Between January 1st, 2025, and Monday, CPW says it received 5,256 bear reports,
compared to 4,996 in the same time period last year. Bear sightings and conflicts have
been rising steadily over the past few years, according to CPW. Wildlife officials say a
majority of incident reports involve bears attempting to get into human food sources.
CPW asks Coloradans to never feed or approach bears; to secure food, garbage and
recycling; to remove bird feeders when bears are active; to never leave pet food outdoors;
to clean and store grills; and to alert neighbors to bear activity.
Raton suspects arrested in drive by shootings case.
Dominic Christopher Mateer, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile male, both of Raton, have
been arrested by Raton police in connection with the 4 drive by shootings that took place
in Raton last month. During the investigation, police noted that a black sedan had been in
the area of the shootings, and was owned by the juvenile. The investigation also
confirmed that the vehicle was also used in a shooting in Trinidad. Mateer has been
charged with shooting at or from a motor vehicle, shooting at a dwelling or occupied
building, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and tampering with evidence. The
17-year-old has been charged with shooting at or from a motor vehicle, tampering with
evidence and shooting at a dwelling.
City of Monte Vista accepting letters of interest to fill City Council vacancy.
The City of Monte Vista is accepting letters of interest to fill a vacancy on the Monte
Vista City Council. Last month's municipal election did not produce enough candidates
to run for the city council, thus creating a vacancy. Monte Vista residents interested in
serving for a term that begins in January should submit a letter of interest to City Clerk
Unita Vance. The letter should outline qualifications and the reason for wanting to be on
city council. Letters can be delivered or mailed to Unita Vance, City of Monte Vista, 95
west 1st street, Monte Vista, 81144. Deadline is December 15th.
City of Alamosa seeking residents to serve on steering committee.
The City of Alamosa is seeking residents to serve on the two-year comprehensive plan
steering committee. The committee's purpose is to help guide and oversee the entire
process of the 2026 Alamosa comprehensive plan, which acts as the city's long-term
roadmap. Committee members are asked to ensure the plan reflects the diverse needs of
the community, covering everything from housing and water to strategic growth. The
upcoming 2026 comprehensive plan will be the largest and most influential planning
process for Alamosa in years. Don't miss this opportunity to help shape Alamosa's long-
term future. For more information, and to apply, go to
cityofalamosa.granicus.com/boards/forms/683/apply, or call the city clerk's office at 719-
589-2593. Application deadline is December 19th.
December 2nd 2025
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office asking for public's information in last Wednesday crash.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help for information on
the crash that took place on Wednesday, November 26th, that killed Colorado State
Senator Faith Winter. The sheriff's office says that it responded to two multi-vehicle
crashes in the Northbound lanes of I-25 near east dry creek road around 6:20pm that
night. The first crash reportedly involved two vehicles. The second crash involved three
vehicles. The two crashes occurred in close proximity to each other. Deputies say that
Winter died at the scene of the crash from her injuries. Three others injured in the crash
were taken to local hospitals. As the investigation into the crashes continues, deputies are
asking anyone who may have seen the crash to speak with investigators. If you witnessed
the crash and have not yet spoken with the sheriff's office, contact Deputy Benjamin
Sears by email at bsears@arapahoegov.com.
CPW releases latest collared gray wolf activity map.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released the latest collared gray wolf activity map for
the period of October 21st through November 25th. The previous map showed activity
throughout much of the San Luis Valley, however, according to the latest map, wolf
activity has pulled back from most of the San Luis Valley and is concentrated in Mineral
County and northwestern Saguache County. Other than that, most wolf activity for the
past month has occurred north of U.S. 50 in the north-central part of Colorado. Of
specific note, the map shows increased wolf activity towards the Denver Metro Area with
wolf activity showing up in Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson and Boulder counties, with
some activity reported in Adams and Arapahoe counties. State wildlife officials are in
preparation for the third round of wolf reintroductions in Colorado, however, the source
of wolves for the third round has not yet been determined.
Pueblo suspect sentenced in felony case.
Thomas Wornick, 43, a Pueblo combat veteran, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison
after threatening a Denver judge. Wornick was found guilty by a jury of three counts of
retaliation against a judge, all class four felonies. He was previously serving a deferred
sentence for threatening former Colorado U.S. Senator Cory Gardner. The latest case
involved Wornick threatening to kill Judge Judith Labuda, who was the presiding judge
over several of his ongoing criminal cases. Wornick sent nine emails in March of 2024,
making the threats. Since the matter involved a Denver judge, a special prosecutor from
the 18th judicial district attorney's office was assigned to prosecute the case.
Multiple Custer County offices evacuated due to propane leak yesterday.
The Custer County courthouse, sheriff's office and ems were evacuated yesterday after a
valve on a propane tank began leaking about 1:44pm. According to the Custer County
sheriff's office, two propane tanks at the back of the sheriff's office were being filled
with propane when a valve on a 250-gallon tank began leaking, releasing propane into the
air. As a precaution, the sheriff's office, ems and county courthouse were evacuated
while the wet mountain fire protection district responded and secured the scene. The fire
department worked with the propane vendor to cap the leaking valve, the leak was safely
contained just after 2:30pm.
CO HD62 Rep announces reelection bid for third term.
Colorado House District 62 Representative Matthew Martinez, of Monte Vista, has
announced that he will seek a third term in 2026. Martinez sits on the House Agriculture,
Water and Natural Resources committee and the legislative council committee. He was
appointed as vice chair of the house education committee. Martinez is a San Luis Valley
native and u.s. marine corps veteran. House District 62 covers all of the six counties in
the San Luis Valley, Huerfano County, and much of Pueblo County.
December 1st 2025
Colorado State Senator killed in I-25 crash Wednesday night.
Colorado State Senator Faith Winter, of Broomfield, died last Wednesday night in a
multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 25. According to south metro fire rescue, crews
responded to a crash in the Northbound lanes of I-25 near the Dry Creek Road exit, south
of Denver around 6:20pm Wednesday. Northbound I-25 was closed as crews responded.
At least one large truck was reported to be laying on its side in the middle of the roadway
and one person had been reported as deceased. Governor Jared Polis made the
announcement that Winter had died just prior to 10pm on Wednesday, saying that Winter
“was a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women and families, and our
climate.” Winter represented Colorado’s 25th district, including Broomfield, Westminster
and Northglenn. Governor Polis has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of
Winter’s passing.
Suspect in custody following drug bust last Monday.
Edgar Arana is in custody, and about 26 pounds of cocaine was seized last week in
Trinidad. According to Trinidad police, officers pulled a driver over on Northbound
interstate 25 last Monday. During the traffic stop, officers received consent to search the
vehicle. A K9 unit alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. A complete search of
the vehicle was then conducted, resulting in 26 pounds of cocaine being seized by
officers. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Arana. Arana is facing charges
including possession with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a controlled
substance. Arana was booked into the Las Animas County Detention Center. He is
being held on a $50,000 bond, and was still in jail as of Friday.
Suspect arrested following standoff in Rio Grande County.
William Redden, 33, was arrested last Tuesday following a 40 minute standoff.
According to The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office, Redden was wanted on charges of
felony stalking and threats against court personnel. During a coordinated operation at
Redden's home in Rio Grande County, northwest of Monte Vista, Redden presented a
handgun and fired shots, then barricaded himself inside the home, leading to the standoff.
Redden eventually surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without further
incident. He is being held at the Alamosa County Detention Center on a $90,000 bond
for the original felony stalking warrant as well as for three counts of first-degree assault
on a peace officer.
Deadly shooting took place in Fremont County Friday Night.
A deadly shooting took place Friday Night on the south side of Rockvale in Fremont
county. According to the Fremont County Sheriff's office, deputies were dispatched at
9:52pm to the 400 block of twin pines avenue in Rockvale for a reported shooting. Upon
arrival, deputies found a victim who was later pronounced dead at the scene. Fremont
County detectives were still on scene Saturday morning, investigating the shooting.
There is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public, according to the sheriff's
office.
CPW announces low altitude helicopter flights in Colorado Tomorrow.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced that it will begin low-altitude helicopter
flights to assess big game herds across the southeast region tomorrow. Airbus a-star and
bell jetranger helicopters and pilots have been contracted to support the effort that will
stretch from Trinidad to Leadville and east of Interstate 25. The flights will provide
important information to inform CPW wildlife biologists about individual herds. Data
from the flights will be used for multiple purposes that include determining the number of
hunting licenses for each species for next year. The helicopters will spend a brief amount
of time in a specific area to count and categorize individual herds and then move on.
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