Author: Savannah Eller
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With its water source dry, a southeast Colorado town’s clock is ticking
The Cucharas is not a mighty river, but the people of La Veta knew they had a problem brewing when it ran dry at the beginning of June. “We’re getting by,” said La Veta Mayor Doug Brgoch. “It’s not great.” The town has water in storage at its two reservoirs on the edge of town,…
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DA calls out election opponent over confidential voter breach
Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen said his office was investigating after a software glitch temporarily exposed his own personal information along with the information of more than 130,000 confidential voters in Colorado. “This represents a glaring safety issue,” he said Monday during a news conference. Allen is the Republican candidate for Colorado Attorney General.…
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El Paso County upholds Buc-ee’s zoning appeal, clearing way for administrative approval
A packed, daylong meeting on Thursday resulted in a win for the Texas travel center chain Buc-ee’s, with El Paso County commissioners voting 4-1 to approve the developer’s zoning appeal. “I think the burden of proof has been met here,” said Commission Chair Carrie Geitner. The appeal centered on whether Buc-ee’s is a use that…
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Buc-ee’s and El Paso County: What to know ahead of the public hearing
Controversial plans for the second Colorado location of the Texas travel chain Buc-ee’s are making their debut in El Paso County’s public hearing process. Interest in the project has been high from the start, defining over a year of local politics in the small town of Palmer Lake where it was originally proposed. El Paso…
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Palmer Lake declares water emergency
The town of Palmer Lake last week declared a Stage 1 Water Emergency, citing nonexistent flows in the town’s surface water source. In a memo, Palmer Lake Water Supervisor Charles Roubidoux said Monument Creek has been “completely dry” since June 19, forcing the town to rely solely on its groundwater wells. “The town has observed…
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Monument council rejects housing development bordering USAFA
The Monument Town Council on Monday rejected a 205-home project on the northern edge of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Called Santa Fe Meadows, the Classic Homes project for 135 single-family homes and 70 townhomes would have occupied 43 acres at the south end of Terrazzo Drive. The area was originally approved for up to…
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Something’s off about Cañon City’s water. Officials say it’s not a health risk.
Geosmin. It’s that earthy smell just after a rainstorm, the dirt flavor in beet peels and, recently, the odor and taste in Cañon City’s municipal water. “The water’s changed recently,” resident Heather Wilkerson told the City Council this week. Residents packed council chambers seeking answers about what several described as a swampy turn in the…
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Annual survey documents emerging threat to Pikes Peak’s bighorn sheep
After a brief pre-dawn gathering, over 40 volunteers and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff split into teams Wednesday morning and headed off into the high alpine. They were on an annual mission to count and catalog the bighorn sheep population of Pikes Peak, an effort that’s been ongoing since 1988. The volunteers gathered before sunrise…
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El Paso County rejects multi-family zoning request near Monument Academy
The El Paso County Board of Commissioners narrowly rejected a developer’s bid to convert land from low- to high-density residential zoning. The request, made by MA Infrastructure, LLC, would have allowed 12 units per acre on half of a 14-acre property and 30 units per acre on the other half. The land is at the…
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Newest Front Range Passenger Rail plan includes second Colorado Springs station
The latest plan for a passenger train connecting the Colorado Front Range will have two stops in Colorado Springs, not just one. According to Front Range Passenger Rail District General Manager Sal Pace, expanding passenger train service – dubbed the Colorado Connector or “CoCo” – will include both reviving the downtown station and adding a…