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• New Colorado Springs Council sworn in

  April 16, 2013 2:18 PM

  Six out of nine strangers were sworn in to replace Colorado Springs City Council members. On Tuesday a ceremony was held at Colorado Springs City Hall to formally induct the six new council members. In April's election, all of the incumbents running for re-election were voted out of office,... more »

• Questions Arise Over City Water Sales During Drought Play Video

  March 28, 2013 3:45 PM

  Questions are being raised about selling off Colorado Springs City water in times of drought. A second year of extreme drought has left our reservoirs low, at less than 50% capacity. Water restrictions and higher rates for some customers are also going into effect. "We're looking at a... more »

• Council Set to Vote on Fracking in City Limits Play Video

  March 12, 2013 12:22 PM

  To drill or not to drill, that is the question facing Colorado Springs City Council Tuesday. Council members are voting on new regulations that would allow oil and gas drilling within city limits. In particular, the concern is over hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. The process is already permitted... more »

• Kansas City Plaza Fire

  February 19, 2013 11:46 PM

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Multiple injuries were being reported Tuesday evening after a suspected gas explosion sparked a massive fire that engulfed an entire block at an upscale shopping center in Kansas City. Police spokeswoman Rhonda Flores said it appeared that a car crashed into a gas main near... more »

• New hotline to the City of Pueblo

  February 10, 2013 12:37 PM

  There's now a new way for you to connect with the City of Pueblo. Pueblo's City Manager says a new hotline is a way to open lines of communication with the public. They're calling it the Verify System. You can now dial 719-553-2677 and leave a message. Within three... more »

• Heavy rains uproot drainage ditch on north end of Colorado Springs Play Video

  July 9, 2012 1:13 AM

  A drainage ditch behind Thrush Grove near Rampart High School in northern Colorado Springs is in pieces after heavy rains uprooted the concrete. Two homes were partially under water Sunday evening. Residents say the system was totally uprooted within 10 minutes of gushing waters heading downstream. Water is... more »

• Weekend on the GO! May 11 - 13

  May 11, 2012 7:52 AM

  Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Car Show Saturday 9am Acacia Park Colorado Springs Free Mother's Day Brunch Sunday 10am Conscious Table Colorado Springs $30 The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show Saturday 6:15 to 9:30pm Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs $54 Colorado Springs Philharmonic Saturday 8pm Pikes Peak... more »

• Dinosaur Flats closed on Saturday

  April 26, 2012 6:26 AM

  CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) - The Dinosaur Flats area north of Canon City will be closed this Saturday while volunteers clean up litter. Dinosaur Flats consists of 2,300 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The agency says the Fremont County 4-H Sharpshooters, the Clover Rovers... more »

• Police Investigate Deadly Shooting

  March 3, 2012 11:15 PM

  A shooting this morning in Colorado Springs kills one male in his 20's. Police received calls of shots fired in the area of Vermijo and Chestnut at around 5 a.m., followed by a call from the hospital saying a man checked in, dying from a gunshot wound. They believe a... more »

• Mayor Bach orders review of Urban Renewal Authority

  February 15, 2012 6:27 PM

  The Colorado Springs City Government will conduct a review of the Urban Renewal Authority, including financial records. Mayor Steve Bach ordered the review and asked for cooperation from Urban Renewal. The financial status of the Urban Renewal Authority has come into question in recent weeks after it defaulted... more »

• City cuts payroll by 10% over past 3 years Play Video

  January 19, 2012 12:36 AM

  New numbers that list city employee salaries are out for the public's eyes to see. This year city employees are slated to make about $131,000,000. It may sound high but in fact, it's a pretty big decrease. "The decrease was about $14,000,000 from 2009 compared to 2012. Or about 10%... more »

• Flood of government data fuels rise of city apps

  November 26, 2011 2:09 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - When Ben Berkowitz wanted some graffiti on his street cleaned up, he called the city. They put him on hold. As he sat there, he found himself thinking that his neighbors had probably called in with the same complaint, but he had no way of knowing.... more »

• Community First: Broadway Favorites

  November 19, 2011 9:12 AM

  Community First Non-profit Steel City Theater is inviting you to the Broadway Favorites show and dinner. The fund-raiser helps keep ticket prices low for the theater performances, as well as keeping their kid's programs affordable for the community. The dinner will be Saturday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m.... more »

• Controversy brewing over new city branding Play Video

  November 17, 2011 12:56 AM

  After months of researching and work, the City of Colorado Springs has a new identity. The new tag line "Live It Up", is the culmination of research done by the Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Community Branding Task Force and Brand Consultants Stone Mantel. Stone Mantel founder... more »

• Occupy costs adding up for some cities Play Video

  November 16, 2011 12:32 AM

  As Occupy Wall Street protests grow across the country, so do violent episodes between cops and occupiers. Just north of our area, Occupy Denver has had several heated run-ins with police over camping space and public areas. With those confrontations comes a price. Today Denver Police announced its cost... more »

• Springs Fire Department saves city around $200,000 Play Video

  November 9, 2011 4:18 PM

  The Colorado Springs Fire Department save the city $209,229 by refurbishing an older engine (pumper) instead of buying a new one. CSFD has refurbished seven apparatuses over the past five years, saving the community over $1.2 million dollars. Right now, a ladder truck is undergoing the refurbishing process.... more »

• Treasurer likely to add another fee to stormwater tax bills.

  September 23, 2011 8:33 PM

  El Paso County Treasurer Bob Balink says he expects that he will add delinquent Stormwater Enterprise fees to property tax bills, but attorneys for the city and county are still discussing the legal fine print. What's more, he said he is legally required to add a 10 percent fee on... more »

• Party City to hire for Halloween season

  September 9, 2011 7:21 AM

  If you are looking for some seasonal work, you might want to try Party City. They plan on hiring more that 14, 000 employees for the Halloween season. That means that the average store will hire anywhere from 15 to 50 workers. Click here for the link .... more »

• Records show grant spending on USOC building work

  August 13, 2011 6:41 AM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - City records suggest a developer improperly spent some of the $2 million grant that El Pomar Foundation gave to keep the U.S. Olympic Committee headquartered in Colorado Springs. LandCo Equity Partners was the development firm initially chosen to build the headquarters building. According to... more »

• Fire restrictions lifted in Pueblo County and City

  August 4, 2011 8:49 PM

  Pueblo County and City are no longer under fire restriction. Sheriff Kirk M Taylor lifted the Stage I Fire Restrictions this evening. This means that residents of Pueblo County can again have outdoor fires for yard debris, agricultural needs, and recreation. Simultaneously, Pueblo City Fire Chief Christopher Riley lifted... more »

• Election leaders at this hour

  April 6, 2011 12:57 AM

  The results are not yet complete in the Colorado Springs City election, but here are the leaders at this time. Richard Skorman and Steve Bach will face each other in a runoff election next month for Colorado Springs Mayor. The top five in the At-Large Council race are... more »

• Thousands of ballots still to be counted

  April 6, 2011 12:17 AM

  At about 10 p.m. the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office stopped counting ballots and sent its employees home. At about 8:30 p.m. the city's website showed all the ballots had been counted, then we found out another 10,000 had not yet been included in the count. By just before... more »

• 10,000 ballots not yet counted

  April 5, 2011 11:47 PM

  At about 8:30 p.m. the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office reported all the ballots in the city election had been counted. Unofficial numbers were posted on the city website showing 100 percent of the votes were tallied. About a half hour later the city reported another 10,000 ballots had... more »

• City schools faces "largest budget challenge in history"

  March 10, 2011 7:43 PM

  Pueblo City Schools faces some tough decisions. Superintendent Dr. Maggie Lopez says the school district is dealing with the "largest budget challenge in it's history." The school district needs to cut about $8.5 million from the 2011-2012 school year's budget, that's roughly 8% of its general fund. The school... more »

• City of Pueblo recognized for technology strides

  February 15, 2011 8:07 PM

  The City of Pueblo has received a prestigious award for its advances in information technology. Today the Center for Digital Government and Cisco Systems gave Pueblo an award for being the most digital city in the country, among cities with similar populations. The groups recognized Pueblo for its new... more »

• Pueblo's tax revenues fall for 4th consecutive year

  February 8, 2011 7:40 PM

  Bad economic news for Pueblo, the city's tax revenues have fallen for the fourth year in a row. Last year's tax revenues were $40 million, which is down close to $2 million since 2007. The city's finance director says sales tax revenues have remained relatively flat. Worse, tax collected... more »

• Pueblo's snow removal crews working non-stop

  January 10, 2011 4:41 PM

  Snow removal crews in the City of Pueblo are working around the clock to clear the roads. Jeff Pratt, the supervisor of the city's street division says about 10 trucks are removing snow and dropping sand on the roads. "We'll probably be out there til about Wednesday evening," said Pratt.... more »

• Group aims to turn Falcon into a city

  December 13, 2010 12:13 AM

  There's a grass roots movement developing in Falcon. A group calling themselves Citizens for a Better Falcon is working towards a ballot question next November that would incorporate Falcon and make it a city. "Our goals are to really just provide an opportunity for the citizens of the Falcon area... more »

• Mark Madoff found dead in NYC apartment

  December 11, 2010 11:44 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a son of Bernard Madoff has been found dead in New York City of an apparent suicide. The official says Mark Madoff was found hanged in his Manhattan apartment on the second anniversary of his father's... more »

• Springs ranks as holiest city in US

  December 5, 2010 10:11 AM

  Men's Health Magazine considers Colorado Springs to be the holiest city in the nation. In their December issue, the magazine rated the 100 Holiest Hometowns in America. The magazine used US Census data and the phone book to compare the number of places of worship per capita with the... more »

• Some people want their streetlights left off

  December 3, 2010 6:57 PM

  City crews are getting ready to start switching residential streetlights back on in Colorado Springs and they're finding out---not everyone wants them back. The lights were turned off this year due to budget problems. With a better year predicted for 2011---the money to run the lights has returned. ... more »

• Pueblo council passes budget, disagrees on spending measure

  November 23, 2010 1:58 PM

  Pueblo City Council has approved $76.8 million dollar budget for 2011. City Manager Jerry Pacheco says in order to balance the budget, the city had to reduce personnel costs. This means 26 vacant full time positions will remain un-filled in the coming year. In related business, council members were at... more »

• Citizens invited to E-town hall meeting

  October 25, 2010 4:05 PM

  The City of Colorado Springs will hold its annual public E-town hall meeting to discuss the 2011 General Fund budget Thursday from 7 - 9 p.m. Citizens may get involved in several ways: Attend in person at City Council Chambers, City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. Watch... more »

• Medical Marijuana Tax Revenues May Restore Some City Services

  October 24, 2010 6:02 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Colorado Springs officials say sales tax revenue from medical marijuana could help pay for a new police unit to monitor the business. The Gazette of Colorado Springs reported Sunday that medical marijuana sales taxes are bringing in about $50,000 a month for the city. That... more »

• Medical marijuana tax issue on Pueblo ballot

  October 18, 2010 7:45 PM

  Voters in Pueblo will decide if medical marijuana users should pay an extra 4.3% in sales tax. The city says the tax could be used to help pay for increased law enforcement near dispensaries, but some argue it isn't needed. News First 5 is taking a closer look at ballot... more »

• Fremont County breaks up crime racket

  October 14, 2010 4:26 PM

  Several people believed to be involved in a crime spree in August have been arrested by members of the Fremont County Combined Investigative Response Team (CIRT) , the Cañon City Police Department and Deputies from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. The suspects are accused of several car thefts, burglaries... more »

• Life sentence for Times Square bomber

  October 5, 2010 10:44 AM

  The man who plotted to kill Americans by driving a homemade car bomb into Times Square and leaving it to explode has been sentenced to life in prison. A federal judge gave Faisal Shahzad a mandatory life prison term at his sentencing Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. The... more »

• Pueblo faces $9 million budget shortfall in '11

  September 21, 2010 6:18 PM

  Pueblo's city manager is projecting a $9 million budget shortfall in 2011. On Monday, Jerry Pacheco told City Council he can balance the budget without laying-off workers. Pacheco's recommendations include: no additional funding for non-profits; increase code enforcement programs to boost revenues; and keep 26 vacant positions un-filled, including seven... more »

• Parking ticket? Try yoga

  September 21, 2010 11:25 AM

  Drivers annoyed by parking tickets in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are getting some calming advice from city officials - try yoga. The city's parking tickets include instructions on the reverse on how to bend into some simple yoga positions. The city, which is home to Harvard and MIT, printed 40,000 of... more »

• Colorado Springs Rec Center open again

  September 19, 2010 6:56 PM

  This year's city budget cuts had Colorado Springs swimmers nervous with the closing of local pools. However, those swimmers get a little more relief this weekend. The Colorado Springs Recreation Center, off of South Union Blvd., is open again. It was the Colorado Springs Swim School that stepped in... more »

• Controller faulted in Hudson midair collision

  September 14, 2010 3:43 PM

  A federal safety panel says an air traffic controller who was engaged in a personal phone call was partly responsible for a midair collision last year over the Hudson River between a tour helicopter and a small plane. The crash on Aug. 8, 2009, killed nine people. The... more »

• No new Boulder evacuations; strong winds in forecast

  September 10, 2010 10:00 AM

  Crews are monitoring hot spots at the wildfire burning near Boulder amid concerns that strong winds could fan the flames and send them into the city. City officials had urged roughly 9,000 residents Thursday afternoon to prepare to evacuate at a moment's notice because of conditions that were ripe... more »

• Boulder residents warned of wildfire threat

  September 10, 2010 8:25 AM

  Fire officials say Boulder isn't in imminent danger of a wildfire that has destroyed nearly 170 homes in the Rocky Mountain foothills. However, residents on the west side of Boulder were warned to be prepared to evacuate if the wildfire moves into town. The fire showed no signs of... more »

• Colorado Springs: medical marijuana won't be on ballot

  August 24, 2010 8:15 AM

  The Colorado Springs City Council has decided against asking voters in November to weigh in on what to do about the 176 medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. Councilman Darryl Glenn suggested Monday that voters should be asked whether to ban the centers, but his proposal didn't get enough... more »

• Memorial service for Dr. Ted Eastburn

  August 20, 2010 12:06 PM

  A memorial service was held Friday morning for Dr. Ted Eastburn, a former Colorado Springs City Councilman and prominent cardiologist, who ended his own life on Tuesday. Dr. Eastburn was also a faculty member at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and a cyclist who rode extensively through... more »

• Popcorn? Milk Duds? Bedbugs? Pests invade NYC theater

  August 19, 2010 10:02 AM

  Bedbugs have attacked a popular movie theater in Times Square as New York battles the persistent pests. The AMC Empire 25 in Times Square was sprayed overnight and reopened Wednesday. A guest at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 theater also reported a bite in late July. Spokesman... more »

• Swank NYC stores hunt for bedbugs

  August 13, 2010 8:59 AM

  It's not what you expect to bring home from a New York shopping spree. High-end New York city retailer Bergdorf Goodman has hired a beagle to hunt for bedbugs - just in case. Store spokeswoman Ginger Reeder says there have been no reported cases of the pesky bugs... more »

• Lance Armstrong brings pro cycling to Colorado

  August 4, 2010 11:56 AM

  Lance Armstrong is teaming with Denver-based Quiznos to bring a major international pro-cycling stage race to Colorado next summer. Armstrong hopes to ride in the weeklong race, titled the Quiznos Pro Challenge. The exact route of the Aug. 22-28, 2011, race has not been mapped out yet, but it... more »

• Backers push for Strong Mayor in Colorado Springs

  August 3, 2010 3:15 PM

  Backers of a Strong Mayor form of government in Colorado Springs submitted signatures Tuesday to get the issue on the November ballot. The group needs 25,091 valid signatures to make the ballot. The petitions submitted have 36,305. If voters approve the Strong Mayor proposal the position of City... more »

• Pueblo council split on immigration reform vote

  July 28, 2010 5:40 PM

  On Monday, Pueblo city council has passed a resolution urging Colorado lawmakers to support comprehensive federal immigration reform. The resolution passed 5 to 2, with council members Vera Ortegon and Judy Weaver voting against it. The resolution reads as follows: The Pueblo City Council urges our United States Senators for... more »

• Pueblo sets tough restrictions on marijuana centers

  July 28, 2010 5:24 PM

  It's official. Medical marijuana centers are now allowed in Pueblo. However, tough new zoning restrictions prohibit them from setting up shop throughout most of the city. A map of Pueblo displays areas shaded in orange, where medical marijuana centers can be located. The available sites are few and far between.... more »

• Final ride for Little Britches Rodeo in Pueblo?

  July 26, 2010 6:49 PM

  Time is running out on a deal to keep the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in Pueblo. The annual event kicked off Monday attracting thousands from all over the country. However, the rodeo may be skipping town if the city doesn't fork over more money to keep them here. "We're... more »

• No more debating in your underwear in Boulder

  July 16, 2010 12:49 PM

  The days when a citizen could address the Boulder City Council wearing only underwear may be over. The council will vote on new decorum rules in September, seven months after a resident stepped up to a microphone in his boxers. The rules were already under review, but that incident led... more »

• Pueblo council may vote on marijuana ballot questions

  July 12, 2010 3:05 PM

  The Pueblo city council should decide tonight--July 12, on whether to put two questions on the November ballot regarding medical marijuana centers. Right now there is a moratorium in place, which means medical marijuana dispensaries are not allowed to operate within city limits. The first ballot question would ask voters... more »

• Court proceeds with neglect claim in Fremont County

  July 6, 2010 2:42 PM

  A Fremont County judge has decided not to return three children to their parents, just days after a five-month-old died in the house. The baby girl was rushed to St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City last week. Child abuse was initially suspected, so the couple's other children were... more »

• Christo tries to save vision for 'Over the River'

  July 6, 2010 9:20 AM

  The artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude promised each other years ago that they'd suspend miles of fabric over the Arkansas River in Colorado. Last November, Jeanne-Claude died, leaving Christo to seek a permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the project, dubbed "Over the River." BLM is due... more »

• Pueblo pools offer several "free" swim days

  July 1, 2010 4:28 PM

  Here's a deal you can't beat! Free swimming! The City of Pueblo schedules certain days throughout the summer when the public can swim at no charge. Here's a list of the Free Swim Days at their corresponding pools: City Park Pool : July 7 and August 11 Mineral Palace Pool... more »

• Mayor releases State of the City

  June 30, 2010 2:46 PM

  Mayor Lionel Rivera gave his annual State of the City address Wednesday afternoon at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Rivera noted the tough year that was 2009, saying the city eliminated 266 jobs. He said the city had to cut services, but also developed partnerships with community organizations to... more »

• Improvements planned for Lake Ave. in Pueblo

  June 28, 2010 12:09 PM

  Here's what I'm working on today. Years ago, Lake Ave. in Pueblo was a hotspot. There was a drive-in located at Lake Ave. and Pueblo Blvd. Also, Lake Minnequa was a popular destination for boating and other recreational activity. But the drive-in is long gone and some of the old... more »

• Royal Gorge fire could be contained tonight

  June 24, 2010 12:25 PM

  While crews estimate the fire burning near the Royal Gorge is 65 percent contained, the efforts are "in good shape." It started Monday along railroad tracks near Parkdale the number of acres burned has been downgraded to 600 acres.  Containment is now estimated to happen sometime early Friday morning. ... more »

• Royal Gorge fire two thirds contained

  June 23, 2010 7:12 PM

  The fire burning near the Royal Gorge in Fremont County is now reported at 65 percent containment. The fire started earlier this week along the railroad tracks near Parkdale. The cause is still undetermined. This afternoon Sheriff Jim Beicker told News First the fire had grown only slightly since... more »

• Royal Gorge fire knocks out power to dozens of homes

  June 22, 2010 2:50 PM

  The fire burning west of Canon City has knocked out power to dozens of homes. Black Hills Energy reports about 90 homes in the Copper Gulch area southwest of the fire are without electricity because of damage to power lines. They are expected to be without power for several... more »