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Southern Colorado will experience reduced heat and increased thunderstorm activity on Tuesday and Wednesday, with storms bringing heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds. Multiple regions, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and the Tri-Lakes, will transition from hot, sunny mornings to afternoon and evening storms. The extended forecast predicts stormy afternoons through the week, followed by a return to hot, sunny conditions by the weekend.

A high-pressure system over the Rockies is trapping heat in Colorado, leading to record-breaking overnight lows in the 60s and 70s. Colorado Springs and Pueblo have seen temperatures significantly higher than their seasonal averages, with potential records at risk if temperatures do not drop below 76 degrees.

The Denver Broncos will hold a half-price ticket sale starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, offering limited 2026 regular season tickets at $23.00 each with a four-ticket household limit. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and delivered digitally for entry to non-premium gates.

Popes Valley Drive on the northwest side of Colorado Springs was closed after heavy rainfall damaged the road, causing asphalt chunks to wash into a nearby creek bed. The northbound lanes near I-25 Frontage Road and the Popes Bluffs Neighborhood are shut down with no reopening timeline provided.

Colorado Springs Utilities is urging customers to voluntarily conserve electricity due to high demand straining the grid, suggesting methods like adjusting thermostats and avoiding certain appliances during peak hours.

The City of Colorado Springs is adding eight new school zones by the end of summer to enhance safety around middle and high schools. The initiative follows the death of Doherty High School student Giorgia Trocciola and includes installing flashing lights to slow traffic. City leaders plan to add ten more zones next year on the northeast side, aiming for safe zones at all schools.

Residents of Rye returned home after 24 days of evacuation due to the Aspen Acres Fire, which caused widespread destruction but spared some properties. Mike Moody and Shae Collins described the emotional and financial toll of displacement, while ongoing firefighting efforts continue nearby.

Pueblo County School District 70 (D70) has delayed the opening of Greenhorn Valley Schools due to the Aspen Acres Fire. Affected schools include Rye Elementary, Craver Middle, and Rye High, with a transition day on August 17 and first day on August 18. The delay aims to support emergency response efforts and ensure safe facility preparations.

The City of Pueblo is offering free paint jobs to homeowners through its Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, selecting two homes on the northwest side that are owned and occupied for at least two years. The initiative aims to preserve aging housing stock, with applications due by Monday at 5 p.m.

A public hearing for the Project Taurus Data Center is set for Thursday at the Ent Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs. Residents have raised concerns about electricity, water, and noise, while the project's COO has addressed these issues in public meetings. The planning commission will review appeals and public comments before making a decision.

A 13-year-old girl named Mikenzi is reported missing after running away from her home in El Paso County southeast of Colorado Springs. Authorities state she left with a backpack and daily medications, and they are seeking the public's help to locate her.

Rain chances increase significantly along I-25 during the middle of the work week, with varying forecasts for cities like Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City. Heavy rain and potential flash flooding are noted in burn scar areas and the Aspen Acres Fire region, while temperatures remain high in most locations.

Pueblo County has recorded 33 suicides this year, an increase from 28 in the same period last year and 22 the year before. The coroner notes 25% of this year's suicides involved individuals 30 and under and urges those struggling to seek support through communication with loved ones.

Monument's Town Council approved a six-month moratorium on data center applications, making it the first community in El Paso County to do so. Councilman Steve King expressed doubts about data centers' benefits, as the town proactively sets boundaries despite no current applications. Nearby, the Project Taurus Data Center remains under debate.

Beacon Light Road will close Monday for waterline and storm sewer installation between Palmer Divide Road and Wakonda Way, with a detour via Palmer Divide Road, Indi Drive, Aries Drive, and Wakonda Way. The closure will last three to four months, but local access to homes and private drives will remain open.

A motorcyclist died after crashing on I-25 in Colorado Springs Thursday night. The rider struck the median and crossed into southbound lanes between Cimarron Street and Tejon Street. Authorities are investigating speed as a potential factor, and the rider's identity will be released by the El Paso County Coroner.

Josh Peterson reopened Gin and Barrett Liquor in Colorado City after the Aspen Acres Fire, but faces challenges including ruined wine inventory and uncertain customer returns. The store operates limited hours while the community recovers.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reports increased $400-$500 driving citations in construction zones along Dublin Boulevard and Marksheffel Road. Residents and business owners, including Caylea Henn and Susan Fish, cited for traffic violations, expressed frustration over unclear signage and lack of communication about road closures. CSPD attributed the enforcement surge to safety concerns for construction workers and excessive speeding.

Basic cadet training at the United States Air Force Academy's Jacks Valley complex includes obstacle and assault courses with cannons and explosives. Cadets are quizzed on Air Force knowledge during training to prepare for real-life emergencies, focusing on pressure resilience, confidence, and teamwork.

Temperatures in southeastern Colorado will rise through the weekend, peaking in the 90s by Sunday. The plains will see sunny conditions, while the mountains face spotty thunderstorms. A monsoon pattern is expected to shift eastward next week, increasing thunderstorm chances in Colorado Springs from Tuesday to Thursday.

Colorado Springs and surrounding areas will experience hot and dry weather this week with temperatures in the 80s-90s, followed by an increased chance of monsoon-related thunderstorms next week. Wind gusts up to 30 mph are expected across multiple regions.

Teller County officials expressed disappointment over Colorado Springs' decision to leave the regional El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority, citing financial contributions from the city and ongoing crises like water shortages and fire season. The city claims the move keeps $13 million annually in public safety funds within Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department contained a 40-foot by 40-foot grass fire near Wooten Road and Town Center Drive on the southeast side of the city. The fire was reported to be spreading in grass before being contained around 2:30 p.m., with the cause under investigation.

Southbound I-25 is closed south of Baptist Road between Monument and Colorado Springs due to a grass fire. Crews are working to contain the fire, which has caused traffic to halt in that direction. Northbound traffic remains moving, no evacuations have been issued, and the fire's size is currently unknown.

Pueblo County authorities plan a phased reentry for Beulah evacuees starting Monday as the Aspen Acres fire nears 100,000 acres burned. Residents must obtain a card from the Disaster Assistance Center and follow assigned reentry times and routes to return safely.

Southern Colorado is experiencing clearing skies and near-average temperatures tonight, with hot and dry conditions expected on Saturday. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible in some areas, and fire danger is increasing due to sustained high temperatures and breezy winds.

Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) is hosting a hiring fair on July 10, 2026, at Jenkins Middle School to recruit for the 2026-2027 school year. The event offers on-site interviews for roles in departments including Special Education, Transportation, and Food & Nutrition Services.

A surveillance video from Paul Hindman's home in the Beulah area along North Creek Road captures firefighters working to protect structures from the Aspen Acres Fire, which destroyed 192 homes in the region. Drone footage from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office shows the extent of the destruction, with the fire now covering over 96,000 acres and 14% containment.

The Town of La Veta has implemented Stage 4 Water Restrictions due to a critical shortage, prohibiting outdoor watering, vehicle washing, and filling pools or fountains. Violations result in fines up to $500, with initial violations starting at a written warning. Outdoor flower and garden watering is allowed using indoor water only.

Southern Colorado is experiencing increased thunderstorm activity on Thursday, including areas affected by the Aspen Acres Fire. Forecasts predict afternoon thunderstorms across multiple regions, with some potential for severe weather, followed by a hot and dry weekend extending into next week.

Thunderstorms in southern Colorado today bring heavy rainfall beneficial for firefighting but pose flash flooding risks in burn scar areas, particularly under a Flash Flood Watch for the Aspen Acres fire. Cooler temperatures and increased storm activity are expected, with varying forecasts across regions including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and mountain zones.

El Paso County Sheriff issued evacuation orders for homes on the east side of Jordan Road in Fountain due to an ongoing fire. Residents are directed to evacuate immediately, and emergency communication tools like Everbridge and the ReachWell app are highlighted for multilingual alerts. The 911 authority partners with ReachWell to provide translations for Peak Alerts without requiring personal information.

Southern Colorado faces its hottest day of the week with high fire danger, smoke, and air quality alerts. A storm system arriving July 4th could reduce fire threats through increased moisture and thunderstorms, though temperatures remain extreme. The Aspen Acres fire remains a concern, but potential rain may improve conditions.

Special accommodations are being arranged for a data center appeal hearing in Colorado Springs on July 23. The hearing, expected to last 8-10 hours, will address five appeals filed against a proposed data center at 1565 High Tech Way. Public comment will allow attendees two minutes to speak, and the event will be held at the Ent Center for the Arts on the UCCS campus.

Low water levels at John Martin Reservoir State Park in Hasty, Colorado, have forced the closure of the west boat ramp, while the east ramp remains open. The closure is expected to last the rest of the season, though kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards can still launch from the west ramp. Colorado Parks and Wildlife emphasizes maintaining safe recreation access despite the challenge.

Red flag warnings are in effect from 10 am until midnight Thursday across multiple Colorado regions, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and the mountains, due to low humidity and strong winds. Air quality alerts persist until at least 9 am, with wildfire smoke affecting visibility and health conditions.

KOAA News5 and the Scripps Howard Foundation are providing wildfire relief in Southern Colorado by donating $5,000 to support affected communities. The article encourages viewers to donate to help those in need.

The Aspen Acres Fire is burning along Highway 165 near Rye in southern Colorado, with 35,467 acres scorched and 0% containment as of Wednesday morning. Evacuations are in effect, and News5 viewers are sharing photos, videos, and updates about the blaze.

The City of Manitou Springs has announced a 'soft opening' of the Hiawatha Parking Lot on July 2, allowing access to the east portion with 83 parking spots while crews complete remaining work. The full opening is expected later this month, with additional parking available on the north side of El Paso Boulevard. Visitors are urged to follow signs and be mindful of ongoing construction.

A crash along northbound I-25 north of Colorado Springs impacted traffic Wednesday morning. The Colorado Department of Transportation initially closed the entire northbound lane but later restricted the right shoulder between Baptist Road and Highway 105. The crash was cleared before 5:50 a.m.