August 2025

Pueblo coroner accused of hiding bodies ‘behind secret door’ over 15-year period in private mortuary, raised in Trinidad, graduated from THS

T’Naus Nieto The Chronicle-News Brian Cotter, the elected Pueblo County Coroner since 2015, made statewide headlines Thursday, Aug. 21, following a mandatory inspection from state officials (on Aug. 20), who…

Read MorePueblo coroner accused of hiding bodies ‘behind secret door’ over 15-year period in private mortuary, raised in Trinidad, graduated from THS

Trinidad detective’s investigation uncovers Las Vegas couple allegedly used victim’s PCU account to make over $40,000 in fraudulent purchases 

On Aug. 8, Shane Hardesty, 51, was transferred to the Las Animas County Detention Center, following an investigation by a Trinidad Police Department Detective, who uncovered that a couple from Las Vegas had allegedly stolen a person’s Power Credit Union account information in Trinidad, making over $40,000 in fraudulent purchases.   

Read MoreTrinidad detective’s investigation uncovers Las Vegas couple allegedly used victim’s PCU account to make over $40,000 in fraudulent purchases 

What happened to the rodeo? How a Las Animas County tradition didn’t make year 115  

For Labor Day weekend, back in 2023, Gillian Maria helped bring Trinidad’s Legacy Rodeo, and all its festivities, to the Las Animas County Fairgrounds, and, by all accounts, it was successful. It had support and participation from the community and plenty of business sponsorship. So, what happened to the rodeo? How did a local tradition, that’s been an annual Labor Day staple since 1910, not reach its 115th year?

Read MoreWhat happened to the rodeo? How a Las Animas County tradition didn’t make year 115  

Colorado Secretary of State conducts initial review of LAC Dems chair’s embezzlement allegations, finds ‘potential’ violations, may be ‘curable’  

On Aug. 12, the Colorado Secretary of State released its “Notice of Initial Review” into the allegations Democrat candidate Travis Nelson filed against Las Animas County Democrat Chair, Pam Espinoza.  

Read MoreColorado Secretary of State conducts initial review of LAC Dems chair’s embezzlement allegations, finds ‘potential’ violations, may be ‘curable’  

Op-Ed: Senator Hickenlooper, keep fighting for Colorado patients

We write to you as Coloradans—community advocates, union members, small business leaders, and patients—who are asking you to continue doing what you’ve always promised: fight for the people. Right now, that means taking bold, principled action to fix the broken 340B Drug Pricing Program and make sure it serves the Colorado patients who need it most.

Read MoreOp-Ed: Senator Hickenlooper, keep fighting for Colorado patients