News

Water and sewer rates for Trinidad customers are increasing, as the city cites rising costs of doing business, and members of Trinidad City Council said they understand the financial hurt it may bring some residents, noting even city councilmembers are “in the same boat.” Trinidad City Council issued its final approval of the rate increase for both utilities Tuesday, March 21, after holding two public hearings, approving the first major rate increase for the utilities in nearly 50 years. Under the approved rates, residential water costs have increased by 50% and sewer rates increased 40%, representing an overall increase of about $15 per month for the average customer, according to Andrew Ream, a financial consultant for the city’s utility increase initiative.

A man sitting in an inground hot tub was clawed in the head by a mountain lion on Saturday night, prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife to launch a search for the animal. CPW officers were alerted to the incident around 10 p.m., Saturday, and four wildlife officers responded to the scene – a rental home in a heavily wooded subdivision about five miles west of Nathrop along Chalk Creek.

Although good intentions to offer food to neighbors are usually considered admirable, when it comes to wildlife, feeding wild animals is more harmful than helpful. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds and urges the public to refrain from feeding wildlife.

The Trinidad Police Department responded to or initiated some 221 calls for service between Thursday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 21, including bicycle theft, malicious mischief, vehicle accidents and harassment. The Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office saw some 75 calls for service during the same period, including burglary, traffic stops, vehicular trespass and school checks.

Colorado animal welfare regulators and Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association have come to a resolution to close all open investigations into animal welfare practices at the Trinidad-based shelter. Regulators from the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pet Animal Care Facilities Act Program (PAFCA) and NAAWA’s board of directors entered into the legally binding agreement in mid-February, according to the stipulation and final order.

Trinidad Police Department arrested two Trinidad residents on outstanding warrants for allegedly defrauding an 81-year-old resident of the state-run Trinidad State Nursing Home, according to an affidavit.

An aging bridge at Exit 50 on Interstate 25 is set to be replaced and traffic impacts are expected during the construction. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced that a project to “improve the safety of two bridges to support increased traffic on the I-25 corridor,” is set to commence later this month.

A group of Western Slope lawmakers are asking the Biden administration to put the brakes on a rail project in the Uinta Basin. The letter, sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, cited the recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio as one example of why the Uinta Basin Railway Project should not move forward.

Colorado’s state water engineer has a message for the Nebraska officials doubling down on their commitment to a $567 million canal across the border: You can build it, but the water may not come. Colorado state engineer Kevin Rein acknowledges a historic compact gives Nebraska the right to build the canal at the South Platte River west of Julesburg.

Allegiance Coal USA Limited (AUSA), a subsidiary of Australian-based Allegiance Coal Limited, will defer its financial reporting obligations for at least six months, in accordance with the Corporations Act of 2001.