Tag: huerfano county
-
Off-site housing manufacturer Red Feather Industries opening new factory, bringing nearly 100 jobs to southern Colorado
A Colorado-based, single- and multi-family modular housing builder is opening a new factory in southern Colorado with the help of the state’s Rural Jump-Start program of incentives, recently announcing plans to bring almost 100 jobs to Huerfano County. Headquartered in Walsenburg, employee-owned Red Feather Industries manufactures wood-based modular housing off-site. In Walsenburg, the company plans…
-
Small fire ignites south of the Aspen Acres fire
A small fire is burning south of the Aspen Acres fire near Greenhorn Mountain. The Pole Canyon fire, burning about 7 miles south of Rye, started at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, said the Huerfano County Fire Protection District. The district said “several drops from air support” are helping to contain the fire, which appears to…
-
Federal judge finds no constitutional violation by Huerfano County well inspectors
A federal judge concluded last month that two Huerfano County employees did not engage in an unconstitutional search when they approached the plaintiffs’ camper within 40 feet to investigate a potential code violation. In July 2021, the county’s building inspector, Terry Sandoval, received a complaint about improper well construction on property designated for agricultural use.…
-
Crews swiftly contain 600-acre wildfire in Huerfano County
Crews quickly dealt with a 600-acre wildfire that broke out near Turkey Ridge Ranch in Huerfano County on Wednesday. Dubbed by officials as the “Turkey fire,” the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office was alerted about the blaze at 2:22 p.m., according to a statement from the office. Crews were deployed to the area of Country Road…
-
Southern Colorado ski area set to revive after long-awaited deal is finalized
After years of contentious talks, a plan is in place for the next life of a southern Colorado ski area. Huerfano County commissioners recently approved a 40-year operating agreement with a nonprofit to run county-owned Cuchara Mountain Park, home to the old ski area that closed in 2000. The nonprofit, Panadero Ski Corp., for the…
-
Long abandoned ski area in Colorado opens for season after major funds
Editor’s note: Cuchara Mountain Park’s “ski bus” started running over the weekend (Dec. 14-15) for skiers interested in a ride up the slopes of the formerly abandoned ski area. Nonprofit Panadero Ski Corp. will be selling $40 tickets on Saturdays and Sundays when conditions allow. If the saga of a southern Colorado ski area revival…
-
Colorado man pleads guilty to second-degree murder after killing another in a drunken-driving crash
A Colorado man with a history of DUI convictions will serve 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. On Oct. 21, the 3rd Judicial District in Huerfano County, Colorado announced an agreement with Michael Estrada in which he will be convicted of second-degree murder for causing the death of Brendon Beach while…
-
Appeals court agrees DA can sue Huerfano County sheriff over chronic mishandling of evidence
Colorado’s second-highest court ruled on Thursday that an elected district attorney was justified in suing the Huerfano County sheriff over persistent problems in evidence handling that compromised numerous prosecutions. Last year, Third Judicial District Attorney Henry Solano obtained a permanent injunction against longtime Sheriff Bruce Newman, in which a trial judge ordered Newman to hand…
-
Colorado’s first state park gets its first mountain bike trails
Colorado’s first state park has its first mountain bike-optimized trails. A flowy, buffed-out network roaming about 4 ½ miles is making its summer debut at Lathrop State Park, near Walsenburg. Also open to hikers, the trails more than double the dirt options at the park, which is overlooked by the Spanish Peaks and defined by…
-
Appeals court overturns orders requiring Huerfano County to better fund DA’s office
Colorado’s second-highest court on Thursday concluded a trial judge exceeded his authority by ordering Huerfano County to increase funding to the district attorney’s office using the elected DA’s own formula. Henry L. Solano, the district attorney for Las Animas and Huerfano counties, argued Huerfano County commissioners were awarding him less than 50% of what he…