Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Democrats closed out a six-day, 25-stop statewide bus tour by framing the midterms as a referendum on Donald Trump, betting that voter frustration with his administration will boost turnout. Sen. John Hickenlooper blamed Trump's tariffs, the Iran conflict and health care cuts for a "cost of living catastrophe," while attorney general nominee Jena Griswold pledged to sue to protect voting rights and immigrant communities. Candidates also cited Trump's moves against Colorado, including relocating U.S. Space Command, denying disaster aid and vetoing a water project. Republicans, hampered by infighting, countered that Democrats themselves are to blame for high living costs. Democrats are defending statewide offices and congressional seats while eyeing veto-proof legislative majorities.

Colorado, once a reliable Republican state, has leaned decidedly Democratic in recent cycles, and 2026 looks similar. Gov. Phil Weiser and Sen. John Hickenlooper are favored for easy wins over underfunded Republican opponents Victor Marx and Mark Baisley, with some GOP figures, including former Rep. Ken Buck, crossing over to back Weiser. The closest races are in the U.S. House: Democrat Manny Rutinel is seen as favored over Republican incumbent Gabe Evans in District 8, while Republican incumbent Jeff Crank is expected to hold District 5 against well-funded Democrat Jessica Killin despite backlash over the Space Command relocation. Analysts attribute the overall Democratic advantage to anti-Trump sentiment and weak Republican statewide recruitment.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade delivered his final state of the city address of his first term Friday, highlighting public safety, growth and affordability. He cited improved police and fire response times through added drones and staffing, and called public safety the foundation of the city. Mobolade noted Colorado Springs posted the largest numerical population increase of any Colorado municipality, about six new residents daily, even as other major cities decline. Crews repaired more than 100,000 potholes over the past year, with more trucks coming. Despite a shortage of roughly 28,000 homes, the mayor said rents have fallen nearly 7% from 2022 peaks, while the city invests hundreds of millions in affordable housing and touts strong business growth.

Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal will retire on March 9, 2027, the exact date he completes 40 years with the department. The fire department announced the planned departure this week, capping a career that began in 1987 and included more than two decades in chief officer roles after he was named battalion chief in 2005.

Royal spent 28 years as a paramedic, delivering 24 babies, and helped establish the department's Tactical Emergency Medical Services program. His tenure spanned major regional events including the 1997 blizzard, the 2007 Cattle West Apartment Fire, the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire, and the 2013 Black Forest Fire. He has received two Medals of Distinguished Service, a Firefighter of the Year award, and was named Colorado's Fire Chief of the Year in 2023 and International Career Fire Chief of the Year in 2024. Mayor Yemi Mobolade praised his four decades of service ahead of the transition to new leadership.

Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong is recovering after being seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday night. Armstrong was in Colorado Springs for a firefighter conference when her SUV was struck from behind on Interstate 225 while traveling around 65 mph; she estimated the other vehicle was going at least 80 mph. The impact pushed her SUV into a concrete barrier wall and spun it around.

Armstrong suffered a fractured sternum, a fractured back, whiplash, and multiple contusions. She credited her airbags and seatbelt with preventing more serious harm. A suspect, 21-year-old Christopher Archuleta-Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who represents the Toledo area, issued a statement wishing Armstrong a full recovery, calling her a dedicated public servant. Armstrong thanked Aurora police and fire personnel and the many well-wishers who reached out following the crash.

El Paso County commissioners voted 4-to-1 to allow Buc-ee's to build a travel center on a 30-acre parcel near I-25 and County Line Road in the Tri Lakes area, ruling the project qualifies as a convenience store under the county's existing C-1 zoning. The decision came after a nearly nine-hour hearing marked by resident opposition, who argued the 120-pump facility functions more like a gas station than a convenience store and would worsen traffic and disrupt the rural character of the area.

Opponents, including former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, said the project should go through a full rezoning process and raised concerns about light pollution near the Greenland Open Space. Commissioners who backed the project cited private property rights and a broad reading of the zoning code. The vote follows two years of debate that began with a separate Buc-ee's proposal in Palmer Lake, which triggered a recall election and drew criticism from Colorado's governor and U.S. senators. Buc-ee's did not attend Thursday's hearing and has not announced a construction timeline.