- The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Office is creating a new management plan for 650,000 acres of land and resources across eastern Colorado. The current plan is more than 20 years old. According to BLM Field manager Keith Berger, his office has created a series of four potential management plans.
- Training is underway at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeast Colorado with the Army’s 1st Stryker Brigade. Officials say this is the largest training exercise ever to take place at the site, with about 5,500 soldiers participating. Most travelled from Fort Carson, driving about 1200 army vehicles to Piñon Canyon.
- The Colorado Springs Police Department says it’s beginning widespread use of its body-worn camera program. The cameras are part of a smartphone device worn on the front of a bullet-proof vest. Most Colorado Springs police wear them, especially those most likely to interact with citizens while on patrol.
- Colorado Springs city elections are on April 4th. In addition to all six city council districts, there are three questions on the ballot. Here’s some information on those issues: Issue 1: If passed, this measure would require a higher percentage of voters to approve the sale of any part of Colorado Springs Utilities.
- Parks and open space are vital to the economy, according to organizers of an event this past Monday called “State of the Outdoors.” Open space draws tourists, helps manage stormwater, and increases property values among other economic benefits, according to a recent study from the Trust for Public Land, and Colorado Springs residents spend more
- District 2 in Colorado Springs is located in the northernmost part of the city. It borders the Air Force Academy, moves north past Interquest Parkway, and hits the eastern border at a portion of Powers and Black Forest Roads. Current seat-holder Larry Bagley is not seeking re-election, and the district has only one candidate. David
- A bill that would create a license plate honoring the Pueblo chile is moving forward in the senate. The bill passed the Senate Finance committee 4-1 with bipartisan support and now heads to Appropriations. New Mexico has introduced a similar bill that would create a license plate promoting their Hatch chiles.
- With reports of more recent youth suicides in Colorado Springs, one local suicide prevention group says the numbers are high. Between 17 and 18 teens completed suicide in 2016, according to Levi Johnson, a therapist at Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention. He says there have been at least eight suicides among teenagers in as many months.