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The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory is hosting its first-ever Fat Marmot Week to excite people about yellow-bellied marmots. Voting will open on August 24th for visitors to vote on which yellow-bellied marmot gained the most weight this summer. These creatures live in Colorado's Alpine Tundra and can weigh up to roughly 11 pounds.

Monsoon thunderstorms are expected over Colorado this weekend, with multiple locations forecasting possible showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Hazards across the region include heavy rainfall, hail, strong wind gusts, and potential for severe storms. The extended outlook predicts a dry week until a cold front increases thunderstorm chances on Wednesday.

Wayne Hill, a resident of San Isabel, found his property damaged by heavy rain runoff after the Aspen Acres Fire evacuation. Mud rushed onto his property, damaging walls and leaving piles of debris near his garage, which he estimates will cost $22,000-$23,000 to clean up. Because he does not have flood or fire insurance, Hill is now seeking help with the cleanup work deemed his responsibility by the sheriff's office.

The Perseid meteor shower is peaking tonight over southern Colorado as the Earth passes through debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Due to local factors like light pollution and constellation altitude, stargazers are advised that the best viewing time is in the early morning hours, specifically between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. While special equipment helps capture images, simply bringing warm clothes and seating can enhance the experience.

Rain chances are increasing throughout the week with showers and storms expected in several regions. Multiple areas, including El Paso and Pueblo, are under heat advisories due to high afternoon temperatures. The forecast also includes varying overnight lows across locations like Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and the Plains.

Heat remains a concern across the region, with forecasts showing highs reaching triple digits in several areas like Pueblo and the eastern plains. While heat advisories are expected to be in place for multiple days, there is an increasing chance of afternoon showers and storms. A wetter pattern is approaching according to the extended outlook, with a cold front projected around Wednesday and Thursday.

A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect for several Colorado areas, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Tri-Lakes, both Saturday and Sunday from noon until 8 pm. Temperatures are forecast to be high across multiple locations, with some areas expecting scorching heat up to the 100s. The extended outlook notes that the monsoon flow is returning, bringing cooling afternoon thunderstorms possible Monday and Tuesday.

Southern Colorado is currently under high wildfire danger with RED FLAG WARNINGS in effect on Friday for areas such as Pueblo and Fremont Counties. The heatwave will continue through Monday, bringing forecasts of extremely hot temperatures in the 80s to 100s. Daily afternoon thunderstorms are also expected to begin early next week.

An air quality alert is in effect through at least 9 am on Thursday due to wildfire smoke originating from Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Multiple locations anticipate hot and hazy conditions on Thursday, with temperatures predicted to rise further into the 80s and 90s through Monday. Moisture return is expected starting next Tuesday, bringing potential heat relief and daily afternoon thunderstorm chances.

An air quality alert is in effect across Colorado due to wildfire smoke from Utah and the Pacific Northwest, causing hazy conditions and unhealthy air for sensitive groups. Temperatures for Wednesday are near average in Colorado Springs but higher in other regions, with a forecast of rising temperatures above average through next Monday.

Toll scammers are increasingly requesting smaller amounts like 99 cents to verify valid phone numbers for future fraud. Cybersecurity expert Michael Skiba noted a 900% rise in these scams, which use fake texts, emails, or mail and sometimes mimic official government communications with state seals. Scammers now employ tactics like warning about 'fraudulent toll charges' to trick victims into engaging.

The City of Colorado Springs received two appeals regarding Project Taurus, a data center project by Raeden, which aims to build the facility at a former microchip plant near Garden of the Gods Road and Centennial Boulevard. The Colorado Springs Planning Commission previously denied appeals against the project 6-2 after a 14-hour discussion, confirming the city's plan to allow the development to proceed.

A 15-year-old cat named George, missing for 20 days during the Aspen Acres Fire in Beulah, was found alive after surviving without food or water. His rescue, aided by a search dog named Quasar, has become a symbol of hope for the fire-affected community.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is searching for a missing person following a boat crash at Monument Lake Resort in Las Animas County. Three people were hospitalized with unknown conditions, and officers are using a sonar-equipped boat to search the area. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday near Weston, west of Trinidad.

The City of Manitou Springs is urging residents and businesses to conserve water until Wednesday to support the refill of the Mesa water storage tank, which increases demand on the treatment system. Community cooperation is emphasized to ensure system stability and a timely refill under Stage I water restrictions afterward.

Southern Colorado experiences a heat advisory Sunday with high temperatures, following a flash flood watch in the Aspen Acres Fire zone. Weather forecasts for Saturday show mostly sunny conditions with elevated temperatures across Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Caon City, and other regions, accompanied by variable wind gusts.

Custer County fire restrictions were downgraded from Stage 3 to Stage 1 effective July 31, following consultations between the sheriff's office, fire protection district, and National Weather Service. Stage 1 restrictions prohibit open burning, fireworks, outdoor smoking, and other activities but allow controlled fires in designated areas.

Fort Carson is testing its 'Giant Voice' mass notification system this week, causing loud audio messages to be broadcast near the base. The test will occur Wednesday and Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m., lasting 10 minutes, and will use speaker towers to alert residents about severe weather or safety threats. Officials urge the public to remain calm and avoid calling 911 during the drill.

Heavy rain in Colorado Springs caused road damage and closures on the west side after a dry summer, with Popes Valley Drive closed for emergency repairs. Similar issues occurred in June, and engineers noted that intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to erosion and infrastructure damage.

A flash flood emergency has been issued for areas near the Aspen Acres Fire burn scar, including Beulah and San Isabel, with debris flow and road closures reported. The emergency expires at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and residents are advised to seek higher ground. The Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District has listed multiple road closures due to water and debris.

The remains of Shawn Dixon, a man missing from Caon City since September 2023, were found near Skyline Drive by hikers on July 19. Law enforcement is investigating his death, with the cause pending autopsy results, and seeks public assistance through CrimeStoppers.

Southern Colorado will experience reduced heat and increased thunderstorm activity on Tuesday and Wednesday, with storms bringing heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds. Multiple regions, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and the Tri-Lakes, will transition from hot, sunny mornings to afternoon and evening storms. The extended forecast predicts stormy afternoons through the week, followed by a return to hot, sunny conditions by the weekend.

A high-pressure system over the Rockies is trapping heat in Colorado, leading to record-breaking overnight lows in the 60s and 70s. Colorado Springs and Pueblo have seen temperatures significantly higher than their seasonal averages, with potential records at risk if temperatures do not drop below 76 degrees.

The Denver Broncos will hold a half-price ticket sale starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, offering limited 2026 regular season tickets at $23.00 each with a four-ticket household limit. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and delivered digitally for entry to non-premium gates.

Popes Valley Drive on the northwest side of Colorado Springs was closed after heavy rainfall damaged the road, causing asphalt chunks to wash into a nearby creek bed. The northbound lanes near I-25 Frontage Road and the Popes Bluffs Neighborhood are shut down with no reopening timeline provided.

Colorado Springs Utilities is urging customers to voluntarily conserve electricity due to high demand straining the grid, suggesting methods like adjusting thermostats and avoiding certain appliances during peak hours.

The City of Colorado Springs is adding eight new school zones by the end of summer to enhance safety around middle and high schools. The initiative follows the death of Doherty High School student Giorgia Trocciola and includes installing flashing lights to slow traffic. City leaders plan to add ten more zones next year on the northeast side, aiming for safe zones at all schools.

Residents of Rye returned home after 24 days of evacuation due to the Aspen Acres Fire, which caused widespread destruction but spared some properties. Mike Moody and Shae Collins described the emotional and financial toll of displacement, while ongoing firefighting efforts continue nearby.

Pueblo County School District 70 (D70) has delayed the opening of Greenhorn Valley Schools due to the Aspen Acres Fire. Affected schools include Rye Elementary, Craver Middle, and Rye High, with a transition day on August 17 and first day on August 18. The delay aims to support emergency response efforts and ensure safe facility preparations.

The City of Pueblo is offering free paint jobs to homeowners through its Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, selecting two homes on the northwest side that are owned and occupied for at least two years. The initiative aims to preserve aging housing stock, with applications due by Monday at 5 p.m.

A public hearing for the Project Taurus Data Center is set for Thursday at the Ent Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs. Residents have raised concerns about electricity, water, and noise, while the project's COO has addressed these issues in public meetings. The planning commission will review appeals and public comments before making a decision.

A 13-year-old girl named Mikenzi is reported missing after running away from her home in El Paso County southeast of Colorado Springs. Authorities state she left with a backpack and daily medications, and they are seeking the public's help to locate her.

Rain chances increase significantly along I-25 during the middle of the work week, with varying forecasts for cities like Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City. Heavy rain and potential flash flooding are noted in burn scar areas and the Aspen Acres Fire region, while temperatures remain high in most locations.

Pueblo County has recorded 33 suicides this year, an increase from 28 in the same period last year and 22 the year before. The coroner notes 25% of this year's suicides involved individuals 30 and under and urges those struggling to seek support through communication with loved ones.

Monument's Town Council approved a six-month moratorium on data center applications, making it the first community in El Paso County to do so. Councilman Steve King expressed doubts about data centers' benefits, as the town proactively sets boundaries despite no current applications. Nearby, the Project Taurus Data Center remains under debate.

Beacon Light Road will close Monday for waterline and storm sewer installation between Palmer Divide Road and Wakonda Way, with a detour via Palmer Divide Road, Indi Drive, Aries Drive, and Wakonda Way. The closure will last three to four months, but local access to homes and private drives will remain open.

A motorcyclist died after crashing on I-25 in Colorado Springs Thursday night. The rider struck the median and crossed into southbound lanes between Cimarron Street and Tejon Street. Authorities are investigating speed as a potential factor, and the rider's identity will be released by the El Paso County Coroner.

Josh Peterson reopened Gin and Barrett Liquor in Colorado City after the Aspen Acres Fire, but faces challenges including ruined wine inventory and uncertain customer returns. The store operates limited hours while the community recovers.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reports increased $400-$500 driving citations in construction zones along Dublin Boulevard and Marksheffel Road. Residents and business owners, including Caylea Henn and Susan Fish, cited for traffic violations, expressed frustration over unclear signage and lack of communication about road closures. CSPD attributed the enforcement surge to safety concerns for construction workers and excessive speeding.

Basic cadet training at the United States Air Force Academy's Jacks Valley complex includes obstacle and assault courses with cannons and explosives. Cadets are quizzed on Air Force knowledge during training to prepare for real-life emergencies, focusing on pressure resilience, confidence, and teamwork.