KRDO’s 13 most memorable stories of 2014
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a look back at 13 stories that had everyone talking in 2014.
#1) Recreational marijuana shops become legal in Colorado
Colorado continued to be ground zero in the debate over whether marijuana should be legal in 2014. Amendment 64, the law which makes it legal for adults to have and use marijuana (an ounce or less), was passed by voters in 2012. The part of the law that provides for the licensing of retail marijuana stores kicked in on January 1, 2014. Communities statewide spent much of 2014 debating whether to allow retail marijuana shops. Colorado Springs banned recreational marijuana shops in 2014. The only such shop in El Paso County is located in Manitou Springs. Pueblo County also allowed recreational marijuana sales in 2014. The City of Pueblo has not made a final decision on the issue. Read more
#2) Sheriff’s Office scandal
Scandal rocked the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 2014. Sheriff Terry Maketa was accused by multiple Sheriff’s Office employees of creating a hostile work environment, misusing taxpayer money and promoting three women to positions they did not earn. Maketa remained in office, despite calls for his resignation by El Paso County Commissioners and the editorial boards of the Colorado Springs Gazette and Denver Post. Maketa will retire effective New Year’s Eve. Bill Elder, who ran unopposed for the job of sheriff in November, will be sworn in as interim sheriff the same day. Read more
#3) Black Forest horses
Outrage spread from southern Colorado to equine enthusiasts around the world as news spread that a renowned stallion named Dual Peppy was among a group of horses found malnourished in Black Forest. More than a dozen horses were found dead on the property. The survivors, including Dual Peppy, were taken to a facility to be rehabilitated. The owner of the property where the horses were found, Sherri Brunzell, has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty, abuse and neglect. Read more
#4) Gay marriage becomes legal
2014 was a watershed year for same-sex marriage advocates. The number of states where same-sex marriage is legal grew from 18 at the end of 2013 to 35 by the end of 2014, according to NPR. Same-sex marriage is now legal in 35 states and Washington D.C. Colorado is among the states to legalize same-sex marriages in 2014. Boulder and Denver counties were the first Colorado counties to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this year. Pueblo County was the first in southern Colorado to issue the licenses. Read more
#5) Broncos slaughtered at Super Bowl
Denver Broncos fans had their hearts broken in 2014. After a fairytale season leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks crushed the orange crush at the big game. After shaking off the brutal 43-8 loss, the Broncos may be Super Bowl bound once again. The team’s first playoff game of this season is scheduled for January 11.
#6) Loki the cat killed
“Justice for Loki!” was the rallying cry in Pueblo for much of 2014. Loki’s life was cut short by a man who videotaped himself torturing and then killing the 13 week old kitten. Robert Heckmann was sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to the crime. Loki’s brother, Stewie, was rescued from the home and adopted by an El Paso County couple. Read more
#7) Breastfed puppy
One of the more bizarre stories of 2014 broke in February when a Colorado Springs woman posted a photo of herself breastfeeding a lab-mix puppy. The woman said the puppy wouldn’t eat from a bottle or the K-9 formula. “He just wasn’t taking it. I didn’t know what else to do, I was desperate and I just couldn’t bear sitting there watching it die,” she said. A veterinarian we talked to said she wouldn’t recommend breastfeeding a puppy. Dr. Amber Williams said her biggest concern was about zoonotic diseases, which can spread from women to their babies. Read more
#8) Balloon Classic lifts off
The 38th and final Colorado Balloon Classic was held in Colorado Springs in September. In a news release, organizers cited politics within the city, including “increasingly rigid” special events procedures and an “onerous” city sponsorship application, for their decision to move the event out of the city. The Balloon Classic is expected to land somewhere else in Colorado in 2015, but a new location has not been selected. Read more
#9) Manitou Incline repairs
Manitou Incline fans suffered withdrawals from their favorite rocky mountain high in 2014. The popular hiking spot closed in mid-August and didn’t reopen until December 5. The closure was necessary so that safety and drainage improvements could be completed. The incline’s 2,741 steps make up one of the most challenging and popular recreation sites in the nation. The trail is a one-mile ascent with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. The average grade is 43%, reaching 68% at its steepest point. Read more
#10) Pueblo Sunshine Laws scandal
Two city council members resigned and another faced recall because of a scandal involving Pueblo County Transportation Director Greg Severance. Then council president Sandy Daff, councilman Chris Kaufman and councilwoman Ami Nawrocki were accused of violating Colorado’s Sunshine Laws by discussing public policy issues through email with Severance. Daff and Kaufman stepped down because of the controversy. Nawrocki faces a recall election on January 27. Read more
#11) ThunderWolves win national title
The CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves football team gave Pueblo a reason to celebrate in December. “The Pack” won its first NCAA Division II national championship. “It’s one of the best things to happen to this community in a long time and it’s the first of many. We’re going to be back next year and win two in a row,” 1986 CSU Pueblo grad Wes Ursick said. On top of their first national championship, the ThunderWolves also won four consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles. Read more
#12) Missing Broncos fan winds up in Pueblo
The mystery of a missing Denver Broncos fan who disappeared from Sports Authority Field at Mile High ended 110 miles to the south in Pueblo. Paul Kitterman, 53, was found in the north side Kmart parking lot five days after he vanished from the stadium. Kitterman told police that he walked from Denver to Pueblo, sleeping in treed areas and bushes along the way. When asked why he walked away, Kitterman told police that he decided to go for a walk and that he wanted to go somewhere warmer. Read more
#13) UPS’s biggest little fan
A little boy and his special friendship with a Colorado Springs UPS driver captured hearts around the world in December. Carson Kight, 4, is obsessed with all things UPS. Carson’s love for UPS started with the UPS driver he calls Mr. Ernie. Ernest Lagasca delivered special formula to Carson and the two formed a friendship, spending time together with every delivery. UPS delivered Carson a mini UPS truck so he can live out his dream to be Mr. Ernie. Carson now spends his time delivering treats to his neighbors. Carson’s story was picked up by news organizations around the world, including World News Tonight with David Muir. Read more
Which local news stories left an impression on you in 2014? Let us know in the comments below.
