2018’s Top 10 most-viewed stories in Colorado Springs
From severe weather to scandals and crimes, 2018 saw several stories from the Colorado Springs area make national news — but what were the most-viewed stories on KRDO.com throughout the year?
Load up your best 2018 mixtape and let’s take a look back at what caught the eyes of millions this year:
Number 10 PHOTOS: Some of the best signs at the Colorado Teacher Rally (April 27)
Education staffers across the state made their “teacher voices” heard at the Capitol in Denver in the wake of low pay and budget cuts to school districts. Oh, and their wit was written for everyone to see.
Number 9 DETAILS: Chris Watts admits to killing wife, blames her for kids’ deaths (Aug. 20)
Before Chris Watts pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and two daughters and after he put on a show pleading for their return, Watts admitted to the killings but gave a ludicrous excuse. He’s currently serving life in prison without parole.
Number 8 Mugshots: Colorado Springs men in nationwide sex offender bust (June 21)
A huge sex sting involving thousands of people hit home as several Colorado Springs residents were named as suspects who were busted.
Number 7 Patrick Frazee arrested for murder after Kelsey Berreth’s disappearance (Dec. 21)
We first broke the story when Patrick Frazee was taken away from his Florissant home in handcuffs — the development came weeks after Frazee’s fiancee was last seen in Woodland Park. While her body hasn’t been found, Frazee faces multiple charges of murder and solicitation to commit murder.
Number 6 Former Fort Carson Commanding General punished for calling staffer ‘Sweetheart’ (Jan. 8)
A Congressional staffer made a formal complaint after a former commanding general with Fort Carson referred to her as “sweetheart.” The staffer claimed Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves was being condescending, and the former commanding general lost out on a promotion as punishment.
Number 5 Storms bring hail, flooding rain to Colorado Springs (July 23)
This weather event was sandwiched between two other major ones during this Summer of Storms, but it was still concerning for many due to the flash flood potentials. Fountain made national news with its river of ice…in July.
Number 4 Fort Carson soldier killed after being found with another soldier’s wife (Nov. 20)
One soldier is dead, and another is in jail awaiting trial — court documents say it all stemmed from a love triangle involving one woman.
Number 3 PHOTOS: Victims of the Parkland school shooting (Feb. 14)
On Feb. 14, a student walked into a Florida high school and opened fire on his classmates, killing more than a dozen of them. The crime prompted outrage on both sides of the gun control debate and prompted a nationwide movement for teens.
Number 2 Severe storms rain hail on southern Colorado and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Aug. 6-7)
Softball-sized hail caught Colorado Springs and Fountain off guard just weeks after Fountain was devastated by another hail storm. Several animals were killed at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and multiple buildings were severely damaged.
Number 1 The worst overnight hail storm in 23 years (June 13)
Hundreds of people in south Colorado Springs and Fountain woke up to shattered windows, smashed windshields, damaged sidings, and broken hearts. It was the worst overnight hail storm in decades, and it set the stage for a hail-filled summer that produced two more severely devastating storm systems.
Editor’s note: The tragic killing of El Paso County Deputy Micah Flick on Feb. 5 just barely missed out on this most-viewed list, but it was arguably one of the most impactful stories in our market this year.
BONUS ROUND: Here’s the list of our Top 5 Facebook posts of 2018:
Sterling Fire Department Christmas video (Dec. 6) https://www.facebook.com/KRDONewsChannel13/posts/2247250328658969 CSPD Officers salute returning Fort Carson soldiers (Nov. 16) https://www.facebook.com/KRDONewsChannel13/posts/2218477908202878 Mandy Horvath climbs the Incline (April 24) https://www.facebook.com/KRDONewsChannel13/posts/1917280888322583 Fountain street becomes icy river (July 24) https://www.facebook.com/KRDONewsChannel13/posts/2040982619285742 Neighbors shovel mounds of hail in Fountain (July 23) https://www.facebook.com/KRDONewsChannel13/posts/2040761915974479
