All Entries in the "Hot Topics" Category
Lamar’s new Denny’s restaurant slated to open Monday, September 21, 2026
Entrance to Denny’s Restaurant in Lamar For those who remember the original “Grand Slam” breakfast or who simply long to again have a local restaurant that is open 24 hours, your wish has come true. Denny’s restaurant in Lamar will open its doors on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 9 am. The only 24/7 restaurant […]
Weld County officials approve construction of what could be the largest data center in the state
The Weld County Board of Commissioners hold a meeting about Global AI’s data center project near Windsor, September 9, 2026 – Photo by CPR News Article By CPR news reporter Cassis Tingley The Weld County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the zoning for what could become the largest data center in the […]
Gallup Poll shows 7 in 10 Americans oppose construction of AIdata centers in their local areas
by https://www.gallup.com/people/item.aspx?a=100180Jeffrey M. Jones – WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seven in 10 Americans oppose constructing data centers for artificial intelligence in their local area, including nearly half, 48%, who are strongly opposed. Barely a quarter favor these projects, with 7% strongly in favor. These results, from a March 2-18 Gallup survey, represent the first time Gallup has […]
Thomas Dunagan, Prowers County Coroner and Las Animas Police Officer, facing felony charges following CBI investigation
The following is a September 11, 2026 press release from the Bent County Sheriff’s Office On September 9, 2026, formal charges were filed in Bent County District Court against Las Animas Police Department Officer Thomas Dunagan following an investigation conducted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). (EDITOR’S NOTE: Dunagan is also the Prowers County […]
Senator John Hickenlooper visits Prowers Medical Center to discuss rural health care challenges with representatives from area hospitals
Pictured, left to right (back row): Roger Stagner, Dr. Richard Book, Dr. Anthony Brocato, Senator Hickenlooper, Karen Bryant, Beth Bell, and Joe Spitz. In front row are, from left, Tina Sandoval,Rita Bastian, and Kirk Crespin Rural health care is facing a financial crisis in 2027. New federal legislation will significantly alter Medicaid financing, administrative requirements, […]
Southern Plains Land Trust’s Executive Director responds to recent vote by Bent County Commissioners which would allow electric transmission lines be constructed on Conservation Easement property
A herd of American Bison roam freely on Southern Plains Land Trust’s Heartland Ranch (photo courtesy of Southern Plains Land Trust) The residents of southeast Colorado have been very vocal in their opposition to plans for electric power transmission lines cutting through their farmlands and prairies. Recently, Prowers County residents cheered at the August 12 […]
Colorado Beef Industry’s Statement on Plan to Reduce Tariffs on Beef Imports
“The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) are joining together to oppose the President’s plan to ease beef tariffs. The President and his administration have consistently espoused their desire to promote growth in the United States cattle herd; with cattle numbers at a 75-year low, this announcement is likely to have […]
Mayor Kirk Crespin Reflects on Council Resignation, the Data Center Debate and Lamar’s Future
Moving Forward Together Following several weeks of passionate community discussion surrounding potential data center development in Lamar, Mayor Kirk Crespin says he believes it is important to address both the debate itself and the recent resignation of Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Bates. Crespin said the two issues have increasingly become intertwined in […]
Lamar City Council meeting of August 24, 2026 has large audience in attendance to protest any proposed data center – Council receives letter of resignation from Ward I Council Member Brent Bates
There was a standing-room only crowd on hand at the August 24, 2026 Lamar City Council meeting, a week after Mayor Kirk Crespin added a Facebook post asking the community what they would like to see as a development project for the city. Overwhelmingly, the comments mentioned “no data centers”. When word got out that […]
Lamar Ward I City Council Member Brent Bates resigns at August 24, 2026 City Council meeting
Brent Bates officiating at a friend’s wedding in Lamar To My Hometown: Last night, I made the incredibly difficult decision to resign from the Lamar City Council and from my position as Mayor Pro Tem. This wasn’t a decision I made quickly, and it certainly isn’t one I ever expected to make. I was born […]
NPS seeks public input on future of reconstructed fort at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
Park Rangers speak to a group of visitors standing inside the plaza of the replica fort. Metal pipe jacks support all of the wooden support beams NPS Photo LA JUNTA, Colo. – The National Park Service invites the public to review and comment on four early concepts for the condition and future of the reconstructed fort […]
Lamar Police Department issues statement on recent apprehension of individual sought in connection with Northglenn homicide and wants to remind the public to rely on information from verified sources during an active operation
The collaborative efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies contributed to the successful apprehension of an individual sought in connection with a Northglenn Police Department homicide investigation. The suspect was taken into custody during the morning hours of August 16th in Prowers County, after a deadly Friday night stabbing in Northglenn Colorado. Because this remains an […]
Bent County approves high-voltage transmission line through protected prairie despite pushback
Editor’s Note: The following article is being shared by permission of the Bent County Democrat Land trust says 47-mile stretch of Three Corners Connector will cut through remaining tracts of native shortgrass prairie, alleges Grid United’s application misrepresented communication By T’Naus Nieto / Bent County Democrat Bent County officials voted Wednesday, Jul. 29, to approve a permit that’ll […]
Supporters of Colorado graduated income tax measure submit required number of petition signatures
Canvassers received petition packets as they prepared to gather signatures in support of a graduated income tax ballot measure at a Protect Colorado’s Future event in Denver on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Article by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline The supporters of a citizen initiative to put a graduated income-tax system […]
