Colorado
Subzero temperatures chill Southern Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Temperatures dropped below zero Friday night as Southern Colorado residents adapted to feels-like temperatures in the negatives.
Southern Colorado residents spent their Saturday in a variety of ways. Some cleared their driveways and sidewalks of the snow that fell Friday night while others opted to enjoy the snow, breaking out the tubes and sleds on Toboggan Hill Road in Monument.
Griffin Anderson, a USAFA cadet, said he and his friends had originally planned to spend their Satuday skiing.
“We were thinking of going up to Vail or Breckenridge but I don’t know, with the traffic and everything, we decided it probably wasn’t the best idea but this is honestly just as fun,” he said.
Anderson said he was surprised to find only a few people made their way out to the hill.
“I think it’s because it’s so cold, from what I’ve heard it’s usually pretty busy,” he said. “It feels freezing but I mean, if you have enough layers on and tubing, you’re moving up and down the hill so it feels pretty alright.”
Medical experts said those who choose to venture outdoors need to be aware of the risk of frostbite. The medical director of UCHealth’s Burn & Frostbite said if you think you have frostbite and need medical help, don’t hesitate.
“It really is an emergency, time is tissue and what we don’t want to do is have people come in days later because then, it’s too late,” Dr. Arek Wiktor said.
If you suspect you have frostbite, here are some steps you can take:
- Prevent additional exposure to the cold.
- Rewarm the affected area in warm (not hot) water for 15–30 minutes.
- Keep the affected area elevated to reduce swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen if warming is painful.
- Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes.
The another danger that comes with subzero temperatures is the freezing of melting snow.
While many roads across Colorado Springs had some level of clearing, one driver 11 News spoke to said that wasn’t the case up in Teller County.
“You can probably go up to 45 miles an hour or sometimes 30 miles an hour because it’s so dangerous,” Josue Mayorga said.
Mayorga said he took his family to Cripple Creek to see the Colorado Ice Castles on Friday. He said their drive back to Denver was so rough, he had to pull over in Colorado Springs to clear out his wheel wells.
“My car was shaking too much,” he said. “It was so packed it was not allowing to move up or down.”
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An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
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