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Aurora firefighter reclaims Colorado pumpkin record with one-ton gourd

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Aurora firefighter reclaims Colorado pumpkin record with one-ton gourd


An Aurora firefighter’s prodigious pumpkin was recognized as the heaviest ever grown in the state of Colorado on Saturday, topping the list at more than a ton.

The lord among gourds — named Winifred Sanderson after the character of the same name from the 1993 film “Hocus Pocus” — weighed in at 2,083 pounds when it hit the scale at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off held Saturday at Nick’s Garden Center in Aurora.

Fire medic Brad Bledsoe said 2024 marks his family’s third year growing competition-sized pumpkins on their property in Fort Collins.

The former plant nursery employee described carefully managing the growing process, from measuring the nutrients present in the soil, to researching the genetics of the Atlantic giant pumpkin seed used, to watering his plant every day.

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“It’s a whole can of worms,” Bledsoe said.

He said his friend brought a skid steer to help load the pumpkin onto a trailer that Bledsoe used to haul Winifred Sanderson from Fort Collins to Aurora.

“It was my favorite thing to do, was driving with the pumpkin and seeing people’s faces light up,” he said. “You can see the curiosity, like people asking if it’s even real and asking if they can take pictures with it.”

Aurora Fire Rescue announced in a news release and Nick’s Garden Center confirmed that the pumpkin took first prize at the weigh-in organized by The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth.

Bledsoe claimed Colorado’s pumpkin record earlier this year with the first of three competition-sized pumpkins, named Mary Sanderson after another of the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus,” which weighed in at 1,955 pounds.

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The record was briefly taken by another grower last month before Bledsoe took it back with the first Colorado pumpkin to weigh more than a ton Saturday. A third competition-sized pumpkin grown by Bledsoe, Sarah Sanderson, is slated to be weighed in Fort Collins on Oct. 12.

As for the heaviest recorded jack-o’-lantern, Bledsoe said Travis Gienger’s world-record-breaking pumpkin was carved into one in 2023.

“But, there’s always next year,” Bledsoe said.

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Colorado

Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation

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Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -After receiving dozens of reports, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is looking for an injured deer that has been tied up by red material.

Residents have spotted the deer in the Gleneagle neighborhood in North El Paso County.

According to CPW, a wildlife officer found it in a residential garage with a deep wound on its backside. They approached the deer before it ran away, and over a neighbor’s fence. CPW says they only intervene if there is a chance the animal will suffocate, strangle, struggle to eat, or see due to the entanglement.

As the holiday season is coming around, wildlife officers are also asking you to consider wildlife safety when decorating for the holidays, advising people not to put lights on trees or bushes.

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In a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they say in part, “Antlered animals like deer and elk naturally shed their antlers each winter, providing a passive way to shed an entanglement. Sedating, immobilizing and handling wild animals can cause stress and injury to the animal, so if there isn’t an immediate health concern, the animal is better off carrying the item instead of removing it.

Updated photos from the Gleneagle community on Monday showed red material around the deer’s front leg. Combined with the visible backside injury, this has increased CPW’s interest in locating this deer…Our officers will continue their efforts to ensure the safest possible response. “

If you spot the deer, you can report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at (719) 227-5200.



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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss

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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss


Deion Sanders was at a loss for words until he wasn’t.

Speaking to reporters after a one-sided, 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars on the road on Saturday, the head coach described his reaction, simply saying he didn’t have much to say.

“It wasn’t good. I’m at a loss for words,” Sanders said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the loss and the performance of his team. “No one could have told me that it was gonna turn out like this.”

Deion Sanders looks on against the Houston Cougars during the first half at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders has a lot to say. He just won’t. Not at the expense of his team.

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“Oh, Lord, thank you. I’m thanking God for not allowing me to say what I want to say,” Sanders said. “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all. I take full responsibility of the foolishness that went on out there that we tried to name football. We tried to call it football. It wasn’t that. We’ve got to do better in every phase of the game. We’ve got to do better preparing our kids. We’ve got to do better, period.”

In the loss, Colorado trailed just 16-14 at halftime before being outscored 20-6 by the Cougars, who rolled to the finish.


Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes speaks with Ryan Staub #16 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Deion Sanders speaks with Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders later added, “We’re not struggling. We’re getting our butts kicked. You don’t have to be polite with me. You don’t have to sugarcoat it.”

Colorado is just 1-2 on the year, with their only win over a cupcake opponent in Division I FCS foe Delaware, who the Buffaloes routed last week, 31-7.

In their season opener, Colorado dropped a close out to Georgia Tech at home, losing 27-20.

The Buffaloes will look to even their record at 2-2 with a win over Wyoming next week in their return home to Colorado.

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB