Colorado Department of Corrections officials forced inmates to work prison jobs through coercion that ultimately amounted to involuntary servitude, a Denver judge ruled Friday.

The state’s prisons unconstitutionally coerced labor by levying severe punishments — including solitary confinement — against prisoners who refused to work, Denver District Court Judge Sarah Wallace found in the 61-page ruling.

“By creating a framework where failure to work triggers a sequence of restrictions that culminate in a more restrictive ‘custody level’ and physical isolation, CDOC has established a system of compulsion that overrides the voluntariness of the (prisoners’) labor,” Wallace wrote.

The ruling comes out of a 2022 lawsuit in which state prisoners claimed the Department of Corrections’ approach to prison labor amounted to involuntary servitude or slavery, which Colorado voters outlawed in 2018 via Amendment A.

The lawsuit, which went to trial in October, was brought by Towards Justice, a nonprofit law firm headed by David Seligman, a candidate in the 2026 race for Colorado attorney general.

Prisoners in Colorado are expected to work prison jobs, which include food preparation, janitorial services and other positions within their facilities. They are paid well below minimum wage for the work.  They can choose not to work, but doing so is a disciplinary infraction for which prisoners are punished, according to court filings.

State attorneys argued during the October trial that prisoners’ labor was voluntary, and that punishments for failing to work, while “uncomfortable,” did not rise to the level of coercion legally required to constitute involuntary servitude.

The 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure is now available, with a number of changes that affect the upcoming seasons and the limited-license draw.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife have outlined an overview of what’s new for the 2026 big-game seasons, along with important dates and changes that affect the limited-license draws.

Important 2026 dates

Primary limited license draw:

• March 1: Applications accepted/most qualifying licenses available for purchase starting on this date
• April 7: Application & correction deadline, 8 p.m.
• May 26–29: Draw results posted online (check your online account)
• June 1: Surrender period deadline, 11:59 p.m.
• June 12: License payment deadline, 11:59 p.m.
• June 26: Licenses in the mail

Secondary limited license draw:

• June 18: Secondary draw applications accepted starting on this date
• June 30: Secondary draw application & correction deadline, 8 p.m.
• July 7: Secondary draw results posted online (check your online account)
• July 9: Surrender period deadline, 11:59 p.m.
• July 21: Secondary draw license payment deadline, 11:59 p.m.
• July 27: Secondary draw licenses in the mail

Leftover & over-the-counter licenses:

• Aug. 4: Remaining (leftover) limited licenses on sale online, in person and by phone, 9 a.m.
• Aug. 4: Over-the-counter licenses on sale, 9 a.m.

Qualifying licenses

Continuing this year, hunters must purchase a current-year, 2026 qualifying license to participate in the big-game draws, the website states. Most qualifying licenses are available March 1 and must be purchased prior to applying for all big-game licenses or preference points.

Funds from qualifying licenses help to support wildlife conservation and research studies for both game and nongame species. 

Qualifying licenses are on sale starting March 1.

“All applicants must first purchase (online, by phone, or in person at sales agents) or hold a qualifying hunting license for the current license year before applying for either the primary or secondary draws,” the website states.

Hunters are also able to purchase a leftover limited or over-the-counter license without a qualifying license.

Draw applications will not be accessible until a qualifying license is purchased; licenses must be valid for the current 2026 license year.

A 2026 Habitat Stamp will be automatically added when purchasing a qualifying license, if applicable.

Qualifying licenses options:

• Annual resident and nonresident small game
• Annual resident combo small game/fishing
• Annual resident senior combo small game/fishing — Annual licenses are valid March 1 – March 31 (13 months)
• Resident and nonresident spring turkey (over-the-counter turkey licenses on sale March 1)
• Resident and nonresident fall turkey (valid for the secondary draw only)
• Resident veteran lifetime combo small game/fishing
• Resident first responder lifetime combo small game/fishing
• Annual small-game license for resident senior lifetime fishing license holders

Primary draw

CPW will begin to accept applications March 1. The application deadline for the primary license drawing is 8 p.m. April 7.

“Hunters are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays,” the website states. 

Tip: After applying, review the confirmation receipt sent via email to ensure correct submission. Application modifications are allowed prior to the application deadline. 

Secondary draw

Continuing this year, CPW is offering a Secondary Draw that is open to anyone — even those who missed the deadline for the Primary Draw. Most elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw will be made available for this one.

Youth hunters also receive 100% preference in the Secondary Draw.

The Secondary Draw does not use or award preference points but application fees, qualifying licenses, and a Habitat Stamp are still required.

CPW will accept applications online or by phone for the Secondary Draw beginning June 18. The application deadline is 8 p.m. June 30.

Boundary modifications for some GMUs

The boundaries for Game Management Units 97 and 99 have changed.

“Hunters should check the CPW Hunting Atlas and ensure that they are using the latest versions of GPS/map applications for accurate boundaries,” the website recommends.

See page 71 of the Colorado Big Game Brochure for more information.

Chronic Wasting Disease testing for elk

There will be no mandatory CWD testing for harvested deer in the 2026 seasons. 

Hunts added

CPW has added new licenses for moose, buck deer, archery elk, and bear in a variety of GMUs. For detailed species-specific new hunts and changes, see the individual species pages in the big game brochure:

• Deer: Big Game Brochure page 20 
• Pronghorn: Big Game Brochure page 53
• Bear: page Big Game Brochure page 62
• Elk: Big Game Brochure page 35 
• Moose: Big Game Brochure page 58

For more information, visit https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2026/02/13/whats-new-2026-colorado-big-game-hunting/.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for florists across the country, and local shops felt the rush.

At Jasmine Flowers and Gifts, preparations began days in advance as orders poured in online and customers walked through the door.

“The past couple days, it’s been crazy. There’s been a lot of prepping, getting orders through from the computer, people ordering online, and a lot of walk-ins. There’s, like, flowers everywhere; it just gets hectic sometimes,” said Chris Martinez, head floral designer.

Martinez said the holiday is critical for many flower shops and can shape the financial outlook for the year.

“Valentine’s Day holds it up, probably throughout like half of the year, maybe the whole year, sometimes depending how much you make. So it’s a really important day for florists,” Martinez said.

He said loyal customers and steady orders have helped ease concerns.

“We have loyal customers, we have good products, people always come back for that. It’s been good community, and they always come and support us,” Martinez said.

Downtown venues are also seeing the impact.

ICONS, an LGBTQ-focused bar and entertainment venue, hosted a sold-out show featuring a guest performer from RuPaul’s Drag Race, along with local talent and a visiting DJ.

“Big nights like tonight is surely a boost in our slow season. We’re thankful that we have a sold out show tonight. We just encourage y’all to keep coming out, not only here, but all of our downtown friends as well. We could all use the support,” said Finn San Augstin, general manager of ICONS.

Beyond the business boost, San Augstin said the night carries personal meaning.

“Being able now, as an adult and having a fiancé and being able to celebrate that, he’s coming out tonight to come celebrate with us. It means the world. It’s really special to be able to do that,” San Augstin said.

For many businesses in Colorado Springs, Valentine’s Day is not just about flowers or entertainment. It is about connection, support and celebrating love in all its forms.

From packed flower shops to a sold-out drag show downtown, Valentine’s Day is giving Colorado Springs businesses a boost. Florists say the holiday can help sustain them for months, while local venues say the night is about more than revenue. It is about community and belonging.

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