Royal Gorge Region News

06/11/2026

Eighth annual God and Country Music Festival scheduled

By Charlotte Burrous

On the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, a group of dedicated patriots plan to gather to celebrate its birthday with the eighth annual God and Country Music Festival.
As it has since its beginning, the day will focus on highlighting the effects of PTSD, as well as representatives from each branch of the military, first responders and others.
The music will feature Applewood and Countywide, who will take center stage at various times, performing a variety of music, starting at 1 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4 in Veterans Park.
“There will be an honor guard and a flag folding ceremony,” said founder Ray Linebaugh. “A flag will be given to a Gold Star wife, followed by a 250th birthday cake cutting ceremony.”
Special this year, Advance Service Dogs founders Joey and Sandy Esposito will do dog demonstrations with the current dog handlers. The couple has sponsored 61 dogs to veterans, first responders and for people who have had childhood trauma.
A silent auction will be held. In addition, there will be several food vendors, as well as other inds of vendors. In conjunction, a car show will feature 60 or more vehicles, which will be judged.
“It’s going to be huge this year,” Linebaugh said. “It goes until dark.”
He noted sponsors are needed to help with the expenses.
“All of our sponsors will have banners,” he added.
The day offers a little something for everyone and a good way to celebrate the 250th birthday of America.

06/11/2026

American Legion Post 13 new officers installed

Photos by Charlotte Burrous

New officers at American Legion Post 13 were installed on June 2. From left are Commander Kathy Troutman, Past Commander Tim Grabin, Vice Commander Kevin Colvin, Adjunct Harold Reese, Chaplain David Burrous and Sergeant at Arms Randy Hunsaker.

06/11/2026

Cañon City Police Department

Reported Incidents for June 4-10, 2026

26-00013642 100 blk. of Justice Center Rd., Mack Hill (29) of Rockvale, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00013695 100 blk. of Justice Center Rd., Elizabeth Tosi (45) of Pueblo, was arrested on charges of obstructing a peace officer, disorderly conduct, driving without a valid driver’s license, no defective brake lights and an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00013735 3100 blk. of U.S. 50, Nicholas Seward (45) of Cañon City, was arrested on charges of second-degree burglary and theft.
26-00013797 500 blk. of North Ninth St., Charles Icenhour (61) of Cañon City, was arrested on charges of harassment, third-degree assault and domestic violence.
26-00013849 900 blk. of South Fourth St., Brayan Herrera Garay (27) of Cañon City, was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault.
26-00013889 3100 blk. of East Main St., Danielle White (34) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00013889 3100 blk. of East Main St., Justin McDonald (43) of Cañon City, was issued an arrest summons on a charge of second-degree criminal trespass.
26-00013889 3100 blk. of East Main St., Nicholas Seward (45) of Cañon City, was issued an arrest summons on a charge of second–degree criminal trespass.
26-00013889 3100 blk. of East Main St., James Fisher (27) of Cañon City, was issued an arrest summons on a charge of second-degree criminal trespass.
26-00013958 1100 blk. of Royal Gorge Blvd., Claudia Stewart (31) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014003 1400 blk. of Royal Gorge Blvd., Brook Crawford (23) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014012 2400 blk. of Fremont Dr., Benedict Laate (34) of Cañon City, was arrested on a charge of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
26-00014082 1200 blk. of Royal Gorge Blvd., Colton Reeder (28) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014106 10th St. and Phay Ave., Robert Coulter (55) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014127 400 blk. of Royal Gorge Blvd., Henry Watkins (32) of Pueblo, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014148 3100 blk. of U.S. 50, Robin Serles (61) of Cañon City, was issued an arrest summons on a charge of theft.
26-00014181 100 blk. of Latigo Ln., Steven Chreene (54) of Cañon City, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
26-00014253 500 blk. of Pine Ave., Mitchelle Stoltz (30) of Cañon City, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, speeding, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, open container and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl).

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Teen crash fatalities have increased by 91 percent in the last decade

CDOT provides safe driving reminders for teens as summer break kicks off

As teens look ahead to traveling more while school is out for the summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation reminds them that their actions behind the wheel matter. Traffic fatalities among youth aged 15 to 20 in Colorado reached a tragic record high in 2025, with 86 drivers and passengers killed. The spike marks a 91 percent increase in youth crash deaths since 2015.
The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer — known for a spike in crash injuries and fatalities — is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time period last year, 225 people died on Colorado roadways, 16 percent of whom were between the ages of 15 and 20. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old.
Teens face the greatest risk of crashing during the first three months after getting their driver’s license. Once they are driving on their own, studies show their general inexperience and increased risk-taking drastically spike their chances of getting into a crash. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the top factors for teen driving crashes in 2025 were distracted driving, speeding, lane violations, following too close and animal involved crashes. Nationally, teenagers consistently have the lowest seat belt usage of any age group, and in Colorado, 39 percent of teen drivers who die in crashes were unbuckled.
“CDOT cannot stress enough the importance of life-saving actions young drivers must take,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We have seen some positive trends with teenage drivers who use good behaviors such as putting phones away, respecting speed limits and wearing a seatbelt. When consistently used, these behaviors help to prevent crashes and fatalities. Driving a vehicle is an immense responsibility requiring safe driving behavior that parents and all adults should model for young drivers so they observe, learn and adapt good, safe habits from the very start. ”
Fatalities and crashes can be prevented if all drivers, regardless of age, heed the following:
Always follow the speed limit. Speeding puts you and others at risk of a crash, especially in vulnerable areas like work zones and school zones.
Pay attention while driving. Keep your hands off your cellphone and avoid other distractions while driving, including changing the music or eating.
Wear your seatbelt whether you are the driver or a passenger.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In addition to the points above, teen drivers 15 to 18 must also follow the specific laws under Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing Laws, referred to as GDL laws. These laws are designed to keep drivers under 18 safe by limiting distractions and high-risk driving situations while they gain experience. Key points include:
Teens with a learner’s permit must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed adult 21 years of age or older in the front seat and buckled up.
During the first six months of a learner’s permit, no passengers under 21, unless a parent or other licensed adult driver over 21, is also in the vehicle. Siblings and medical emergencies are exceptions.
During the first year with a license, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian. Exceptions include driving to or from school or work and medical emergencies.
Driver education is mandatory. For more information go to CDOT’s FAQ page on teen driving.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, there will be new requirements for obtaining a learner’s permit in Colorado:
A 30-hour driver education course for minors 15 to 17 years old (which may include an online course).
Drivers 18 to 20 years old can choose between a 30-hour course or a four-hour prequalification driver awareness program (which may include an online course).
Those applying for a license under the age of 16.5 must still complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
Individuals under 21 years old must successfully complete a motorcycle safety training program approved by Colorado State Patrol before being issued a motorcycle instruction permit.
This update, possible under HB24-1021, also improves the safety protocols and standards of driving schools and among driving instructors. To learn more about these new requirements and access resources, visit codot.gov/teeneducation. Since the passage of GDL laws in 2002, total teen fatalities have fallen by 35 percent, but crashes and fatalities go up once young drivers have completed their learner’s permit and are driving independently for the first time.
“Getting your license is an exciting milestone, but that freedom comes with responsibility: protecting yourself and your passengers,” said Colorado DMV Driver Services Director Benjamin Mitchell. “A single decision to text, drive unbuckled or drive impaired can change lives forever. Let’s make this summer memorable for the right reasons—buckle up, drop the distractions and ensure everyone arrives safely.”
In March of this year, the Colorado State Patrol published a press release about the importance of earning and maintaining a driver’s license. It also covered the most common infractions among drivers aged 16 to 21 in 2025, which were speeding, careless driving and not wearing a seat belt.

06/11/2026

Help support Humane Society of Fremont County and download Treat App!

🐾 June Treat App Competition — Let’s Bring It Home for HSFC!
We’re excited to share that Humane Society of Fremont County is officially part of the Treat App June Competition. All month long, we’re competing to bring in the most new users — and every person who joins and plays for one of our shelter pets helps us climb the leaderboard.

And the prizes are truly pawsome:

🥇 1st Prize: $2,000 worth of wishlist items
🥈 2nd Prize: 400 cans of wet food (cats or puppies)
🥉 3rd Prize: 200 cans of wet food (cats or puppies)

Every tap, swipe, and Treat earned turns into real support for our animals — food, medical supplies, enrichment, and comfort items they rely on every day.

If you haven’t joined yet, now is the perfect time. Pick one of our shelter pets, play on their behalf, and help us bring home these life‑changing prizes for the animals who need us most.

Here is our direct link: https://treatva.onelink.me/rVix/CO189

Let’s make June a winning month for HSFC.

06/11/2026

Free movie nights in on July 3rd & 4th!

🎬✨ July 4th Movie Nights at Pioneer Park! ✨🎬

Join us on July 3rd and July 4th for two nights of free outdoor movies at Pioneer Park! Movies will start at dark, so bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your favorite snacks.

It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday celebrations with family, friends, and the community!

See you there! 🎥🍿

06/11/2026

The team at Emergent Campus have a great time advancing in our community.

06/11/2026

There is no va**ng or alcoholic beverages allowed at The Florence Municipal Swimming Pool - violators will be removed from the premises.

We have a had a great start up for this season. Some things have come to management's attention that we would like to remind the public about.

1. There is no va**ng or alcoholic beverages permitted on City of Florence property. This rule applies to children and adults. If we see that
you are va**ng in the pool facility, we will ask you to take it to the front of the building, and then we will ask you to leave for the remainder of the day. This protects all and ensures we can keep the community pool a family friendly environment.

2. We ask that you actively supervise your child the entire time they are at the facility. Our lifeguards are here to keep your children safe, but they are not babysitters.

Our staff will always strive to treat all patrons with the utmost respect, and we ask the same from all of you. We appreciate your cooperation with these regulations and look forward to another great season!!

06/11/2026

Boys and girls ages 8-14 - Tiger Volleyball Camp is coming!

**Tiger Volleyball Camp**

Join the Canon City Tigers Volleyball Coach, Tara John and staff for Volleyball Camp on July 31st and August 1st. Campers will get to work with both the CCHS volleyball team and coaches. On August 1st campers will be put into teams to scrimmage. Parents are welcome to attend to cheer on their camper during the scrimmage. Each camper will receive a T-shirt at the end of camp.

REGISTRATION ENDS:
Friday, July 24th

AGES:
8 - 14 year old boys and girls

DATES:
July 31st and August 1st

TIMES:
July 31st : 9:00 am-1:00 pm (30 minute lunch break, please bring sack lunch)
August 1st from 9:00 to 11:30

LOCATION:
Canon City High School (Location may change)

COST:
$75 (In-District)
$90 (Out-of-District)

Visit our website at www.ccrec.org to register