Residents of Woodland Park should prepare for winter weather tonight, as meteorologists from the National Weather Service’s Pueblo office expect about two inches of snow to fall in the area Wednesday night. The forecast calls for sunshine during the day, followed by clouds that will bring rain and then snow as temperatures drop, with daytime highs in the 40s and 50s and nighttime lows in the 20s and 30s. The Weather Service warned that slick conditions are possible on mountain roads, and winter weather advisories are in effect for the central mountains and Pikes Peak.
While the snowfall will affect daily travel, local voters are also seeing the outcomes of recent elections that could influence regional services. In the El Paso County sheriff’s race, Republican incumbent Joseph Roybal holds a lead of 54% to 45% over Democratic challenger Mateo Montoya‑Collis, according to the Gazette’s early results. Roybal, first elected in 2022, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has served with the Sheriff’s Office since 1995.
Alongside the sheriff’s race, El Paso County voters approved a 0.23% public‑safety sales tax by a margin of nearly 75%, extending the tax through Jan. 1, 2037. The tax, originally approved in 2012 and extended in 2018, funds 197 of the 890 positions within the Sheriff’s Office, as well as equipment, training, wildland‑fire resources, fire‑mitigation efforts, the regional 911 communications center for 30 agencies, and the county jail. The Gazette notes that the first substation in Falcon, fully financed by this tax, is slated to open in January.
State‑wide election results also show Republican Terri Carver leading Democrat William Moses 56% to 44% in Colorado Senate District 9, which includes parts of northwest Colorado Springs and Monument, while Democrat Tony Exum Sr. leads in District 11, covering southeastern Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Stratmoor. In District 35, Republican Rodney Pelton secured about 93% of the vote. These outcomes reflect broader political trends that may shape policy decisions affecting the region surrounding Woodland Park.
What’s next: Woodland Park residents should monitor road conditions this evening and plan for possible travel delays. The next term for El Paso County Sheriff begins in January, and the newly approved public‑safety tax will fund continued operations and infrastructure projects, including the upcoming Falcon substation. Residents can stay informed through local news outlets and the National Weather Service updates.
Sources: gazette.com, gazette.com, gazette.com
