Alasyn Zimmerman

Colorado Springs

Investigative Reporter at KOAA-TV (Pueblo, CO)

Investigative Reporter @KOAA Views are my own. RTs, likes aren't endorsements.

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Articles

Jury deliberating in Hate Crime Hoax trial surrounding Colorado Springs Mayor

2 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

DENVER — Jurors are now deliberating in the trial of two Colorado Springs people accused of staging a hate crime hoax. Ashley Blackcloud and Derrick Bernard are on trial for the hoax that threatened now Mayor Yemi Mobolade, leading up to the 2023 mayoral runoff election. Hear About Mayor Mobolade's Testimony Friday, prosecutors and the defense gave their closing arguments.
FBI agent, defendant testify in election hate crime hoax trial

2 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

DENVER — Both the prosecution and the defense rested their case Thursday in the trial for Ashley Blackcloud and Derrick Bernard Jr.. The pair are facing charges related to what investigators called a hate crime hoax leading up to the Colorado Springs 2023 Mayoral Runoff Election. Thursday’s trial included testimony from the primary FBI Special Agent who investigated the case, Ethan Doherty. Derrick Bernard also decided to take the stand in his own defense.
Suspect who took plea deal testifies in hate crime hoax trial

2 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

DENVER — The third suspect, who pleaded guilty to a charge related to an incident investigators called a hate crime hoax leading up to the Colorado Springs 2023 Mayoral runoff election, testified to jurors during a trial for the other two suspects Wednesday morning. Deanna West pleaded guilty in March to one count of “maliciously conveying false information about a threat by means of fire”.
Mayor Mobolade testimony continues in hate crime hoax trial”

2 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade told jurors Tuesday he could not recall the exact details of a phone call between himself and one of the suspects in a hate crime hoax investigators say happened leading up to the 2023 Colorado Springs Mayoral runoff election. Both the prosecution and the defense asked Mobolade about what he and Derrick Bernard, one of two suspects in the case on trial, spoke about in the days after the initial incident.
"Legalized Vandalism" Colorado Springs neighbors frustrated over spray paint left after fiber installation

3 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs Utilities has been installing fiber lines throughout the city, and people in the Wolf Ranch neighborhood say the spray paint left behind from that project months ago won’t go away. “It is so embarrassing, it just doesn’t look like you take care of your things,” Adria Lopour, a homeowner in the neighborhood said. Lopour said Utilities made the marks on the sidewalk and rocks near her home in October and was told it would go away in about three to six months.
Funding uncertainty looms for substance abuse programs in Colorado Springs

3 weeks ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — Helping the city's homeless population has been a priority in Colorado Springs for years, and local organizations and providers often step in to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. One of those needs includes sober living programs, or programs where people experiencing homelessness and needing help with substance abuse treatment can get into a program with a voucher to get the care they need.
News5Investigates resolves $65K insurance error for Colorado Springs cancer patient

1 month ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — A Colorado Springs man will no longer be on the hook for a nearly $65,000 medical bill after a surgery to try to combat his cancer last summer. Dennis Hiser and his wife reached out to News5Investigates for help after he received a letter saying his insurance, Cigna, owed $64,096.31 for a partial bladder removal surgery Hiser had in July 2024. The letter from CommonSpirit also said that if Cigna did not make the payment, the hospital would bill Hiser for the charges.
Colorado Springs City Council changes public comment rules

1 month ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs City Council has changed how and when community members can give public comment for items not on the regular agenda during city council meetings. Previously, the open-ended public comment was limited to three minutes per person for one hour, generally towards the beginning of the meeting. The three minute and one hour limit will not be changing, but now public comment will be held at the end of council's meeting.
Early results show incumbent Colorado Springs city council members poised to retain seats

2 months ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — The two incumbents running for reelection for the Colorado Springs City Council appear poised to retain their seats. Councilman Dave Donelson in District 1, which encompasses the northwest side of Colorado Springs and some neighborhoods near UCCS, and Councilwoman Nancy Henjum in District 5, which makes up central neighborhoods of the Springs, were both leading in their respective races Tuesday night. The other seats were open for candidates.
What’s the deal with developer donors in Colorado Springs elections?

2 months ago | koaa.com | Alasyn Zimmerman

COLORADO SPRINGS — As voters in Colorado Springs decide who they want to represent their neighborhoods on the city council, the latest campaign finance filings show contributions funneling in from developers and real estate professionals. It has become a talking point for some candidates on the campaign trail, who proudly assert they are not accepting any money from developers or business interests.