The Baca County Sheriff’s Office has been notified that Comanche National Grasslands are now at Stage 1 fire restrictions.

Campfires are allowed in developed campsites and picnic sites only, using manufactured fire rings or grills. 

In undeveloped campsites and all other areas - only gas fueled devices are allowed and must have a switch to turn the flame off instantly. 

Devices such as tiki torches, kerosene lanterns, and candles are not allowed on any National Grasslands area during stage 1 fire restrictions. 

In rural Colorado, Friday night lights are a way of life. In the towns and counties we represent, the local high school game is the heartbeat of the community. Families pack the bleachers, businesses close early, and kids grow up dreaming of wearing their school's colors. 

Sports are more than a pastime out here — they’re how our communities come together, raise their children, and build something worth being proud of.

Melodie Ann Richardson

September 18, 1959 - March 30, 2026

Funeral services for Melodie Ann Richardson will be held at11:00 a.m. April 6, 2026, at Brown Funeral Home in Eads.

Burial will follow at the Eads Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.

On March 30, 2026, I officially took the oath of office to serve as the Sheriff of Costilla County. I am stepping into thisrole with a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges we face and a singular mission: to restore the integrity of this office while ensuring the safety of every resident in our county.