BERTHOUD, Colo. — At Los Rios Farm just south of Berthoud, the only thing growing this winter season is uncertainty.
Owner Larry Lempka tends to hundreds of animals while grappling with worries about the ongoing drought.
“We’re always concerned we never have enough water to begin with,” Lempka said.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of northern Colorado are experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.
The combination of minimal snowfall and record-setting temperatures this season is taking a significant toll on the state’s farmers and ranchers.
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Los Rios Farm in Larimer County, Colorado
“We just don’t have the feed available that we should have,” explained Lempka. “The ground should be covered with something green or growing right now, and we just don’t have that.”
The drought has forced Los Rios Farm to reduce the number of animals in their care because there isn’t enough feed.
And for a farm that specializes in grass-fed beef and free-range chickens, the lack of vegetation is impacting product quality as well. Lempka’s chickens don’t have access to the greens they typically consume, which he said affects the quality of eggs they produce.
“It’s just not good. I mean, you need moisture for life to survive, and right now, as dry as it is, things are either having to migrate down or just die,” Lempka said.
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Inside one of the chicken coops at Los Rios Farm
The dry conditions are also increasing the risk of disease among animals, something Lempka monitors closely.
“It’s a lot more serious when it is dry versus having snow on the ground,” he said.
As the calendar approaches the new year, Lempka remains hopeful but realistic about the challenges ahead.
“I’m a farmer. Next year is going to be better, right?” Lempka said with a chuckle.
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The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office filed a formal complaint Friday against Colorado House Rep. Ron Weinberg for alleged campaign finance violations following an investigation that began when Weinberg’s House colleague Brandi Bradley reported suspected violations to the state in August.
Ron Weinberg (Photo courtesy of Ron Weinberg)
Bradley’s complaint alleges that the District 51 representative spent campaign funds on personal expenses, ranging from haircuts and restaurant bills to donations to an Israeli rugby team, between the years of 2023 and 2025. In November, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced that it would investigate Weinberg’s spending, and last week it filed a complaint of its own, which will be heard by a hearing officer by Jan. 20.
The complaint included exhibits of expenses in its report, the earliest being an $84.31 charge at McGraff’s American Grill in Loveland on July 13, 2023, and the most recent being a $96.26 charge at the University Club in Denver on Sept. 18, 2025.
“Although some of these expenditures, in isolation, may be reasonably related to supporting Weinberg’s election, the sheer volume of questionable expenditures is a sharp departure from other candidates and committees,” the Secretary of State’s Office wrote in its complaint Friday.
Expenditures included several payments at Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Blackhawk, which Weinberg said was spent during a stay during a Republican Caucus meeting; a nearly $2,000 donation to the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club, a donation that Weinberg said was an advertising expenditure that included his campaign logo appearing on the team’s jerseys; and a donation to Mountain View High School in Loveland that the school said it had no record of receiving. Weinberg, in an interview Monday, said that the donation had been for advertising purposes as well as to support a sports team at a local high school, and that he suspected the school’s administrators were mistaken.
He also reported over 100 bar and restaurant bills since 2023, enough that they were included in an exhibit separate from the rest of the expenditures in the complaint.
The thousands of dollars in bar and restaurant expenses, including $3,566.19 at McGraff’s American Grill in Loveland, were likely not all campaign related, the complaint said.
“On information and belief, not all of those expenditures were made for campaign purposes,” it read.
Weinberg said that he hosts many campaign events at McGraff’s, a local establishment near his home in Loveland.
“It’s not personal,” he said. “If it were personal it would be a $25 charge.”
The smallest expense at McGraff’s was $25.56, and most of his expenses at the restaurant ranged between $60 and $100.
Weinberg said that he was confused by the complaint, saying that all expenditures were made through a registered agent, Marge Klein, adding that it was suspicious that the expenditures, which had been publicly available for years prior to Bradley’s complaint, had come so soon after Weinberg made a play for a leadership position in the Colorado House earlier this year.
“It’s odd that I run for Republican leadership, and all this stuff that’s been out for years suddenly surfaces,” he said. “It seems suspicious. It’s not a coincidence. These charges that they’re talking about have been in the public eye for three years. It’s not like they found a hidden box of receipts under my bed.”
Candidates for public office file periodic campaign finance reports detailing incoming and outgoing funds, and the expenditures mentioned in the complaint have been publicly available on the Secretary of State’s website since shortly after they were made.
Weinberg said he was looking forward to a hearing where he could defend the expenditures.
The Secretary of State’s Office contracts with an outside attorney for such hearings, and that hearing will be scheduled by Jan. 20. After the hearing officer renders a decision, either party can appeal, at which point the Colorado Attorney General’s Office would represent the Secretary of State.
The complaint did not specify a penalty if Weinberg is found to have violated campaign finance laws but did reference a Colorado State statute that included potential fines, return of the misspent funds, and certain clarifications from the candidate.
A man and a Larimer County deputy were injured Sunday morning in an incident that started with an attempted traffic stop and ended in a police shooting, according to county officials.
The unidentified Larimer County deputy attempted to pull over a driver near Grand Market Avenue and TPC Parkway at 2:32 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s officials said the driver fled, leading the deputy on a chase down Colorado 60.
The deputy forced the driver to a stop just east of Interstate 25 on Colorado 60, but the driver began to accelerate toward the deputy, according to the sheriff’s office. That’s when the deputy “fired his service weapon.”
Larimer County sheriff’s officials declined to answer questions about whether the suspect driver was shot or what the bullet hit, but said both the driver and the deputy were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
An adult passenger in the suspect vehicle was not injured during the incident.
The suspect driver was released from the hospital later Sunday morning and arrested on unspecified charges, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputy was also treated and released.
Fort Collins police officers and the Eighth Judicial Critical Incident Response Team are investigating the shooting.
LARIMER COUNTY – A man is in custody following a pursuit and shooting involving a sheriff’s deputy early Sunday morning in Berthoud.
Just after 2:30 a.m., a Larimer County deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near Grand Market Avenue and TPC Parkway. The driver refused to stop and drove away at a high rate of speed, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy performed a PIT maneuver to stop the car on Highway 60, just east of Interstate 25. The driver accelerated toward the deputy, who then fired his gun at the suspect, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy and suspect driver sustained minor injuries. The deputy has since been treated and released from the hospital. The suspect was also taken to a hospital for treatment, then taken into custody, the sheriff’s office said. It’s not clear if gunfire injured the suspect.
An adult passenger in the suspect vehicle was not injured.
The Eighth Judicial Critical Incident Response Team and the Fort Collins Police Services are investigating the pursuit and shooting.
No other information was released by the sheriff’s office or FCPS.
City by city, Harley’s Dream is working with Colorado communities to say NO to puppy mills!
Press Release –
updated: Dec 15, 2019
BERTHOUD, Colo., December 15, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– It started this summer in Berthoud, CO when Harley’s Dream proposed an ordinance to the town council, banning the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. The ordinance, with the overwhelming support of Berthoud Mayor William Karspeck, was unanimously passed.
With the precedent set, similar ordinances have been proposed and passed this year by lawyer and Harley’s Hero, Joyce Cohen – in Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, and Eagle CO with the support of Harley’s Dream, as well as from the Humane Society of the United States – Colorado. All of these communities joined the more than 300+ jurisdictions across the country who have successfully passed this humane ordinance, emphatically saying no to puppy mills. Although none of these Colorado communities had pet stores that sold dogs or cats, they have taken proactive steps to ensure their communities remain humane in the future. And the Colorado momentum continues as there are more ordinances in progress.
City by city, this effort is paving the way for a state-wide law. The “Puppy Mill Bill” is legislation that would ban the retail sales of puppies and kittens in pet stores throughout Colorado. The bill, which will be introduced in early 2020, will be sponsored by State Representative Monica Duran with the support of animal advocate, First Gentleman Marlon Reis.
A majority of puppies sold in pet stores are born in commercial breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. These mills are commonly inhumane, overcrowded and unsanitary. Puppies and kittens born in mills do not receive adequate veterinary care, exercise, socialization or human contact. The parent dogs exist in these environments while their puppies get wholesaled out to the unsuspecting public via pet stores across the country.
According to Rudi Taylor, founder of Harley’s Dream, “We hope that other jurisdictions continue to follow Berthoud’s lead and adopt this humane ordinance. There is no downside. The ordinance doesn’t impact responsible breeders, and the vast majority of pet supply stores have already shunned the cruel pet wholesaling industries, no longer selling dogs and cats. Instead, these businesses have adopted a successful and humane business model, selling only pet supplies and services and helping shelters and rescue organizations with adoptions of animals in need. It’s a win for the communities, for businesses, and most especially, for our canine companions who deserve better than life in a cage. We believe that if the public knew the truth about where pet store puppies come from, pet stores selling puppies sourced from puppy mills would no longer exist. There is growing momentum in Colorado communities and across the country as the public becomes aware of the pet store/puppy mill connection. The general public is proving they support measures to ensure the humane treatment of our companion animals.”
About Harley Harley was a one-eyed Chihuahua who spent his first 10 years living in a cage in a puppy mill. His sole purpose was to produce puppies to be sold in pet stores. Harley’s eye was lost because his cage was cleaned with a power-washer, with him in it. After being rescued, Harley began his triumphant journey. His efforts as a “spokes-dog” against puppy mills earned him the top honor as American Humane’s “Hero Dog of the Year.” Harley had been on the Today Show, HuffpostLIVE, Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show and numerous news segments. He also had the opportunity to testify during a congressional caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Sadly, Harley passed away in March 2016, but his legacy lives on … his mission will continue until puppy mills no longer exist. Harley inspired so many people to do great things, and he continues to be the face and voice for the hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in puppy mills today.
BERTHOUD, Colo., June 26, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– In a preemptive move leading the way toward a more humane Colorado, on June 25 an ordinance proposed by Harley’s Dream, which bans the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores, was unanimously passed by the Berthoud Board of Trustees.
Berthoud, Colorado joins more than 300 jurisdictions across the country which have passed ordinances or laws that restrict the retail sales of dogs and cats. A majority of puppies sold in pet stores are born in commercial breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. These mills are commonly inhumane, overcrowded and unsanitary. Puppies and kittens born in mills do not receive adequate veterinary care, exercise, socialization or human contact.
This is a huge step forward for animal welfare in Colorado. Harley’s Dream wishes to thank Mayor William Karspeck for championing this measure, and the members of the Berthoud Town Board for their swift action in ensuring Berthoud will lead the way in Colorado to establishing and always remaining a humane community.
“Our hope is that Berthoud can be a model for other jurisdictions, that they will take the same action, eventually leading toward a state-wide law prohibiting puppies and kittens from being sold in pet stores. We want to stop the puppy mill pipeline into Colorado,” says Rudi Taylor, co-founder of Harley’s Dream. “And while we do support responsible breeding, as those breeders never sell their puppies to pet stores, a measure such as Berthoud’s will positively impact the adoption of shelter and rescue pets.”
About Harley Berthoud is the hometown of Harley, a one-eyed Chihuahua who spent his first 10 years living in a cage in a puppy mill. His sole purpose was to produce puppies to be sold in pet stores. Harley’s eye was lost because his cage was cleaned with a power-washer, with him in it. After being rescued, Harley began his triumphant journey. His efforts as a “spokes-dog” against puppy mills earned him the top honor as American Humane’s “Hero Dog of the Year.” Harley had been on the Today Show, HuffpostLIVE, Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show and numerous news segments. He also had the opportunity to testify during a congressional caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Sadly, Harley passed away in March 2016, but his legacy lives on … his mission will continue until puppy mills no longer exist. Harley inspired so many people to do great things, and he continues to be the voice for the hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in puppy mills today.
About Harley’s Dream Harley’s Dream was established in 2016 to create awareness and educate the public about the cruel commercial dog breeding industry, also known as puppy mills. They believe that a grassroots approach by large groups of concerned citizens is the most effective way to bring about change. Their focus is to encourage advocacy by providing the tools necessary to educate children and adults alike. Harley’s Dream is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Berthoud, Colorado. Learn more at www.harleysdream.org.
Celebrating dogs and craft beer, the 7th Annual Hops & Harley festival expects to draw thousands of guests to Berthoud, Colorado from around the country. This dog-friendly, family event supports “Harley’s Dream” and will feature live music, craft beer, food trucks, dog agility course, vendors, and adult/kids activities to raise puppy mill awareness.
Press Release –
updated: Jun 9, 2019
BERTHOUD, Colo., June 9, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– Berthoud-based nonprofit Harley’s Dream and City Star Brewing will host the 7th Annual Hops & Harley Festival on June 15 at Fickel Park in downtown Berthoud, Colorado from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Top sponsors for 2019 Hops & Harley are NomNomNow, Mile High Harley-Davidson, Lamar and Petcardia Veterinary Cardiology.
The free community event will feature live music by Joe Kuckla and Irons in the Fire and By The Lee, City Star Brewing on tap, Spirit Hound Distillers cocktails, Shoes and Brews 5K Dog Jog, Hogs for Hops and Harley motorcycle ride to the event, food trucks, vendors and kids activities to raise puppy mill awareness. This year’s Woof and Wags Village will feature a dog agility course open to the public by Trust Your Dog Training, dog obedience class demo and mini training sessions with Double K Canine Training, Fluff and Buff Bar courtesy Dog Bath and Beyond. Visit Fun and Games Village to find yard games, photo booth, balloon twisting, interactive activities with Wildfire Community Arts and Berthoud Local, face painting, rocks painting, and a 2pm House of Joy Kids Show. In 2018 Hops & Harley attracted well over 3,000 people from across the US and raised more than $25,000.
100% of the proceeds from Hops & Harley will benefit Colorado-based nonprofit organization, Harley’s Dream, which was established in 2016 to create awareness and educate the public about the commercial dog breeding industry, also known as puppy mills. This event was created in honor of Harley, a tiny Chihuahua who was known as the “Little Dog with a Big Dream.” Harley’s life was truly a rags to riches story. After spending 10 years in a small cage he was freed and found a loving home where he began his triumphant journey. Harley’s efforts as a ‘spokes-dog’ against puppy mills earned him the top honor as American Humane’s “Hero Dog of the Year.” Harley had been on The Today Show, HuffpostLIVE, Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show and numerous news segments. He also had the opportunity to testify during a congressional caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Sadly, Harley passed away on March 20, 2016, but his legacy lives on … he inspired so many people to do great things, and he continues to be the voice for the hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in puppy mills today.
