CSPD's K9 March Madness: Check out the round-one recap

Yahoo

19-03-2025

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department's (CSPD) annual K9 March Madness has completed round one in the matchups between the hardworking pups of CSPD's K9 force.
The winning K9's are chosen by CSPD's Facebook followers. The dog whose photo receives the most likes on the day of the matchup is the winner and goes to the next round. Below is a recap of CSPD's coverage of the K9 competition, so if you want to join in partway through the action, grab the bracket from the article linked below, and read the round-one results.
RELATED STORY: CSPD releases 2025 K9 March Madness bracket
K9 Milo is surprisingly small for what a powerhouse he is as an apprehension and detection K9. At only 55 lbs., he's answered 2,219 calls for service with 463 deployments and an impressive 164 surrenders since joining the force in 2019. When on the job, K9 Milo enthusiastically speeds into action at 31 mph. Off duty, Milo loves the simple joys in life – chasing his favorite ball, rolling in the grass, soaking up the sun, and getting neck scratches.
K9 Dutch, a 3.5-year-old black lab, works with the Regional Explosives Unit, bravely sniffing out bombs. When he's not finding bombs, he loves to find squirrels. But he thinks squirrels with bombs aren't playing fair. He also doesn't like bicycles.
K9 Oakley came from Vermont to join CSPD as a detection dog. She is very dedicated to her job, diligently pulling her handler to specific odors. She is also very dedicated to avoiding bath time, repeatedly jumping out of the tub to show her disapproval. Her favorite games are retrieving whiffle golf balls that her handler hits into open fields, and tussling with her spike ball on a rope.
K9 Zev is a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois patrol apprehension and narcotic detection dog who loves protecting the people of Colorado Springs. His favorite treats are Grandma Lucy's Oven-baked Apple Cinnamon Dog Cookies. When not on duty, he enjoys playing ball, taking long walks, and watching the sunrise over the eastern plains. He also loves pup cups, which he gets when he's an extra good boy.
K9 Wicket is new to the CSPD K9 team, having recently been certified for Explosives Detection and joined the Colorado Springs Bomb Squad. He's a 13-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer who is incredibly curious and is always investigating interesting smells. He loves any toy in the jumping distance, and when not busy training, likes to go on walks and spend time with his other Star Wars doggie fan, retired K9 partner, Chewie.
K9 Luna Pixel is a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever who has helped protect children in the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) for the last five years. She never backs down from a challenge and has an amazing sniffer that can detect electronics (cell phones, computers, SD cards, etc.). She loves her work, but she's also a loving partner to her handler and co-workers and really loves to play. She will only drop her toy for a cheese ball.
K9 Nyx is a three-year-old Belgian Malinois who is certified in narcotics detection and is attached to the Metro Narcotics Unit and DEA Colorado Springs Resident Office. She also sometimes pitches in to help patrols. Nyx loves keeping the people of Olympic City safe by taking dangerous items off the streets. When not working, she enjoys playing fetch, doing tricks on the basketball court, playing tug of war with her foam ball, or any activity involving a ball or searching for something. She loves to cuddle up at the end of the day and binge-watch her favorite shows, 'Love is Blind,' 'Too Hot to Handle,' and 'Little Baby Bum.'
K9 Zena is a Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd mix born in October of 2023 and weighs about 52 lbs. She's new to CSPD, having joined the department in January, and is currently assigned to the Specialized Enforcement Division with the Regional Explosives Unit as a single-purpose Explosive Detection K9. She enjoys playing ball, going on runs, eating carrots, and watching soccer with her family while chewing on her favorite toy bone.
K9 Loki is a Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd mix who was born in Holland in April 2023. He was certified in patrol and narcotics work and joined CSPD in April 2024. Loki loves to safeguard Colorado Springs and really enjoys acting as a co-pilot when riding around in the car for work. When off duty, he enjoys spending time with his family, getting belly rubs, and zooming around the backyard as fast as he can.
K9 Blue is an adorable 3-year-old Labrador Retriever who works as a narcotics detection K9 with the Metro Division. She loves to play with her favorite toy, a ball on a rope, and is a great hunter.
K9 Kai is a veteran K9, having worked with CSPD since 2019. He's a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix who comes from Hungary. He is a dual-purpose K9 who loves to assist his human partners and has responded to hundreds of calls. He's been able to bark convincingly at a hundred suspects, getting them to surrender safely. When not at work, he loves playing ball, hanging out with his sister Skylar, and going on runs. Because his handler knows he's the best boy ever, Kai gets to enjoy a special monthly Barkbox treat, for which he is always excited.
K9 Amp lives up to his name. he's a 4-year-old black Labrador Retriever who's always amped and ready to go. K9 Amp gives 110% to whatever he's doing, whether it's chasing a ball, exploring nature, or searching for explosives. Sitting still and relaxing are foreign concepts to him. He wants to be in the middle of the action and never be left out. He's been with the Regional Explosives Unit since 2022 and has 51 operational deployments.
K9 Riggs and K9 Creed are showing up in round 2, which started on Wednesday, March 19. The first matchup is between K9 Milo, who won against K9 Dutch, and K9 Creed, who's showing up for the first time in round two.
K9 Creed is a big boy at 80 lbs. He's a 3-year-old German Shepherd born in Hungary in April 2021. K9 Creed began working with CSPD in March 2023 and is certified in narcotics detection and patrol work, including apprehension, tracking, and article location. He loves going to work, but when he's off duty, can often be found lying on his back at home. Creed loves attention and getting many pets. He's often called 'Big Friend,' but one should never mistake his kind nature for weakness.
Submit your vote for either K9 Creed or K9 Milo by liking the picture of the dog of your choice by the end of Wednesday to have your vote counted.
K9 Riggs will also make his debut in round two, going head-to-head against K9 Kai.
The updated bracket can be downloaded from the CSPD Facebook page, linked above.
K9 Kylo, who won for the past three years does not show up in the bracket this year. Sometimes you have to give others a chance.
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