NATIONAL GUARD RESCUES FLOOD VICTIMS, DOGS AND CATS IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO

The Colorado National Guard rescued more than 50 people, over 20 dogs and several cats from historic flooding in southwest Colorado, Governor Jared Polis said Tuesday. The state transportation department is inspecting damaged bridges and highways, the governor said. The Piedra River Bridge on Highway 160 west of Pagosa Spring sustained significant damage after its piers collapsed and will need to be rebuilt, Polis said. Flooding damaged a natural gas pipeline near the Piedra River, he said. [Photo: Colorado National Guard]

ASPEN FAMILY ABOARD TRAGIC FLORIDA JET

Four members of a young Aspen family were aboard a corporate jet that fell from the sky over Florida, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The news agency identified the family as Adam Robinson, his wife, Helen Sharp, and their children, Emma 4, and, Charlie, 2.

There were seven passengers and two crew members aboard the jet when it crashed in a fireball Sunday on a highway near West Palm Beach. No one survived. 

The fight was bound for the Bahamas from Austin when the crew reported a sudden loss of control in bad weather.

[Photo: Social Media]

DOH! DASHCAM CAPTURES IMAGES OF COMMERCE CITY TRUCK THIEF

A dashcam mounted inside a stolen Dodge Ram snapped images of the thief, Commerce City police said Tuesday.

"We couldn’t have taken a better picture if we had posed him ourselves," they added.
The crook - still at large as of Tuesday - broke into a warehouse in the 6700-block of Brighton Boulevard and made off with $50,000 of copper wire and the truck last month. "He then dumped the stolen Ram about a mile away and fled in a silver sedan," police said. "During the commission of the crime he also caused extensive and expensive damage to the inside of the warehouse, the rear garage door and the front gate."

If you have information, contact Commerce City Police Investigator Dominick at jdominick@c3gov.com [Photos: Commerce City Police]

COLORADO NATIONAL GUARD 'MERCY FLIGHT' SAVED LITTLE BECKY SUE SADLER

In the pioneering days of aviation, a brave Colorado National Guard crew rushed serum over the Continental Divide - from Denver to distant Cortez - by dark of night and saved the life of little Betty Sue Sadler, 5, victim of botulism poisoning.

Colorado Governor Ralph Carr approved the urgent "mercy flight" by three members of the guard's 120th Observation Squadron to the southwestern corner of the state, a one-way trip of almost 300 miles.

The Sadler family's physician, H. R. Rasor, suspected home-canned cucumbers and peaches caused the lethal poisoning. The girl's little sister, age 3, died earlier that day - Nov. 4, 1940 - after eating the tainted food vegetables and fruit, the Rocky Mountain News said. The family drove to Cortez from their farm 30 miles northwest of town.

The physician appealed to the state trooper assigned to Cortez, Thomas Maier, for help. The trooper informed Joseph Marsh, the patrol supervisor in Denver, who then relayed the appeal to the governor.

Coloado's health secretary, Roy Cleere, procured the serum from Dr. Harry C. Evers, of 620 South Broadway in Denver - a veterinarian.

At that time, the common cure for botulism was derived from horse blood serum, according to the Smithsonian Institution. The equine-based formulation contained protective antibodies that were injected into infected patients.

The National Guard aircraft was waiting at the Denver's municipal airfield. It was piloted by Major Harrison Wellman, accompanied a crew of two sergeants, Joseph Moffatt and Samuel McGrew - and departed at 7:30 p.m., less than a hour after the request for help.

The craft arrived at Cortez at about 9 p.m., though shifting winds forced Wellman to circle the field for almost an hour as the aircraft's fuel dwindled.

In the meantime, the serum was dropped by parachute and rushed to the girl's bedside. Her doctor was waiting at the airfield.

During the drama, the governor telephoned local authorities in Cortez and requested the landing site "be outlined with automobile headlights and the runway marked with flares," the Rocky Mountain News said. Runway lights weren't all that common in 1940.

The rescue aircraft was most likely a newly delivered three-seat North American O-47 observation monoplane developed in the 1930s. Prior to 1940, the Colorado National Guard operated single-seat biplanes.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

1 IN 5 ON MEDICAID IN COLORADO; GOVERNOR SEEKS TO SET LIMITS

By Colorado Newsline

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis released his final budget proposal on Monday, once again calling for the Legislature to significantly restrict Medicaid growth in the state.

The Democrat, who is in his last few months as governor, wants to limit program growth to 4.3% during the next budget year, compared to an expected 15% with current spending trends.

Medicaid costs have more than doubled since the 2021-2022 fiscal year and could soon eat up around 40% of the state’s entire general fund. It is propelled in part by rising healthcare costs and an aging population that needs more services. The health insurance program for low-income people serves around 1 in 5 Coloradans.

“Absent changes, Medicaid growth will crowd out everything else, including education,” Polis told reporters. “That would be unsustainable. Based on what I’ve seen, I don’t believe low-income Coloradans would be any healthier under this scenario.”

LINK

OH LEO! 1944'S LION ESCAPE AT DENVER'S CITY PARK ZOO

Pedaling his bicycle in terror and in shredded trousers, a youth named Marvin Sager, of 3234 Vine Street in Denver, raced to a drug store at East 22d Avenue and Downing Street shouting: “A lion is after me!"

"The druggist was disinclined to believe the boy’s almost hysterical story, but finally he summoned police," the Rocky Mountain News said.

It wasn't a hoax. "Leo the Lion" escaped City Park Zoo that July 5 in 1944 and tore Sager's trousers with its claws during its brief urban flight. A zoo attendant failed to lock the cage. The lad escaped serious injury.

Denver Police Captain Joseph Trinier led a squad armed with riot guns and tear gas to scene of the emergency.

Hiding in shrubs, the roaring year-old beast - who weighed in at 175 pounds - evaded the mob, which "had grown to include State Highway Patrolmen, detectives and other armed volunteers," the News said.

"Resorting to frontier range land methods, the officers yelled and herded the terrified lion back into his cage," the newspaper said.

Once it was over, poor Leo the Lion may well have been more frightened than poor Marvin Sager.

The fate of the careless zoo attendant is lost to history.

[Photo: Stock image]

GARAGE ROOF CAVES IN AS FIRE DEVOURS HOME IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

UPDATE

A garage roof collapsed as flames engulfed a home Monday in unincorporated Jefferson County.

The blaze was reported at 1:33 p.m. at 7762 West Quarto Drive. One person was treated by paramedics at the scene. The cause was under investigation. "Tragically, multiple cats died because of the fire," South Metro Fire said. "Our condolences go out to the family during this difficult time." Crews from South Metro Fire and West Metro Fire answered the alarm. [Photos: South Metro Fire]

COPS ARREST TEEN SUSPECT IN BOULDER'S HALLOWEEN SLAYING

UPDATE

Boulder police arrested a suspected gunman in a fatal shooting at a Halloween night house party that claimed the life of a University of Colorado student and injured another.

Omar Perez, 18, of Thornton, was booked into the Boulder County Jail on Monday. Perez is not a student at the university. Police withheld his mugshot.

Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said: "Good community tips led to the suspect’s identity within 24 hours and then we coordinated with our partners at Thornton Police, Westminster Police and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office to safely take him into custody.”

The suspect was charged with murder in the first degree-extreme indifference, assault in the first degree-extreme indifference and attempted murder in the first degree-extreme indifference.
The Boulder Daily Camera first reported the arrest.

"Though additional charges are possible for other individuals involved in this incident, detectives believe this suspect is the only shooter," police said.

The shooting that occurred at 11:28 p.m. Saturday in the 700-block of Marine Street. Police had been at the address earlier in the evening and cited the residents for holding a "nuisance party." The gunfire erupted after the party broke up. A neighbor reported hearing three shots.
Police said: "The families of the two victims are requesting privacy and do not wish to speak to the media." The victims are both males, aged 19. The injured student remained in hospital on Monday. According to jail records, Perez stands 5-foot-10, weighs 141 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair.

EAGLES ENJOY 'DOWNTIME' IN EASTERN COLORADO

While on patrol duty on Monday in Morgan County in eastern Colorado, Deputy Dillon Heisel snapped this amazing portrait of a pair of bald eagles perched along the South Platte River "enjoying a little downtime," the sheriff's office said. [Photo: Morgan County Sheriff]

'SIGNIFICANT' AND 'HISTORIC' FLOODING IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO

UPDATE

The National Weather Service said "significant and historic flooding" inundated southwest Colorado and southeast Utah on Monday.

Evacuations were ordered and roads washed out as in this photo, courtesy of La Plata County government.

The American Red Cross established emergency shelters at Durango and Pagosa Springs. 
"With the ground completely saturated, standing water is expected to remain in many areas," the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office said. "The ground can no longer absorb much additional water, and runoff has limited places to go."

The Pagosa Springs Police Department said: "Current projections indicate that the San Juan River is expected to reach a height of nearly 17 feet. This projected river level is approximately 2 feet higher than the flooding experienced last week."
In Delta County, the sheriff's office reported: "Heavy rain on Sunday night on the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre Plateau has caused multiple creeks across the county to have high flows."  

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe said: "Evacuations have been issued along the San Juan River from Hogback to Four Corners due to rapidly rising water levels." Montezuma County Search and Rescue reported: "The upper Dolores River at the town of Dolores is 0.5 ft above flood stage, flowing over 8500 cfs. ... The 'moderate flood' stage is about 10,000 cfs, which is approximately equal to the historic 1911 flood." (CFS stands for cubic feet per second.)

The Durango Police Department warned of "multiple" road closures.

Colorado Emergency Management said: "Dam Safety Engineer's from the Colorado Division of Water Resources are inspecting dams daily in the area impacted by the flooding in Southwest Colorado. Physical assessments are being done as rapidly as possible." [Photo: La Plata County Government, Drango Police]

The scene at Duragno on Nov. 2, 2026

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE IN COLORADO SPRINGS

 

Two residents were displaced after fire broke out Saturday at 897 San Antonio Place in Colorado Springs, the fire department said. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation. [Photo: Colorado Springs Fire]

WELD COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT CRASHES AUTO, FLEES ON FOOT

A suspect in a murder near Greeley crashed his vehicle after a police chase and fled on foot, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said.

The fatal shooting occurred after a fight broke out at a Halloween party early Sunday at a residence in the 2200-block of East 16th Street. One man died and another injured.

The sheriff's office identified the murder suspect as Mamre Bojorquez, 20. His vehicle crashed at on Highway 34 near Highway 85 after the state patrol gave chase. The sheriff's office said: "If anyone knows of Bojorquez’s whereabouts, please do not approach him. Please call local law enforcement immediately." [Photo: Weld County Sheriff]

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO TRAGEDY: COPS HUNT GUNMEN IN HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER

Law enforcement hunted statewide for a pair of wide-eyed suspects in a deadly shooting that followed a rowdy Halloween night house party in Boulder.

Two male University of Colorado students were hit in the burst of bullets. One student, 19, died and the other student, also 19, was clinging to life.

Based on chilling video, investigators hunted for a man with short, dark hair and facial hair, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt underneath a black jacket - and another with short, dark hair, wearing a black shirt with "Art the Clown" (a fictional mass murderer) on it and a silver-colored chain necklace. It was believed they fled the city. Police also sought several people of interest, including a female partygoer wearing antlers, in the shooting that occurred at 11:28 p.m. Saturday in the 700-block of Marine Street. The two-story dwelling is located on a street corner. The Boulder Daily Camera reported a neighbor said he heard three shots.
Police had been at the address earlier in the evening. At that time, "officers contacted the individuals who live there and cited them for having a nuisance party," police said. "Following police intervention, the party ended, and hundreds of attendees left the area. A smaller group remained inside the home.

"Detectives believe a group of individuals later attempted to force their way into the house," police said. "Shortly after that scuffle, shots were fired inside the home, striking the two victims." The Daily Camera said beer cans and broken bottles littered the yard after the party.

Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said: “We are doing everything in our power to find those responsible and hold them accountable.”
If you have information, contact the Boulder Police Department (303) 441-3333 and reference case 26-10148. [Photos: Boulder Police]

ALL SAFE AFTER OVERNIGHT HOUSE FIRE IN LITTLETON

Flames erupted early Monday at a home in Littleton, South Metro Fire said. Everyone escaped without injury. "Crews located a fire on the back deck that extended into the home" at 7294 South Bannock Drive, officials said.

[Photo: South Metro Fire]

MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING BROTHER IN SOUTHERN COLORADO

Steven Boyles, 61, was arrested as suspect in the murder of his brother, Kevin Boyles, 59, in Las Animas County, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Sunday.

A friend of the victim discovered the body Friday at a residence in the 13700-block of Winterhawk Drive in Trinidad. The suspect was arrested Saturday and booked into the Las Animas County Jail.

"Initial scene investigation and interviews led CBI special agents to determine that Mr. Boyles' death was a homicide," officials said.

GOOD SAMARITAN RESCUES 7 PUPPIES NEAR HUGO

A Good Samaritan saved seven puppies dumped on a rural road east of Hugo in Lincoln County, the sheriff's office said. "The puppies appear to have been intentionally abandoned, which is a criminal act," the sheriff's office said Friday. "Thankfully, a community member took them in and provided them with a safe place to stay." They were huddling near County Road 43 and County Road 2W. If you have information, contact Corporal Snover at asnover@lincolnsheriff.net [Photo: Lincoln County Sheriff]

KILLER GUNMEN STORM BOULDER HALLOWEEN PARTY, SHOOT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDENTS

 

UPDATE

Police launched a dragnet for two killers who stormed a Halloween house party in Boulder and shot two male University of Colorado students.

One student, 19, died and the other student, also 19, was clinging to life.

Based on chilling video, investigators hunted for a man with short, dark hair and facial hair, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt underneath a black jacket - and another with short, dark hair, wearing a black shirt with "Art the Clown" on it and a silver-colored chain necklace. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said: “We are doing everything in our power to find those responsible and hold them accountable.” The deadly shooting occurred at 11:28 p.m. in the 700-block of Marine Street. Police had been at the address earlier in the evening. At that time, "officers contacted the individuals who live there and cited them for having a nuisance party," police said. "Following police intervention, the party ended, and hundreds of attendees left the area. A smaller group remained inside the home.

"Detectives believe a group of individuals later attempted to force their way into the house," police said. "Shortly after that scuffle, shots were fired inside the home, striking the two victims." If you have information, contact the Boulder Police Department (303) 441-3333 and reference case 26-10148. [Photos: Boulder Police]

FIREFIGHTERS SAVE CATS, KITTENS IN THORNTON

Firefighters rescued and treated two cats and six kittens at a house fire in Thornton.

Wednesday's blaze broke out in the 9900-block of Garfield Court, Thornton Fire said. The owners weren't at home. No human injuries were reported.
"Crews quickly extinguished the fire, containing it to the garage," officials said. In Aurora, meantime, fire tragically claimed the lives of five dogs, one cat and several reptiles Wednesday in the 4600-block of South Kalispell Way, officials said. No human injuries were reported in the Aurora blaze.

[Photos: Thornton Fire, Aurora Fire]

TEAMWORK: DRIVER SAVED AFTER C-470 CARDIAC ARREST

Lance Rogers is alive today thanks to a quick response by Jefferson County deputies and West Metro firefighters and medics.

Rogers "suffered cardiac arrest while driving on C-470 with his wife, Margie," the sheriff's office said. "When Lance became unresponsive, Margie took hold of the steering wheel, safely stopped their vehicle and called 911. "Deputy Dana, Deputy Graser and Investigator Gonzalez arrived first and immediately started CPR," the sheriff's office said. "West Metro Engine 11 and Medic 13 arrived shortly afterward and continued lifesaving care. While transporting Lance to the hospital, firefighters and paramedics restored his pulse. "After heart surgery and rehabilitation, Lance has made a full recovery and is home with Margie," the sheriff's office said. "Together with Margie’s quick actions, the teamwork of our deputies and West Metro’s firefighters and paramedics helped bring Lance home to the people who love him." The incident occurred Aug. 28. [Photos: Jefferson County Sheriff]

HARD LANDING AT CENTENNIAL AIRPORT

A small aircraft veered off a runway while landing Wednesday at Arapahoe County's Centennial Airport.

The pilot - the only person aboard the Cessna 180 - "safely exited the aircraft prior to our arrival," South Metro Fire said. No injuries were reported in the mishap on Runway 17R. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

'GUT PUNCH': TWO MISSING CLIMBERS DIED, SHERIFF SAYS

Searchers located the bodies of missing climbers Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, on Wednesday in the snow-packed basin of West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, Sheriff Andy Rohrich said. Foul play is not suspected. The two adventurers were found near each other. The case is under investigation.

“Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family," Rohrich said. The men, students at Colorado Mountain College, were on a weekend journey in the High Country.

[Photo: Chaffee County Sheriff]

WORKER HURT IN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN LOVELAND

An explosion and fire ripped through a townhouse under construction in Loveland, injuring a worker.

Wednesday's blast occurred in the 3200-block of Trailside Drive, according to Loveland Fire Authority. "Several workers were inside at the time of the explosion," officials said. "One worker was transported to Medical Center of the Rockies by Thompson Valley EMS.

"Firefighters worked for approximately 1.5 hours to bring the fire under control," officials said. "Due to concerns about the structural stability of the building, crews were unable to safely enter the affected portion of the structure.

"The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation, with assistance from the Loveland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives," officials said. [Photo: Loveland Fire]

FAKE BOMB FORCES EVACUATION OF STATE CAPITOL

UPDATE

A fake bomb forced the evacuation of the Colorado state capitol building on Wednesday, the state patrol said.

A man, 32, was arrested as a suspect.

The suspicious device - which was "designed to look like an explosive device" - was discovered on a windowsill outside the Capitol's east entrance, the patrol said.

The Denver bomb squad determined the item "was found not to be a threat to the public," the patrol said. 

The fake bomb was found at about 10:34 a.m. and Lincoln Street and 14th Avenue were closed to traffic during the incident.

KNOCK, KNOCK. GOAT'S THERE? BAH. BAH. BAH.

A wandering flock of goats showed up Wednesday at the front door of a home in the vicinity of County Road 5 and County Road 24 in Ouray County, the sheriff's office said. [Photo: Ouray County Sheriff]

I-76 ESCAPEE CAPTURED IN GREELEY AFTER MORE THAN WEEK ON RUN

A robbery suspect who escaped from a transport vehicle on I-76 in Morgan County was arrested in Greeley after more than a week on the run, authorities announced Wednesday.

Byron Roth, 33, "surrendered peacefully without further incident," according to Greeley police.
Based on an anonymous tip, Roth was located at an apartment complex in the 2600-block of 23rd Avenue on Tuesday. A female companion was also arrested. On Oct. 16, Roth "escaped from an Advantage Treatment Facility transport vehicle on Interstate 76 after convincing the driver he fell ill," police said. "Unrestrained at the time, Roth fled on foot toward Fort Morgan." He was being transported to Weld County to face charges. If you have additional information on the escapee, contact Kevin.Douglas@greeleypd.com

[Photo: Greeley Police]

BETH MILLER COLD CASE: FRESH SEARCH YIELDS NO SIGN OF TEEN LAST SEEN IN IDAHO SPRINGS IN AUGUST 1983

Employing excavating equipment and scientific clues, police this month returned to a wooded site in Clear Creek County in the search for Beth Miller, 14, last seen in Idaho Springs in 1983.

Miller - who stood 5-foor-4 with strawberry-blonde hair - was jogging in white shorts, a blue T-shirt and white running shoes. The Colorado Bureau of Identification Cold Case Unit classified the disappearance as "homicide" and a court declared Miller dead. CBI agents did, however, develop an age-progressed image.
This month's effort yielded no new evidence in the disappearance which once gripped Colorado. And yet, Idaho Springs police pledged "our search for answers will continue."

Miller disappeared on Aug. 16, 1983, and a decade later - on April 19, 1993 - local and state authorities - along with personnel from forensics firm NecroSearch International - identified and excavated a patch of land in Clear Creek County to no avail.

In recent days. investigators returned to the site. "Using updated technology along with maps and information from the 1993 search, the team identified several areas of interest," Idaho Springs police said. "The team excavated an area measuring more than 40 feet from north to south and more than 34 feet from east to west." Members of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation sifted through soil removed from the excavation, however, "unfortunately, we did not locate Beth," police said. There was a glimmer of hope in 1997. Police in Columbus, Ohio, identified potential evidence in the possession of an Ohio man who attended high school in Clear Creek County. It was a Colorado newspaper with a story about the Miller case and a topographical map marked with three “X's,” according to the Columbus Dispatch and Rocky Mountain News.

Nothing came of it.

The News said the Ohio man, a suspect in an unrelated case, lived on Fall River Road west of Idaho Springs when Miller vanished. Quoting sources, the News also said the man knew Miller and her family.

If you have information, contact the Idaho Spring Police Department (303) 567-4291.

Childhood and age-progressed photos of Beth Miller distributed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Idaho Sperings Police Department.

[Photo: Idaho Springs Police, CBI]

WESTMINSTER COPS ARREST 4 IN DRUG RAID

Police arrested four people and seized drugs, drug paraphernalia, guns and a stolen trailer at a home in Westminster. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence in the 7900-block of North Lowell Boulevard, police said Tuesday. The recent arrests follow an "extensive investigation related to motor vehicle theft, drug possession and distribution, and eluding," police said.

"Four people were arrested and taken into custody on outstanding warrants and new charges", police said. [Photo: Westminster Police]

GUN FOUND IN STUDENT'S BACKPACK IN FORT COLLINS

Staff members at Centennial High School in Fort Collins discovered a loaded handgun Tuesday inside a student's backpack during a "medical event," police said.

The backpack was searched per school safety procedures and no one else was believed to be involved in the incident. The student was transported to hospital and "under supervision," police said. Principal Stephanie Lock said additional security would be on school grounds on Wednesday, according to 9 News. "We know news like this can be unsettling," Lock said. Counseling would also be available.

Police said: "Because this case involves a juvenile, there will be no additional public updates." The high school is located at 330 East Laurel Street. 

[Photo: Poudre School District]