K9 LEADS COPS TO FENTANYL AND $10K CASH IN BROOMFIELD

Police K9 Rodo led officers to 26.7 pounds of counterfeit fentanyl pills, 4.55 pounds of fentanyl powder and $10,510 cash in a vehicle stopped in Broomfield. One suspect was arrested in the July 22 incident, police said. [Photo: Broomfield Police]

DRUNKEN DRIVER, 84, KILLS RV OPERATOR NEAR DOLORES

An 84-year-old drunken motorist in a Dodge pickup truck weaving in traffic killed an RV driver near Dolores in a head-on collision Tuesday, the state patrol said.

The drunken motorist also died.

The crash occurred on Highway 184 west of Dolores, which is located in Montezuma County in southwest Colorado. Both victims were male. The RV driver was 49.

The patrol said: "Prior to the crash, the Dodge was reported through a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous/Drunk Driver Immediately) call for weaving all over the roadway.

"Preliminary reports indicate the Dodge was eastbound and crossed into the opposing lane and its front driver’s side collided with the RV’s front driver's side."

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

FLEA MARKET BODY PARTS MYSTERY COULD TAKE COPS YEARS TO CRACK

Human remains discovered in a row of dumpsters at a Commerce City flea market "could take years to identify," police said Tuesday. "Detectives have determined that they were thrown into the dumpsters at the flea market by individuals not associated with the business," police said. "We are in contact with those individuals." The remains were found earlier this month in the 7000-block of 88th Avenue, location of the popular Mile High Flea Market. "We are continuing to investigate this case but until we have identification and can then possibly determine if the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, we will likely not have further updates," police said. No other details were provided.

HIKERS FIND REMAINS OF MISSING MAN

Hikers discovered the remains of a man who went missing three years ago in Canon City, officials said Tuesday.

Shawn Michael Dixon Sr. was last seen stepping out of a taxi near Rudd Park on Sept. 12, 2023, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the case.

Dixon, born in 1978, was supposed to meet his family that evening at Triangle Park. His remains were found near Skyline Drive in Canon City on July 19.

If you have information, contact Fremont County CrimeStoppers (719) 275-7867.

50 YEARS AGO: BIG THOMPSON RIVER'S BIG, DEADLY FLOOD

 

Surveying the aftermath of the Big Thompson River canyon flash flood of July 31-Aug. 1, 1976, Larimer County Sheriff Bob Watson said: “Come morning, we are going to find bodies all over the damned place.” 

The overnight disaster - one of the biggest in Colorado history - claimed 144 lives as the river raced at 23 feet per second and crested at 30 feet. More than 250 people were injured.

Flood heroes State Trooper W. Hugh Purdy and Estes Park Officer Michel O. Conley died evacuating the canyon.

The rains poured with a vengeance - particularly from Drake to Estes Park.

"A large stationary thunderstorm released as much as 7.5 inches of rainfall in about an hour," according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

"In steep mountain terrain with thin or no soil, this large amount of rainfall in such a short period of time produced a flash flood that caught residents and tourists by surprise," the agency said.

More than 800 people were rescued by helicopter the next day.

[Photo: State of Colorado, Mile High Flood District, Colorado State Patrol]

Purdy

HERO TEEN SHIELDED BROTHER DURING MOUNT BLUE SKY LIGHTNING STRIKE

A hero teenager killed in a lightning strike while hiking on Mount Blue Sky shielded his brother from the deadly bolt, the youth's family said.

Levi Strobel, 15, "showed the courage and selflessness that characterized his life, seeking to protect his younger brother, who was with him on the mountain." the family said in a statement. "He was a brave and loving brother, and we will always remember the devotion he showed to those he loved," the Strobel's statement said. The younger boy suffered injuries and was airlifted to hospital in the Denver area, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said. Two men in the same hiking party of five suffered minor injuries in Saturday's tragedy, the sheriff's office said. [Photo: Clear Cree County Sheriff]

HUGE BLAZE ERUPTS AT INDUSTRIAL SITE IN GRAND JUNCTION

UPDATE

In Grand Junction, fire hit an industrial site loaded with hazardous materials. No injuries were reported in Monday's blaze at TotalEnergies Cray Valley, 569 24 1/2 Street. Some of the materials reignited in the aftermath, fire officials said.

[Photos: Grand Junction Fire]

RESTAURANT FIRE IN DOWNTOWN DENVER; NO INJURIES

UPDATE

An alley dumpster fire spread to an adjacent restaurant overnight at 1533 Champa Street in downtown Denver. No injuries were reported. "The fire extended through a window" and "spread into a storage room and the roof line," fire officials said.
[Photos: Denver Fire]

FUGITIVE CAPTURED NEAR 38TH AND OSAGE IN DENVER

Fugitive Anthony Trujillo was captured near West 38th Avenue and Osage Street in Denver, the U.S. Marshals Service said Monday.

He was wanted for a parole violation, weapons possession and DUI. Trujillo, 46, was captured Friday by federal marshals, Denver police and Colorado Department of Corrections personnel. Department of Corrections records identify him as a parole absconder. [Photo: U.S. Marshals Service, Colorado Department of Corrections]

BICYCLIST KILLED IN AURORA

A bicyclist was killed Monday in Aurora, police said.

"At this time, this incident is being investigated as a hit-and-run, but we do not have a vehicle description," police said.

The accident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. in the 1600-block of Powhaton Street near Jewell Avenue. A Good Samaritan stopped at the scene of the accident and told 911 "the bicyclist did not appear to have survived their injuries," police said.

LIGHTNING KILLS HIKER ATOP MOUNT BLUE SKY; 4 OTHERS INJURED

Lightning killed a hiker and injured four others on the summit of Mount Blue Sky in Clear Creek County.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. The dead hiker was a teenager.

Mount Blue Sky was formerly called Mount Evans.

3 DEAD IN WELD COUNTY CRASH, 2 INJURED

UPDATE

In Weld County, three men died and two others were injured Saturday when a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling at a high rate of speed crashed on County Road 80 at County Road 39, the state patrol said. The driver and four occupants were ejected.

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

PASSENGER SHOT IN HEAD AFTER HIT & RUN CRASH IN LITTLETON

A truck passenger was shot in the head and died following a hit-and-run accident and altercation Saturday night, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. The passenger was in a pickup truck that collided with several vehicles at South Santa Fe Drive and West Belleview Avenue in Littleton, fled the scene and eventually stopped for help at Columbine High School at 6201 South Pierce Street.

Investigators believe the shooting occurred near Grant Ranch Boulevard and West Bowles Avenue.

The sheriff's office described the sequence of events: "One of the victims, driving a white BMW SUV, called Littleton Police and reported that he was following the fleeing Ford truck. According to Littleton Police, the BMW driver was instructed to stop following the vehicle. Littleton Police subsequently issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the Ford truck." "Approximately four minutes later, at 10:32 p.m., Jeffco deputies responded to a report of a shooting. The driver of a blue Ford F-150 reported that someone fired shots at his truck, striking the male passenger. The driver pulled into the parking lot of Columbine High School." "Deputies arrived and immediately began lifesaving efforts on the victim. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, was transported to a local hospital, and later died from his injuries." On Sunday, "investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Highlands Ranch where two individuals were contacted and taken to headquarters to be interviewed - both were eventually released pending further investigation," the sheriff's office said. If you have information, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tip line (303) 271-5612 or email jcsocrimetips@jeffco.us.

WRONG-WAY MISHAP ON WEST COLFAX AVENUE IN LAKEWOOD

An auto smashed hood-first into a building on West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood, hurting the motorist. "The vehicle's airbags deployed in the crash, and the driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," West Metro Fire said. "Firefighters determined the building was structurally sound, and shoring was not required," officials said. The incident occurred in the 6500-block of West Colfax on Saturday. No other injuries were reported.

[Photo: West Metro Fire]

COPS SEEK CRAZED SCOOTER RIDER WITH PURPLE HAIR IN ROAD RAGE ATTACK IN AURORA

Police are searching for a crazed scooter-riding woman with purple hair who knocked a pedestrian to the ground in a road rage attack in Aurora.

The mini-motorcycle momma wore "a distinctive black helmet with a camera mounted on top," police said. The occurred incident near East Hampden Avenue and East Hampden Circle on July 23. "The suspect followed the victim and confronted her," according to police. "Witnesses reported seeing the suspect physically assault the victim before fleeing the area." If you have information, contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867.

STRANGE FIND IN I-25 BLAZE IN ADAMS COUNTY

A scorched body was discovered inside a smoldering passageway beneath a bridge at 70th Avenue and I-25 in Adams County. Firefighters investigated the interior of the cramped tunnel with a drone - yielding the macabre find. The bizarre incident - which was initially classified as an illegal burn call - occurred early Saturday.

A firefighter suffered mild burns during the operation but remained at the scene.

"Engine 11 was first to arrive and saw light smoke emerging from the hatch of a tunnel underneath the highway," Adams County Fire said. "When the crew opened the hatch, they immediately saw fire and quickly extinguished it."

"Our drone operations team flew a drone inside the tunnel and ultimately discovered a body," officials said. "A confined space operation was then organized and executed as the body was removed from the tunnel."

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

[Photos: Adams County Fire]

  

PERSON STRUCK, KILLED ON I-25 IN DENVER

A person was struck and killed on northbound I-25 near Auraria Parkway in Denver.

Preliminary information indicated the victim "exited a stalled vehicle and was struck by oncoming traffic," police said Saturday. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

1934 LODO FIRE: MIDWEST TRUNK & BAG CO. INFERNO KILLED CHIEF; INJURED MANY

On the night of Nov. 30, 1934, Denver Fire Lieutenant John Kessels and his crew from Engine Company 2 were advancing a hose through dense smoke on the third floor of Midwest Trunk & Bag Co. in Lodo.

"We were playing a line directly on the flames and thought we were getting along pretty good," Kessels told The Denver Post.

In an alley along the east side of the building, Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Mahon (in photo) shouted orders. Then ... a wall collapsed, pinning Mahon to the wall of an adjacent building, trapping Kessel beneath a timber support and burying others in brick and mortar.

The Midwest Trunk & Bag Co. building was located at 1524-1526 15th Street at Wazee in the then-warehouse district. It was constructed of hand-pressed brick three decades earlier with timber supports. It had been considered "one of the finest buildings in lower Denver," according to The Rocky Mountain News.

At 8:34 p.m., the first alarm was turned in by a nightwatchman who discovered flames in the rear of the structure. Crews thought they had the fire under control soon thereafter when a whoosh of air sent flames rocketing up an elevator shaft 75 feet into the night sky.

Denver Fire Chief John Healy ordered a second alarm - "2-11 signal" - transmitted over the fire alarm telegraph system, bringing more men and more equipment from distant parts of the city.

Assistant Chief Mahon, 47, immigrated from Ireland as a young man and served as a member of the Denver Fire Department for 28 years. On the night of the fire, he was assigned to South Denver and "covered in" on the "2-11" with his driver, Joseph Murray.

In the alley where Mahon took position, men climbed a 50-foot ladder. On the roof, Lieutenant H.M. Klein and 10 others went about their work. Engine 2's Kessel and his crew held the third floor. Others covered the second. Firemen Roxie Pomponio and Clinton Turnbull had the first. More prowled the alley.

"Chief Mahon saw the wall was giving in and yelled for all the firemen to get out of the building and out of the path of the wall," Fireman John Treckman told the Post. "Just as he hollered there was a terrific crash.

"I saw the debris coming down and jumped into a doorway for protection," Treckman said. "I saw Chief Mahon was caught in the debris. I saw his legs sticking out from a pile of bricks."

R.L. Wynkoop, an employee of Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph, was about a half a block away when the wall came down and ran for the nearest phone. "I saw a tangle of men, debris and bricks and I knew some of the men must be badly hurt," Wynkoop told the News.

He asked the police operator to "send all the ambulances you've got to 15th and Wazee. Get them there in a hurry. A lot of firemen have been hurt by a falling wall." (In 1934, fire apparatus had yet to be equipped with two-way radios.)

Captain William Carlin of Rescue Squad 2 instinctively took charge to save the fallen firemen. Firemen Frank Piper, O.D. Wilson and J.J. Johnson were the first to reach Mahon. George Reynolds and Harry Moore of Rescue Squad 2 followed.

The men lifted a heavy window frame pinning Mahon to a damaged wall. The 50-foot ladder near Mahon snapped and those scaling it "clung dizzily in mid-air," the Post reported.

On the roof, Lieutenant Klein shouted "let's get out of here" and directed his men to ladders that remained intact.

On the third floor, a crew lifted the timber pinning Lieutenant Kessels while Fireman Ted Webber pulled him loose. From the first floor, Pomponio and Turnbull dropped into the basement, remarkably without injury.

Mahon was taken to Denver General Hospital where he died the next day at 4:20 a.m. He suffered internal injuries, a fractured left leg, a fractured left arm and spinal injuries - and was the sole fatality.

Engine Company 6 suffered the most casualties - William Behrman, Eugene Sullivan, Herbert Jacobson and Captain Harry Wood. Doctors feared Behrman and Sullivan might not survive, but they did with Sullivan receiving a blood transfusion from Fireman Frank Neujahr, one of about 20 men who offered to act as donors.

Engine 2 suffered three casualties - Kessels, Londi Ross and Ralph Paul, both of whom were advancing the hose line with Kessels. Engine 1 suffered two casualties - John Dempsey and Charles Jones. Squad 4's John Doherty was also injured as was Peter Golesh, driver for Assistant Chief Guy Walker. Others suffered cuts and bruises but refused treatment.

For a time it seemed the fire, which started in an overheated coal stove, claimed the life of Mahon's driver, Fireman Joseph Murray, as he was nowhere to be found. He turned up at a firehouse later that night, having been dispatched from the blaze to pick up another assistant chief.

Engine 12 never made it to the fire from its quarters at West 26th Street and Federal Boulevard. It was struck by a locomotive at a crossing on 15th Street. None of its men were hurt but the front of the rig was demolished. A police radio car responding to the fire was also in a wreck with another automobile.

With his head bandaged and right leg splinted, Lieutenant Kessels of Engine 2 bummed a cigarette and telephoned his wife from a ward at Denver General Hospital. According to the Post, Kessels told her: "You'll hear about a bunch of us getting hurt at this fire. Don't worry about me. I got a little scratch on my eye. I'm alright."

911 CALL YIELDS SNACKING CUBS IN ROXBOROUGH

 

In Roxborough, deputies responding to a report of a home break-in cornered a pair of bear cubs snacking on Meow Mix cat food and assorted goodies. "The cubs were safely guided back outside" with the help of state rangers, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. [Photo: Douglas County Sheriff]

BREATHING EASIER AFTER HAZMAT TEAM STOPS LEAK

A hazmat team plugged a leak in a liquid oxygen tank in a van near East Harvard Avenue and South Trenton Way in unincorporated Arapahoe County. Firefighters "isolated a valve to mitigate the hazard" during Wednesday's incident, South Metro Fire said. [Photos: South Metro Fire]

DUMP TRUCK TANGLED UP IN LOVELAND

In Loveland, a dump truck snagged a utility line Thursday along East 29th Street yanking down a power pole. [Photo: Loveland Police]

FINDING A FIRE IN A HAYSTACK

In northeast Colorado, firefighters from Merlino and nearby towns battled a giant haystack blaze Wednesday night along Logan County Road 12. Neighbors with heavy equipment also helped. The haystack will smolder for several days, Merlino Fire said.

[Photo: Merlino Fire]

BIG TRUCK IN BIG TROUBLE NEAR TINY TOWN

In Jefferson County, a huge semi-truck went sideways along northbound Highway 285 near the Tiny Town amusement park on Wednesday and snapped apart. No injuries were reported. [Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

GRISLY DISCOVERY IN COMMERCE CITY DUMPSTER

UPDATE

Apparent human remains were discovered Wednesday inside a dumpster in Commerce City.

The grisly find was made in the 7000-block of 88th Avenue, according to a police social media post. A police spokesperson told The Denver Post the remains were found Tuesday and "pretty significantly decomposed.” Other dumpsters at the site were checked. No other details were released. In a separate grisly incident earlier in the week, police found burned human remains in the 11700-block of Ouray Court in Commerce City. [Photo: Commerce City Police]

'PREVIOUS OFFENDER' IS SHOOTING SUSPECT

Cameron Lee Sanders, 34, was arrested as a suspect in a shooting in Delta County, the sheriff's office said. The victim - a man, age 29 - suffered multiple wounds during a disturbance at a residence on Highway 348 early Tuesday. Investigators also determined "illegal narcotics were being used at the residence," officials said.

Charges include first-degree assault and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. [Photo: Delta County Sheriff]

STINKIN' NEWS: GARBAGE TRUCK SMOLDERS IN WHEAT RIDGE

West Metro firefighters extinguished a garbage truck fire Wednesday on Parfet Street near West 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, police said. No one was hurt.
[Photo: Wheat Ridge Police]

DENVER SHUTS DOWN CLUB AFTER MASS SHOOTING AS OWNER SAYS 'PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY'

UPDATE

Denver city officials Wednesday shut down the Ultra Lounge East, scene of a shootout that killed one person and injured eight others.

The city's emergency closure order cited "ongoing incidents of significant violence and failure to be properly licensed."

The gunfire erupted early Monday at the venue located at 9755 East Hampden Avenue - the third violent incident this year, according to officials. 

Police Chief Ron Thomas said the shooting may have stemmed from a confrontation elsewhere.

At least two people fired 66 rounds, The Denver Post reported.

The building was previously occupied by the Yak and Yeti buffet restaurant, which closed about a year ago. Yak and Yeti management leased the building to the club.

A post on the club's Facebook page said: "Pray for our community."

[Photo: Ultra Lounge East Facebook]

BEAR STRUCK BY AUTO IN LONE TREE DIES

An auto struck and fatally injured an adult male bear Wednesday in Lone Tree.

The incident occurred at Yosemite Street and Heritage Hills Parkway.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said its officers "tranquilized the bear in order to assess its health and prognosis. Unfortunately, the bear died from internal injuries."

CBI OFFERS $10K REWARD IN SLAYING OF MAN SHORTLY BEFORE XMAS

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of a Saguache County man whose body was found shortly before Christmas.

Charles William “Bill” McClure, 78, was found inside his home off East Highway 112 in the community of Center on Dec. 23. He was last seen alive Dec. 19.

"The discovery was made after local construction workers, who were on-site to build a garage, alerted authorities when they had not seen the homeowner for several days," CBI said Wednesday.

If you have information, call (719) 589-4111.

"Even information that may seem insignificant to a bystander could be the 'missing piece' needed by investigators to solve this case" - particularly suspicious activity observed in the vicinity of McClure's home between Dec. 19 and Dec. 23, CBI said.

[Photo: CBI]

WESTMINSTER COPS STOP STOLEN U-HAUL, FIND DRUGS

In Westminster, police arrested a man driving a stolen U-Haul truck and seized drugs and paraphernalia from the vehicle. The incident occurred this past weekend near Federal Boulevard and 92nd Avenue, officials said.

[Photo: Westminster Police]

HAZMAT LEAK AT WIND CREST SENIOR LIVING IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

A hazmat team isolated a refrigerant leak in a building at Wind Crest Senior Living on Flying B Way in Douglas County, South Metro Fire said. There were no injuries in Tuesday's incident.
[Photo: South Metro Fire] 

ARRESTS IN DEADLY HIT & RUN, FATAL SHOOTING IN DENVER

Police arrested Aaron Espinoza, 42, as a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed a pedestrian in Denver. The accident occurred at East Colfax Avenue and York Street as the vehicle turned into an alley on July 10, police said. In a separate case, Fernando Sebastian Chavez, 24, was arrested as a suspect in the fatal shooting of a man who was attempting to break up a fight. The shooting occurred in the 3800-block of West Arizona Avenue on July 13. [Photo: Denver Police]

COPS SEEK SUV IN SHOOTING IN WESTMINSTER

Investigators are hunting for an SUV after a man was found lying in a street in Westminster with a gunshot wound to the head, the Adams County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of Elmwood Lane and Westchester Drive on Monday night. The victim, age 21, was transported to hospital. "Deputies learned that a dark-colored SUV was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed," the sheriff's office said. If you have information, call 911 or the Adams County Sheriff's Office (303) 288-1535.

SEMI BURSTS INTO FLAMES ON I-70 NEAR GEORGETOWN

A semi burst into flames early Wednesday on eastbound I-70 east of Georgetown, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said. No injuries were reported.

[Photo: Clear Creek County Sheriff]

AUTO FLEEING COPS CRASHES INTO 16TH STREET BUS IN DENVER

An auto that eluded Commerce City police crossed into Denver, headed downtown - and slammed into an RTD FreeRide bus at 16th and Champa streets.

One of the occupants of the auto was wanted for attempted murder in Sunday's shooting at the 7-Eleven store at Highway 2 and 72nd Avenue in Commerce City.

"Our officers spotted the suspect getting into the passenger seat of a vehicle in Commerce City and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver of the vehicle eluded us," police said. "We initiated a pursuit which continued into Denver and was then discontinued when the pursuing officers lost sight of the suspect vehicle," police said. The auto's driver and the suspect were injured in Tuesday collision. There were no injuries on the RTD bus. Police had already taken another suspect in the shooting into custody earlier in the week. [Photo Commerce City Police]

RUNS RED LIGHT, CRASHES IN WHEAT RIDGE

A motorist was issued a ticket for running a red light and colliding with another vehcile Tuesday at West 32nd Avenue and Kipling Street in Wheat Ridge, police said. Minor injuries were reported. [Photo: Wheat Ridge Police]

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ROAD RAGE STABBING

Alexander Michael Rodriguez, 19, is accused of stabbing a youth during a road rage incident in Loveland, police said Tuesday. The suspect surrendered at his home and was booked into the Larimer County Jail following Monday night's incident, police said. The youth was reported in serious condition. "The incident began on Taft Avenue before continuing onto Eisenhower Boulevard near Prospect Drive," police said. "Both vehicles eventually stopped near a local business, where several individuals exited and began arguing."

BRAVE GIRL, 9, HAILED FOR CALLING 911

Zoe, 9, was honored for calling 911 and showing "incredible courage and composure" when her mother suffered a medical emergency on May 17, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said. She followed the 911 operator's first-aid instructions until Stratmoor Hills Fire Department personnel arrived. [Photo: El Paso County Sheriff]

LOST DONKEYS WRANGLED IN FOURMILE CANYON

Boulder County Animal Protection Officer Michaela Krzensinski and Deputy Joel Chapman wrangled a pair of lost donkeys in Fourmile Canyon. "They tracked down the owner, who arrived to take the adventurous duo home," the sheriff's office said. [Photo: Boulder County Sheriff]

HORROR CRASH ON I-70 NEAR UTAH STATE LINE

One person died and six others were injured when an auto and pickup truck collided on I-70 in Mesa County near the Utah state line. The auto burst into flames. The crash occurred Monday.

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol]  

HANGING OUT AT DENVER ZOO ON HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY

Chewie, a two-toed sloth, celebrated his first birthday this month with a party at the Denver Zoo. [Photos: Denver Zoo]

2-ALARM BLAZE BREAKS OUT ON 11TH AVE. IN GREELEY

In Greeley, firefighters battled a 2-alarm house fire in the 1500-block of 11th Avenue. "The fire was located in the attic on the top floor of the building," Greeley Fire said. No one was injured in Monday's blaze. Eaton and LaSalle Fire also responded. [Photo: Greeley Fire]

BURNED BODY DISCOVERED IN COMMERCE CITY BACKYARD

Police said Monday they are investigating the death of a person "discovered burned in the backyard of a residence" in Commerce City. Officers made the grisly find in the 11700-block of Ouray Court overnight, police said. The location is northeast of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. No other information was released.

ALL ABOARD! NAKED MAN RIDES ATOP LOCOMOTIVE

Daniel Ray Ballance, of Quartzsite, Arizona, was arrested for riding naked atop a locomotive chugging through northeast Colorado. "Daniel expressed his love of vodka, beer, and playing the Banjo" when he was taken into custody, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office said. Ballance broke the window on the Union Pacific locomotive and climbed inside during last Wednesday's bizarre incident, the sheriff's office said. He was jailed on felony and misdemeanor charges.

[Photo: Sedgwick County Sheriff]