DEAD PRISON INMATES ID'd AS MURDERER, AUTO THIEF

A coroner identified the inmates killed at the Bent County Correctional Facility as Michael Fisher, 59, a murderer serving a life sentence, and Charles Gates, 27, an auto thief.

A third inmate at the medium-security prison was injured. The state corrections department declined to provide further details of Saturday night's incident.

Bent County sheriff's deputies responded to the prison after inmates were discovered missing during a count, the Denver Post reported.

The for-profit prison, owned by Tennessee-based CoreCivic, is located in Las Animas. 

[Photos: Colorado Department of Corrections]

COPS HUNT THORNTON GUNMAN

Police are hunting for the driver of a black sedan suspected of shooting and seriously wounding a man in Thornton. The shooting occurred Sunday night in the 200-block of East 120th Avenue.

FIRE AT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN WHEAT RIDGE

Fire broke out early Tuesday at the Morningside Retirement Community in Wheat Ridge. "911 callers reported seeing smoke and flames on a patio," West Metro Fire said. No one was hurt. The retirement community is located at 3630 Vance Street.

BAD AFTERNOON: ROCK CLIMBER STRANDED IN UNAWEEP

Braving harsh winds, Mesa County Search and Rescue saved a climber stranded on a ledge on Reflections Wall in Unaweep Canyon. The climber, who wasn't hurt in Sunday's mishap, was provided with a harness and helmet for the steep descent. "Proper equipment, careful route planning, and climbing with a partner can significantly improve safety," officials said. [Photos: Mesa County Search and Rescue]

WYOMING DEPUTY SHOT NEAR COLORADO BORDER

A gunman wounded a sheriff's deputy Monday in Baggs, Wyoming, about three miles north of the border with western Colorado.

Wyoming state troopers and Carbon County deputies chased the gunman's truck on Highway 789 and he was found dead after another round of gunfire, the sheriff's office said. The wounded deputy was flown to a Colorado hospital. He was struck several times.

DUCKS INTO LAKEWOOD SEWER TO SAVE DUCKLINGS

In Lakewood, West Metro firefighters rescued six ducklings trapped in a storm drain on Jewell Avenue and stopped traffic to reunite them with their mother. A motorist summoned help after seeing the distraught parent in traffic on Monday.

[Photo: West Metro Fire]

FIREFIGHTER INJURED IN NORTH DENVER INFERNO

A firefighter was injured battling a blaze Monday in North Denver, officials said. The fire broke out near 33rd Avenue and Navajo Street. The injured firefighter was transported to Denver Health for treatment of a burn on his back. [Photos: Denver Fire]

DISPENSARY ROBBERS SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON

A Weld County judge sentenced Antonio Deray Darnell, 36, and Gabriel Angel Sanchez, 32, to 30 years in prison for robbing five marijuana dispensaries. The men, from California, stole more than $116,000 from cash couriers in 2023.

Photo: Weld County DA]

FIREFIGHTERS RUNITE DOG WITH OWNER IN ADAMS COUNTY

In Adams County, members of Engine Company 11 collared a wayward dog "running every which way" on Pecos Street on Monday and reunited him with his owner, officials said.

[Photos: Adams County Fire]

1 INJURED IN HOUSE FIRE IN CENTENNIAL

In Centennial, a person was transported to hospital from a house fire Monday in the 6600-block of South Sherman Street, South Metro Fire said. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

FBI SEIZES DRUGS IN AURORA

In Aurora, the FBI seized 22,225 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of fentanyl powder and $6,000 in cash in late May - and arrested two suspects, officials said. Dealers charge between $0.50 to $5 per dose, according to estimates. [Photo: FBI]

ARREST IN 1998 KIDNAPPING, ASSAULT IN FRISCO

Eugene Elisha, 67, was arrested as a suspect in the kidnapping and violent assault of a teenage girl in Frisco three decades ago, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.

Bail was set at $2.5 million. The crime occurred in a stairwell at a condominium complex on Feb. 6, 1998.

"Technological advances in DNA allowed investigators to generate new leads from the original DNA profile," CBI said. "Subsequent testing of a DNA sample obtained from Elisha confirmed a match to the evidence collected in 1998."

1 DEAD, 6 HURT IN VIOLENT DENVER WEEKEND

Bullets flew and knives slashed in a violent weekend across Denver.

A person was shot to death in the vicinity of East Colfax Avenue and North Dahlia Street while two people were injured in a shooting in the 300-block of Santa Fe Drive, police said. Another person was wounded in a shooting in the 300-block of North Speer Boulevard. A suspect was arrested after a person was shot and injured in the 4700-block of Airport Way. Police identified the suspect as Davon Morgan, 35. Two people were hurt in stabbings in the 4100-block North Garfield Street and the 4300-block East 48th Avenue.

FIRE SWEEPS CLUTTERED YARD IN DENVER

A blaze swept sheds in the cluttered yard of a home in Southwest Denver. No injuries were reported in the blaze near West 3rd Avenue and Perry Street, officials said. [Photo: Denver Fire]

DUPLEX FIRE KILLS RESIDENT, INJURES 2 FIREFIGHTERS IN JEFFCO

A fire that apparently started in the garage of a duplex killed a resident early Sunday, West Metro Fire said. Two firefighters were injured in the blaze on Vivian Street near 14th Avenue in Jefferson County.

"A neighbor called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the garage," officials said. "When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames, with fire extending into the living area, and immediately began search and rescue operations.

"Three people were inside the home at the time. Two were able to escape, but one person who was asleep upstairs was unable to get out," officials said "Firefighters located the person and brought them out of the home. The person did not survive. "Two firefighters involved in the rescue suffered minor injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment." [Photo: West Metro Fire]

BIKER ARRESTED AFTER FATAL CRASH IN DENVER

UPDATE A motorcycle passenger died Sunday in a crash in Denver - and the operator was arrested for investigation of motor vehicle theft. Police identified the suspect as Mario Flores Ruiz-Esparza, 25. He suffered serious injuries in the crash at Federal Boulevard and West Virginia Avenue.

The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. No other details were released. In a separate incident, a motorcycle rider was injured in a hit-and-run accident Sunday at East 14th Avenue and North Colorado Boulevard in Denver, police said.

FLAMES ENGULF HOME IN CASTLE ROCK; FAMILY AND PETS SAFE

Flames engulfed a home Saturday night in the Crystal Valley section of Castle Rock. The residents and their pets escaped the fire near the intersection of Loop Drive and Echo Hollow Street.

"Firefighters encountered a fully involved garage fire with reports of possible explosions originating from inside the garage," Castle Rock Fire said. "The fire had also extended to a vehicle in the driveway and into the residence."

"Two civilians were treated for minor injuries, and one individual was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment," officials said. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Earlier Saturday, crews battled a two-alarm fire in The Meadows neighborhood of Castle Rock, near Clear Sky Elementary School. No injuries were reported. Two cats were rescued. [Photo: Castle Rock Fire]

2 INMATES KILLED, 1 HURT AT FOR-PROFIT, PRIVATE PRISON

Two state inmates were killed at a for-profit, privately owned prison in southeast Colorado.

A third inmate was injured and transported to hospital, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.

The Bent County Correctional Facility, located in Las Animas, is owned and operated by CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America.

Authorities released no details on Saturday night's incident.

In the aftermath, the prison, which houses about 1,400 medium-security inmates, was locked down and visiting hours were cancelled at all state prisons.

CoreCivic also operates Colorado's Crowley County Correctional Facility in Olney Springs, site of a riot in July 2004.

Based in Tennessee, CoreCivic operates about 70 state and federal prisons. In 2024, it earned net income of $68.9 million on $2 billion in revenue, according to corporate data.

[Photo: Colorado Department of Corrections]

NABBED! DEPUTIES STOP FUGITIVE AFTER E-BIKE CHASE IN CENTENNIAL

Fugitive Eric Tengan, 43, wanted on felony drug charges, was captured Wednesday after fleeing on an e-bike in Centennial. "Deputies with the Special Investigations Unit initially located him at a hotel in the 13000 block of E. Briarwood Ave," the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said on social media. "When deputies attempted to contact him, he fled on the e-bike. "After deputies ordered him to stop, Tengan abandoned the bike and ran on foot," officials said. "Deputies pursued him, and he quickly surrendered near E. Peakview Ave. and S. Uvalda St." [Photos: Arapahoe County Sheriff]

ARVADA MOM CHARGED AFTER TEEN DIES OF ALCOHOLISM; COPS FIND 173 EMPTY BOTTLES

Prosecutors charged Gretchen Leanne Ryan of Arvada with second-degree murder in the alcoholism death of her teenage daughter.

The suspect was booked into the Jefferson County Jail and held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. The girl, 16, was pronounced dead at a home in the 6400-block of West 85th Avenue on March 9. She was unenrolled from her public high school last year. 

An autopsy "revealed the victim had an abnormally fatty liver for someone of her age," a sign of extensive and prolonged drinking, prosecutors said, and "digital evidence showed that Ryan and the victim frequently consumed alcohol and marijuana together."

"During a search of the victim’s bedroom, detectives located 173 empty alcohol bottles concealed under the bed and in the closet, including various brands and sizes of vodka and other hard liquor," prosecutors said.

COPS AND FBI SEEK SUSPECT IN AURORA BANK ROBBERY

Police and the FBI are seeking a suspect in the May 29 robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch on East Prospect Avenue in Aurora.

DENVER ZOO'S 'QUEEN' VULTURE IS 46, A RECORD

Indy, the Denver Zoo's beloved Egyptian vulture "queen," is a record-breaking 46. "The maximum recorded lifespan for an Egyptian vulture in human care is 37 years, and our girl is thriving," officials said. She was born in April 1980. [Photo: Denver Zoo]

HIT & RUN JEEP HITS BIKE AT 72nd AND PECOS IN ADAMS COUNTY

A Jeep Wrangler struck a bicycle Wednesday at 72nd Avenue and Pecos Street in Adams County, reversed course and fled, the state patrol said. The bike rider survived.

The collision damaged a fog light housing on the front bumper of the dark blue or black vehicle, with an estimated model year of 2014-2016.

"Shortly after the bicyclist entered the crosswalk, the Jeep Wrangler attempted a right turn from eastbound 72nd Avenue to southbound Pecos Street and struck the bicyclist in the roadway," the patrol said. "The Jeep Wrangler stopped, reversed, and drove around the pedestrian, fleeing the scene."

If you have information, contact the Colorado State Patrol (303) 239-4501 and reference case VC260161.

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

PEDESTRIAN KILLED ON E-470 DURING A.M. RUSH HOUR

UPDATE

A pedestrian was struck and killed on southbound E-470 in Aurora during the Thursday morning rush hour.

Southbound lanes were closed to traffic. The accident occurred at 38th Avenue, according to Aurora police. "An initial investigation has revealed an adult male pedestrian walked in front of a southbound Chevrolet truck and was hit," police said. "The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene." He was 34.

NOT 100% FREE: TINA PETERS FACING 2 YEARS OF PAROLE

Released from prison after receiving clemency, disgraced Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters is now subject to parole restrictions, according to state corrections department records.

She was imprisoned for election tampering. Her maximum release date is July 10, 2028. Peters is 70.

A parole violation could result in a return to prison.

[Photo Colorado Department of Corrections]

NAILS AND SCREWS SHOWER HIGHWAY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Boxes of nails and screws spilled from a semi-truck in Jefferson County, flattening tires and dinging dozens of vehicles, the Colorado State Patrol said Wednesday.

"Troopers were able to stop the vehicle and contact the driver who spilled the boxes onto the roadway, as well as five other vehicles that remained at the scene with damaged tires," the patrol said of Tuesday's mishap on westbound Highway 285 near Morrison.

Troopers also fielded calls from more than 50 drivers "whose vehicles were affected," the patrol said.

No injuries were reported and the Colorado Department of Transportation swept the pavement. "The driver of the semi-truck fully cooperated with the investigation," the patrol said. 

MEDICS MAKE END RUN AROUND DOG PLAYING DEFENSE

Medics called in a giant fire ladder to move a patient because a protective family dog "was not especially excited about unexpected visitors," West Metro Fire said. "Rather than add stress for the dog," officials said, "Tower 2 was called in, the ladder was extended to the second floor, and firefighters safely secured the patient and brought them down to the waiting ambulance." The creative response occurred in Lakewood on Tuesday - and the patient and dog both recovered.
[Photo: West Metro Fire]

VIOLENT FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN DENVER'S CONGRESS PARK DISTRICT

Fugitive Michael Smith, wanted by Aurora police for attempted homicide, was arrested Tuesday near East 14th Avenue and Milwaukee Street in Denver's Congress Park district, the U.S. Marshals Service said. The shooting occurred in May 2024.
[Photo: U.S. Marshals Service]

'TOTAL LOSS': FIRE DESTROYS HOARDER HOME IN COLORADO SPRINGS

Flames devoured a hoarder home in Colorado Springs. "Crews arrived in just 5 minutes and found the fire had already spread from the garage into the second floor of the home," the fire department said. A resident was treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters faced "heavy hoarding conditions inside and outside the house, along with reports of gasoline and propane tanks stored in the garage," officials said. The blaze erupted Tuesday on Alteza Drive and "the home is a total loss," officials said. To help a family member or neighbor who is hoarding, contact the Colorado Hoarding Task Force (720) 571-7561.

[Photo: Colorado Springs Fire]

VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CHARGE IN HIT & RUN CRASH IN HIGHLANDS RANCH

Pickup truck driver Adam Bauserman, 28, was charged with vehicular homicide in a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian and injured two others in Highlands Ranch. The accident occurred Monday at East Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Willowbridge Way.
"A witness to the crash followed the suspect's vehicle and provided updates to Douglas County Regional Dispatch until deputies arrived and took the driver into custody," the sheriff's office said. Bond was set at $100,000. According to an arrest warrant reviewed by Fox 31, two witnesses alleged the crash appeared to be “intentional.”

[Photos: Douglas County Sheriff]

3 ESCAPE FIRE IN GREENWOOD VILLAGE

Three people escaped a house fire Tuesday evening at 9547 East Chenango Avenue in Greenwood Village. One person was treated by medics at the scene, South Metro Fire said. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

TROOPER, DEPUTY SHOOT AUTO THEFT SUSPECT IN DENVER

UPDATE An auto theft suspect was shot Tuesday by a state trooper and an Adams County sheriff's deputy in Denver. The male suspect, driving a truck stolen from eastern Adams County, was tracked to a Sinclair service station at North Santa Fe Drive and West 6th Avenue, said Matthew Packard, chief of the state patrol. Preliminary evidence indicates he opened fire on the trooper and deputy from inside the station. The truck was equipped with a tracking device. The suspect, age 35, was reported in stable condition at hospital. There were no other injuries.

ORANGUTAN GIVES BIRTH AT DENVER ZOO

First-time mom Hesty, a 15-year-old Sumatran orangutan, gave birth to a healthy male infant at the Denver Zoo on May 24, officials said.

[Photo: Denver Zoo]

PUP RESCUED FROM STOLEN AUTO IN COMMERCE CITY

Police discovered a dog trapped in a stolen auto abandoned in Commerce City.
"We don't know how long he was trapped in there," police said Tuesday. "Fortunately, the vet said he was only slightly dehydrated.

"He was given lots of love before he was reunited with his pet parent," police said. He is pictured with Community Service Officer Davenport.

[Photo: Commerce City Police]

DENVER ZOO'S BABY BONGO GETS NAME

A baby bongo born this year at the Denver Zoo has been dubbed "Frannie," the zoo announced Monday. Her formal name is Frances. Her parents are Fern and Howard. Bongos, an antelope breed, are native to African forests.

[Photo: Denver Zoo]

COPS CAPTURE VIOLENT FUGITIVE IN WHEAT RIDGE

A task force of police, state agents and federal marshals tracked down a violent fugitive in Wheat Ridge - and seized guns and ammunition.

"The suspect tried to run from task force members but was unsuccessful and apprehended before he could get on a sport bike" near West 44th Avenue and Tabor Street last week, Wheat Ridge police said. "A search warrant uncovered multiple firearms, one of which was stolen," police added.

The fugitive was wanted by the state corrections department for a parole violation and by the Adams County Sheriff's Office for felony larceny. His name wasn't released. 

[Photos: Wheat Ridge Police]

FIRE ON FEDERAL BOULEVARD IN DENVER

In Denver, firefighters battled a blaze in an apartment building in the 2900-block of South Federal Boulevard. No one was hurt. Monday's fire was contained to one apartment.

[Photo: Denver Fire]

LANDFILL BLAZE ILLUMINATES NIGHT SKY IN WELD COUNTY

In Weld County, Mountain View Fire Rescue crews battled a blaze at the Front Range Landfill along County Road 5 overnight. [Photo: Mountain View Fire]

NOT QUITE A STAMPEDE AS BULLS GRAZE NEAR CASTLE ROCK HOMES

Three AWOL bulls wandered into open space bordering the Cobblestone neighborhood in Castle Rock. Fortunately, their excursion ended peacefully. "Some days you need to take the bull by the horns," police said of Friday's incident. On social media, a resident said an animal welfare officer "did a great job keeping them from breaking into our veggie gardens." Police personnel Friday also investigated a family of racoons residing the Plum Creek area and recovered a lost cat in Memmen South. [Photo: Castle Rock Police]

CRIME RULED OUT IN DEADLY BLAST IN SUMMIT COUNTY

Investigators found no evidence of a "criminal act" in an explosion that ripped apart an auto and killed its sole occupant at Straight Creek Trailhead, the Summit County Sheriff's Office revealed Monday. "When responders arrived, they found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames," the sheriff's office said. "Once the fire was extinguished, a single male occupant was found deceased." The horrific blast occurred at about 7 a.m. on March 6 at the trailhead, which is located at the end of County Road 51.

“This was a complicated and difficult scene to process, but we now know the death was not the result of a criminal act," Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said. No other information was released. The sheriff's office led the investigation with assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. [Photo: Summit County Sheriff]

HIT & RUN DRIVER KILLS 1, SERIOUSLY INJURES 2 IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

UPDATE

A hit-and-run driver in a pickup truck killed one person and seriously injured two others on a sidewalk Monday, the Douglas County sheriff's office said.

A suspect was located in a nearby park shortly after the late morning crash and taken into custody. The accident occurred at Willowbridge Way and East Wildcat Reserve Parkway in Highlands Ranch.
The sheriff's office said: "Investigators are still looking for anyone who may have witnessed the suspect’s driving behavior before the crash or observed events immediately after the crash in the area shown on the map.

"Investigators are also seeking dash camera footage, doorbell camera video, and surveillance camera footage from homes or businesses in the area. They are only looking for video showing the truck pictured here." "Even if you think what you captured may not be important, it could provide valuable information to investigators. If you have information or video footage, contact Detective Pereira bpereira@dcsheriff.net or (303) 660-7537. [Photo: Douglas County Sheriff]

COPS SAY SUSPECT ANGRY ABOUT TRAFFIC SHOT AT CAR

A shooting suspect angry about traffic is accused of digging a trench across the roadway in front of his home and firing upon an auto.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said no one was injured and the suspect was arrested after a standoff. Robert Holly, 34, was found inside a camper on his property on Rattlesnake Point near Outback View in the Midway area. "When the victims attempted to pass through the area, a verbal argument ensued, and the suspect allegedly fired rounds into the rear of their vehicle," officials said. He claimed the roadway was private property. The incident occurred May 26. Holly was released on $10,000 bail on May 29. [Photo: El Paso County Sheriff]

NO NEED TO CHANGE FOR SUSPECT WEARING JAIL JUMPSUIT

Denver police stopped a man casually wearing an orange jumpsuit from the Adams County Jail in the vicinity of North Lincoln Street and East 7th Avenue.

"Officers safely contacted the suspect and, after positively identifying him, found that he had an outstanding warrant," police said. They also found three grams of fentanyl as well as "an identification card, a Social Security card, bank documents, and debit cards that did not belong to him," police said.
Police didn't dis-clothes how he obtained the jumpsuit. The arrest occurred May 25.

[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]

CAN WE MAKE A STOP AT THE DONUT SHOP?

Lost dog gets a ride to the Custer County Sheriff's Office on Sunday.

[Photo: Custer County Sheriff]

K-9 TEAM HELPS 'JUNIOR DEPUTY' WHO LOST HER STUFFED ANIMAL

In El Paso County, a deputy and her K-9 partner delivered a set of stuffed animals to little Claire, whose favorite stuffed animal - a police dog - went missing. "Her mother told us she was heartbroken," the sheriff's office said. Claire is a junior deputy. 

[Photos: El Paso County Sheriff]

STOLEN MOTORCYCLE HITS AUTO, KILLING BIKER

A stolen motorcycle struck an auto in Aurora, killing the biker and injuring his female passenger. The driver of the auto fled the scene of Saturday night's wreck - near East Iliff Avenue and South Idalia Street - and later abandoned the vehicle.

COMMUTER TRAIN KILLS PEDESTRIAN IN DENVER

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a commuter train Saturday near the 40th & Colorado station in Denver. The train was operating on the RTD "A" Line between Union Station and Denver International Airport. Police said the accident occurred in the 4200-block of North Jackson Street. No other information was released.

TWO PEOPLE SHOT AT 1st & ACOMA IN DENVER

Two people were injured a shooting early Saturday at West 1st Avenue and North Acoma Street in Denver, police said. Detectives were developing information on possible suspects. No other information was released.

BLAZE RAGES ON 153rd PLACE IN ADAMS COUNTY

Flames blazed through the roof of a two-story garage on 153rd Place in Adams County. No injuries were reported in the May 28 fire, North Metro Fire said.

[Photo: North Metro Fire]

FIREFIGHTERS SAVE 'EDGAR' THE PIG'S BACON

In Colorado Springs, firefighters freed a pig named Edgar who hooked a tusk in a wire fence, according to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Edgar is fine.

[Photo: Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region]