CIGARETTES TO BLAME FOR HOUSE FIRE IN GREELEY

Discarded cigarettes caused a fire that spread through a home and into its attic on 4th Avenue in Greeley, fire officials said. Medics treated one person for smoke inhalation at the scene of Wednesday's blaze. [Photos: Greeley Fire]

3 INJURED IN TOWNHOUSE BLAZE IN WESTMINSTER

Three people were sent to hospital Thursday from a townhouse fire near 100th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Westminster. They were able to evacuate the burning dwelling on their own, according to the city fire department. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. No other information was released. [Photo: Westminster Fire]  

ANTIPODE LURKING IN COLORADO'S CHEYENNE COUNTY!

Rural Cheyenne County in eastern Colorado is one of the few locales in the continental U.S. to feature a "non-oceanic antipode."

An antipode is a point on the diametrically opposite side of a planet's surface. (The earth is round, you know.)

For most parts of the U.S., it's ocean.

In the case of Cheyenne County, its antipode is a remote, rocky volcanic island in the Indian Ocean called Ile Saint-Paul, which is uninhabited. There is, however, a "castaway hut" for survivors of shipwrecks, which is pictured above.

Cheyenne Wells is county seat of Cheyenne County. There are no castaway huts for shipwrecks in Cheyenne County.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

SUSPECT KEEPS HIS COOL NEGOTIATING WITH DENVER COPS

A motorist fleeing police on foot after crashing his auto took refuge in a jumbo air conditioning unit in the vicinity of 45th Drive South and North Forest Street in Denver. The suspect "lost control of the vehicle and struck and continued through two chain link fences before colliding with a building," police said. "Officers found the suspect hiding in a commercial air conditioning unit, which it appeared he pried the panels off of in order to get inside," police said. After negotiating, the suspect was arrested for investigation of criminal mischief, police said of Sunday's peculiar incident.

RUNS FROM COURTHOUSE TO AVOID ARREST

Matthew Muniz Jr., 29, was arrested Wednesday after bolting from the Otero County Courthouse upon learning he was about to be arrested on a warrant for stalking and domestic violence, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.

He was apprehended after locking himself in his apartment - which is located just across the street from the courthouse in La Junta - for more than five hours.

Muniz was making a court appearance regarding another case related to felony eluding, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited large capacity magazine, according to CBI.

He had been free on bond. The fresh warrant was issued in Pueblo County. He faces even more charges after the police standoff at his apartment.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

MARMOT HITCHES 266-MILE RIDE TO BROOMFIELD

A "Freddy the Freeloader" marmot hitched a 266-mile ride from Lake City to Broomfield inside the frame of a truck. "After a couple of hours of careful work, Animal Services Officers were finally able to safely get him out using a catch pole," Broomfield police said after this week's animal adventure. "The little traveler was then transported to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where he'll be assessed before being returned home," police said. Lake City, population about 400, is located in Hinsdale County in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. [Photo: Broomfield Police]

ORPHANED RED FOX KIT ON MEND AFTER LIFE-AND-DEATH STRUGGLE

An orphaned Red Fox kit is on the mend at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance after a brush with eternity. "Emaciated and suffering from severe mange, he had become so weak that he could no longer keep up with his family," the wildlife alliance said. "Eventually, he was forced into the open - exposed, vulnerable, and alone." Jefferson County Animal Control was able to nab the frightened animal. "He is now safe and receiving intensive care in our hospital: treatment for mange, thermal support, fluids for dehydration, and the nutritional rehabilitation he desperately needs to rebuild his strength," the alliance said. [Photo: Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance]

BIG RIGS COLLIDE ON I-25 NEAR FREDERICK

A semi-truck slammed into the rear of another big rig that stopped in a traffic lane on southbound I-25 near Frederick early Wednesday, the state patrol said.

The driver that slammed into the stopped vehicle suffered minor injuries, the patrol said. The other trucker wasn't hurt.

"Initial reports show one semi was stopped in the right lane for an unknown reason," the patrol said. "A second semi traveling southbound struck the stopped semi in a rear-end collision."

[Photos: Colorado State Patrol]

BICYCLE RIDER DIES CROSSING HIGHWAY 85 AGAINST LIGHT

A bicycle rider - apparently ignoring a traffic signal - was struck and killed by an auto Tuesday night in Brighton.

"The preliminary investigation indicates the bicyclist was crossing Highway 85 at the intersection of E 120th Ave against the red light and was struck by the northbound vehicle," police said.

"The driver remained on scene, was uninjured, and showed no signs of impairment," police said.

The victim was pronounced dead at Platte Valley Medical Center, police said. The accident occurred at about 11:30 p.m.

MORE THAN 50 FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BIG BLAZE IN CHEYENNE; ATF JOINS PROBE

UPDATE

More than 50 firefighters battled a wind-driven blaze that destroyed an apartment building under construction in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 
All workers were accounted for after flames erupted at the new three-story structure at the Ridgeway Apartments at 2505 East Carlson Street, city officials said. The cause of Tuesday's fire was under investigation, with the assistance of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. No injuries were reported. [Photos: City of Cheyenne, AFF]

COW MOOSE ATTACKS, INJURES DOG WALKER

A moose accompanied by her yearling attacked and seriously injured a dogwalker near Winter Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. 

"The cow moose charged at the victim, kicking them several times before turning and charging toward the two dogs," officials said. "The victim let go of the leashes, allowing the dogs to run away."

Rangers were unable to locate the moose or yearling after Sunday's attack on Little Vasquez Road. The victim suffered serious chest and arm injuries.

COPS SEEK VICTIM ATTACKED BY GUN-TOTING TEENS IN AURORA

 

Aurora police arrested two gun-toting teens after a series of violent robberies at and near the RTD Florida station in Aurora on the night of May 20. Investigators are attempting to locate the victim, in grey, in this photo, police said Wednesday. A total of four people were robbed and/or attacked. The youths are 17. One had been arrested in April on robbery charges, police said. The other was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of assault and harassment. 

One of the guns was believed have been stolen from Tennessee, police said. If you have information, call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867. Police added: "Parents, please talk to your kids. Understand who they’re with and what they’re doing. It could mean a different outcome for everyone."

[Photo: RTD via Aurora Police]

MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER DEAD MAN FOUND AT CONVENIENCE STORE

 

In Colorado Springs, police arrested murder suspect Timothy Arvidson, 64. The victim, Robert Dougher, 43, was "located deceased from a gunshot wound" at a convenience store on 21st Street on Sunday night. [Photo: Colorado Springs Police]

MISSISSIPPI AVE. STABBING IN DENVER

A person was stabbed Tuesday in the vicinity of Mississippi Avenue and South Havana Street in Denver, police said.

The person was transported to hospital. Police closed westbound Mississippi for the investigation.

No other injuries were reported, there was no word on an arrest, and no other details were released by police.

TANKER WRECK SHUT DOWN I-70 NEAR GOLDEN; NO INJURIES

UPDATE

A tanker wreck early Wednesday shut down westbound I-70 west of Golden, the state patrol said.

The initial investigation indicated "the semi was westbound on Interstate 70, where it went off the right side of the road, rolling onto its passenger side," the patrol said.

"The driver, a 27-year-old male from Denver, suffered no injuries," the patrol said.

The patrol's hazmat unit was called for leak from the tanker and I-70 traffic was diverted onto Highway 40. Golden and Arvada Fire also responded. The incident occurred at about 2 a.m.

[Photo: Golden Fire Local 5080]

FIRE! GET OUT! HERO COPS RUSH DOOR-TO-DOOR AT AURORA INFERNO

 

Hero cops stormed into an inferno at an Aurora apartment building, knocking on doors - kicking them open if necessary - to wake up and evacuate 50 sleeping residents.

"For over half an hour, we went door-to-door ensuring every resident was accounted for - knocking down those doors if we had to," police said. "Flames spread quickly and we continued to evacuate residents."

Firefighters, meantime, saved trapped residents by ladder as Monday's three-alarm blaze devoured the building at 797 Dillon Way. Just two people were transported to hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation. "Everyone’s efforts – from the officers to the firefighters – ensured there was no loss of life or serious injuries," police said. [Photos: Aurora police, Aurora Fire]

MURDER VICTIM IDENTIFIED AFTER ALMOST 40 YEARS

DNA testing and genetic genealogy helped detectives identify the remains of a homicide victim found on a ranch in western El Paso County in November 1986, the sheriff's office said Tuesday.

Peter Joseph Paskovich Jr., 31, had been shot in the head a year earlier - sometime between July and December 1985, an autopsy determined at the time. Detectives determined Paskovich had ties to Colorado Springs, where his father was stationed in the Air Force. He attended Widefield High School before his family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, and was a member of Cub Scout Pack 173. El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal said: “For nearly four decades, this man had no name, but he was never forgotten. My detectives remained committed to finding answers, and through advances in investigative genetic genealogy and strong partnerships, we are finally able to restore his identity." If you have information, contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office tipline (719) 520-7777. [Photo: El Paso County Sheriff]

HOOTS HELP: FIREFIGHTERS FREE OWL AT GOLF COURSE

In Summit County, Firefighter Anthony Lanata and Engineer Aaron Ferdig of Engine Company 1 at Copper Mountain freed a Great Horned Owl entangled in netting at a golf course and returned the raptor to the wild after a brief checkup, officials said.

[Photos: Summit Fire & EMS]

BLAZE HITS STORAGE BUILDING IN DENVER

Fire broke out Monday at a storage business at 7th Avenue and Osage Street in Denver. "Stubborn to put out because the sprinkler was unable to reach the seat of the fire," the fire department said on social media. The blaze was contained to a single unit. No one was injured. [Photo: Denver Fire]

2 HURT IN HIT & RUN CRASH ON SOUTH HAVANA STREET IN DENVER

Two people were injured Monday in a hit-and-run crash involving three autos at South Havana Street and East Yale Avenue in Denver, police said. The victims were transported to hospital. Police released no other information.

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE RESIDENTS AS FLAMES RACE THROUGH APARTMENTS IN AURORA

UPDATE

Firefighters on ladders rescued residents from a raging 3-alarm fire overnight at an Aurora Apartment complex.

The blaze broke out at 797 North Dillon Way at about 1:24 a.m. and two people were transported to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

The inferno displaced about 50 residents.

Aurora Fire said: "First arriving Engine 8 observed flames showing from the second and third floor on the east side of the building and directed a hose line to darken down the visible fire. Crews made entry into the building with hose lines and found heavy smoke, high heat and fire conditions inside.

"At 1:47 a.m. a large volume of fire was consuming the attic space and partial structural collapse of the roof was imminent" and "command ordered all firefighters to withdraw from the building." The cause of the fire was under investigation.

[Photos: Aurora Fire]

FIRE CRUSHED AT RECYCLING YARD IN DENVER

Firefighters stopped a fire in a mountain of debris at a recycling yard at 1775 West Wesley Avenue in Denver, the fire department said. No injuries were reported in Monday's blaze. [Photo: Denver Fire]

THREE ARMED-ROBBERY SUSPECTS HURT AFTER CHASE, COMMERCE CITY COPS SAY

An auto carrying three suspects in an armed robbery in Commerce City crashed during a police pursuit overnight.

The three were seriously injured. Another auto involved the robbery, outside a residence in the 6100-block of Oneida Street, got away, Commerce City police said. The victims were robbed at gun and knifepoint. "While officers were interviewing the victims about what had just occurred, the suspect vehicles returned to the scene of the crime" - and fled, police said. "The pursuit continued on I-70, where one of the suspect vehicles exited at Pecos, then crashed into a retaining wall." "Officers immediately began life-saving measures on the three individuals inside the vehicle who were transported to the hospital, all with serious injuries," police said. In a separate incident on the Western Slope, a stolen vehicle crashed during a police chase on eastbound I-70, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office said. The teenage suspect was injured after the auto crossed into Garfield County from Mesa County. [Photo: Commerce City Police]

HOUSE FIRE IGNITES BRUSH FIRE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

A house fire spread to brush early Sunday on Flowerburst Drive in unincorporated Douglas County, South Metro Fire said.

The blaze started on a deck and "extended into all three levels of the home," officials said. "A brush engine responded to extinguish a small fire in the grass behind the home."

Medics treated one person at the scene. [Photos: South Metro Fire]

MOTORCYCLE RIDER DIES IN FORT COLLINS

A motorcycle rider was killed in a collision with an auto Sunday in Fort Collins.

The afternoon accident occurred at the intersection of Lorien Lane and South College Avenue.

"The collision involved a 1996 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a 2005 Nissan Sentra," police said. "The motorcycle rider, an adult male, was ejected from the motorcycle."

The rider was pronounced dead at hospital. There were no other casualties.

"The investigation to this point has revealed that the Harley-Davidson was travelling northbound on College Avenue, and the Nissan was exiting the apartment complex on Lorien Lane and began to go northbound," police said.

TWO FLEE ON FOOT AFTER DENVER CRASH

Two people fled on foot from the scene of a three-vehicle crash in northeast Denver on Sunday.

Another person was seriously injured in the wreck in the vicinity of North Crown Boulevard and East Andrews Avenue, according to police. No other information was released.

SHOOTING NEAR 14TH AVE. & SHERIDAN BLVD. IN DENVER

A person was shot Sunday in the vicinity of West 14th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard in Denver, police said. They were transported to hospital. Police released no other information. 

DENVER STABBING WASN'T STABBING AFTER ALL, COPS SAY

UPDATE

Denver police reported a person was stabbed Sunday on South Federal Boulevard - but later determined the victim was a burglary suspect cut breaking a window. Police identified the suspect as Leonel Carrillo Funez, 49, who was detained for investigation of Felony Menacing and First-Degree Burglary. No one else was hurt in the bizarre incident. Funez was transported to hospital from the crime scene in the 3000-block of South Federal. "It was determined the suspect was the person injured after he broke a window after threatening the victim," police said Monday.

TRUE CRIME: DENVER'S TEENAGE 'FIRE MANIAC'

 Warren Cramer was just plain bad. As a teenager, he confessed to a wild arson spree in Denver. As an adult, he confessed to a murder in San Francisco - and was executed in California's gas chamber.

On Aug. 26, 1935, Cramer, 17, son of a dentist and attorney from Oakland, California, confessed to setting 20 fires across Denver in five days, including blazes at a Catholic cathedral, two Catholic churches, City Hall and police headquarters.

A headline in the Herald Journal of Spartanburg, South Carolina, read: "DENVER FEARFUL OF FIRE MANIAC."

"I got a thrill out of it," Detective Sergeant Walter Fox quoted the youth as saying, according to an Associated Press story. "It was fun, especially last night when I started a fire in police headquarters."

Police caught him at a night club phone booth. At first, police had suspected a "religious fanatic" or "Nazi sympathizer" with setting the church fires, according to a United Press story - not a neatly appointed schoolboy.

Cramer said he used a stolen bicycle to move from fire to fire.

The boy's father, Dr. Harry Cramer, said his son served 10 months at the Preston industrial school for petty theft and had repeatedly run away from home since he was 12.

Dr. Cramer also said the boy's mother, who died shortly after his birth, "was insane" and "this undoubtedly explains his actions," according to the Associated Press.

Cramer went onto a "career of thievery, arson and jail breaking" and was executed in California's gas chamber at San Quentin on May 14, 1943, for the slaying of Ernest Saxton, a San Francisco drug store clerk in 1942, according to the United Press.

He was on parole when he killed Saxton, prison records showed.

At the end, San Quentin Warden Clinton Duffy described Cramer as a “brilliant” man who had a “rotten streak in his system which he couldn’t control.”

[Originally published by Daily Sketch on March 15, 2025]

COPS RESCUE KIDNAPPED DOG 'EZRA' AFTER 5 DAYS OF DESPAIR

 

Police rescued Ezra, the dog kidnapped from outside the Tattered Cover bookstore on East Colfax Avenue in Denver, and arrested a suspect, his owner reports.

Rachel Ansley said on social media: "Thank you to everyone who has helped keep an eye out for Ezra these past 5 days. I couldn't have asked for a better, more involved community to help get my boy back home. "Every single one of you brought Ezra closer to me day by day."
Ansley and Ezra were reunited at a Denver police station. He was kidnapped Saturday. Ansley said the kidnapping suspect is a woman.

[Photo: Rachel Ansley]

PAROLEE BUSTED; DRUGS, GUNS, MONEY SEIZED IN PUEBLO WEST

After a traffic stop, deputies arrested a parolee and seized a variety of drugs, guns, drug paraphernalia and cash from his auto and home on Calle de Cabellos in Pueblo West. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office identified the parolee as Chad Hurley, 53.

[Photo: Pueblo County Sheriff]

FREIGHT TRAIN HITS CAR, 1 INJURED

In Fort Lupton, a freight train collided with a car early Thursday at County Road 10 and South Rollie Avenue and "one individual was transported to a local hospital," fire officials said. [Photo: Fort Lupton Fire]

PERSON SHOT DEAD ON EAST 49TH AVE. IN DENVER

A person was shot and killed in northeast Denver overnight.

The crime occurred in the in the 19000-block of East 49th Avenue late Wednesday and homicide detectives were attempting identify a suspect, according to police. No other details were released. If you have information, call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867.

FLYING SQUIRREL JUMPS COP IN GLENDALE

In Glendale, a fearless, flying squirrel surprised a police officer crossing a footbridge on Wednesday after "making direct eye contact" - and latched onto the cop's side, police said. No one was hurt and the squirrel fled. [Photos: Glendale Police]

 

PASS THE BOOT: RURAL FIRE DEPT. SEEKS HELP AFTER MONSTER BLAZE

The Campo Volunteer Fire Department, which was front-and-center at the monster wildfire that flashed into Colorado from Oklahoma over the weekend, is seeking help to revive its "old, battered, and tired" fleet of fire trucks. The blaze scorched about 30,000 acres. "We have a skid with a 1000-gallon tank and pump on it - but we are in need of a chassis to mount it on," Assistant Fire Chief Timothy Chick said. "We have a very limited budget. ... 4x4 or 6x6 preferred. Any and all leads are greatly appreciated."

Chick adds: "This past week has taken a major toll on us financially." Campo - population about 100 - is located in Baca County, in far southeastern Colorado, and monetary donations can be mailed to: Campo Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 116 Campo, CO 81029 [Images: Campo Fire]

ARVADA COPS WRANGLE RUNAWAY MABEL THE COW

In Arvada, police wrangled a runaway cow named Mabel near 72nd Avenue and Indiana Street over the weekend. "Mabel can spot rookie cowboys miles away and came along willingly," police said. She was reunited with her owner. [Photo: Arvada Police]

WRONG-WAY DRIVER CAUSES CRASH ON I-25 IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

UPDATE

A wrong-way driver caused a crash early Wednesday on southbound I-25 near Plum Creek Road in Douglas County, the state patrol said.

"When troopers arrived at the scene, they found a Chevrolet pickup and a silver Toyota sedan that had collided head on," the patrol said. "The preliminary investigation shows the Chevrolet was going northbound in the southbound lanes when it hit the Toyota.

"The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries," the patrol said. "The driver of the Toyota was checked on scene by medical personnel but refused to be transported."

The Silverado was driven by a 56-year-old man from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Camry was driven by a 36-year-old man from Aurora.

40 BATTLE HOUSE FIRE ON EAST CRESTLINE CIRCLE IN ARAPAHOE COUNTY

Forty firefighters battled a house fire that started in the garage in unincorporated Arapahoe County on Tuesday night, South Metro Fire said.

Four occupants escaped the raging blaze in the 11000-block of East Crestline Circle. One person was treated by paramedics at the scene and released.
"It was determined that one vehicle was a hybrid and crews pulled that vehicle from the garage as a precaution," officials said. Three autos were parked in the garage.

[Photo: South Metro Fire]

IT'S BIGGER THAN A PICNIC BASKET, SAYS YOGI BEAR

 

 

A surveillance camera captured these images of a bear tipping over a dumpster in Grand Lake. The foraging occurred early on May 10 at Grand Lake Wine & Spirits and Cabin Quilts & Stitches, the Grand County Sheriff's Office said.

[Photo: Grand County Sheriff]