COLD CASE: THORNTON'S TRACY NEEF, 7, FOUND DEAD IN 1984 NEAR NEDERLAND

The body of little Tracy Marie Neef, 7, was found huddled outdoors near Nederland on March 16, 1984.

The blue-eyed first grader was last seen at Bertha Heid Elementary School at 9100 Poze Boulevard in Thornton at about 8:30 a.m. Her mother had driven her to school that grim day, but the school said she had been marked absent.

Neef's murder has never been solved - and the Thornton Police Department says that even decades later "every piece of information could help move the investigation forward."

Her family lived at 9350 Gail Court in Thornton, the Rocky Mountain News said, and her body was found along Highway 119, a quarter mile west of Barker Dam near Nederland.

"She died of asphyxiation due to suffocation,” Rodney Ahlberg, the Boulder County coroner, told the News at the time. “We're still looking for what caused the suffocation. She wasn’t choked. It could have been pillows, anything. We don’t know yet.”

Nederland Town Marshal Hugh Pitzer told the News that the girl was fully clothed with her book bag nearby. There was no sign of a struggle. There were no tracks.

A Thornton police detective, Tom Manka, said investigators interviewed 90 suspects in the Neef murder over 12 months. 

If you have information, call the Thornton police tip line (720) 977-5069. 

[Photo: Thornton Police]

FAMILY 'IN SHOCK' AFTER FIRE TRAGEDY IN LONGMONT

A family lost four dogs - Mika, Dakota, Bentley and Brodie - in a house fire on South Collyer Street in Longmont.

Neighbors tried to rescue the dogs.

"We’re all in shock,” Ashley Wisehart told the Times-Call newspaper. “We’re all really devastated trying to process everything.”

The fire broke out last Tuesday in the Countryside Village neighborhood of manufactured homes. The family's dogs were mixed breed, according to the Times-Call.

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE UNDER GROUND

South Metro firefighters battled a blaze inside a drainage ditch along West Belleview Avenue near South Prince Street.

Wooden pallets and a mattress were burning about 225 feet inside the ditch. No injuries were reported. The cause of Sunday's fire was under investigation. Littleton police also responded to the fire. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

WINDSOR MAN ARRESTED AS SUSPECT IN BOMB PROBE

Michael Foug, 18, of Windsor, was arrested on a felony charge of possessing bomb parts. Police and federal agents served a warrant at the man's home in the 400-block of 4th Street with the assistance of a SWAT team last Tuesday. "Evidence found during the search of Foug's residence established probable cause for his arrest," Windsor police said. He was arrested without incident Thursday on a charge of Possession of Explosive or Incendiary Device Parts, Class 5 felony.

TEEN SAFE AFTER VANISHING ON FRIDAY THE 13TH IN POSSIBLE KIDNAPPING

Police Monday located a teenage girl last seen on Friday the 13th in Pueblo.

Police said Isabella Young, 16, is safe after the Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert. The didn't disclose where she was found. There was no word on Jayden Trujillo, 15, described by police as a "suspect" who was believed to be armed. They were reported to be in the vicinity of Agram Street and Bohmen Avenue in Pueblo, possibly in an auto, shortly before Young was located. Her cell phone had been off.

FAMILY DISPUTE LEADS TO SHOOTING IN DENVER

Two people were shot and injured in a family dispute in Denver. 
Gary Brown, 61, was arrested and accused of attempt murder and assault, police said. The shooting occurred in the 8400-block of East Hampden Avenue on Saturday. No other information was released.

SCOOTER RIDER INJURED IN DENVER

A stand-up scooter and auto collided Sunday in Denver, seriously injuring the scooter rider, police said. The accident occurred at East 48th Avenue and North Colorado Boulevard. No other details were released.

FIREFIGHTERS SAVE HISTORIC LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK

Firefighters stopped a windswept brush fire from reaching historic Lakeside Amusement Park - home of one of the world's largest wooden roller coasters, The Cyclone.

The blaze broke out on an unseasonably warm, dry and gusty winter evening. Heavy smoke billowed over nearby I-70. No injuries were reported. The park is west of downtown Denver.

West Metro Fire said: "The fire burned about two acres. Quick action by crews kept strong winds from pushing flames onto the grounds of Lakeside Amusement Park." The Denver Fire Department sent help to fight Saturday's blaze. Lakeside opened in 1908. The Cyclone wooden coaster opened in 1940 - but it hasn't been used since 2022. The park was the site of major fires in 1911, 1912 and 1973, according to Wikipedia. [Photos: West Metro Fire]

STOLEN CHURCH STATUES LOCATED; CHOPPED UP FOR SCRAP METAL

Two metal statues ripped from a downtown Denver church were recovered after being cut to pieces for scrap.

The thief, who was traveling by skateboard, used a variety of tools to pry them from their bases outside Holy Ghost church at 1900 California Street before dawn March 4.

The statues represent St. Rita and St. Paul.

"The statues were located but were already cut up to be sold for their metal value," according to church officials. Damage is estimated at $4,000.

There was no word on arrests.

[Photo: Holy Ghost Church]

ENOUGH FENTANYL 'TO KILL 88%' OF WELD COUNTY

A man convicted of trafficking a quantity of fentanyl so lethal it could kill almost all of Weld County's population has been sentenced to 159 years in prison, the county DA said Friday.
Carlos Gonzalez-Del Hoyo, 44, of Aurora, who was on parole for auto theft, sold narcotics to undercover officers in 2024.

“This defendant possessed enough fentanyl to kill 88% of Weld County’s population if the drugs would have been disseminated in our community,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said. 

Authorities seized about 6,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and about 11 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Greeley.

[Photo: Weld County DA]

SENTENCED TO 75 YEARS FOR FACEBOOK HOME INVASION

Frayer Contreras-Gafaro's victim tracked him down on Facebook and now he's going to prison for 75 years for an armed robbery and home invasion.

Contreras-Garfaro, 24, stole jewelry valued at $20,000 on June 12, 2024, after he and another man crashed into a woman's apartment on North Loredo Street in Aurora - in response to a post on Facebook Marketplace - and threatened to kill her in front of her children.

"After the robbery, she noticed Contreras-Gafaro had left the Facebook group chat and blocked her," prosecutors said. "Using her husband’s Facebook account, the victim was able to locate the profile she had previously communicated with and positively identify one of the men."

Contreras-Gafaro, who was convicted on multiple counts of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and burglary, won't be eligible for parole until he's at least 82.

Deputy DA Osama Magrebi of the 18th Judicial District said: “We especially want to acknowledge the courage of the victim and community members who testified during the trial."

[Photo: 18th Judicial District]

DRONE SPOTS ARSON SUSPECT

A police drone spotted an arson suspect was walking away from an overnight brush fire in Colorado Springs and officers made an arrest, Fox 21 reports. The fire occurred on Delta Drive near Hancock Expressway.

DRIFTING SMOKE FROM NEBRASKA BLAZE

UPDATE

Smoke from a huge wildfire in Nebraska lingered over northern and eastern Colorado on Friday, prompting calls to 911 from concerned citizens. The Morrill Fire is estimated to have scorched 330,000 acres - whipped by high winds.

STOWAWAYS RESCUED FROM UNDER HOOD

A pop of the hood revealed a litter of baby squirrels snuggled in the engine compartment of an auto at a repair shop in Westminster.
Their startled mother ran away. The shop called the city, and the city sent an animal control officer who "set up a squirrel reunion box to keep the babies warm and safe while waiting for her to return," police said. "Staff even played baby squirrel sounds in hopes of luring her back," police said. "Unfortunately, mom never came back for the reunion" and the neonates were transferred to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for safe keeping. [Photos: Westminster Police]

MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER 2 YEARS ON RUN

After two years on the run, police arrested Adrian Pacheco, 33, accused of first-degree murder in a shooting on New Year's Eve 2023. The victim, Daniel Smith, 40, was fatally wounded on East 14th Street in Pueblo, police said.

BUMPER TO BUMPER ON WESTERN SLOPE

Traffic jams in Delta County in western Colorado - such as Thursday's bumper-to-bumper backup - typically involve cattle and cowboys, the sheriff's office said.

[Photo: Delta County Sheriff]

JURY SEES MAN'S DIRTY HANDS IN SANITIZER SCAM

A federal jury convicted Rico Tomas Garcia, 51, of Castle Rock, of wire fraud and money laundering for falsely promising delivery of bulk quantities of hand sanitizer during the pandemic, prosectors said Thursday.

"After receiving a $2.4 million deposit from victim businesses to finance the product, Garcia instead procured none and falsely claimed under oath in civil arbitration that he had wired the deposit to a Chinese hand sanitizer manufacturer," prosecutors said.

He also produced false documents.

The FBI determined Garcia used the funds to "pay off personal debts and buy property in California, Nevada, and Colorado, and also move over a million dollars of the remaining money into offshore accounts in the Caribbean," prosecutors said.

MISSING WYOMING WOMAN IS SAFE

Authorities located a missing Wyoming woman whose auto was found in a parking lot in Commerce City and she is safe, the Laramie County Sheriff's Office said.

HIKING TRAGEDY AT NATIONAL MONUMENT IN MESA COUNTY

A hiker was fatally injured in a fall at the Colorado National Monument in Mesa County, search and rescue officials disclosed Thursday. The tragedy occurred Sunday. A rescuer "rappelled over the edge to provide medical assessment," officials said. [Photo: Mesa County Search & Rescue]

RENEWED BID FOR WORKER RELIEF

Colorado lawmakers will once again consider a bill to place protections for people who work in extreme heat or cold, this time offering a phased approach that avoids sweeping, specific mandates on employers, Colorado Newsline reports.

MANY SEMIS TIP AS WINDS ROAR ACROSS ROCKIES

UPDATE

As winds crashed across the Rockies, a semi flipped Thursday on eastbound I-70 at Lookout Mountain - one of many such mishaps in Jefferson County and northern Colorado. I-25 was closed near the Wyoming line.

SICK HIGH SCHOOL PRANK WITH FAKE BLOOD TRIGGERS ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT

Two students were arrested after an active shooter stunt with fake blood and a bomb threat at Adams City High School.

Hundreds of police and deputies sped to the scene Wednesday and "immediately entered the school, going room to room, clearing the building, believing there may be an active shooter still at large and multiple victims," Commerce City police said. Authorities "found what appeared to be a blood trail in several areas of the school" and "two students who were covered in what looked like fake blood - the same substance officers had encountered in parts of the building," police said. They were charged with misdemeanor Interference with Staff or Faculty of an Educational Facility, and felony False Report of Explosives and False Report of an Active Shooter. Commerce City Police Chief Darrel Guadnola said: "“For many, calls of this nature are their worst nightmare. Whether a first responder, a parent, a teacher or a student— most will never forget this day.”

[Photo: Commerce City police]

CRASH KILLS SKIER ON BRECKENRIDGE PEAK 8

A skier died Wednesday in an accident at Breckenridge Ski Resort, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said.

The man, who was visiting from out of state, crashed in the Lake Chutes, a double-black-diamond, hike-to area, on Peak 8. "The initial investigation shows that the skier, who was wearing a helmet, was alone when he fell," the sheriff's office said. "No other skiers or riders were involved in the crash." The skier was pronounced dead at the Peak 8 First Aid Room.

DENVER POLICE K9 HELPS FIND DOPE STASH

Denver police K9 Moose led officers to 200 pounds of meth hidden in a storage unit over the weekend after the FBI and local authorities seized nearly 100 pounds of meth, 5,000 fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine and a revolver at a home, police said Wednesday. [Photo: Denver Police]

DENVER POT SHOP BURGLARY RING MEMBER GOING TO PRISON

Demonie Young-Anderson, 20, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his part in a burglary ring that targeted dozens of marijuana dispensaries and other businesses, the Denver DA's Office said. Three others had previously been sentenced to 20, 15 and 12 years.

3 DOGS ARE SAFE AFTER HOUSE FIRE

Firefighters went to the aid of three dogs trapped by a house fire Wednesday on Sombrero Lane in Fort Collins, Poudre Fire Authority said. No injuries were reported - human or canine. The fire started on the porch and was quickly extinguished. [Photo: Poudre Fire]

AUTO KNOCKS DOWN WALL IN BROOMFIELD

An auto crashed into a business and knocked down a wall Wednesday on Highway 287 in Broomfield, North Metro Fire said. No one was injured. "Crews worked to stabilize the scene while the vehicle was removed from the building," officials said.

[Photo: North Metro Fire]

DENVER COPS SEEK SUSPECT IN CARJACKING, KIDNAPPING

Police are hunting for this suspect in a carjacking and kidnapping at South Irving Street and West Ohio Avenue in Denver on March 9.

YOUTH ACCUSED IN MURDER OF LITTLE BROTHER

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday the suspect in the homicide of a 5-year-old boy is the victim’s brother, aged 11.

"He is facing charges of first-degree murder," the sheriff's office said. The cause of death was not disclosed. The crime occurred on South Jerico Way in Centennial on Tuesday.

Sheriff Tyler Brown said: "Tragedies like this impact not only the family, but also classmates, teachers, and neighbors throughout the community."

The suspect was detained at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial, the sheriff's office said. 

RESCUED BALD EAGLE DIES OF LEAD POISONING

A bald eagle died of a heart attack while undergoing treatment for lead poisoning, the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance said.

The eagle, which was rescued last month in Elizabeth, ingested lead hunting ammunition while scavenging.

"Lead is a brutal toxin, and even when we pull these birds back from the edge, the damage can simply be too great," the wildlife alliance said. On arrival at the clinic, the majestic bird was suffering from respiratory distress, severe dehydration, tremors and neurological issues. "Lead poisoning remains one of the most preventable causes of death we see in scavenging wildlife," the alliance said. "Effective lead-free ammunition options are available, and many hunters are already making the switch." [Photo: Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance]

AURORA COPS CHASE MURDER SUSPECT INTO DENVER

Aurora police arrested a fugitive wanted on a murder warrant who bailed out of his auto after a wild chase into Denver.

After a short foot pursuit, police captured Isaiah Easley. 25. He was also charged with kidnapping for refusing to allow a passenger to leave his auto as well as other crimes.
Aurora police said: "Investigators later learned he had an active felony warrant for homicide and was being sought by the Department of Corrections Fugitive Extradition Unit. Officers also recovered a loaded handgun near the vehicle." The incident occurred early Sunday. The auto had no tags.

VAN, TRUCK COLLIDE ON I-25 IN LARKSPUR

Three people were injured when a van and a truck collided Tuesday on I-25 northbound near the Greenland exit, Larkspur Fire said. An off-duty Denver firefighter stopped to render aid. Monument Fire also responded. [Photo: Larkspur Fire]

HAZMAT CALL TURNS INTO BEER RUN IN AURORA

Their alarm fell flat.

Aurora firefighters responding to a report of a truck leaking corrosive material determined the fluid in question was a mislabeled cargo of old, stale beer.

"Firefighters stood by with a hose line in case the liquid ignited, while members of the Hazmat Team isolated the leak, and took samples from the containers to analyze," Aurora Fire Rescue said. "The liquid was determined not to be a health or safety risk, and after consulting with the owner, AFR learned that old beer was being transported in mislabeled containers," officials said. The false alarm occurred Tuesday near South Chambers Road and East Mexico Avenue. "Hazmat placards should only be displayed on vehicles, containers and tanks if they truly contain hazardous materials," officials said. [Photo: Aurora Fire]

RIDE ENDS AT QUIK TRIP IN LITTLETON

A truck crushed an auto and smashed a convenience store Tuesday in Littleton.

One person taken to hospital from the QuikTrip at 2338 West Belleview Avenue while another was evaluated at the scene by paramedics, South Metro Fire said. Firefighters worked to shore up the building. [Photo: South Metro Fire]

MOB TOWN: PUEBLO BOSS DIED IN 'SUGAR MOON' WAR

"Sugar Moon" brought money and death to Colorado.

One of Pueblo's earliest mob bosses, grocer Pellegrino Scaglia, was gunned down while making deliveries on May 6, 1922 - the state's first gangland execution during Prohibition. Scaglia - AKA Tony Viola - distributed bootleg liquor made by the Carlino clan through his grocery store and pool hall.

They called the booze "Sugar Moon."

The Carlino's were poor farmers who rose to the top ranks of Colorado bootlegging. They started out growing sugar beets in Sugar City in Crowley County and found brewing hooch more lucrative than peddling raw beets.

Scaglia's killers were presumed to be rival bootleggers, members of the Danna family, which waged a lengthy blood feud with the Carlino clan dating back to their native Sicily.

Scaglia, 40, was riding in a wagon with his daughter Mary, 4, and a boy named Frank Cardino, 9.  A stolen car pulled alongside the wagon and opened fire. Scaglia shielded his daughter. He and the Cardino died instantly. A bystander was wounded. The car sped off. Scaglia carried a revolver and it was found under his seat.

After Scaglia’s murder, the Carlino brothers - Sam and Pete - assumed Scaglia's position in Pueblo. Their friend John Mulay took over as the Carlino's distributor from his pool hall at 224 Union Avenue. Over the next decade, Mulay and the Carlino's would meet violent deaths as did the Danna clan.

HOLY STATUES CHISELED FROM CHURCH IN DOWNTOWN DENVER

A skateboard-riding thief made off with statues of St. Rita and St. Paul that stood outside Holy Ghost Church in downtown Denver since it opened in 1943.

The crook used a variety of tools in the pre-dawn crime, based on surveillance video.

The pastor, Father Paul Nguyen, told Fox 31: "They were chiseled right off the church.”

The building is located at 1900 California Street. The theft occurred last week. 

[Photo: Wikipedia]

ELK WIRED UP IN 200 YARDS OF FENCE FREED

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer tranquilized and freed an elk whose antlers were entangled and dragging 200 yards of quarter-inch electrical fencing west of Loveland. Neighbors provided help and the mature bull was released without injury. "One of the neighbors inadvertently, parked on the electric fencing being dragged by the elk, stopping him from running away," officials said.
[Photos: Colorado Parks and Wildlife]

POLICE ARREST 3 SUSPECTS IN FORT COLLINS MURDER

Police arrested three suspects in a murder and robbery in Fort Collins, including a man who barricaded himself inside a hotel room, officials said Tuesday.

The other suspects, a man and a woman, were taken into custody without incident following the discovery of a dead man slumped inside an auto on Illinois Drive on Sunday.

Investigators have reason to believe at least one of the suspects knew the victim, police said.

Police identified the suspects as Zackary Worrell, 26, who was barricaded inside the hotel room and surrendered, Aaron Mack, 33, and Brittany King, 40.

FLAMES HIT MOBILE HOMES OVERNIGHT

Fire broke out overnight at the Northwoods Village mobile home park in Colorado Springs. Three trailers were ablaze and "all occupants are accounted for," officials said early Tuesday. The fire was located near West Filmore Street and North Cascade Avenue.

[Photo: Colorado Springs Fire]

SUSPECT HID IN BROKEN-DOWN PICKUP TRUCK

In northeast Colorado, deputies arrested a suspected auto thief who blazed through the small Yuma County town of Eckley at 80-90 mph, bailed out, fled on foot and hid in a broken-down pickup truck. Chester Spelts was arrested March 7, officials said.

[Photo: Yuma County Sheriff]

FARMLAND ABLAZE IN BENT COUNTY

UPDATE

Fire consumed more than 200 acres of farmland Monday along Highway 101 in Bent County in southeast Colorado, the sheriff's office said. No one was hurt. Las Animas/Bent County Fire attributed the cause to a "controlled burn that had escaped containment."

[Photo: Las Anima/Bent County Fire Protection District]

DRIVER STOPPED FOR BROKEN TAILLIGHTS FLEES ON FOOT

The driver of an auto stopped for broken taillights fled on foot on Saturday night in southern Colorado and he hasn't been seen since.

The incident occurred on East 6th Street in Walsenburg, according to the Huerfano County Sheriff's Office. A woman passenger also fled in foot but was caught hiding nearby. Both had outstanding arrested warrants.

BICYCLE RIDER HURT IN DENVER CRASH

A bicycle rider was injured Monday in a crash in Denver. The accident occurred at West 28th Avenue and North Zuni Street, police said. No other details were released.

MISSING WYOMING WOMAN'S AUTO FOUND IN COMMERCE CITY

A missing Wyoming woman's auto was found in Commerce City, officials said Monday.

Karen Cole, 39, was last seen Saturday afternoon and "her family has not heard from her since," according to the Laramie County Sheriff's Office in Cheyenne. She is considered "endangered," officials said. Cole is 5-foot-9, weighs 190 pounds and was wearing black clothing. Flock cameras located her 2024 gray Subaru Crosstrek in a Commerce City parking lot, officials said. If you have information, contact, Corporal Wyskochil of the Laramie County Sheriff's Office (307) 640-9199 or your local law enforcement agency. [Photo: Laramie County Sheriff's Office]

FLOWERS 'PLUME' AS SPRING APPROACHES AT ARSENAL

A smoke plume from a controlled, prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal wildlife center was visible across Aurora on Monday, Aurora Fire said. [Photo: Aurora Fire]

3 ARRESTS IN FATAL ASSAULT IN DENVER

Three men were arrested as suspects in a fatal assault in Denver, CBS News Colorado reports. The victim was also a man. The crime occurred in the 9700-block of East Hampden Avenue on March 1. A Crime Stoppers tip helped lead police to the suspects.

AVALANCHE KILLS PERSON NEAR VAIL PASS

A snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Vail Pass, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said. Their body was found Sunday after being reported missing Saturday. "The avalanche was about two feet deep," officials said.

SHOOTING IN DOWNTOWN DENVER

A person was shot in the vicinity of 20th and Arapahoe streets in downtown Denver, police said Monday. The victim was driven to a hospital. Police released no further details.

MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH IN LAKEWOOD

Police investigated a severe multi-vehicle crash late Sunday at West Alameda Avenue and South Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood. No other information was released.

[Photo: Lakewood Police]

HOMICIDE IN FORT COLLINS

Police are investigating the death of a man slumped inside an auto in Fort Collins as a homicide, officials said.

The dead man was discovered in the 2600-block of Illinois Drive at about 10 a.m. Sunday. No details were released. If you have information, call Fort Collins police (970) 416-2825. Police said: "The incident is being investigated as a homicide. At this time, investigators do not believe there is an active threat to the community."

1 DEAD IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE CRASH ON I-25 NEAR MEAD

A pickup truck slammed into a work van early Monday on southbound I-25 in Weld County, killing the pickup driver, the state patrol said.

The work van driver wasn't injured in the wreck near Mead, the patrol said.

The crash occurred in a construction zone and the pickup truck rolled over. The driver, a man, was pronounced dead. He was traveling in a Ford Super Duty pickup.

COPS NOW SAY DENVER CRASH 'NOT A HIT & RUN'

UPDATE

Updating their preliminary report, Denver police now say two people were hurt in an overnight wreck near East 8th Avenue and North Josephine Street - and that "this was not a hit & run crash." They also said two autos were involved, not three. No explanation was given.

EXPLOSION ROCKS HOTEL, 2 DEPUTIES INJURED

UPDATE

An afternoon explosion rocked a hotel Sunday in Arapahoe County, the sheriff's office said.

The first two deputies on the scene suffered minor smoke inhalation after forcing their way into the second-floor room where the blast occurred at Extended Stay America at 9604 East Easter Avenue in Englewood. The damaged room was unoccupied. The windows were blown out. "Additional deputies assisted firefighters in evacuating 93 people from the hotel," officials said. "A dog and a cat were also safely rescued."

The cause of the 2:30 p.m. explosion was under investigation and guests were permitted to return to their rooms. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said Monday: "No crime occurred." South Metro Fire sent a full response, including District Chief 1, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, Engine 14, Engine 31, Engine 33, Engine 44, Tower 32, Tower 35, Ladder 34, Medic 31 and Medic 32.

[Photos: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, South Metro Fire]

COPS HAIL HERO K9s AND HANDLERS FROM ADAMS COUNTY

The Colorado Police K9 Association hailed two Adams County Sheriff's patrol dogs and their handlers for their work in a murder case and a drug seizure.

"It’s a great achievement to have not one, but two K9 teams recognized by CPCA," the sheriff's office said Sunday. Deputy Peacock and K9 Khan received the Explosive Case of the Year award for uncovering a firearm used in a homicide in a neighboring jurisdiction. Deputy Lofland and K9 Tito received the Narcotics Case of the Year award for discovering a major haul of methamphetamine, black tar heroin and cocaine during a traffic stop. [Photos: Adams County Sheriff's Office]

SHOOTING AT 28th STREET & LAWRENCE IN DENVER

Police hunted Sunday for a suspect in a shooting that seriously injured a person in Denver. The crime occurred in the vicinity of 28th and Lawrence streets. The victim was transported to hospital by Denver paramedics. Police provided no other details.

PEDESTRIAN HURT IN DENVER HIT & RUN

A person was struck and seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident in Denver, police said early Sunday.

The crash occurred at Colorado Boulevard and East 35th Avenue and police detoured traffic for the investigation.

The victim was rushed to hospital. No other information was released.

ELECTRICAL BLAZE GUTS HOME IN SOUTHWEST DENVER

Flames gutted a home Saturday in southwest Denver. The blaze started in the attic. The cause was electrical. No one was hurt. Four people were displaced and received aid from Red Cross, the Denver Fire Department said. [Photo: Denver Fire Department]

BROTHERS SENTENCED TO PRISON IN DENVER AQUARIUM MURDER

Two brothers were sentence to prison for a fatal drive-by shooting outside the Denver Downtown Aquarium on Valentine's Day 2024, prosecutors and police said.
Antonio Vasquez, 21, received a 40-year sentence and Jason Trujillo, Jr., 19, was handed a 20-year sentence. The men earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Vasquez shot Dacien Salazar, 19. Trujillo was the getaway driver. The shooting occurred in broad daylight in front of the busy, popular venue. The men were arrested after a lengthy investigation,

1 DEAD IN MYSTERY EXPLOSION AT SUMMIT COUNTY TRAILHEAD

One person died when an explosion ripped apart an auto at a trailhead in Summit County.

The blast occurred at about 7 a.m. Friday at the Straight Creek Trailhead, near the Dillion Valley neighborhood, sheriff's office said. The trailhead is located at the end of County Road 51. "When responders arrived, they found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames," officials said. "One male occupant was located inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene." The county coroner will release the name of the victim. The sheriff’s office is investigating with assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said: “What we know right now is that a person has died, and our thoughts are with their loved ones as we work to find out exactly what happened.”

If you have information, contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (970) 668-8600.

OFFICER IN HOSPITAL SHOOTING 'VIOLENTLY ATTACKED'

Acting in self-defense, a Cherry Hills Village police officer shot and wounded a suspected auto thief taken to Swedish Hospital for treatment, officials said Friday.

The shooting occurred Thursday evening inside the hospital, which is officially known as HCA HealthONE Swedish, at 501 East Hampton Avenue in Englewood. No other injuries were reported.

"The officer, who had remained with the suspect during all phases of the hospital visit, was violently attacked by the suspect," officials said. "As a result of that physical altercation the officer fired shots, striking the suspect."

Cherry Hills Police Chief Jason Lyons said: “Situations like this are why an officer remains with a suspect at all times while medical care is provided. Violence in a healthcare setting is unacceptable, and we are grateful that no additional injuries occurred.”

The officer was placed on paid administrative leave. The 18th Judicial District's Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation.

POLICE SEEK JEEP IN SCOOTER HIT & RUN IN BOULDER

Police are seeking the driver of a jeep that struck a scooter passenger early Friday at Broadway and 17th Street in Boulder.

Police said: "A 22-year-old man was operating a Lime scooter on the west sidewalk of Broadway when his 21-year-old male passenger lost his balance and fell off the scooter. When he fell, he stumbled into Broadway where he was struck by a vehicle."

The scooter operator was charged with driving under the influence.

The Jeep is registered to an address in Boulder. It is believed to have a "Raise hell and hug trees" sticker, police said. If you have information, contact Officer S. Coon CoonS@bouldercolorado.gov or 720-626-9749 regarding case 26-1870.

[Photo: Boulder Police]