E-470 TRAGEDY IN ARAPAHOE COUNTY

A truck killed a man who deliberately stepped into traffic on northbound E-470 Friday near the Gartrell exit in Arapahoe County, the state patrol said.

FIREFIGHTERS PAY TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO BAYFIELD FIRE VICTIMS

The Upper Pine River Fire Protection District identified the victims of a fatal house fire in Bayfield as long-time residents Jim Fitzgerald, a retired college professor, and Terry Fitzgerald, a retired nurse.

The flames broke out on Tuesday "around a propane powered space heater," officials said. "The home was rapidly consumed by fire." The dwelling was built in 1910 with the timber from around the property. The fire district paid tribute to the couple who lived on County Road 525, saying: "They both perished in the fire much like they lived, inseparable, robustly connected to the land." The Fitzgeralds moved into their home in 1970 "to have spectacular views and bring a special tree Jim loved into view. A place their two daughters grew up to love. Some of the adobe walls at the home were a group effort by family, making the bricks from the mud in the canyon," the fire district said. "They raised draft horses, particularly Belgiums, sheep and a few milk cows. Frequent attendees at the Bayfield Farmers market. Jim was a professor at Fort Lewis and Terry an RN. They touched many lives in Bayfield and LaPlata County, but most of all they valued the land and what it had to offer living a sustainable lifestyle. There were good people and will be missed by many." [Photo: Public Domain]

FATAL WRECK ON I-25 NEAR WALSENBURG

A person died Friday in a three-vehicle crash on southbound I-25 south of Walsenburg, the state patrol said. Traffic had slowed for an accident that occurred minutes before the fatal crash.

FLAMES ERUPT AT INDUSTRIAL PLANT IN NIGHTTIME DRAMA

Firefighters extinguished a stubborn industrial blaze late on New Year's Day at Colorado Mills, a producer of sunflower oil and livestock feed in Lamar, city officials said. “Their rapid response kept the fire contained and protected nearby properties," Mayor Kirk Crespin said Friday. "Colorado Mills reports only minimal disruption and is expected to resume normal operations today.”

The blaze started in a hopper and a roaster on the second level of the towering plant. No injuries were reported. Lamar Fire & Emergency Services said: "It took crews approximately 30 minutes to fully extinguish the blaze and transition into overhaul operations to ensure no hidden hotspots remained."

The Prowers County Rural Fire Department also answered the alarm.

[Photos: Lamar Fire & Emergency Services]

FEWER MURDERS IN DENVER LAST YEAR

The number of murders across Denver dropped by almost 50% in 2025, Police Chief Ron Thomas announced Friday. The city suffered 37 homicides, down from 70 in 2024 as police get illicit weapons off the streets.

NEW YEAR'S EVE HOMICIDE: POLICE SEEK KILLER SEDAN IN DENVER HIT & RUN CRASH

Police issued an all-points bulletin for a sedan suspected in the New Year's Eve hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian on South Federal Boulevard in Denver, Metro Crime Stoppers said Friday.

The killer vehicle - colored as gray or silver - was traveling southbound. It may have damage on the passenger side.

The pedestrian was crossing in the 1200-block of Federal and was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to Denver police.

STATE PATROL: PAY ATTENTION PEDESTRIANS! FOLLOW SAFETY RULES

Special to the Daily Sketch

In winter, shortened daylight hours and blowing snow can hamper visibility for drivers. To protect pedestrians, the Colorado State Patrol recommends that both pedestrians and drivers follow these safety tips.

Pedestrians

1. Remember to look both ways before stepping out into the street.
2. Wear bright or reflective clothing in low light and poor weather conditions. 
3. Stay in Your Lane by only crossing at intersections and crosswalks. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the street. 
4. Avoid walking along rural roadways with little to no shoulders and access-controlled roads, like highways. These are not designated for pedestrians. 

“When pedestrians aren’t following rules designed to protect them or are present on roadways that are not designed for their use, it poses a significant hazard to drivers as well as themselves,” said Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the state patrol.

Motorists

1. Avoid distractions. A vehicle going 25 mph travels 36 feet per second. Looking at your phone or changing radio stations for just a few seconds can reduce your chances of stopping in time to avoid a pedestrian. 
2. Slow down in snow or ice; observe the speed limit in all other conditions. 
3. Keep your tires in good condition. Colorado's Traction Law requires all tires to have at least 3/16" of tread depth. 
4. Wear your sunglasses in winter. Glare from the sun and snow can obscure vision, especially during commuting times on foot or by bike, such as early morning and late afternoon. 
5. Take extra care when backing out. Whether parked in a parking lot or backing out of a driveway, snow piles up and other cars can block the view. 

MAJOR OVERNIGHT FIRES STRIKE COLORADO SPRINGS

 

UPDATE

Firefighters battled a pair of major overnight blazes in Colorado Springs, the fire department said early Friday.

A raging two-alarm fire destroyed a home at 915 Darby Street (photo above). The occupant escaped. There were no injuries. No pets were lost. Firefighters also responded to an apartment building fire at 2220 East Bijou Street (photo below). No injuries were reported. Meantime, during daylight hours Thursday, fire broke out at the Creekside Apartments at 3431 West Colorado Avenue. Officials reported no injuries. [Photos: Colorado Springs Fire Department]

RANGERS SUSPECT MOUNTAIN LION KILLED WOMAN IN LARIMER COUNTY ATTACK

UPDATE

A mountain lion is suspected of killing a woman in Larimer County on New Year's Day, the first such tragedy in a quarter century.

The woman's body was found on Crosier Mountain Trail and first responders - with the aid of hounds - tracked down and killed two mountains lion in the vicinity.

It wasn't immediately clear if they were the predators involved.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife provided this account:

At about 12:15 p.m., "hikers reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground from approximately 100 yards away. As they approached, the witnesses scared the lion from the area by throwing rocks at the animal. The hikers then attended to the adult woman victim but did not find a pulse." 

"Officers located one lion at the scene, shot the animal and it ran from the area. Officers tracked the mountain lion and it was euthanized. A short time later, a second mountain lion was found nearby and euthanized. It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack."

The last fatal mountain attack on a human occurred in 1999, officials said. In July, a mountain lion killed a family dog on a walk with its owners in Boulder. A mountain lion was also suspected in the disappearance of a family dog in Erie in October.

Park rangers advise: "Mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. Pets should be kept on-leash and not interact with wildlife."  

A state biologist conducting an annual aerial survey of deer herds also assisted in Thursday's search for the killer animals.

[Photo: National Wildlife Foundation]

3 AUTOS COLLIDE IN DENVER

A person suffered serious injuries on New Year's Day in a three-vehicle crash at South Elliot Street and West Kentucky Avenue in Denver, police said.

BIG RIG FLIPS IN WESTERN SLOPE HAZMAT MISHAP

A semi-truck flipped and rolled on Highway 13 in Moffat County on New Year's Day, spilling hazardous material and forcing the closure of the roadway, the sheriff's office said. Craig Fire/Rescue and the state patrol responded, too.

[Photo: Moffat County Sheriff's Office]

TESTS AT 3 TIMES LEGAL LIMIT AFTER ARAPAHOE CRASH

Deputies arrested a driver whose blood alcohol level tested at more than three times the legal limit after a New Year's Eve crash at East Dry Creek Road and I-25 in Arapahoe County, the sheriff's office said. He faces a DUI charge. The wreck caused minor injuries. [Photo: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office]

NORTHBOUND ON I-25? WIND DANGER FROM STATE LINE INTO WYOMING

Wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph are forecast through Friday night from the Colorado state line well north and west into Wyoming, according to the National Weather Service.

NEW YEAR'S BLAZE IN COLORADO SPRINGS

Fire broke out on New Year's Day at the Creekside Apartments at 3431 West Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs. No injuries were reported. Members of Engine Company 5 get the credit for knocking down the flames, fire officials said. [Photos: Colorado Springs Fire Department]

ARREST SUSPECT IN BROADWAY SHOOTING IN DENVER

Police arrested Fabien Lanford, 21, for investigation of attempted first-degree murder stemming from a New Year's shooting in Denver. The gunfire erupted overnight at Broadway and Cedar Avenue. "The victim is expected to survive," police said.

NOW IT'S HOMICIDE: PEDESTRIAN DIES OF INJURIES FROM DENVER HIT & RUN

Police Thursday announced the death of a pedestrian injured in a New Year's Eve hit-and-run tragedy in the area of Federal Boulevard and Arizona Avenue. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers 720-913-7867.

TRUE CRIME: BUNCO KING LOU BLONGER AND DENVER'S 'MILLION DOLLAR BUNCO RING'

For more than thirty years, conman supreme Lou Blonger controlled Denver's underworld with his "Million Dollar Bunco Ring."

Denver was an "Open Town" and Blonger's influence extended to police and politicians until the arrival of District Attorney Philip S. Van Cise, who assembled a secret squad - including Colorado Rangers - to break the Blonger bunch.

In Blonger's "Big Con," crooks set up fake stock exchanges and betting parlors to swindle tourists, travelers and everyday suckers. The 1973 Paul Newman movie "The String" is a fairly accurate representation, according to Wikipedia.

After months of gathering evidence, Van Cise led a raid on Aug. 24, 1922, arresting Blonger and 32 others - and holding them in a church basement instead of the city jail to prevent political interference.

The trial in February 1923 was marked by jury-tampering attempts, however, after 102 hours of deliberation, the jury found Blonger and 19 associates guilty on March 28, 1923.

Sentenced to seven to ten years behind bars, the fallen boss was locked up at the state penitentiary in Canon City and died several months after his trial. He was 74.

In his heyday, Blonger and his brother, Sam, owned saloons and gambling houses in the vicinity of 17th and Larimer streets in downtown Denver as well as the extravagant Elite Saloon at 1628 Stout St., according to Wikipedia.

[Photo: Private Collection]

FINDING FIRE IN HAYSTACK ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Eerie scenes on New Year's Eve - a trailer carrying hay ablaze on Highway 109 in Las Animas County.

[Photos: Kim Area Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service]

NEW YEAR'S SHOOTINGS IN DENVER

A person was injured in an overnight shooting at Broadway and Cedar Avenue in Denver, police said. In a separate incident, a person was shot in the vicinity of 19th and Larimer streets.

TRUCK, LIGHT RAIL TRAIN COLLIDE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN DENVER

The Denver Post reports a truck and RTD light rail train collided on New Year's Eve at 27th and Welton streets, injuring one person.

ARREST DRIVER ACCUSED OF RUNNING DOWN DOG

Police tracked down a man accused of running down a dog with his car and fleeing after an argument with its owner in Grand Junction, police said Wednesday.

The dog died. The crime occurred at Hawthorne Park at 400 Gunnison Avenue on Oct. 11. Police identified the suspect as Dylan Lange, 32. He was jailed Tuesday and charged with criminal mischief, harassment and cruelty to animals.

1 INJURED IN HIT & RUN IN DENVER

A pedestrian was seriously injured late Wednesday in a hit-and-run accident in the vicinity of Federal Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, police said.

ERIE COPS BUST 4 BURGLARY SUSPECTS IN COLLIERS HILL

Police arrested this creepy burglary suspect and three henchmen early Wednesday in the Colliers Hill section of Erie thanks to a call from an alert homeowner.

"The caller reported a masked individual attempting to gain entry through a locked front door" - on Quarry Circle - and "within minutes, officers located a suspect vehicle near Pinecliff Drive and County Road 3," police said.

"During the investigation, officers located masks, gloves, and burglary tools inside the vehicle," police said. 

Police have been investigating similar crimes in Erie. No injuries were reported in the latest incident. [Photo: Erie Police Department]

WANDERS IN FROM UTAH FOR NEW YEAR

This adorable pooch was found along the state line with Utah on New Year's Eve and hitched a ride into Colorado, the Rio Blanco Sheriff's Office reports.

[Photo: Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office]