MISSING ALAMOSA MAN LOCATED

Alamosa police said Nathan William Cobb, who went missing last week, has been located and is safe, according to a press release issued Tuesday. Police were concerned Cobb was in danger after his disappearance.

HOLIDAY WEEK TRAGEDY: 5 DEAD AS STOLEN AUTO CRASHES INTO CAR PACKED WITH KIDS

UPDATE

A stolen auto crashed into car carrying children on Monday evening, killing the driver and three youngsters. The driver of the stolen auto also died.

The Thanksgiving week tragedy occurred on Highway 83 near Russellville Road in rural Douglas County, the Colorado State Patrol said. Two other children were seriously injured. A pickup truck stopped before barreling into the wreckage.

The dead children - all in the same car, a Ford Fushion - ranged in age from 8 to 12. The injured children are 13 and 14. The driver - a man, age 35 - was from Colorado Springs. 

The stolen auto - a Toyota Matrix driven a man, age 31, from Denver - was taken from Aurora shortly before the crash, the state patrol said.  

Franktown fire responded to the accident at 4:45 p.m.

[Photos: Colorado State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff's Office]  

Dispatch display

FREE 2 FROM CAR THAT HIT BUILDING

 

Firefighters cut two people from a car that slammed into a building early Tuesday at North 30th Street and Centauri Road in Colorado Springs. The victims were sent to hospital. [Photo: Colorado Springs Fire Department]

BEWARE CARD SKIMMERS AT GAS PUMPS, COPS WARN

This photo - courtesy of Fairplay police - shows a "card skimmer." Crooks plant the devices in gasoline pumps to steal credit and ATM card details. Beware! Fairplay police recovered a skimmer at a service station in town.

[Photo: Fairplay Police Department]

FLAMES SWEEP DENVER HOME

Fire swept a home near I-70 and Chambers Road in Denver on Monday night. The blaze started in the garage, officials said. No one was injured.

[Photo: Denver Fire Department]

RESCUE PERSON TRAPPED IN DENVER I-70 CRASH

Firefighters rescued a person trapped in a wreck on I-70 at Steele Street in Denver, officials said Monday. The accident involved two vehicles. [Photo: Denver Fire Department]

5 DEAD, 2 HURT IN DOUGLAS COUNTY WRECK

Five people died Monday in a wreck on Highway 83 near Russellville Road in rural Douglas County, the Colorado State Patrol said. Two others were seriously injured. The wreck involved two cars as well as a pickup truck. 

[Photos: Colorado State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff's Office]  

TEEN LOCATED

Police located a teen reported missing since Saturday night from Monument.

TIME TO MOVE TO WYOMING?

Speaking on NBC television, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: "You know the best way to bring your inflation rate down? Move from a blue state to a red state.” He explained: "Blue state inflation is half a percent higher, and that is because they don’t deregulate, they keep prices up, energy is higher.”

POUDRE FIREFIGHTERS' POOCH PATROL

Firefighters saved a dog named "Davis" from a house fire Monday on Ridgecrest Road in Fort Collins. Crews stopped the flames in the home's garage though smoke entered the living quarters where the pooch sought refuge. No one was injured, Poudre Fire Authority said. [Photos: Poudre Fire Authority]

NOT QUITE A BAKER'S DOZEN FOR PUEBLO POLICE

Pueblo police tracked down shooting suspect and known gang member Andrew Fuentes, 46 - and as a bonus busted seven other people on a variety of charges, officials said Monday. They also confiscated five guns.

THERE IS CONCERN FOR HIS SAFETY, COPS SAY

Police in Alamosa are investigating the disappearance of Nathan William Cobb, 39, saying: "Based on the information gathered so far, there is concern for his safety." Cobb, who was last seen Nov. 20, stands 5-foot-10, weighs 145 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and sports a variety of tattoos, police said Monday. If you have information, call the state patrol (719) 589-5807 or Alamosa police detectives (719) 589-2548.

[Photo: Alamosa Police Department]

DENVER POLICE BLOTTER

A pedestrian was struck by an auto Monday in the vicinity of Federal Boulevard and Florida Avenue in Denver, police said, while person was stabbed overnight in the vicinity of 29th Avenue and North Downing Street.

SAVE DEMENTIA PATIENT FROM ROOF OF CARE HOME

 

Arapahoe County deputies helped caretakers rescue a woman from the roof of a residence for dementia patients, police body cam footage shows. "The caretakers had been hanging Christmas lights when the woman opened a second-story window, walked out onto the roof, and slipped," the sheriff's office said Monday. The incident occurred on South Lisbon Court on Nov. 18. The woman, age 69, wasn't injured. [Photos: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office]

STRIKES OUT

Loveland police chased and stopped a man who was threatening people with a baseball bat. No injuries were reported.  

SEEK LION POACHER

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking information about the illegal shooting death of a mountain lion in Taylor Canyon northeast of Almont. If you have information call (970) 641-7075 

T-DAY TOP FOR KITCHEN FIRES

Thanksgiving is the top day for home cooking fires - more than three times the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Unattended cooking is the leading cause.

TROOPERS TO STEP UP HOLIDAY PATROLS

Colorado state troopers will be out in-force the day before Thanksgiving. Troopers responded to 148 pre-holiday crashes last year with speeding, lane violations and wildlife collisions being the most common causes.

FREE ADMISSION TO STATE PARKS FRIDAY

There will be free admission to Colorado state parks the day after Thanksgiving. "Fresh Air Friday is a great opportunity for Coloradans and out-of-state visitors to take advantage of free access to the parks, try a new outdoor recreation activity, and spend time with loved ones,” Governor Jared Polis said.

STRANGER THINGS: ARREST 3 SUSPECTS IN DESERT MURDER MYSTERY

Three suspects were arrested in connection with a killing in the City of Fruita after police received a tip about a mysterious occurrence in a Western Colorado desert.

They were charged with first degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and conspiracy after the report of suspicious activity in the 21 Road desert area in Mesa County.
Detectives conducted interviews and gathered evidence leading to the arrests of Weston Owen, 18, Sarah Bess, 18, and Kellar Weisgerber, 21, Fruita police announced Saturday. They were booked into the Mesa County jail. [Photo: Fruita Police Department]

ALL SMOKE, NO $$$: TORCH MAN FAILS TO CUT OPEN ATM

A bank robber armed with a blowtorch attacked an ATM in Commerce City - but failed to grab the loot, police disclosed Monday.
"It's all smoke and flames and no cash," officials reported. "We'd still love to catch him and hold him accountable. He caused a significant amount of damage. "Unfortunately, he was hooded and masked so you won't be able to identify him, but we know criminals talk."

If you have information, contact Detective Golly at kgolly@c3gov.com

The crime occurred at Community Credit Union on East 72nd Avenue Oct. 22. [Photo: Commerce City Police Department]

DENVER HIGH SEEN AT 55 ON TURKEY DAY AS NATION SHIVERS & GOBBLES

The National Weather Service is forecasting a sunny Thanksgiving Day for the Denver area with a high of 55 while a cold snap is forecast to envelop much of the rest of nation. Denver's low is forecast to be near 30.

MOVE OVER SNOOPY: LIZARD ON A LEASH OUT FOR A STROLL

An animal control officer in Grand Junction encountered a lizard on a leash out for a stroll, police said.

[Photo: Grand Junction Police Department]

ACE REID'S COWPOKES

Editor's Note: Asa Elmer "Ace" Reid, Jr., (March 10, 1925 – Nov. 10, 1991) was creator of Cowpokes and a Western humorist. Cowpokes, at one time, ran in over 400 weekly newspapers. [Image: Copyright, Ace Reid Syndicate]

 "Jist my luck, puttin' on the best rodeo act in history and not a photographer, purty gal or ambulance in forty miles!"

COPS LOCATE MISSING WOMAN, 71

UPDATE The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said police located missing Adeline Roybal, 71, last seen Sunday night on foot in the vicinity of State Highway 17 west of Antonito in Conejos County, which borders New Mexico.

LIMON PRISON MURDER: FOUR DECADES TACKED ONTO 36-YEAR SENTENCE

Dangerous prison inmate Arthur Price, 40, was sentenced to more than 40 years for killing another inmate at the Limon Correctional Facility on Aug. 17, 2023, prosecutors said.

Price was already serving 36 years for murdering a woman in Arapahoe County in 2013.

Prosecutors argued Price’s motive was to secure a transfer to another person to avoid paying debts incurred at Limon. Price said he committed the murder because the other inmate was a convicted child molester.

The killer is now at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City, corrections department records show. The slaying at Limon was filmed on surveillance video. The murdered inmate was beaten, strangled and dragged down three flights of stairs, prosecutors said Friday.

[Photo: Colorado Department of Corrections]

TRAPPED AFTER SLAMMING INTO BUILDING

A pickup truck plowed into a building Sunday near Fort Collins after its driver suffered a medical emergency.

Firefighters used a winch to free the driver who was "wedged inside," Poudre Fire Authority said. The driver was transported to hospital from North Highway 287 near Terry Lake. The building and the contents "sustained substantial damage," officials said.

[Photos: Poudre Fire Authority]

YOUTH, 17, MISSING FROM MONUMENT; LAST SEEN GETTING INTO AUTO

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an alert for Avery Hill, 17, last seen Saturday night near Sundance Trail in Monument "getting into an unknown vehicle." 

POLICE BLOTTER

A pedestrian was struck and killed by an auto Saturday night in the vicinity of Sheridan Boulevard and West 115th Avenue in Westminster. "Upon arrival, officers located a man lying in the middle of the roadway," police said. In Arvada, fire marshals investigated the cause of a structure fire early Sunday near 62nd Avenue and Pierce Street, officials said. In Denver, a person was injured in an overnight shooting in the 4300-block of West Florida Avenue in Denver, while a person was seriously hurt in a two-vehicle wreck in the vicinity of 45th Avenue and Tower Road, police said. In Grand Junction, the body of a man who appeared to have suffered a medical emergency was found in the river off Watson Island East on Saturday, police said.

On I-70 near Palisade, the driver of a pickup truck died Saturday when his vehicle careened off the highway, the state patrol said.

[Photo: Westminster Police Department]

MISSING WOMAN, 83, LOCATED

Missing Suzanne Downs, 83, of Colorado Springs, who was last seen Friday night, has been located and is safe, police said Sunday.

STATE PATROL CARS RAMMED IN I-25 CHASE

Dean Moore, 60, was arrested Saturday night after a chase and brief standoff with state troopers on southbound I-25, the state patrol said.

"The suspect rammed two patrol vehicles, causing damage," officials said.

The chase started in Colorado Springs. Moore was transported to hospital. No troopers were injured.

CALL TO ACTION AT COLORADO STATE CAPITOL

A group of Black elected officials and leaders condemned recent efforts to dismantle practices and programs related to supporting marginalized groups in Colorado, reaffirming their commitment to furthering DEI in the state as the federal government rails against such efforts, according to Colorado Newsline.

“It is crucial that we confront the harsh realities that persist in treatment of Black individuals,” state Representative. Regina English, a Colorado Springs Democrat, said during a press conference Friday at the state Capitol. “I want to send a clear message to Donald Trump and any other universities, colleges and organizations that will follow his lead — that we will not stand by and allow you to dismiss the voices of Black people.”

“I brought these organizations and elected officials together to show solidarity,” she said. “When one person in our Black community is in distress, we’re all in distress.”

[Photo: Colorado Newsline]

MIRACLE ON PARKER ROAD IN AURORA

No one was injured in this Saturday wreck on Parker Road near I-225 in Aurora, police said.

[Photo: Aurora Police Department]

FIRE CREWS STOP COMMERCIAL BUILDING BLAZE

Firefighters extinguished flames in a commercial building Saturday at 2626 Gunnison Street in Colorado Springs, officials said. No injuries were reported. [Photo: Colorado Springs Fire Department]

STUN GUN SUSPECT ON LARIMER COUNTY MOST WANTED LIST

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office has placed stun gun suspect Christopher Michael Tomlinson, 46, of Windsor, on its most wanted list. If seen, call (970) 416-1985 or the confidential tip line (970) 221-6868.

MARSHALS ARREST SHUTTLE BUS SUSPECT FACING 4 ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested fugitive Jared Brooks, accused of stealing a shuttle bus in the mountains - and attempting to run down first responders. Brooks, 30, was taken into custody Friday near 13th Avenue and Osage Street in Denver on four counts of attempted murder and other charges. He was identified by surveillance video aboard the shuttle bus. The crime occurred on I-70 in Clear Creek County on Oct. 10. The bus was abandoned in Denver. Brooks is also wanted on separate warrants from Denver and Jefferson County, the marshals service said.

[Photos: U.S. Marshals Service, Metro Crime Stoppers]

POLICE SEEK MISSING WOMAN, 83; LAST SEEN IN HONDA ON I-25

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an alert for Suzanne Downs, 83, of Colorado Springs, last seen Friday night on northbound I-25 near Palmer Divide in Douglas County.

Downs drives a 2011 brown Honda CRV with Colorado tags 644YBE, CBI said. If you have information call 911 or Colorado Springs police (719) 444-7000.

FIRE HITS LITTLETON RESIDENCE; POLICE ARREST SUSPECT

UPDATE

Fire broke out overnight at a multi-family residence at 5337 South Fox Street in Littleton, South Metro Fire Rescue said. Littleton police arrested a suspect. [Photo: South Metro Fire-Rescue]

ON THE STATE OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

Your editor regrets to suggest what attracted many newspaper readers were classified ads, obituaries, supermarket coupons, department store ads, contests, comics, lottery numbers, sports scores, etc. - not necessarily solid reporting, which is an essential.

Dumb-dumb newspaper publishers screwed up - REALLY screwed up - by taking on too much debt to expand, hence the severe cutbacks.

Radio and TV sounded the death knell starting in the 1930s and 1940s - and the Internet swung the hatchet.

And journalism - despite all the good it does - sadly has to be subsidized by advertising etc. and history teaches that. Subscriptions alone just won't fund it as proven by historic experiments, such as the very old NYC paper "PM."

Well, many of you know this. It's not rocket science.

Most people - I would also suggest - are too harried to worry about much outside their private orbit to worry about news or much else.

Still, the need for news will endure. Information, formal and informal, is power - from global news to gossip. History proves that. Ditto sports and entertainment - and "oddball stories" i.e. the "Loch Ness Monster" ... and my favorite, UFOs.

The news business is evolving. Delivery platforms and news gathering are changing. Fewer people are needed for the publishing process itself due to centralization and the demise of the printing press and physical delivery.

Death and birth are both painful.

[Photo: Public Domain]

OUCH! XCEL WANTS TO RAISE YOUR UTILITY BILL BY 10%

Colorado Public Radio says Xcel wants to raise utility rates by nearly 10 percent for the average customer. The utility filed a formal request to Colorado regulators Friday. If approved, higher rates will go into effect next year to cover about $356 million in prior expenses and investments.

POLIS URGED TO SAY NO TO TINA PETERS PRISON TRANSFER

Officials from across Colorado’s political spectrum are urging Governor Jared Polis to deny a request from President Donald Trump’s administration to transfer former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters from state prison to federal custody, according to Colorado Newsline.

The Colorado Department of Corrections said last week that it had received a formal request on Nov. 12 from the Federal Bureau of Prisons seeking the transfer of Peters, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence for her role in a breach of her office’s election systems, part of an attempt to find evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

The request came amid mounting pressure from Trump, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and other far-right figures in the election conspiracy theory movement who have called for Peters’ release.

In a letter to Polis on Friday, the Colorado County Clerks Association warned that agreeing to the request “would send a deeply damaging message” to the local officials who oversee elections in the state’s 64 counties.

The association, made up of Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated officials, called on Polis to show “courage” in denying the request, and asked to meet personally with the governor before he makes his decision.

[Photo: Colorado Department of Corrections]

TEEN MISSING SINCE SUNDAY LOCATED

Police located a missing 16-year-old girl last seen Sunday in Colorado Springs, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Friday. She is safe.

MERCEDES WITH NO TAG LEADS TO GUNS WITH NO LICENSE

Aurora police stopped a Mercedes with no front license plate and the routine traffic stop led to the discovery of three illegal guns. 

A passenger told officers that he "bought at least two of the guns through an online app, without a background check," police said.

Officers seized a Glock 19 with a loaded magazine, a Sig Sauer P320, also with a loaded magazine, and a Glock 21 with a 27-round extended magazine.

The incident occurred last week at East 16th Avenue and North Paris Street.

[Photo: Aurora Police Department]

POLICE ISSUE COYOTE WARNING

Police report increased coyote sightings in Wheat Ridge along Clear Creek and Clear Creek Trail, near the Kipling West Trailhead. "Keep your distance and try to haze, or scare off, coyotes if you see them," police say. "Please keep your dogs on a leash at all times."

ROY BEST: COLORADO'S COWBOY WARDEN

Known as the Cowboy Warden, larger-than-life Roy Best served as warden of the Colorado State Penitentiary in Cañon City for nearly a quarter century.

Appointed in 1932, Best employed brutal discipline, including a flogging bench called the "Old Gray Mare." His methods led to legal trouble. Yet he exhibited a progressive streak emphasizing rehabilitation, including ranches, workshops and gardens, and establishing a separate women's prison.

Capitalizing on his popularity, Best ran for Colorado governor in 1944 as a Democrat, losing in a close vote.

Best, accompanied on prison grounds by a pair of growling guard dogs, played himself in the 1948 film noir movie about a prison escape called Canon City. The semi-documentary was filmed at the penitentiary.

He died of a heart attack in 1954. His obituary in the Steamboat Pilot said: "He was an efficient operator of an institution that was difficult to handle.”

[Photos: History Colorado, Wikipedia]