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High-tech policing: Boulder officers use drones and cameras to nab car theft suspect
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High-tech policing: Boulder officers use drones and cameras to nab car theft suspect

By Aliyah Sims | FOX31 Denver BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — Technology and teamwork came together in Boulder to stop a dangerous suspect: Officers had an edge thanks to drones and license plate recognition cameras, also known as Flock cameras. All it took was a tip from technology, a drone in the air and quick thinking on the ground. This case was interesting because we wouldn’t have ever known this guy was in Boulder,” Chief Stephen Redfearn said. “The truck was stolen from outside of Boulder. The license plate readers let us know he was here. It allowed officers to kind of narrow down where he was.” The stolen red pickup truck pulled into a Boulder parking lot, with the driver asleep behind the wheel. Within seconds, an officer on the Unmanned Aircraft System Team launched a drone ...
Colorado parents shaken as former school counselor faces assault charges
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Colorado parents shaken as former school counselor faces assault charges

By Parker Gordon | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — A former Poudre School District counselor has been arrested after allegedly having an “inappropriate relationship with a student for several years”, said the city of Fort Collins. On Tuesday, the city of Fort Collins said in a press release that Cassandra Poncelow, 40, has been arrested on multiple charges, including sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, following an investigation into Poncelow’s employment at the school district. The city of Fort Collins said that a report was made to Fort Collins Police Services in July that a former counselor at the school district had an inappropriate relationship with a student while employed. Detectives, following the report, initiated an investigation into Poncelo...
What shrinking state and local payrolls could mean for your wallet
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What shrinking state and local payrolls could mean for your wallet

By: Raquel Villanueva | FOX31 Denver DENVER (KDVR) —The city of Denver completed its layoff process for 171 workers on Tuesday, after the city already cut 665 unfilled positions on Monday. The city says the efforts will save $100 million. But what do the layoffs mean for Denver’s economic future? A local economist gave FOX31 some insight. The city’s personnel cuts could certainly help its economic outlook, but an expert says this could just be the beginning of tough times. “If this trend continues, then it is not a very good situation. I think we will have a pretty severe impact of recession maybe by the end of this year or maybe even next year,” said Kishore Kulkarni, a distinguished professor of economics at MSU Denver. With Denver’s budget $200 million short for next...
Adams County man handed 13-year sentence for large-scale drug trafficking
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Adams County man handed 13-year sentence for large-scale drug trafficking

By: FOX31 Digital Staff | FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — A man was sentenced to 20 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for “large-scale” drug trafficking in Adams County, the DA’s Office announced in a press release on Monday morning. The man, Rodrick Maye, 45, was sentenced for possessing with intent to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamines and cocaine. On May 25, 2024, Thornton police officers saw Maye swerve into oncoming traffic on East 88th Avenue. The officers performed a traffic stop, and said Maye showed signs of impairment and failed roadside sobriety tests, before being arrested for driving under the influence. During a search of the vehicle, officers found multiple open containers of alcohol an...
Aurora ICE visit leaves Colorado Democrats with more questions than answers
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Aurora ICE visit leaves Colorado Democrats with more questions than answers

By Gabrielle Franklin | KDVR.com DENVER (KDVR) — A handful of Democrats in Colorado’s congressional delegation went inside the GEO ICE facility in Aurora on Monday. The visit comes as they try to gain clarity and access from the Trump administration about what is going on there. They spoke with members of the press after the visit to share what they say they saw. Democratic U.S. House members from Colorado visited the ICE facility, saying they left the building with more questions than answers. “When I walked through the facility, it felt like a prison,” Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen said at a press conference following the visit. The Colorado Democratic congressional members said the GEO ICE facility in Aurora has changed since the last time they went inside it. “Afte...
Wheat Ridge turns to AI so officers spend less time on paperwork
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Wheat Ridge turns to AI so officers spend less time on paperwork

By Nicole Fierro | KDVR FOX 31 WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (KDVR) — Artificial intelligence is being used more and more in everyday life. Now, the Wheat Ridge Police Department is joining several metro area police departments in using AI technology to cut down time spent on writing out reports. Draft One is a new software tool for Wheat Ridge officers. It takes their body camera footage and data to transcribe what is heard and seen in a matter of seconds. Officers can then review and add to or change the paragraphs in a report. “It is just a great stepping stone for each of our individual officers to build off of,” Wheat Ridge Police Public Information Officer Alex Rose said. “In effect, we’re swapping out writing time, writing everything from scratch and from memory, to editing time ...
Going Nuclear: DIA Explores Modular Reactor to Meet Growing Demand
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Going Nuclear: DIA Explores Modular Reactor to Meet Growing Demand

By Heather Willard | Denver (KDVR) Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver International Airport is soliciting proposals for a feasibility study regarding the possibility of a small modular reactor, which is a type of nuclear reactor, on the campus. DIA said Wednesday that the project would help benefit its goal of becoming the world’s greenest airport and also be energy independent. The study is projected to cost up to $1.25 million and will take upward of a year to complete. “Denver leads with bold ideas, and our vision for the future of our airport is no exception,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in DIA’s announcement on Wednesday. “As we work to make DEN the greenest airport in the world, we must explore every innovative solution available to meet the demands of a growing city and ...
Trust under the siren: Colorado man arrested for using fake police vehicle
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Trust under the siren: Colorado man arrested for using fake police vehicle

BY PARKER GORDON, HANNA POWERS | KDVR - FOX 31 "DENVER (KDVR) — A man has been arrested after allegedly using “police-like lights” while maneuvering through traffic on Interstate 25. On Tuesday, the Lone Tree Police Department announced that Terry Ray Pendleton, 58, was arrested on a charge of impersonating a police officer The police department said that Pendleton’s vehicle, a black 2021 Ford Explorer, was allegedly equipped with “red and blue lights” and had an “audible siren and public address system.” The incident occurred on I-25, where the department said Pendleton allegedly used the “police-like lights” while driving through traffic “It is important to note that Pendleton has never been employed in law enforcement,” said the Lone Tree department. Lone Tree Police Chief Kirk...
DNA deception? Colorado crime lab analyst under fire delays arraignment
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DNA deception? Colorado crime lab analyst under fire delays arraignment

BY VICENTE ARENAS | KDVR FOX 31 GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — The defense attorney representing Yvonne Missy Woods asked a district judge on Monday for a continuance of her arraignment. Attorney Tom Ward told the judge his team needed more time to look more new evidence that they must now look at in the case. “Just this morning, we received a disclosure of another 5,000 pages of stamped materials. Given the length of time that the allegations cover, and the breadth of the materials that we have to deal with. We are asking to set this for October 27,” Ward said. The judge granted the continuance. Woods, a former CBI forensic analyst, is accused of more than 100 felony counts for her work at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. READ THE COMPLETE STORY AT KDVR - FOX 31
Elk Fire forces evacuations: Northwest Colorado battles fast-growing blaze
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Elk Fire forces evacuations: Northwest Colorado battles fast-growing blaze

BY SPENCER KRISTENSEN | KDVR - FOX 31 DENVER (KDVR) — Three large wildfires caused by lightning strikes are burning in northwest Colorado in Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties, the Bureau of Land Management reported on Monday morning. Here’s what to know about each fire: Elk Fire The Elk Fire is the largest of the three fires. Initially reported on Aug. 2, the fire has grown to 3,000 acres as of Monday morning and is burning in the Oak Ridge area, nearly 10 miles east of Meeker. The fire is burning on private, state and BLM lands. Evacuation and pre-evacuation orders The Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office ordered evacuations on Sunday and continued with pre-evacuation orders on Monday afternoon. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR - FOX 31