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ATF crackdown: Denver gun shop owners sentenced in federal firearms fraud case
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ATF crackdown: Denver gun shop owners sentenced in federal firearms fraud case

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — The co-owners of a Denver-based firearms business have been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to one count each of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and after one of the co-owners also pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. Campbell Slayden, 26, a co-owner of Modern Arms and Optics LLC, was sentenced to 50 months in prison and pleaded guilty to two counts: conspiracy to defraud and possession of an unregistered firearm. Anthony Gallegos, 26, also a co-owner of the company, was sentenced to 36 months for conspiracy to defraud. The sentences were announced on Wednesday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. The pairs’ plea agreements detail how Modern Arms and Optics...
Digital alerts replace sirens for tornado warnings in much of Colorado—are you signed up?
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Digital alerts replace sirens for tornado warnings in much of Colorado—are you signed up?

By Shaul Turner | Fox31 DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Hundreds of thousands of residents are concerned about fair warning when it comes to tornadoes in Colorado. While some counties have siren systems in place, others rely on alert systems. Whether out on the plains or in more populated communities, tornadoes can strike within a matter of minutes after high winds are detected. Justin Anderson told FOX31 he remembers the tornado that touched down in Highlands Ranch in June of 2023, damaging homes and the South Metro Fire Rescue Station Number 17 on South University Boulevard. “One of our trees almost fell all the way over,” said Anderson. Many who are new to Colorado or are visiting say they only expect tornadoes to occur along the eastern plains and are shocked to learn that t...
Tornadoes touchdown in NE Colorado, egg-sized hail reported
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Tornadoes touchdown in NE Colorado, egg-sized hail reported

By Heather Willard | KDVR DENVER (KDVR) — Severe weather, including multiple tornadoes, was experienced in Colorado on Sunday, as hail, high winds and some rain swept the region. Officials confirmed tornadoes touched down near Bennett and Parker, with Adams County officials reporting at least 10 homes or buildings damaged or lost to the storm, and the Elizabeth Fire Protection District reporting 19 homes with minor to severe damage in its area. The weather comes on the heels of deadly severe weather across much of the Midwest, with The Associated Press reporting that at least 27 people were killed during the aggressive storms, including 18 people in Kentucky. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR
Student safety advocacy group offers summertime tips for relationships with teachers
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Student safety advocacy group offers summertime tips for relationships with teachers

By Greg Nieto | Fox31 News JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The founder of one of the most prominent student safety groups in Colorado is offering tips for parents this summer regarding safeguarding relationships with their teachers. Lindsay Datko is the founder and head of Jeffco Kids First, which goes by the motto, “Restore, Repair and Rebuild.”   Datko founded the organization in July 2020, during the pandemic. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX31 NEWS
Homeless camp tapping I-25 power cleared by Colorado Springs deputies—site continues to reappear
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Homeless camp tapping I-25 power cleared by Colorado Springs deputies—site continues to reappear

By Ashley Eberhardt | Fox31 COLORADO SPRINGS (KXRM) — On Tuesday, May 13, multiple law enforcement agencies cleared out a homeless encampment beneath Intestate 25 near Woodmen Road, where televisions, lighting and stereo equipment were found to be powered by illegally tapping into I-25’s light poles. According to a press release sent by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, its agency teamed up with the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Colorado Department of Transportation to help initiate a restoration project beneath I-25 just north of the Woodmen Road exit. EPSO said this location, where Pine Creek flows under the interstate, has been a frequent site for homeless encampments. “This encampment has been a persistent concern for the surrounding community, affecting res...
Former Jeffco high school employee faces sex assault, drug charges
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Former Jeffco high school employee faces sex assault, drug charges

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox31 News DENVER (KDVR) — A former high school staff member in Jefferson County was arrested after a Safe2Tell report accused a staff member of sexually assaulting a student. On Tuesday night, the Lakewood Police Department took James Michael Chevrier, 38, into custody. Chevrier was formerly employed at Green Mountain High School, Bear Creek High School and other schools in the area in recent years. Chevrier is being held in Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of: READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX31 DENVER
After bullets fly, Denver LoDo residents demand crackdown on downtown crime hub
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After bullets fly, Denver LoDo residents demand crackdown on downtown crime hub

By Alliyah Sims | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — Residents living near 19th and Market Street in the lower downtown area say they have had enough with the crime happening in their community. They say in the past six weeks alone, there have been back-to-back shootings and they fear leaving their own homes. The fear stems from a public parking lot located right across the street, where they say illegal activity happens. Just last week, police investigated a shooting in the area that injured four people. No word on any arrests, but the video shows a person being lifted off a sidewalk as people took cover. In the last six months, according to Denver Police crime data, there have been at least five aggravated assaults, with at least two shootings ending with windows being shot thro...
Federal judge OKs use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans gang members
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Federal judge OKs use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans gang members

By Rebecca Boone | AP via KDVR A federal judge says President Donald Trump can use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan citizens who are shown to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The ruling Tuesday from U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines in Pennsylvania appears to be the first time a federal judge has signed off on Trump’s proclamation calling Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization and invoking the 18th century wartime law to deport people labeled as being members of the gang. Also Tuesday, another federal judge in the western district of Texas temporarily barred the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport people in that region. At least three other federal judges have said Trump was improperly using the AEA to speed deportations of p...
Denver kills camera contract over ICE fears, leaving crime-fighting tools off the table
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Denver kills camera contract over ICE fears, leaving crime-fighting tools off the table

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — On May 5, the Denver City Council failed to approve a contract extension with Flock, a tech surveillance company that has been contracted to provide over 100 license plate readers around the county. The city first contracted with Flock in March 2023, with the original agreement lasting through the end of this February. The amendment would have extended the contract by another two years for $666,000. The original contract cost the city $339,450, but the cost wasn’t the main reason why council members voted no. Instead, the members cited privacy concerns, questioning who has access to the data as Denver continues to remain in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration for so-called “sanctuary laws.” Members worried that ...
First American pope elected: Denver Catholics react with hope and caution
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First American pope elected: Denver Catholics react with hope and caution

By Hanna Powers | KDVR.COM DENVER (KDVR) — For the first time in history, the leader of the Catholic Church is from the United States. At Regis University, a Jesuit school in Denver, students and faculty reflected on the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago. “I’m truly surprised, I did not expect to have an American Pope in my lifetime,” said Kari Kloos, interim vice president for mission at Regis University. “I am very pleasantly surprised and also relieved,” said Alexandra Walker, a senior at Regis. Pope Leo XIV is being called a “pope for the modern world.” He speaks several languages and is known for emphasizing compassion and connection. “I found it really heartwarming and emotional that in his speech, he switched from Itali...