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Developers Target Sheridan RV Park, Residents Plead for City to Protect Homes
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kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Developers Target Sheridan RV Park, Residents Plead for City to Protect Homes

By: Anna Coon | KDVR FOX31 SHERIDAN, Colo. (KDVR) — More than 100 people could be forced to leave their homes in Sheridan if a proposed apartment complex project moves forward. An Indiana-based developer, The Garrett Companies, is vying to purchase the current site of Flying Saucer RV Park, a year-round park with more than 150 lots. If the deal closes, the park would be cleared out to make way for new housing. Many of the RV park’s residents have made the location their permanent home. “I just don’t know the answer as to what we would do if we received an eviction notice,” said Steve Ohlfest, who has lived at Flying Saucer RV Park for 20 years. Ohlfest spent 16 years in an RV before upgrading to a tiny home in 2021. “This is our dream home. This is our dream city,” said Ohlf...
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Mesa County authorities arrest Caprock Academy employee for sexual exploitation of child charges
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KJCT-TV ABC 8, Approved, Local

Mesa County authorities arrest Caprock Academy employee for sexual exploitation of child charges

By Kacie Sinton | KJCT News 8 GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - An employee of Caprock Academy is behind bars at the Mesa County Jail today after being arrested on the charge of sexual exploitation of a child. 45-year-old Shane Chatfield was reported to police on September 11, when the Grand Junction Police Department was informed that an adult man had allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to another adult man who had been pretending to be a child. Chatfield had also allegedly tried to arrange a meet-up, according to authorities. Chatfield appeared in custody over Zoom on September 17. The judge ordered a cash-only bond of $20,000. In addition to the bond, Chatfield is not allowed to use social media or dating apps or contact minors, and his electronic usage will be monitored. ...
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Evergreen High School Sets Gradual Reopening After Tragic Shooting
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kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Evergreen High School Sets Gradual Reopening After Tragic Shooting

By Spencer Kristensen | KDVR FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — Jefferson County Public Schools announced plans for staff and students to return to Evergreen High School in the upcoming week, following a break in response to the shooting that took place at the school. “Thank you for your patience as we took time last week to listen and learn about what our students, staff and families need as we move forward. After hearing from our EHS community, the Evergreen High School staff had a productive meeting on Friday; I continue to be grateful for the ongoing courage and commitment from our staff,” said the district in a press release. The return will operate as follows: Monday, Sept. 22 to Wednesday, Sept. 24 Staff will prepare for the return of the students, who will show up later ...
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Westminster launches $260M water plant with groundbreaking ceremony on September 24
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kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Westminster launches $260M water plant with groundbreaking ceremony on September 24

By: Abraham Jewett | KDVR DENVER (KDVR) — The city of Westminster is preparing to break ground on a new $206 million drinking water facility. The facility will be able to treat 14.7 million gallons of water per day, according to the city, which said Tuesday that it has been designed to “provide clean, safe, and affordable drinking water for generations to come.” A ceremonial groundbreaking will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on site at 9988 Westminster Blvd. The event is on the east side of Westminster Boulevard between 98th and 104th avenues. The city said parking will be available and that the free event, in addition to the ceremonial groundbreaking, will include food trucks, educational activities, and a “close-up look at construction equipment.” T...
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Councilwoman accused of welfare fraud resigns in Fountain
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The Gazette, Approved, Local

Councilwoman accused of welfare fraud resigns in Fountain

By Savannah Eller | The Gazette Fountain City Councilwoman Detra Duncan announced her resignation Tuesday. The councilwoman has been accused of public assistance fraud dating back years, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Gazette. Duncan said in a statement to the city that her resignation was not an admission of wrongdoing. “While I firmly believe in the integrity of my service and my commitment to the residents of Fountain, I also recognize that recent circumstances have cast a shadow over my ability to serve effectively. The people of our community deserve leadership that can govern without distraction or doubt,” she wrote. According to the affidavit filed in June, investigators with the El Paso and Jefferson County Departments of Human Services allegedl...
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Lakewood police seeking tips from public to catch burglar targeting churches
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Fox31, Approved, Local

Lakewood police seeking tips from public to catch burglar targeting churches

by: Jim Hooley | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — Police are searching for a suspect who has burglarized several churches in Lakewood. The Lakewood Police Department has not identified all the churches hit, but has confirmed that the Mountair Christian Church on Benton Street was among them. In fact, police say that the church was hit not once,  but twice, in June. In both cases, the suspect got away with musical instruments and electronics. Police released a photo of the suspect taken from security cameras. In the photo, he appears to be white with dark hair. He’s sporting a beard and tattoos on his biceps on both arms, as well as his back. He’s wearing all black, with a black hat, shirt, pants and shoes. He also has what appears to be a silver chain around his neck with som...
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Denver Closes Online Parking Ticket Appeal Portal Amid Budget Cuts
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kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Denver Closes Online Parking Ticket Appeal Portal Amid Budget Cuts

By  Nicole Fierro | KDVR FOX31 DENVER, Colo. (KDVR) — Denver layoffs are now going to impact your ability to dispute parking tickets with the city online, which went into effect on Thursday. Denver court officials told FOX31 that with the city and county of Denver’s projected budget deficit, the county court had to lay off 10 employees on Aug. 27th. Five employees of those were from the parking magistrates’ office, which was a team of five. In 2024, the Parking Magistrate’s Office processed 66,378 parking appeals and 10 final parking hearings. The spokesperson with Denver court officials also told FOX31, the team worked collaboratively with a variety of city stakeholders, including Right of Way Enforcement, the Parking Violation Bureau, Denver County Vehicle Impound and Passpor...
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Families Mourn After Experienced Hunters Found Dead In Colorado Wilderness
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Local, Approved, The Colorado Sun

Families Mourn After Experienced Hunters Found Dead In Colorado Wilderness

By Tracy Ross | The Colorado Sun Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko went missing in Rio Grande National Forest a week ago. Porter’s aunt posted on a GoFundMe page that both were found deceased. Two elk hunters missing since Friday were found dead Thursday morning by Colorado search and rescue teams, according to Lynne Runkle, the aunt of Andrew Porter, one of the missing men. “It is with a broken heart and through tears that I give you this update,” Runkle posted on a GoFundMe page she had set up to pay for the search. “Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko have both been found deceased. Their bodies were discovered earlier today by Colorado Search and Rescue. I will provide another update tomorrow. Please keep Andrew’s and Ian‘s families in your thoughts and prayers.” Saguache County Search ...
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Safety or politics: Debate grows over Jeffco school resource officers
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Fox31, Approved, Local

Safety or politics: Debate grows over Jeffco school resource officers

By: Spencer Kristensen, Brooke Williams | FOX31 Denver DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday morning, Jeffco Public Schools and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office released a joint statement addressing the community’s questions about the School Resource Officer program. “Our commitment to safety and security in Jeffco schools is unwavering,” Superintendent Tracy Dorland said in a press release. “Jeffco Public Schools does not employ SROs. Instead, through intergovernmental agreements, our local law enforcement partners, like JCSO, provide SROs to serve in our schools and our district now pays for half of this cost. We are proud of our strong partnership with law enforcement, including our shared commitment to a robust SRO program that supports our students and staff.” The school dis...
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Law tied sheriff’s hands as violent suspect walked free in Weld County
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Colorado Politics, Approved, Local

Law tied sheriff’s hands as violent suspect walked free in Weld County

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics eld County Sheriff Steve Reams says a 2024 law required him to release a man who had been charged with attempted murder stemming from an incident in Greeley earlier this year. According to Reams, 21-year-old Debisa Ephraim was arrested in April and charged with second-degree attempted murder following an altercation between him and another man that had been captured on video. The victim suffered a brain injury and spent a “substantial” amount of time in the hospital and rehabilitation, but Reams says he is now mostly recovered. Ephraim, a refugee from Tanzania who had a previous record of violent behavior, had been detained in the Weld County Jail for several months when his defense team asked the court to determine whether he was compet...
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