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A Senior’s Perspective: Fear, Hope, And The Path Forward At Evergreen
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

A Senior’s Perspective: Fear, Hope, And The Path Forward At Evergreen

By Hanna Powers | KDVR FOX31 EVERGREEN, Colo. (KDVR) — Students at Evergreen High School are taking their first careful steps back onto campus just over two weeks after a shooting that left the community shaken. Senior Sylvia Howell said the return will be filled with hugs, tears and a shared sense of healing. “I think there’s going to be a lot of hugs, maybe some tears, which has been kind of the story of the last few weeks,” Howell said. The Jefferson County School District is staggering the reopening to support students and staff. Monday: Staff returned to prepare classrooms. Early this week: Parent information sessions held. Thursday and Friday: Optional half days welcome students back for the first time. Howell said she plans to be there. “I think it’s import...
DA Slams Court Over Probation Sentence For Convicted Stalker
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

DA Slams Court Over Probation Sentence For Convicted Stalker

By Maddie Rhodes | KDVR Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — Prosecutors are speaking out after a Douglas County judge decided to sentence a man convicted of assault and stalking to probation. The 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Taylor Wayne Burrows, 31, of Lakewood, was convicted of assault and stalking. While the victim and prosecutors were looking for a prison sentence, the district attorney’s office said the judge sentenced him to probation and told Burrows to “work on his demons.” This comes after Burrows was convicted of assaulting his former fiancée, Aubrey Cadwell, in 2023 in her Highlands Ranch home. Burrows accused Cadwell of cheating on him, then strangled her before she could escape to a neighbor’s home. Burrows was arrested, then in 2024, he strangled another person in...
Developers Target Sheridan RV Park, Residents Plead for City to Protect Homes
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...
Mesa County authorities arrest Caprock Academy employee for sexual exploitation of child charges
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. ...
Evergreen High School Sets Gradual Reopening After Tragic Shooting
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 ...
Westminster launches $260M water plant with groundbreaking ceremony on September 24
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...
Councilwoman accused of welfare fraud resigns in Fountain
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...
Lakewood police seeking tips from public to catch burglar targeting churches
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...
Denver Closes Online Parking Ticket Appeal Portal Amid Budget Cuts
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...
Families Mourn After Experienced Hunters Found Dead In Colorado Wilderness
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 ...