Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Jefferson County

Brave Teen Stood Up to Evergreen High School Shooter, Saved Classmates
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Brave Teen Stood Up to Evergreen High School Shooter, Saved Classmates

By Heather Willard | KDVR FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — The family of a 14-year-old boy who was shot during the Sept. 10 shooting at Evergreen High School has shared a lengthy statement, saying their son was injured when confronting the shooter. “On September 10th, inside Evergreen High School, our 14-year-old son endured the unimaginable: a face-to-face encounter with a violent school shooter filled with anger and hatred,” the family wrote, shared by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. “Our child suffered traumatic gunshot injuries and has remained hospitalized and undergone multiple surgeries since the incident.” The boy will remain unnamed as the family wishes to remain confidential, according to the sheriff’s office. The other victim shot in the incident, 18-year...
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 ...
Safety or politics: Debate grows over Jeffco school resource officers
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...
Shooting at Evergreen High School leaves 3 critically wounded
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Shooting at Evergreen High School leaves 3 critically wounded

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado At least two students were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a high school in the Denver metro area. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the shooting took place just after noon at Evergreen High School. The school is located at 29300 Buffalo Park Rd. in Evergreen, which is 28 miles southwest of Denver. JeffCo emergency communications said there are reports of "an active assailant in the area of Evergreen High School." The sheriff's office said at least two students have been shot. St. Anthony's Hospital said there are three patients there in critical condition. It's still an active scene, and authorities asked those with students at the school not to go directly to the school at this time. A teacher told CBS Colorado that th...
Colorado sheriffs warn new gun licensing law threatens constitutional rights
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

Colorado sheriffs warn new gun licensing law threatens constitutional rights

-By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER – A major gun licensing law enacted by the Colorado legislature during the 2025 session is leaving some Colorado sheriffs with a bit of heartburn. Although Senate Bill 25-003 won’t take effect until Aug. 1, 2026, the sweeping changes to how Colorado residents can purchase certain firearms puts the onus on local sheriffs to enforce, but no help with funding of the new state mandates. Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams said all this bill has done is put him in a situation where his constituents think he is helping Democrats enforce a violation of their Second Amendment rights. “They ask me all the time why I just don’t refuse to enforce it,” said Reams, who has previously refused to enforce gun laws enacted during his time as she...
Colorado Officials Target Christian Bakery With Heavy-Handed Zoning Rules
Local, Approved, The Federalist

Colorado Officials Target Christian Bakery With Heavy-Handed Zoning Rules

By Helen Raleigh | The Federalist A cherished French bakery in Jefferson County, Colorado, is facing potential closure because of the county’s harsh enforcement of exclusionary zoning regulations. This situation underscores how overly restrictive regulations create unnecessary hurdles that stifle entrepreneurship, especially when the local economy is struggling. Lookout Mountain, Colorado, is celebrated for its breathtaking views, luxurious homes, and as the final resting place of Buffalo Bill. Just 12 miles from downtown Denver, it has become a must-visit destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists from all over the globe. This charming mountain community has long grappled with one significant drawback: the lack of a quality café. For many years, residents and visitors ...
Ranger Accused of Creating False Stabbing Emergency Sparks School Lockdowns
Local, Approved, Fox News

Ranger Accused of Creating False Stabbing Emergency Sparks School Lockdowns

By: Louis Casiano | Fox News A Colorado park ranger who claimed to have been attacked and stabbed has been arrested after investigators determined his story was allegedly part of a hoax that prompted authorities to launch a search and lock down several schools. Callum Heskett, 26, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with attempting to influence a public servant and tampering with evidence, both felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of false reporting to authorities, reckless endangerment, obstructing government operations and second-degree official misconduct. Investigators said inconsistencies in his story began to emerge during a probe of the incident. Heskett, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife seasonal ranger at Staunton State Park, radioed at 9 a.m. Tuesday saying...
Self-inflicted wound leads to hoax investigation at Staunton State Park
The Colorado Sun, Approved, Local

Self-inflicted wound leads to hoax investigation at Staunton State Park

By Olivia Prentzel | The Colorado Sun After launching a widespread manhunt for a person accused of stabbing a Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger, officials said Thursday the ranger who claimed to be attacked in Staunton State Park this week was never in any danger.  Callum Heskett, 26, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges Thursday for the “elaborate hoax” that sent Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and other first responders out looking for the attacker, put thousands of residents on alert and placed several schools on a lockdown, the sheriff’s office said.Authorities say Heskett stabbed himself and was airlifted to a hospital after reporting the attack. Heskett, a seasonal ranger at the park, radioed for help at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, claiming he had been attacked a...
Denver housing sales tracking at slower pace as inventory hits highest since 2011
Denverite, Approved, Local

Denver housing sales tracking at slower pace as inventory hits highest since 2011

By Andrew Kenney | Denverite There were 14,000 single-family homes, condos and townhomes for sale around the Denver metro at the end of July.  That meant homebuyers had more options than at any time since 2011 — though it was only a slight increase in inventory from the month before, according to the latest report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. Housing inventory is piling up because homes are selling more slowly. Just a few years ago, most homes were selling in under a week. But the typical single-family home now takes 20 days to sell, and some sit around much longer.  The DMAR report covers 11 counties around Denver, including Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas, Adams and Arapahoe. The slower pace of sales also gives buyers more time and leverage to ask...
Jeffco Kids First report reveals 33 staff misconduct cases in Jefferson County Schools
Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories

Jeffco Kids First report reveals 33 staff misconduct cases in Jefferson County Schools

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice An alarming report released by Jeffco Kids First, a grassroots advocacy group led by teacher turned activist Lindsay Datko, has exposed 33 cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by staff in Jefferson County Public Schools since 2022. The article “33 Documented Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Cases in Jeffco Schools” presents a disturbing image of a district with systemic failures.  The data reveals a pattern of misconduct going unreported to the Colorado Department of Education. The scope of abuse: 33 cases and counting Superintendent Tracy Dorland has received pushback regarding the handling of these incidents, with critics citing inadequate communication and insufficient safety protocols. The report documents six ar...