Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Public safety

Six Colorado Springs nightclubs under police investigation for years, public just finding out
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Six Colorado Springs nightclubs under police investigation for years, public just finding out

The Denver Gazette Six nightclubs around Colorado Springs have been investigated for potential illegal activity since 2022, according to Colorado Springs police. Police said New Havana Bar and Grill off North Academy Boulevard, an unnamed after-hours club on Palmer Park Boulevard, and La Terraza on South Circle Drive were all shut down through the public nuisance process. Police said Babilonia Bar and Grill on East Platte Avenue, Nova Nightclub on South Nevada Avenue and El Huracán on South Academy Boulevard were evicted by their property owners. A Police Department spokesperson told The Gazette some of these clubs were licensed and some were unlicensed. The spokesperson said each of the locations had multiple calls for service, which started a police investigation an...
DOJ sues Colorado and Denver over sanctuary policies ‘tying hands of law enforcement’
Approved, kdvr.com, National, State, Top Stories

DOJ sues Colorado and Denver over sanctuary policies ‘tying hands of law enforcement’

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Colorado and the city of Denver for laws and statutes the federal government says are “sanctuary laws.” The federal government alleges in its lawsuit, filed in Colorado District Court on Friday, that the laws are designed to “interfere with and discriminate against the Federal Government’s enforcement of federal immigration law.” The lawsuit specifically mentions the troubled Aurora apartment complexes that went viral after a video showing armed men in a stairwell was first reported on by FOX31’s Vicente Arenas. The men in the video were later connected to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that’s been publicized during recent immigration efforts under President Donald Trump. The laws...
Trump issues national flag-lowering order to honor fallen firefighters, Polis follows suit
Approved, kdvr.com, National, State

Trump issues national flag-lowering order to honor fallen firefighters, Polis follows suit

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — Flags in Colorado will fly at half-staff on Sunday to honor firefighters who risked their lives to protect fellow citizens as part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. The annual event is held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and commemorates the lives of volunteer and professional firefighters who have died in the line of duty over the past year and beyond. “Across the country, brave men and women demonstrate heroism each day, willingly placing themselves in harm’s way for the benefit of others,” reads a proclamation made by President Donald Trump on May 1. “We are indebted to every American who chooses this noble profession — this solemn calling — in spite of the inherent risks.” The proclamation went on to note the heroic e...
John Fabbricatore details ICE detainee process as state pushes back against federal enforcement
Approved, kdvr.com, National, State

John Fabbricatore details ICE detainee process as state pushes back against federal enforcement

By Alliyah Sims | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — FOX31 is learning that 105 people were detained at an underground nightclub bust in Colorado Springs over the weekend. That’s down from the original reported count of 114. The Drug Enforcement Administration said nine people had previous contact with immigration officials. The Colorado Springs Police Department told FOX31 that two people were arrested on existing warrants. One was arrested for a warrant out of Denver for assault, criminal mischief and child abuse. The other was wanted in Adams County for a misdemeanor. John Fabbricatore, former ICE Regional Director, told FOX31 that when there are that many people in custody, the process can take a while, and it really matters where people are going. He said that processing one single ...
“Sitting on a powder keg”: Opponents slam SB25-276 for shielding illegal aliens, risking federal funds
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

“Sitting on a powder keg”: Opponents slam SB25-276 for shielding illegal aliens, risking federal funds

By Shaun Boyd | CBS News Colorado A bill aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants in Colorado has created a firestorm at the Colorado State Capitol. Supporters say it's about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone regardless of citizenship. Opponents, including Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, say it would protect dangerous criminals. He says if the bill becomes law, his deputies will have to choose between enforcing state law and losing federal funding or enforcing federal law and facing thousands of dollars in fines. Mikesell says lawmakers are presenting a false narrative. "I want to dispel rumors and myths that really the legislators are presenting in testimony," he said. He says he has worked with federal immigration agents for nearly three decades and...
Aurora’s 3-strike vehicle law: Nearly 1,000 off the streets as crackdown unfolds
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Aurora’s 3-strike vehicle law: Nearly 1,000 off the streets as crackdown unfolds

By Vicente Arenas | Fox31 AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Aurora Police Department statistics show 920 vehicles have been impounded under the city’s new three-strikes seizure law. Ward IV Council member Stephanie Hancock sponsored the city’s new traffic law. “I think the concern with our constituents has been, ‘Why are there so many cars with expired tags or no license plates at all on the roads?’ It’s very likely these cars don’t have insurance,” Hancock said. In Aurora, vehicles can be seized when a driver lacks a license, insurance and registration. Pictures of some of the vehicles that have been seized and sold can be seen on the Roller Auction website. When the new law went into effect, FOX31 saw several expired plates in just one location. APD said there are also a...
Cole: Denver’s dangerous dance with low cash bail and ICE detainer policies puts public safety at risk
Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Cole: Denver’s dangerous dance with low cash bail and ICE detainer policies puts public safety at risk

By Shaina Cole | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Denver prides itself on progressive values and compassion for its diverse communities. But recent events have exposed a troubling reality: the city’s criminal justice policies—specifically low cash bail for serious felony offenses and short notification windows for ICE detainers—are creating a revolving door for dangerous criminals, putting our neighborhoods at risk.  The case of Bayron Turcios-Murillo, a confirmed Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member, is a stark example of how these policies fail to protect the public while allowing violent offenders to slip through the cracks. On April 17, 2025, Bayron Turcios-Murillo was arrested in Denver for felony drug charges, allegedly possessing nearly 1,000 fentanyl pills and powde...
Joondeph: Democrats are dying on the most unpopular hills in politics
American Thinker, Commentary, National, Top Stories

Joondeph: Democrats are dying on the most unpopular hills in politics

By Dr. Brian C. Joondeph | Commentary, American Thinker The phrase “the hill you choose to die on” is an expression meaning a belief, opinion, or position that one is fiercely committed to defending, even when it is impractical or contrary to one’s long-term goals. It suggests a willingness to fight or resist to the point of losing, rather than pivoting, conceding, or compromising. In the political world, most players lack conviction or principles. They are swayed by the political winds, the latest opinion polls, or the size of the most recent campaign contributions they receive. Their positions are primarily situational, influenced by their proximity to the next reelection bid or which Sunday morning talk show has invited them as guests. Democrats, finding themselves in the minor...
Colo. Sheriffs call SB25-003 a ‘nightmare’ for rights, businesses and public safety
Approved, State, The Truth About Guns

Colo. Sheriffs call SB25-003 a ‘nightmare’ for rights, businesses and public safety

By Mark Chesnut | The Truth About Guns Following Gov. Jared Polis’ signing of the sweeping gun ban measure last week, some Colorado sheriffs, who have opposed the bill all along, are still speaking out against the action. The measure bans the sale of the most popular selling rifle in America—the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR)—unless Coloradans obtain from their county sheriff approval, based on subjective criteria, a permit-to-purchase semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines. Under the law, the sale of semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting a detachable magazine will be banned unless those purchasing the firearms are vetted by a local sheriff and complete a firearm certification course. Sheriff approval to apply for a permit-to-purchase is based on sub...
In first 100 days, Evans introduces six bills focused on fraud, safety and immigration
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

In first 100 days, Evans introduces six bills focused on fraud, safety and immigration

RMV Staff | RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s 8th Congressional District—a nationally watched swing district—just saw its freshman Congressman, Gabe Evans, cross the 100-day threshold in office. The milestone highlights a flurry of legislative action, bipartisan wins, and scrutiny over constituent accessibility. Evans, a Republican and former law enforcement officer and Army veteran, has moved quickly since being sworn in. “By contrast, it took my predecessor up until August before she had six bills,” Evans told FOX31. “So we are doing the work and delivering the work for constituents. I look forward to continuing to engage with them, hear their problems, and do what we can to solve them.” Six bills, five bipartisan, three out of committee Denver7 reported tha...