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  • K9 Tigger Retires from Paw Enforcement

    K9 Tigger Retires from Paw Enforcement

    After six incredible years of paw-some service, K9 Tigger, an 8-year-old Dutch Shepherd with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, will be honored at a special retirement ceremony on July 16 at 4:00 p.m., in the K9 training area at our patrol substation (4201 E. 72nd Ave., Commerce City, 80221).

     

    K9 Tigger joined the unit in 2019 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most dependable—and paws-itively determined—working dogs in the region. Over the course of his career, Tigger has been credited with:

    • 165 arrests, including 11 suspect apprehensions involving bites
    • The detection and seizure of over 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, 19.3 kilograms of cocaine, 334 grams of fentanyl, 12.3 grams of heroin, and 1.56 grams of ecstasy

    With a nose for justice and a bark backed by bravery, Tigger has played a vital role in countless investigations and high-risk operations, helping to protect the community and take dangerous drugs off the streets.

     

    The retirement ceremony will feature remarks from Sheriff Claps, a presentation honoring Tigger’s career, and an opportunity for media and the public to meet the guest of honor himself. The guest of honor is expected to celebrate his retirement with a well-earned treat or two.

     

    Members of the press are invited to attend this tail-wagging tribute to one of the agency’s finest. Following the ceremony, photo and interview opportunities will be available.

    RSVP requested by the end of the day on July 15.

     

    The Adams County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit consists of ten dogs and is dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through specialized canine teams trained in narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, and search and rescue operations. The skilled dogs and handlers work tirelessly to keep the community safe.

     

    The Adams County Retired K9 Foundation was founded in 2020 and works to reduce the financial burden on handlers after they adopt their K9 partner when they retire. If anyone would like to donate to support Tigger, or any of our retired K9s, please visit acretiredk9.org or scan this QR code.

  • I-76 & I-225 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Project

    Traffic Impacts

    Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17, work will consist of:

    • Alternating northbound and southbound lane closures on the I-225 ramp from MP 70 to MP 70.5.
    • Delays of up to 15 minutes can be anticipated.

    About the Project

    Arapahoe County – Bridge improvement work along Interstate 76 and I-225 in Adams and Arapahoe counties will improve and prolong the life of the bridges by replacing expansion joints, repaving the surface and repairing guardrails. The bridge work will occur in the following locations in the order below:

    • I-76 at Second Creek
    • I-76 at 144th Avenue
    • I-225 from southbound I-25 to northbound I-225
    • Southbound I-225 ramp at Vaughn Way
    • I-225 at 28th Avenue
    Southbound I-225 ramp at Vaughn Way

    Project Schedule

    • Working hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Work is expected to be completed at the end of October 2025.
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirms sightings of new wolf pups

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirms sightings of new wolf pups

    Colorado’s wolf population is growing.

    A Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson confirmed Thursday that staff have seen new wolf pups this spring.

    The agency is monitoring four den sites, relying on aerial observations, ground observations, remote trail cameras as well as public sightings to do so, the spokesperson said.

    Parks and Wildlife does not yet have a reliable count of how many pups there are.

    “(Parks and Wildlife) staff have begun to get minimum counts of pups by both direct observations and indirect methods,” the spokesperson said. “It is important to note that sighting numbers (especially from early season sightings) are not a guaranteed number of animals since certainty in detection is low, based on continued denning, moving to rendezvous sites and being in varied habitat.”

    Eighteen months into the voter-mandated wolf reintroduction effort, Colorado has brought 25 wolves from Oregon and British Columbia, eight of which have since died.

    Last year, one pair of wolves successfully had five pups. Deemed the Copper Creek pack, these wolves have been embroiled in controversy since their inception. Six of the pack’s wolves were captured and placed in a sanctuary after being connected to a number of livestock killings in Grand County. A seventh, one of the pups, evaded capture.

    Following their capture, the pack’s adult male wolf died in captivity from injuries it suffered from a gunshot wound. The adult female and the four pups were re-released in the wild in January. In May, one of the pack’s yearlings was killed by Parks and Wildlife after the wolves were tied to livestock attacks in Pitkin County.

  • Twisters Gymnastics and Cheer: Quarter 3

    June 30 – September 20 (12 weeks); Registration is open; EARLYBIRD DEADLINE: 6/20/25; DEADLINE: 6/26/25 ($25 additional fee)

  • Attorney General Phil Weiser sues ATF to stop return of seized machine gun devices

    On June 9, Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives over Trump administration plans to redistribute thousands of devices that allow a semiautomatic weapon to function like a machine gun.
    ATF’s action involves forced reset triggers, or FRTs, which dramatically increase the firing rate of semiautomatic weapons. Although ATF previously classified FRTs as machineguns, on May 16 the bureau—under a directive from Trump administration leadership—signed a settlement agreement that promises to stop enforcing federal law against FRTs and to redistribute thousands of these devices that ATF had previously seized. The multistate litigation seeks to prevent that imminent redistribution, because FRTs are illegal to possess under federal law.
    “It’s hard enough for our local law enforcement officials to protect Colorado communities from gun violence without the federal government willfully ignoring the law,” said Attorney General Weiser. “The law is clear: machine guns, and devices that turn a semiautomatic weapon into a machine gun, are illegal. We’re suing to stop the ATF and the administration from making our communities more dangerous by distributing thousands of devices that turn firearms into weapons of war. These weapons have no place in our communities, and I will continue to fight to keep Coloradans safe from gun violence.”
    In recent years, machine gun conversion devices like FRTs, have been frequently used in violent crimes and mass shootings. Firearms equipped with these types of devices can exceed the rate of fire of many military machine guns, firing up to 20 bullets in one second. ATF has noted a significant rise in the use of these types of devices, leading to incidents of machine-gun fire increasing by 1,400% from 2019 through 2021.
    Despite the federal prohibition, ATF estimates that at least 100,000 FRTs have been distributed across the country in recent years. ATF’s records also establish that machine gun conversion devices, including FRTs, are showing up more often at crime scenes.
    Multiple lawsuits seeking either to enforce or challenge the prohibition on FRTs were filed during the Biden administration. A federal judge in New York agreed that FRTs are banned under federal law. A federal judge in Texas disagreed and held that FRTs do not qualify as machine guns under federal law, but that ruling was on appeal. In January, Attorney General Weiser announced that he was joining more than a dozen other states in intervening to defend the Biden-era regulations in court.
    Today’s lawsuit explains that the federal government cannot violate U.S. law, even when it tries to bury those violations in a settlement agreement. The lawsuit asks the court to stop ATF from distributing FRT devices in ways that directly harm the states suing in contravention of federal law, including, as ATF admits, that returning FRTs in states that prohibit them would “aid and abet” violations of state laws.
    Attorney General Weiser is joining Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington on the lawsuit.
    For more on Attorney General Weiser’s efforts to defend Colorado from illegal federal actions, visit coag.gov/defending-colorado.
  • Big D’s Warriors Adaptive Baseball League

    Big D’s Warriors Adaptive Baseball League gives children with physical and intellectual challenges the chance to play and compete.

    There is no charge to join. The league is sponsored by Cancer Fighters to the Rescue.

    Special Education K-12th; Sundays, July 13 – Aug. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Strasburg South Field.

    Registration deadline is Sunday, June 15.

  • Keep Colorado Wild Pass funding supports Rocky Mountain SAR UAS Conference

    DENVER ‒ On May 31, Douglas County Search and Rescue, in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Backcountry Search and Rescue Program, hosted the first-ever Rocky Mountain SAR UAS Conference at the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility.

    The event focused on how Search and Rescue (SAR) teams use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), also known as drones, during search and rescue operations. SAR teams can use drones during rescues to provide an airborne view from above trees and terrain, search large areas quickly, use thermal cameras to locate subjects, and to communicate remotely with people once a drone finds them.

    This year’s conference brought together a dynamic community of more than 60 UAS professionals from over 25 different agencies across Colorado to share best practices and lessons learned, helping to shape the future of SAR UAS operations statewide.

    Conference attendees had the opportunity to meet and learn from leading drone professionals and experts in public safety and emergency response, demo the latest life-saving UAS technology, share mission stories and real-world drone applications, and discover new ways to collaborate on local search and rescue capabilities.

    “This event was an outstanding success,” said Brent Lounsbury, Emergency Management Coordinator for CPW. “Douglas County SAR identified the need for an event where SAR UAS professionals could collaborate and learn from each other; it clearly hit the mark. We’re really looking forward to this event coming around again next year, and it being an even larger success.”

    Modern drones feature powerful cameras and sensors, providing views from above that are inaccessible to ground teams. Douglas County SAR has recently used drones to quickly locate a missing 10-year-old boy, as well as missing hikers, that would otherwise have taken significantly longer to find. In addition to SAR, CPW also uses drones for wildlife and land management.

    “This conference allowed us to get everyone in a room, make contacts and share best practices.  I particularly enjoyed the question and answer sessions after each presentation, where critical discussions and learning were exchanged peer-to-peer,” said Dave Miska, President of Douglas County SAR.

    CPW’s Backcountry SAR program provides support to County SAR teams throughout Colorado, including funds from sales of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, hunting and fishing licenses, and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. County SAR teams throughout the state are primarily composed of volunteers and play a critical role in emergency response throughout Colorado.

    Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Support your local county search and rescue teams by purchasing a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration.

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet June 11-12, 2025

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet June 11-12, 2025

    Glenwood Springs — Next week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will convene for a hybrid meeting in Glenwood Springs. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Wed., June 11, and recess at 12:55 p.m. The commission will reconvene at 8 a.m. on Thu., June 12, and adjourn at 3:30 p.m.

    A complete agenda along with all materials for this meeting is available on CPW’s website for public review. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page.

    Parks and Wildlife Commission agenda items include:

    • Department of Natural Resources update
    • Department of Agriculture update
    • Colorado Outdoor Strategy Launch update
    • GOCO update
    • Staunton State Park Draft Management Plan
    • Project 7 Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan
    • Licensing and Reservations System Vendor Selection and update
    • Sweetwater update
    • CPW Stakeholder Human-Bear Workshop update
    • Program Overview: Small Game Management
    • Program Overview: Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Management
    • Bobcat Research update

    The Consent Agenda includes:

    • Wildlife Damage Claims
    • Real Estate Projects

    The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Details on providing oral public comments for hybrid meetings are available on CPW’s website.

    The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.

    Learn more about the Parks and Wildlife Commission on CPW’s website.

  • Colorado Gray Wolf 2507 Mortality

    Colorado Gray Wolf 2507 Mortality

     

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a mortality alert for male gray wolf 2507 on May 31. The agency has confirmed the mortality took place in northwest Colorado. As a federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating. A final determination of the cause of death will not be made until the investigation is completed, including the necropsy, a foundational component of the overall investigation process. No additional details are available at this time.

    CPW continues to monitor four potential dens. It is likely there are an unknown number of new pups that were born this year. CPW is developing plans for the coming year’s translocation efforts, so Colorado’s wolf population will continue to grow, leading toward a self-sustaining population.

     

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns of potentially aggressive cow moose following three attacks

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns of potentially aggressive cow moose following three attacks

    GRAND JUNCTION — After responding to three recent attacks, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds the public to be aware of potentially aggressive cow moose while recreating outdoors during calving season. The moose conflicts in Park, Grand and Routt counties highlight their innate aggression toward dogs and the need for awareness while hiking, especially near water with thick vegetation where moose are often found and can be difficult to see.

    Cow moose give birth to calves in late spring and early summer. During this time, they can become more aggressive toward perceived threats to their young. Cows will hide their calves to protect them from predators but will stay nearby. Turn around or leave an area if a calf is spotted. If a moose begins to charge, get behind objects like trees or boulders to put obstacles in its path. Respect posted signs warning of aggressive moose behavior or calf activity on trails. Choose a trail with good visibility and make noise when recreating through thick vegetation.

    Most moose conflicts involve dogs. When recreating near riparian or willow habitats, keep dogs on-leash to avoid startling moose near a trail. Off-leash dogs can venture off-trail, surprising hidden moose calves or cows. Cows will, in turn, chase retreating dogs, which can bring the moose in contact with humans.

    Three recent attacks:

    • On Fri., May 30, two women walking four dogs off-leash encountered a cow moose along Fourmile Creek Road in Fairplay. The moose charged and trampled the women multiple times. Eventually, they  were able to climb onto a nearby roof to escape. A neighbor hazed the moose away with a fire extinguisher. Neither woman sought medical treatment. CPW officers responded to the scene and found two cow moose. Unable to definitively identify which moose was involved in the attack, no further action was taken.
    • On Sat., May 31, a couple was returning home from a walk with their dog near Columbine Lake in Grand Lake when a cow moose charged at them, knocking the woman to the ground. The woman managed to crawl under a small storage area next to their house, but the moose continued to charge and attempt to stomp her. When the moose continued to show aggression towards the woman and showed no signs of leaving, the boyfriend shot and killed the moose.

      The woman was treated on scene with injuries to her face, shoulder and arms. CPW officers did not cite the man, as the investigation determined the moose was shot in self-defense while actively posing a threat to human health and safety.

      The dog was on a leash at the time of the attack, and officers believed the cow was protecting a calf, which was bedded out of sight from the victim and her boyfriend at the time. CPW officers searched the area and located the calf moose. The calf was humanely euthanized by CPW.

      “The decision to euthanize the calf was not easy to make,” said Hot Sulphur Springs Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington. “While rehabilitation can be successful in some cases, it’s not a guaranteed solution. In the case of this moose calf, taking it to a rehab at such a young age would not be in the best interest of the animal’s long-term survival in the wild.”

      According to CPW’s wildlife regulations, wildlife taken to a rehabilitation facility is primarily intended for the purpose of returning the wildlife to the wild, and no wildlife may be held for more than one year.

      “At this age, the only thing this moose will know is human interaction for survival. If rehabilitation in a facility is successful, we believe the moose would already be habituated to humans which can lead to increased potential of threat to human health and safety,” said Huntington.

    • On the evening of Sun., June 1, a woman was walking her two dogs at River Creek Park in Steamboat Springs when she was attacked by a cow moose. A man on a paddleboard passing by found her on the ground near the river. As he helped her toward the parking lot, the moose returned and kicked him.

      The woman was transported to the hospital by EMS with serious injuries. After evaluation, she was flown to a facility on the Front Range. The man was evaluated at the scene and released.

      CPW officers observed a cow moose and her two calves in the same area after the incident and believed the cow was protecting her young. Both dogs were on a leash at the time of the attack.

      For the safety of the public and wildlife, CPW and the City of Steamboat Springs have implemented a closure at River Creek Park, effective through Wed., June 4. CPW officers will continue to assess the area over the next 48 hours.

    While moose encounters with people are quite common, conflicts with moose are low. Since 2019, CPW has responded to 22 injuries from moose attacks. However, conflicts can occur even when following best practices for living in moose habitat. Please report any moose conflicts to a local CPW office.

    Media with questions regarding the moose attack in Fairplay, contact Northeast Region PIO Kara Van Hoose. For questions regarding the moose attacks in Grand Lake and Steamboat Springs, contact Northwest Region PIO Rachael Gonzales.