Category: Local News
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Fish for free this weekend in Colorado, June 4-5
Pictured at John Martin Reservoir State Park
DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites resident and nonresident anglers of all ages and skillsets to participate in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on June 4 and 5.
Free Fishing Weekend is a great way to get outside with family and friends and take advantage of Colorado’s extensive opportunities to fish for a variety of cold and warm water fish species.
No license is required this weekend to fish. All other rules and regulations apply. To learn more about fishing season dates and license fees, visit cpw.state.co.us.
From reservoirs, lakes and ponds to rivers and high-altitude streams, Colorado is a highly-regarded fishing destination. The state features nearly 9,000 miles of trout streams -321 miles of which are designated Gold Medal waters – and over 1,300 angling locations, all managed for high-quality fishing. Angling in Colorado equals opportunities to catch some 35 species of warm-water and cold-water fish.
In 2021, over one million fishing licenses were sold in Colorado. The sale of fishing licenses allows CPW to maintain and conserve fish habitat that promotes better fishing in the state.
For more information on fishing in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us/Fishing or read the 2022 Colorado Fishing Brochure – Pesca en Colorado (En Español)
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County administrative buildings closed for Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, Arapahoe County administrative buildings will be closed on Monday, May 30.
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Nephew Convicted of Stealing More Than $100,000 from Disabled Aunt
Brighton, CO — Today, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the At-Risk Theft conviction of Hilario Morehouse, 42. An Adams County Jury found Morehouse guilty on Friday, May 13, 2022, after five days of trial.
In 2008, Hilario Morehouse became the legal guardian and power of attorney for his disabled aunt who was in a care facility due to multiple sclerosis, dementia, and other health issues. As a result of the guardianship, Morehouse was in control of his aunt’s finances which included monies from a pension, a previous settlement, and funds owed to her minor daughter.
Between 2008 and 2019, Morehouse stole more than $100,000 from his disabled aunt who is non-verbal and is completely dependent on facility staff for all of her care. Morehouse claimed that his non-verbal aunt said he could use her $848 a month pension for himself. Morehouse also said that he spent some of the money on his minor cousin but was unable to provide any documentation or receipts to corroborate his claim. The defendant stole the majority of a $75,000 settlement which was intended to be used for the care of the at-risk victim’s minor daughter.
On Friday, May 13, 2022, Morehouse was convicted of:- Theft–At Risk Victim (F3)
- Theft (F4)
Morehouse will be sentenced on July 19, 2022, at 8:30am in Division M.
“The actions of this defendant are truly abhorrent. Mr. Morehouse preyed on a vulnerable, at-risk adult – his own aunt – and stole over $100,000 of her money, undoubtedly believing he would never be caught. We will not tolerate this criminal behavior. Individuals, like Mr. Morehouse, who prey on the vulnerabilities of our elderly and at-risk will be prosecuted and held accountable,” said District Attorney Brian Mason..”
The prosecution of this case was led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Alex Baker and Deputy District Attorney Danny Paulson of the Financial Crimes Unit in the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. -
Sheriff’s Office Asking for Help Finding Victims
CENTENNIAL- On May 18, 2022, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested ERIK OLDHAM, age 37, on the charges of
18- 3-405(1)(2) Sexual Assault on a Child F3
18-3-405.3 (1)(2) Sexual Assault on a Child (Position of Trust) F3 18-3-403(1.5) Unlawful Sexual Contact F4
18-3-305(1) Enticement of a Child F4
18-2-101 Criminal Attempt F4OLDHAM was the owner and coach of A+ Athletics in Centennial until August of 2021.
In late 2021 a victim came forward with information about inappropriate behavior with an athlete by OLDHAM.
OLDHAM is being held on a no-bond hold.If you or someone else believes they are a victim of OLDHAM, the Sheriff’s Office would like to speak with you.
Anyone with information is requested to call Investigator Schell at 720-874-4042
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2 seasons in 2 days as cold air, snow return to central US
“With trees leafing out in the lower and intermediate elevations, even a few inches of wet, clinging snow can cause problems ranging from limbs breaking to power outages and blocked roads,” cautioned AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist William Clark.
AccuWeather Global Weather Center – May 19, 2022 – Residents from the Rockies to the Plains to the Midwest have had weather more representative of the middle of summer over the past several days, but AccuWeather forecasters say that the warmth is about to come to an abrupt end with some locations plunging back into winter.
Thursday will be the final warm day in the region with temperatures ranging from the 80s F in Denver, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Valentine, Nebraska, to the century mark or above in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas.
A strong cold front will begin to dive southward through the northern Rockies on Thursday night and continue its southward journey through Friday.
Precipitation associated with the front will start off as rain in Wyoming and Colorado, but as temperatures tumble after the passage of the cold front, the rain will eventually change over to snow later Friday and Friday night.
Denver has the potential to get an unusual late-season snow accumulation with a few inches of snow in the forecast.
R2 seasons in 2 days as cold air, snow return to central US (Full Story) >>
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Department of Natural Resources Announces May Meeting of Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is holding the May meeting of the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board (Board). The Board was established by Governor Jared Polis to evaluate proposals concerning name changes, new names, and name controversies of geographic features and certain public places in the State of Colorado and then making official recommendations to the Governor.
The May meeting will review and consider a number of ongoing renaming requests including; Unnamed Feature to Cimarron Peak (USBGN Case 5113), Redskin Mountain to Mount Jerome (USBGN Case 5153). The Board will also hear an update from the subcommittee convened to consider renaming Negro Creek to Clay Creek in Delta County (USBGN Case 5279) and Negro Mesa to Clay Mesa in Delta County (USBGN Case 5280).
WHO: Members of the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board
WHAT: May meeting of the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 2022, 6 PM to 8 PM
WHERE: Find zoom contact info at: https://dnr.colorado.gov/initiatives/colorado-geographic-naming-advisory-board
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One Year Review: Colorado State Patrol Drone Program Reduces Road Closure Time While Improving First Responder Safety
(COLORADO) – One year ago, in May 2021, the Colorado State Patrol launched their new drone program for investigating fatal and felony crashes.
Now after reviewing the data from the first year in operations, the Colorado State Patrol has called their drone program a “resounding success.” By using drones in these types of crash scene investigations, the amount, quality, and accuracy of information collected far exceeded the previous methods used by the Colorado State Patrol. The result is a clear, concise, and easy to present representation of the scene and evidence.
Even more notable than the data collected is time saved. To date, these drones have been used to investigate 331 scenes totaling over 131 hours. Compared to previous investigation techniques used, it’s estimated to have saved 168 hours of work, which is a 56% reduction in on-scene investigation hours.
Reduced on scene time has also reduced road/lane closure time for those traveling in the area. “The more efficient we can be on the scene, the less our members are exposed to traffic and the dangers associated with working on the roadway,” said Captain Darrell Aulston of the Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crime Unit. “We also are able to limit the number of secondary crashes around these investigation scenes which have been known to cause significant injuries to other motorists as well as longer road closures.”
On June 14, we will remember Master Trooper William Moden, a member of the Victim’s Crime Unit, who was investigating a crash on I-70 near Deer Trail, Colorado three years ago when he was fatally struck by a passing vehicle. “The Colorado State Patrol will continue to look for avenues to conduct highly detailed, thorough and efficient investigations to ultimately improve the safety of our members and the motoring public,” said Captain Aulston.
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Rescue teams recover body of suspected drowning victim at Cherry Creek State Park on Saturday
Photo courtesy of CPW
AURORA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife and South Metro Fire Rescue crews located and recovered the body of the suspected 29-year-old male victim missing in the reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park since Saturday, May 7.
The victim was discovered at 11:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, on the bottom of the reservoir using a Marine Sonic Technology tow-fish sonar device, towed underwater just feet above the lake bottom. After the sonar identification of the suspected target, CPW’s Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT) members deployed a ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to get a video confirmation.
The victim was brought to the surface where a South Metro dive team turned the victim over to the Arapahoe County Coroner.
“Everybody involved didn’t give up, no matter what the circumstances were and this is a great result of that,” said Jason Trujillo, Cherry Creek State Park Manager. “We offer our deepest condolences and hope that this recovery will bring a little comfort to the family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”
A number of agencies played a hand in this colossal recovery effort that lasted seven days. Rescue crews participating the operation included South Metro Fire Rescue, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, CPW’s MERT Team and Park Rangers, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the American Red Cross, Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States and two fishing guides from Tightline Outdoors who volunteered to help with the search by running their own sonar units. All parties came together to recover the victim and bring him back to the family.
The Arapahoe County Coroner will determine a cause of death and make identification of the victim.
“In a situation like this, our No. 1 priority is to bring the victim back to the family,” said Jim Hawkins, leader of CPW’s MERT Team. “It is the families that keep us going during these recovery operations. This is very technical work that requires skill and experience. Not every recovery is the same and these searches are dynamic, but a well coordinated team effort among all agencies led to the recovery.”
On Saturday, May 7 at approximately 6:45 p.m. is when the victim went missing in the water after being separated from an inner-tube he was being towed on behind a boat. Water temperatures ranged between 56-60 degrees that day.
The victim was reportedly not wearing a life jacket.
This is the second drowning in Colorado this year. The first was a 24-year-old male on Jan. 26 at Chipeta Lake south of Montrose. In 2021 there were 22 total drownings in Colorado, which was down from the 34 drownings in 2020. That 2020 figure is the highest number of drownings on record in the state.
“We are also very thankful to the public for their patience while we resolved this matter,” Trujillo added, acknowledging the closure of the reservoir to boating for five days of this search.
Photo courtesy of CPWAURORA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife and South Metro Fire Rescue crews located and recovered the body of the suspected 29-year-old male victim missing in the reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park since Saturday, May 7.
The victim was discovered at 11:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, on the bottom of the reservoir using a Marine Sonic Technology tow-fish sonar device, towed underwater just feet above the lake bottom. After the sonar identification of the suspected target, CPW’s Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT) members deployed a ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to get a video confirmation.
The victim was brought to the surface where a South Metro dive team turned the victim over to the Arapahoe County Coroner.
“Everybody involved didn’t give up, no matter what the circumstances were and this is a great result of that,” said Jason Trujillo, Cherry Creek State Park Manager. “We offer our deepest condolences and hope that this recovery will bring a little comfort to the family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”
A number of agencies played a hand in this colossal recovery effort that lasted seven days. Rescue crews participating the operation included South Metro Fire Rescue, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, CPW’s MERT Team and Park Rangers, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the American Red Cross, Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States and two fishing guides from Tightline Outdoors who volunteered to help with the search by running their own sonar units. All parties came together to recover the victim and bring him back to the family.
The Arapahoe County Coroner will determine a cause of death and make identification of the victim.
“In a situation like this, our No. 1 priority is to bring the victim back to the family,” said Jim Hawkins, leader of CPW’s MERT Team. “It is the families that keep us going during these recovery operations. This is very technical work that requires skill and experience. Not every recovery is the same and these searches are dynamic, but a well coordinated team effort among all agencies led to the recovery.”
On Saturday, May 7 at approximately 6:45 p.m. is when the victim went missing in the water after being separated from an inner-tube he was being towed on behind a boat. Water temperatures ranged between 56-60 degrees that day.
The victim was reportedly not wearing a life jacket.
This is the second drowning in Colorado this year. The first was a 24-year-old male on Jan. 26 at Chipeta Lake south of Montrose. In 2021 there were 22 total drownings in Colorado, which was down from the 34 drownings in 2020. That 2020 figure is the highest number of drownings on record in the state.
“We are also very thankful to the public for their patience while we resolved this matter,” Trujillo added, acknowledging the closure of the reservoir to boating for five days of this search.
