Blog

Brighton, CO – Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the conviction and sentence for Robert Trujillo, 51, following his guilty plea to First-Degree Assault in Adams County District Court. On August 16, 2023, Brighton Police responded to Overland Trail Middle School on North 19th Avenue in reference to an individual with a felony domestic violence warrant who was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot. Robert Trujillo was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, and it was backed into a parking space. When Brighton Police Officers arrived, one parked in front of Trujillo’s vehicle and the other parked behind it. Trujillo attempted to back out and rammed into one of the BPD cars. Officer Alejandro Covarrubias confronted the defendant and attempted to place him under arrest. However, Trujillo resisted, put the car in drive, stepped on the gas pedal, and took off with Officer Covarrubias hanging onto the driver’s side door. The defendant slammed his vehicle into another car which violently knocked open the driver’s side door and hit Officer Covarrubias who received a fractured hip as a result. Trujillo crashed into two other cars in the parking lot, fled his vehicle, and ran into a nearby apartment. He was later apprehended. On September 27, 2024, Trujillo pleaded guilty to First-Degree Assault (Serious Bodily Injury with Deadly Weapon) (F3), and on January 8, 2025, Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin sentenced the defendant to 20 years in the Department of Corrections. “The actions of this defendant are truly outrageous,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “As you’ll see in the body cam video, this defendant nearly killed Officer Covarrubias when he attempted to flee. Our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way each and every day to protect our communities. I’m thankful for the work they do to keep us safe.”  “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day. I am proud of the actions taken by Officer Covarrubias and all the members of the Brighton Police Department team who worked to get this dangerous criminal off the streets and into custody,” said Chief Matthew Domenico, Brighton Police Department. “I want to thank our partners at the District Attorney’s Office for their efforts to hold this defendant accountable and am grateful for Officer Covarrubias’ hard work to recover from his injuries and return to the critically important job of protecting the Brighton community.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Whitney and Deputy District Attorney Michael Perez led the prosecution of this case. The video from Officer Covarrubias’ body camera can be found contained within this link,Covarrubias Body Cam. Please be advised it is graphic. A secondary body camera angle from Officer McKeehan can be found within this link, Mckeehan Body Cam.

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis, as directed by President Biden, ordered flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset for 30 days, starting on the day of former President Carter’s passing, December 29th, including a National Day of Mourning on January 9th, to honor the life and service of James Earl Carter, the 39th President of the United States.

“Today, as America begins to mourn the death of Former President Jimmy Carter I encourage Coloradans to join in honoring his 100 remarkable years of life, service, and leadership. We must continue to further the ideals that Former President Carter believed in, including deep compassion and protecting human rights and dignity,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Dec. 27, 2024

DENVER – Celebrate the New Year with fresh air and scenic views by participating in a First Day Hike at one of Colorado’s state parks. These guided hikes are organized annually to encourage individuals and families to start the year on the right foot – by getting outside and connecting with nature.

On Jan. 1, 2025, Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to participate in a First Day Hike at a Colorado state park. For a complete list of participating parks, visit the CPW Event Calendar.

This year, more than 1,000 hikes are available in state parks around the country. The distance and rigor of the hikes vary from park to park, but they all aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. Savor the beauty of the natural, cultural and historical resources our state parks offer, and be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.

Hikers can choose guided hikes that fit their comfort levels including mountain and hill climbing, walks along lakes, exploring trails that wind through forests, wildlife expeditions, and even adaptive adventures at various parks. From boating to fishing and horseback riding, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment from a park picnic table or bench, there is something for everyone in state parks.

To discover winter recreation activities at Colorado state parks and park pass options, visit cpw.state.co.us. 

Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support Colorado state parks and outdoor education programs for local communities. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild

Help Arapahoe County families stay healthy and avoid hunger this Thanksgiving and beyond by spreading the word about resources there to help. The County’s Public Health WIC program has a large list of community resources available to families, including local pantries that typically provide holiday food boxes as well as normal distributions. Resources include:

• Integrated Family Community Service’s drive-through Fresh Thanks Food Distribution on Saturday, Nov. 23. Gates open at 10:45 a.m. Event begins at 11:30 a.m. at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Sante Fe Dr. in Littleton. Registration not required.
• Register for a Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box at Empower Field at 1701 Bryant St. in Denver on Nov. 21.
• Visit the Salvation Army food pantry located at 802 Quari Ct. in Aurora. They are open Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., and 1–3 p.m.
• Register for a Thanksgiving food box or bi-monthly food box at Hope Starts Here at 19401 E. Chenango Dr. in Centennial.
• Find a local pantry via your zip code or address. Contact them for holiday basket offerings.
• Contact Hunger Free Colorado for food assistance online or by calling 855-855-4626.
• Plentiful connects people to food pantries on their website app.
• Kenzi’s Causes: provides toys for the holiday at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver on Dec. 5. Registration is required.

MEEKER, Colo – At the July 18-19, 2024 meeting, the Parks and Wildlife Commission heard proposed changes to regulations as follows. All final regulations approved at the July 18-19, 2024 meeting will go into effect on September 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted. Updated chapters include W-0, W-09, W-10, W-16, and P-01. FINAL REGULATIONS  Agenda Item 18.d: Chapter W-10 – “Nongame Wildlife” 2 CCR 406-10 (Step 1 of 1) (PERMANENT REGULATIONS) The Commission finalized emergency regulations related to cleanup of regulation #1000.D.2 to align it with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ 10(j) rule, 88 FR 77014. ISSUES IDENTIFICATION  Agenda Item 11: Chapter P-1 – “Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” 2CCR 405-1 (Step 1 of 2) Open for annual review of the entire chapter including, but not limited to, generally-applicable and property-specific requirements for, or restrictions on use of, parks properties controlled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Specific regulatory changes include the following: Adopting a permanent timed entry reservation system at Eldorado Canyon State Park. Updating the property specific hunting regulations for Fishers Peak. Adopting regulations for a limited spring turkey hunting opportunity at Lone Mesa State Park. Agenda Item 12: Chapter P-7 – “Passes, Permits and Registrations” – 2 CCR 405-7 (Step 1 of 2) The Commission is open for annual review of the entire chapter including, but not limited to, regulations pertaining to eligibility requirements and fees for individual and vehicle park passes, use permits, vessel, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle registrations and license agent requirements. Specific regulatory changes include, but are not limited to, the following: Removing Harmsen Ranch House from the Guest House Program at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Modifying the Aspen Leaf Lifetime pass program. Extending the Keep Colorado Wild pass refund opportunity for accidental purchases. Agenda Item 13: Chapter W-16 – “Parks and Wildlife Procedural Rules” 2 CCR 406-16 and those related provisions of Chapter P-1 (“Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” 2 CCR 405-1), Chapter P-7 (“Passes, Permits and Registrations” 2 CCR 405-7), Chapter W-8 (“Field Trials and Training of Hunting Dogs” 2 CCR 406-8), and Chapter W-9 (“Wildlife Properties” 2 CCR 406-9) necessary to accommodate changes to or ensure consistency with Chapter W-16 (Step 1 of 3) The Commission is open for consideration of changes to commercial use on state parks and state wildlife areas. CONSENT AGENDA (Agenda Item 25) Final Regulations  Agenda Item 25.1: Chapter P-1 – “Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” 2 CCR 405-1 The Commission finalized changes to the hunter reservation system at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Agenda Item 25.2: Chapter W-9 – “Wildlife Properties” 2 CCR 406-9 The Commission finalized changes necessary to: Ensure hunting access continuity on indemnity lands transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to the State Land Board. Remove Richard State Wildlife Area from regulation after the land was purchased and the lease was not renewed. (Effective date October 1, 2024.) Agenda Item 25.3: Chapter W-0 – “General Provisions” 2 CCR 406-0 (Step 1 of 1) (PERMANENT REGULATIONS) The Commission finalized increasing the fee for the Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Agenda Item 25.4: Chapter W-16 – “Parks and Wildlife Procedural Rules” 2 CCR 406-16 The Commission finalized modifying the procedure to request a public presentation be added to a commission meeting agenda. Issue Identification Agenda Item 25.5: Chapter W-14 – “Wildlife Rehabilitation” 2 CCR 406-14 Open for consideration to modify license distribution timing for wildlife rehabilitation. About CPW Commission Meetings A complete agenda along with all materials for public review for this meeting can be found on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the Commission at . Details on providing public comments at meetings are available on the CPW website. The Commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can view Commission meetings on Youtube. 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. Find out more about the Commission on the CPW website. The next Commission meeting is scheduled to take place on August 22-23 in Colorado Springs.