Author: Sage Kelley
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Federal Heights starts audit of fire, police departments
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Finger pointing continues in Federal Heights. After a Federal Heights City Council executive session Tuesday evening, the council decided to start a financial audit of the city’s fire and police departments — just two weeks after unions representing the departments issued an anonymous vote of no confidence in City Manager Jacquie Halburnt. Mayor Linda Montoya…
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Evergreen High School shooting motive still unknown; parents won’t be charged
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The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office completed the investigation into the Evergreen High School shooting that shocked the county — and country — five months ago. Following the investigation, the parents of the shooter, 16-year-old Desmond Holly, won’t face charges regarding the gun Holly used, according to a Wednesday news release. The sheriff’s office is still…
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Lakewood Auto Theft Task Force shows off new forensic camera
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A small, four-pound camera looks to drastically change the way crime scenes are processed in Colorado. The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) and the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force began training local departments with its new forensics camera on Wednesday at the Lakewood Police Department. The goal is to cut down crime scene investigating…
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DougCo launches new alert and reporting systems
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Douglas County residents have a new way of getting up-to-date police alerts and reporting low-level crimes. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office rolled out its new emergency alert system, DougCoAlert, in January. It replaced the previous CodeRED system used by the county until November. The sheriff’s office cancelled the $65,000 annual contract with Crisis24, the company…
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Jeffco saw largest increase in homelessness rate in metro area last year
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Jefferson County saw the highest increase in the rate of homelessness in the metro area, though Denver still dwarfed its neighbor’s total number of homeless people. Jeffco saw a 27% increase in homelessness from 2024 to 2025 — the largest increase within the metro, according to Kerry Wrenick, regional homeless coordinator for the county. Those…
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Golden police chief temporarily steps away from role
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The same day a man was sentenced in the first on-duty death in Golden Police Department history, the police chief went on leave. Golden police announced that Chief Joe Harvey “temporarily” stepped away from the position on Jan. 21, according to a news release — the same day Stephen Geer was sentenced to 13 years…
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$200M in federal funds to be deployed in Denver area for heat pumps aimed at reducing emissions
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The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has officially launched a $200 million program to help reduce carbon emissions with heat pumps. The regional organization announced its new initiative, “Power Ahead Colorado,” which also includes partnerships with the Colorado Energy Office, Xcel Energy, Rewiring America and others to help achieve DRCOG’s goal of reducing greenhouse…
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Lakewood launches first 100% solar facility
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The new canopy covering the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center’s parking lot in Lakewood isn’t just for decoration — it’s powering the entire facility. The city of Lakewood cut the ribbon on its first on-site solar installation at a city facility Thursday, unveiling the Whitlock Recreation Center Solar Project after nearly four years of designing and…
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Douglas County Board of Commissioners selects new chairman
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The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will have a new chairman in 2026, but not a new face. Commissioner George Teal was chosen to serve as chairman on Jan. 13 after serving on the board since 2021, according to a news release from Douglas County. The commissioners switch leadership each year based upon a majority…
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Parents still waiting for Jeffco counselor plea deal on sexual assault charge
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A plea deal has been delayed again for the Jeffco Public Schools counselor who allegedly started a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student. Chloe Castro appeared in a Jefferson County District Court room in front of Judge Diego Hunt on Tuesday afternoon. Her defense attorney, Marshall Breit, noted that Castro would likely take a plea…
