ERIE, Colo. The town of Erie is considering a new lodging tax that would apply to hotels and short-term rentals, with town leaders eyeing a November ballot measure as the Sundance Film Festival prepares to come to Boulder in 2027.

Town leaders say the tax would be funded by visitors, with revenue directed toward community improvements.

WATCH: Denver7's Boulder County reporter Colin Riley gets more details from Erie town leaders

According to the town's website, the tax would apply to any stays in hotels or short-term rentals where the visitor stays less than 30 days, with taxes being added to the visitor's bill.

Erie currently has no hotels, though one is in the planning stages, according to Erie Communications Director Gabi Rae.

Rae confirmed that hotel will not be ready in time for the 2027 festival. Still, the town is moving forward with plans to capture lodging tax revenue, particularly as surrounding cities begin filling up with bookings.

"What we're trying to do is narrow in on what ballot language could look like," Rae said.

Erie is collecting public feedback on the proposed tax as it works toward a potential ballot measure this fall.

"Getting a ballot measure on the ballot this fall is kind of a step one," Rae said.

Alongside the lodging tax, Erie is also working to establish short-term rental regulations before visitors arrive for Sundance.

"The town of Erie currently does not have regulations in our code for short-term rentals at all, so that is the second part of the conversation we need to have, and we'll be having this fall," Rae said.

Denver7's Colin Riley also spoke with local real estate agent Bri Ugalde with Ed Prather Real Estate, who said short-term rentals could offer homeowners more than just a way to cash in on tourism they could provide a financial lifeline for those who bought at a high price.

"A short-term rental could give homeowners another option to generate income and hold on to their properties, which then they would benefit from future appreciation rather than feeling pressured to sell," Ugalde said.

Still, Erie's new regulations will need to strike a balance between the short-term rental market and keeping housing accessible to buyers.

"I wouldn't be shocked if they do put some permitting and licensing restrictions around it," Ugalde said.

If voters approve the tax and short-term rental rules are finalized, collection could begin Jan. 1, 2027 just as Sundance visitors begin arriving in Boulder County.

"It's possible we missed the first iteration of Sundance, but the goal is to have it all in place in time for Sundance to be here," Rae said.

A fire ignited at the Front Range Landfill Tuesday morning, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue said.

Report of the fire first that ignited within the dump came in around 11:30 p.m. Monday, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue Mountain View Fire Rescue Communications Specialist Rick Tillery. Firefighters worked on mopping up the fire at the landfill until about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Residents near and around Erie could see some flames and smoke throughout Tuesday morning, Mountain View Fire Rescue advised.

Soldering could continue throughout Tuesday morning until landfill crews can get in there with heavy equipment to turn over the dirt and debris to fully put out the fire, Tillery told Denver7.

The Town of Erie is asking residents to refrain from turning on their sprinklers despite the unusually warm weather.

Erie officials said water demand is currently approaching 30% higher than usual for the time of year, and the town does not receive enough supply to meet that demand from irrigation systems.

Town of Erie Utilities Director Todd Fessenden told Denver7's Tyler Melito that if the demand continued, there was a real possibility the town could run out of water for a few days.

"Its a very hard call to make," Fessenden said. "You don't want to make it. It impacts people. It's frustrating for everyone. But we again, have to look out primarily, first and foremost, for life, safety and health."

In winter, the Town of Erie typically uses about 2 million gallons of water per day and the system can only deliver about 3.5 million gallons per day. When sprinkler systems turn on in the summer, water demand generally jumps to 11 million gallons of water per day, the Town of Erie said on social media.

Fessenden said the town gets water from a few different sources, including the Colorado River via the Colorado Big Thompson Project.

"Our winter supplies are much smaller than our summer supplies. Normally, we won't see irrigation starting up till around mid April to late April," Fessenden said.

Erie warned residents it would monitor sprinkler use to ensure there's enough water for fire hydrants in case of emergencies, and for people to have enough drinking water at home.

The town threatened to turn off the water taps on properties if residents and HOAs or businesses don't comply with town orders. For large HOAs, the town would shut off only irrigation water. For individual households, the town would cut off water service to the entire home.

Residents may see sprinklers running in parks, according to the town, but that's because they're using non-potable water while home owners use treated drinking water.

"This is an extraordinary measure for an extremely precarious situation," the town's alert stated. "The town does not take turning off water taps lightly, we are also expecting windy conditions in the coming days which will increase fire danger."

The restrictions apply to sprinklers and turf watering, but not to hand-watering trees, shrubs or gardens.

Brett Bartscherer was tending to his lawn when Denver7's Melito met up with him. He was planning to use his sprinkler this weekend before getting the notice to conserve.

"I will comply. I am a rule-follower. But it did. It did come as a bit of a shock," Bartscherer said.

He questioned the town's thought process on the timing of the request.

"It kind of felt like we're unprepared," Bartscherer said. "Why are we all of a sudden in a shortage when we've known that there hasn't been any rain?"

The order is in place through the end of March. Starting April 4, residents at even-numbered addresses may begin irrigation. Residents at odd-numbered addresses may begin on April 6.

Erie residents can get more information here or ask town leadership questions at 303-926-2701.

ERIE, Colo. Whether it is hitting the trail or strolling through Briggs Street, the people who call Erie home know the community makes this town shine. The charming nature is instantly felt when stepping foot into the town locals explained that is part of the reason several chose to live there.

"Small town does mean outdoors, and I would say up and coming with restaurants... And then personally, what I like community-wise for kids in general there's a lot of adaptive programs for kids with disabilities. So, I think integration is really great here," explained Carly Brooks Rogers, a community member.

Besides the small-town feel, Denver7 | Your Voice listened to business owners about serving the community and the challenges some see firsthand. A main topic of conversation centered around the growth in the area, which has trickled into the historic main street.

"It's definitely the growth, but you know, one of the cool things has been to see that amount of people kind of moving to the area, all the different businesses that have kind of popped up," said Dan Gump, co-owner of Briggs Street Books and Music. "I think a lot of people have that sense of wanting to add something to it, and they see other people opening businesses. There's just there's a lot of creative people here."

Locals are aware of more foot traffic in the area and how this will also bring more cars onto the roadways. During our Denver7 | Your Voice visit, one concern about growth was how it could impact traffic, along with crime.

Denver7's Maggy Wolanske sat down with the Town of Erie Chief of Police Lee Mathis to understand how the department is keeping up with the community's needs. Mathis was sworn in as chief in 2023, but has been with the department for over 21 years.

"It's like a new year every year. Erie's growing so fast that I constantly feel like it's a new challenge, a new problem that we're dealing with, so even though I've been here 21 years, each year feels new," Mathis said.

As traffic has increased with Erie's growth, the police department has developed strategies to keep drivers safe on the increasingly busy roads.

"We actually started a traffic unit in 2021," said Mathis. "I believe it started out with one officer and now has four, so we have a sergeant and three officers just dedicated to traffic and all they do is go out there to those problem areas where we may have a complaint of speeding or construction or a high accident location, and they concentrate their enforcement and their traffic safety efforts in those areas and that's what we'll do as we grow."

Construction is happening outside the police department, with Mathis explaining they are going through a 37,000-square-foot expansion, which is expected to be done in late 2027. He said the building was built in 2014 to house 50 officers, and they currently have 47.

"So, that will help us hire up to 100-plus officers to serve the town as it grows, and will give us bigger evidence storage that will give us a place to process vehicles, and it'll give the officers the areas they need to do the specialized duties that they have," Mathis said.

Looking to the future, the department plans to grow to 60 officers by 2030. Mathis emphasized that besides reaching this number, he's also focusing on building the right culture from the ground up.

"We go out, and we respond with compassion and professionalism, and so I'm looking for that person who wants to make that connection in the community," Mathis said. "That isn't necessarily going to be putting handcuffs on everybody every single day, but you're going to make a connection with the community and give them the level of service that they expect."

Denver7 | Your Voice listened to the appreciation locals have for their trails, open spaces, and accessible playground equipment in Erie.

Luke Bolinger, Town of Erie's director of parks and recreation, explained that they maintain 13 neighborhood parks, 82 miles of trails, and over 1,500 acres of open space.

"Well, I think what we learned in COVID is parks and open spaces were really the only places that you could go to, that you could visit, and maybe socialize with people," Bolinger said. "So, it's really important, not just from a physical standpoint, but we think about the social and the mental well-being of community members in these spaces that we maintain and build."

Looking out on Coal Creek Park, Bolinger explained how the park can be activated year-round, as they can turn the splash pad into an ice rink. Construction could also be seen at the park for a pedestrian bridge that will help connect people from the trail directly into the park.

"We're constantly looking at all aspects of our system and making sure that we're providing equitable access across the system without overburdening the taxpayers in our system," Bolinger said. "We try to be really smart in where we're planning new parks and new open spaces and new amenities because in 20, 30 years, we don't know what's going to happen."

To address potential community concerns, Bolinger explained the organization's systematic approach for replacing damaged equipment and ensuring staff stay up-to-date with necessary updates.

"We have an incredible asset tracking system here in Erie. Every table, every bench, every irrigation system, every playground," Bolinger said. "We know how old it is and what it's going to cost to replace, so we can pretty accurately predict when we need to replace that and I think hopefully that gives the community that kind of warm and fuzzy (feeling) that we're taking care of our infrastructure and we're planning appropriately for growth, especially as new communities come online as well."

Behind all the growth in Erie is the collective strength of local leaders determined to preserve the town's character while also embracing its future.

"They're real people behind these great parks and facilities we have," Bolinger said. "So, it's really just making sure that you're taking care of the people that help you build the system."

Denver7 | Your Voice

ERIE, Colo. Perfectly positioned between Denver and Boulder is the town of Erie, with a charming main street that brings together local businesses and the loyal community members who support their favorite spots. Denver7 | Your Voice visited the area to hear from the people who live and work there about what makes this place so special.

Briggs Street bustles with businesses and local stores and is known as the Old Town district. Denver7 | Your Voice stopped inside Fox Dog Coffee to experience the local flavor and community charm firsthand. Steph Hauser and her husband opened the doors to the business in 2019. Since then, they have been serving up coffee drinks and bites to eat.

"Our biggest mission in building Fox Dog was to create a space where the community could come together, and our biggest motto is love, serve, inspire," Hauser said. "So, what we do is we sort of want to create the environment for our friends here in Erie to come and feel like they can be loved on, they can be served, but they can also serve and love each other."

Having been in the business for seven years, Hauser has witnessed the area's remarkable growth and the community's generous heart.

"There is nothing like this group of people here in Erie," Hauser said. "They are so supportive of each other. They are so wanting to do good for their neighbors. We've seen that time and time again. We just have such a lucky vantage point from behind the counter here."

Behind the counter, customers can see a mural depicting the town of Erie and the surrounding cities. Hauser understands the importance of the town's location and its ability to bring together people from all walks of life.

"It's become the sort of nucleus for big families, starting families, people who are retiring," Hauser said. "You have this incredible mix of people who have been here for decades and decades, and seeing the city change over time, and us coming in we get to be a part of that change."

On a cold January day, Larry Faulks and Seajay Crosson were inside the business enjoying a warm drink along with the pastry. The two moved from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Erie to be closer to family.

"It's a different world here. I'm familiar with Texas plants and Arkansas plants, and she's familiar with Indiana plants and Arkansas plants," Faulks said. "But Colorado is a different world."

While the two moved to an unknown place, they quickly discovered the strong sense of community and the immense pride many have for Erie.

"When we moved here, a couple neighbors actually brought us over cookies, and I don't think I've ever lived somewhere where neighbors brought us cookies," Crosson said.

When it comes to the biggest challenges of living in Erie, the two expressed concerns about the rapid growth impacting the small-town charm and the lack of grocery stores nearby.

"You actually have to get in the car and go quite some distance to get some groceries, and then another thing: It's mostly restaurants here. So, I wish there was a fuller array of businesses so that we didn't have to drive so much to other places," Crosson said.

Carly Brooks Rogers was another customer enjoying a cup of coffee. Originally from Washington, she moved to Erie to stay close to family and loved that it felt like a safe place to call home.

"I was kind of deciding between places and wanted to be closer to family, and I had only been here during the winter, actually, because I used to work with a ski team, so I would go to the mountains, and then I would come here and see my aunt. So, I just wanted to be closer, and it was a cute small little town," Rogers said.

During her time living in Erie, Rogers has watched the town become "up and coming" and wonders how the continued growth might impact crime and traffic.

Just a couple of blocks from the coffee shop is Briggs Street Books and Music, run by Casey and Dan Gump. The store celebrated a major milestone recently: one full year in business after opening on Feb. 1, 2025.

"We wanted to add something to the community down here, and we really love it down here," Dan Gump said. "So, we need more retailers."

The store is located inside the Coal Park building and is upstairs next to the restaurant Piripi. Besides books, records are on sale, where there is a listening station for customers to enjoy.

"Music brings people together, and so we wanted that kind of space that like, you can just come out, you can come hang out and go sit at the listening station and listen to some music," he said. "Buy a book, sit in the corner, hang out, go grab a cup of coffee and come down, or have dinner across the hall."

While the business is fairly new to the area, Gump has lived in Erie since 2020 and has watched more people discover the town alongside the other local businesses that have opened.

"It's growing, it's changing. We've got new restaurants coming in. We've got new retail things coming in, and it's just I would say it's very up and coming, and give it a shot," Gump said.

A short drive from the Old Town district is Lil' Buckaroo's Petting Zoo, which opened in 2021. The farm manager, Martina Carlucci, said there are 40 animals total, including miniature donkeys, miniature belted galloway cows, alpacas, and more.

"It's really cool to see people come in here and just light up and laugh and giggle when they're feeding the goats, and it's a really big confidence builder for little kids as well, to go in there with an animal that's maybe larger than their comfort zone," Carlucci said.

Growing up around horses, Carlucci said she went to college for horse management and has always wanted to be around these animals. She first started working on the property on the horse boarding side and then moved over to the petting zoo.

"There's a ton of benefits to being with animals from a mental standpoint. It also gets people outside, and you're able to meet people in your area. It's a fun rainy day activity," Carlucci said.

Over the years, she has also seen firsthand how Erie has developed.

"Even just when I moved here a couple of years ago, there were a lot less neighborhoods around us, so I've been here about four years," said Carlucci. "There's been some pretty rapid growth around here."

As more people move to Erie and call it home, Carlucci believes the town's small business community will flourish alongside it.

Denver7 | Your Voice

An 18-year-old died, and another was seriously hurt after a car crash that engulfed the vehicle in flames in the early morning hours on Sunday in Erie, the Erie Police Department said.

Just after 12 a.m. Sunday, Erie police officers were called to a single-vehicle crash on Erie Parkway where they found the car on fire. Officers extricated the driver and a passenger from the vehicle. The driver, an 18-year-old man from Commerce City, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The passenger was also an 18-year-old man from Commerce City. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to Erie police.

The initial investigation into what happened found the driver was speeding on eastbound Erie Parkway when it crossed the median into westbound lanes and hit and a bridge guardrail, damaging part of the bridge.

Erie Parkway was closed in both directions from Colliers Boulevard to Ambrose Street until around 9 a.m. Sunday. This was the second serious wreck in this area over the weekend, according to Erie police.

A 2-year-old died in a hit-and-run crash in Erie on Sunday afternoon, according to the Town of Erie Police Department.

Officers responded to the wreck around 4:40 p.m. Sunday in the neighborhood east of Mountain View Boulevard and north of Village Vista Drive. Despite efforts to try and save the toddler's life, Erie police said the 2-year-old succumbed to injuries from the crash.

It's not clear from police whether the child was on foot or inside a vehicle at the time of the collision.

Erie police are looking for the driver who left the scene of the wreck and asking that person to come forward. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call 303-441-4444.

This was the third series traffic incident over the weekend in Erie, according to police.

An avocado tree warming apparatus catching fire spread to an Erie home on Saturday night, Mountain View Fire Rescue announced Monday.

When the Lafayette Fire Department and Mountain View Fire Rescue crews arrived at the home, the warming apparatus was on fire and had spread to the siding of the home.

The homeowners and the neighbors helped limit the spread of the flames, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue. They started dousing the fire with buckets of water.

Firefighters then finished extinguishing the flames before they reached the interior of the home.

Mountain View Fire Rescue advised plant owners put warm weather flora, like an avocado tree, in a container gardening system that can be rolled into a garage when frigid temperatures move into the area.

The Mountain View Fire Rescue fire marshal has declared the cause of the fire "undetermined" though because he found several possible sources for the fire at the home, including Christmas tree lights, in addition to the avocado tree warming apparatus.

A mandatory shelter-in-place order was issued for an Erie neighborhood Thursday morning amid a search for a hit-and-run suspect.

The suspect was reportedly on foot in the area of Eagle View Place and Vale Way, according to the Erie Police Department. Right Start Preschool was in the area included in the shelter-in-place order, but it did not appear in effect long enough to impact start times for students.

The shelter-in-place order was issued around 6:40 a.m. Thursday. Officers asked people in the area to stay inside and not call 911 unless in immediate danger. Those impacted were told to monitor updates here.

It ended not long after it was issued around 7:06 a.m., and everyone was instructed to return to normal activities.

A near-absence of snow this winter has upended some Denver metro area businesses while giving others an unexpected boost.

Joe Carley is co-owner of Curascapes in Brighton, a commercial landscaping company with a fleet of 20 snow plows. He said that with almost no snow to plow, winter revenue so far is about 25% less than at this point in previous years.

What that means for our employees is less hours and less income for them, Carley said. Which is a little bit unfortunate, especially after the holidays.

Carley said crews have shifted to more cleanup work, like leaf removal and tree trimming, and have been using their water truck on plants they maintain to make up for the lack of precipitation.

Meanwhile, golf courses are enjoying heavier traffic. Nolan Dodson, first assistant professional at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, said the course which is home to the University of Colorado golf team has seen rounds surge as would-be skiers opt for the links.

Our projected rounds in January was 153 for the whole month, Dodson said. Weve already cracked that on Jan. 2.

The club has an indoor practice facility that has seen barely any use this winter, though that may change soon. There is a chance of snow across the Denver metro later this week, especially on Thursday and Friday.

We're crossing our fingers, Carley said. We're hopeful that we're going to get a bunch of snow.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. A former Arvada High School English teacher was arrested Monday for allegedly creating and distributing sexually explicit content involving juveniles in hypnotic poses, according to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office.

Patricio Alejandro Illanes, 39, was booked into the Boulder County Jail on several charges, including 40 counts of sexual exploitation of a child creating, distributing, and possessing.

At the time of his arrest, Illanes was an English teacher at Arvada Senior High School. He was immediately placed on leave and later terminated, the sheriffs office said.

Illanes' arrest followed an investigation spanning several months, which was conducted by the countys digital forensics lab and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives began looking into the former teacher in September 2025, after they received multiple CyberTips from Meta regarding an accountlater identified as Illanesallegedly creating and selling sexually explicit content.

The sheriff's office said that a search of Illanes phone uncovered videos of apparent juveniles engaged in sexual acts, shared across encrypted messaging apps and paid pornography platforms.

Investigators say Illanes also filmed juveniles performing scripts in front of a green screen while mimicking a hypnotic state, later editing the footage for sexual purposes. Platforms have since removed the content and deactivated his accounts.

Four outofstate individuals have been identified so far, all confirming they were minors during these recorded hypnotic role-play sessions, which, according to the sheriff's office, led to them removing articles of clothing and performing sexually explicit acts at Illanes instruction.

Investigators said they also found additional hypnosisstyle images that appear to show clothed students in a school setting.

Previous employers and school programs where he had access to youthincluding facilities in Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Erie, Denver, and Arvadahave been notified and cooperated with the investigation.

Below is a list of programs and schools where Illanes was known to have access to students:

2010-2015: City of Longmont Children and Youth Services, Longmont, CO

2013-2025: TGTHR (formerly known as Attention Homes) in Boulder and Longmont, CO

2013-2017: New Meridian Alternative High School (formerly known as Olde Columbine) Longmont, CO

2015-2021: Longmont Library Children and Teens Section, Longmont, CO

2017-2019: Centaurus High School, Lafayette, CO

2019-2020: Mapleton School District (intern), Denver, CO

2019-2023: Erie Middle School, Erie, CO

2019-2023: Erie High School, Erie, CO

2024-2025: Arvada Senior High School, Arvada, CO

Authorities are seeking information from current or former students, coworkers, or anyone with additional details related to the case, and urge potential victims to contact the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where any suspected victimization occurred.

ERIE, Colo. Four burglary suspects were arrested early Wednesday morning after a homeowner called 911 to report seeing a masked person trying to break into their home in Erie.

The Erie Police Department said around 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday, the department received a report from a 911 caller who said a masked person had tried to enter their home on Quarry Circle in the Colliers Hill neighborhood through a locked door.

Officers responded and began search the area for any suspicious individuals.

Within minutes, they found a suspect vehicle near Pinecliff Drive and County Road 3 and conducted a high-risk traffic stop, the department said.

All four people inside the car each considered a burglary suspect were detained. Officers also found masks, gloves and burglary tools inside the car.

Police have recommended the following charges in this case:

The district attorney office will determine formal charges.

Police said this case is likely linked to other crimes reported earlier in the week.

"The Erie Police Department would like to thank those who came forward and contacted the police," the department said. "This case highlights the importance of residents remaining alert and reporting suspicious activity promptly, as timely information can prevent crimes and keep our neighborhoods safe."

No other details were available as of publishing time.

Anybody with additional information is asked to contact the Erie Police Department and reference case number 25-3523.

ERIE, Colo. (AP) Gus the turkey has been spending Thanksgiving week much differently than millions of other unlucky gobblers across the U.S.

As he trots in a sprawling animal sanctuary on the Colorado plains, he is stopped every few steps by staff who pet him, hug him or even give him a peck on his red face. Gus has been there since 2023 after being pardoned by the governor.

What do you think? Do you want to do snuggles today? Lanette Cook, education and engagement manager at the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie, says to Gus.

Gus is among a growing number of turkeys that are being adopted instead of being covered in gravy and eaten at Thanksgiving dinner tables.

An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting this alternative version of Thanksgiving in which families adopt turkeys and donate money to their lifelong care. In return, they receive photos, certificates and sometimes even one-on-one visits with the birds.

The goal: Spare a few of the tens of millions of turkeys slaughtered this time of year, many of which are raised in what animal rights advocates say are inhumane conditions in factory farms.

Some people will adopt for themselves and feature their turkeys photo on their Thanksgiving table, while others will gift the adoptions to friends or family members.

At Luvin Arms, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo and either a virtual or in-person visit, explained Kelly Nix, its executive director. Since launching the program in 2022, the sanctuary, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Denver, has seen the number of sponsorships double every year. And this year theyre on track to reach their goal of $18,000, she said.

Luvin Arms' website features Gus and a gaggle of turkeys along with their personality traits (Gus is very talkative!) as part of its sponsor-a-turkey program. It encourages the public to donate for the birds for Thanksgiving and maybe even rethink their holiday traditions.

The funds have helped pay for extending the turkeys outdoor pasture area, along with feeding and rescuing more turkeys. They've helped with veterinary bills, which can sometimes cost thousands of dollars because of the medical complications that arise for turkeys that come from factory farms, which breed them to grow very big in a short period of time, said Nix. In the wild, turkeys tend to live an average of three or four years, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

But the sanctuary says the program is about more than just the turkeys or money. Theres also an important educational factor, whether learning about the conditions in factory farms or that turkeys are more than just centerpieces.

Even if it makes you stop and double think what it is youre about to do, said Nix. Or that youre like, wow this is a life of a sentient being, for us thats a conversation starter.

Farm Sanctuary, which is located in New York and California, is believed to be the first to launch this type of turkey adoption program, kicking it off in 1986. Gene Baur, its president and co-founder, said initially the public was not only confused about the program but about the concept of rescuing farm animals altogether.

In the nearly four decades since, the sanctuary has rescued thousands of turkeys. And the public has not only caught on to the concept but in some years has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars, Baur said.

We grow up with certain traditions. But just because something is a tradition doesnt mean that it needs to remain as a tradition, said Baur.

Barn Sanctuary has had a similar program since 2023 in Chelsea, Michigan. Chase DeBack, its advocacy, education and engagement coordinator, said its about shining a more positive light on the birds and their distinct personalities.

He rattles off some of the organization's residents like they're close friends: Lewis isn't much of a people person but loves spending times with the girls. Sabrina and Hilda are always interested in what people are bringing into the coop and what everyone's doing.

You only hear about kind of the dead turkeys," said DeBack. "And so we really wanted to shine a light on the unique personalities that turkeys have and how loving and caring they are for humans and for each other.

___

Golden reported from Seattle.

ERIE, Colo. The Weld County Coroners Office released on Monday the identities of the two people killed in a single-engine plane that crashed during an instructional flight near the Erie Municipal Airport earlier this month.

Niles Tilenius, 22, of San Mateo County, California, and William Johnston, 21, of Hillsborough County, Florida, were killed on Oct. 19 when their ultra-light JMB Aircraft went down near the runway.

The aircraft had been performing touch-and-go landings and was on its fifth approach when it entered a nose-low spin and crashed into a grassy area just east of the runway, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Additionally, the NTSB noted that witnesses reported seeing the plane tumbling before impact, and that the airframe parachute system was not deployed.

According to his LinkedIn.com profile, Tilenius was a flight instructor and had recently been accepted into United Airlines Aviate Program.

The NTSBs investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

More than two dozen law enforcement agencies executed nine search warrants early Wednesday across the Front Range, leading to five arrests and the dismantlement of an alleged organized crime ring, according to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

Law enforcement officers, led by the Boulder County District Attorneys Office, targeted locations in Boulder and Adams counties, as well as the cities of Denver, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Federal Heights, Johnstown, and Commerce City.

Dougherty said the group was responsible for 26 burglaries, 15 vehicle thefts, and other offenses across Colorado.

The following five people were arrested during Wednesday's operation:

One person, Kimberly Salas, 30, remains at large.

According to a press release, the operation is part of a grand jury investigation that began last year, and the crime ring allegedly stole vehicles, re-titled them using fake documents, and registered them under "MMZ International LLC."

Dougherty said the cars stolen by the suspects were used in garage burglaries and vehicle trespasses. He said the suspects often targeted high-end bicycles and trafficked them to Mexico for resale. They allegedly used bear spray for protection.

"They were breaking into cars and then using stolen cars to commit other crimes. And in some of these cars, they found garage door openers, and they would use those garage door openers to then break into people's garages," Dougherty said during a press conference Wednesday.

The Boulder County DA said the group also possessed distribution-level quantities of methamphetamine and illegal firearms.

Prior attempts to apprehend suspects led to high-speed chases, according to the release.

Four of the suspects face Colorado's Organized Crime Control Act charges, which carry a maximum of 24 years in prison. Two others face lesser charges.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said there may be more suspects or victims involved in the crime ring, and urges anyone with information to report it.

A man living at one of the properties searched by authorities Wednesday morning was still shaken up several hours later and reached out to Denver7 to share his experience.

Patrick Oullette, who lives in Adams County, said he used to rent a home on his property to Adrian Martinez until about 18 months ago.

Oullette and his current renter told Denver7 that mail for Martinez is still occasionally delivered to the property. Oullette said he would not have rented to Martinez if he knew he was allegedly involved in a crime ring.

"Kind of surprised me because I always thought he was too lazy to do anything," Oullette told Denver7 Wednesday.

Oullette also expressed concern with how the search was conducted, and that he is upset with the property damage authorities left behind, including a broken truck window and a damaged door. He also took issue with his renter, a young mother, being handcuffed in front of her young son. The renter told Denver7 her son was also still shaken from the experience.

"It took me an hour and a half to get 'em to give me a search warrant," Oullette said. "Im 100% all for law enforcement, but this was horribly mishandled."

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) registered a 2.9 magnitude earthquake near Dacono, Colorado Friday morning.

Denver7 got calls and emails from viewers saying they felt their homes shaking and even loud booms in parts of Thornton and Erie, so Wanya Reese headed north of the Denver metro area.

"It kind of felt like a door slamming, like my heavy garage door slamming," Dacono resident Kyle Browski told Reese.

The USGS said the reported earthquake happened around 6:18 a.m. 145 people told the USGS they felt its ripple effects, as of 7:29 a.m. The USGS said the intensity varied from weak north of Firestone to moderate near Sherwood. That is based on what people observe or feel during an earthquake, according to the Colorado Geological Survey.

Anyone who felt the earthquake can report it to the USGS here.

There are five faults in Colorado, according to the Colorado Geological Survey, and three of those faults have generated earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or greater. There have been more than 700 recorded earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or higher since 1867, the Colorado Geological Survey said.

The state does experience fewer and less frequent earthquakes on average, though, than more active states like California and Alaska.

This is not your regular Uber ride. You can book a driver through the app like normal, but one co-pilot is adding a special surprise to some Coloradans rides.

He loves a good scratch, parks and of course the regular "good boy!" Bowie the 'Uber Dog' has quickly become an internet sensation, after tagging along as Kevin Furman's co-pilot, while picking up Uber fares.

Furman started driving for Uber more than a decade ago, but only started bringing Bowie along last year. Furman took in Bowie as a rescue dog, after his friend posted Bowie for adoption on Instagram. The connection was immediate.

I saw him on Instagram, and I knew he was the dog for me," Furman said. "I drove seven hours to get him."

The long drive was worth it for Furman. Now this man's best friend spend hours in the car every week.

Bowie suffers from separation anxiety, so on a whim one day, Furman decided to bring Bowie with him for an Uber fare and the rest was history.

"I guess I was blessed with an Uber dog," Furman said.

After seeing the thrilled reactions of his riders, Furman started filming the interactions and it didnt take long before their adorable dynamic went viral. The duo amassed more than 400,000 followers on Instagram and started making regular media appearances.

Its kind of crazy how fast things have grown, Furman said. Were just along for the ride.

Bowies charm is undeniable. Hes a natural at riding shotgun during Uber trips, greeting passengers with excitement.

For Furman, the ultimate goal is to spread the word about rescuing dogs.

I hope people watch our videos and think about adopting a dog. There are so many animals out there who need a home, and Bowies story shows how special it can be, Furman said.

Whether its cruising around town, surprising passengers with their favorite four-legged co-pilot or sharing life lessons along the way, Furman and Bowie are redefining the Uber experience.

If youre ever in the Boulder area and need a ride, dont be surprised if you end up with a co-pilot whos as good at navigating the streets as he is at winning hearts.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. Last month, Boulder County officials approved a plan for the construction of a new pedestrian path, stretching from the City of Boulder to the Town of Erie.

The Boulder to Erie Regional Trail, or B.E.R.T., will be the newest addition to Boulder County's Regional Trail Program. The project is estimated to stretch 8.5 miles and cost about $30 million to construct.

The Boulder County Regional Trails program is an effort to plan, design, and construct a network of largely soft-surface multi-use trails that connect communities within Boulder County.

"The goal of the B.E.R.T., Boulder to Erie Regional Trail Plan, was to find a reasonably implementable, safe, multi-purpose route that would have the least amount of impact on ecological cultural resources, as well as on adjacent properties," said Boulder Regional Trails Planner Tonya Luebbert.

The director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Erie, Luke Bolinger, said he looks forward to the opportunities this trail will afford residents, especially commuters in Erie.

"Erie is very much a bedroom community, and we have a lot of people going out of area in the mornings and coming into Erie at night," he said.

A lot of people commute to major employment centers, like in Boulder, he said.

"This would be an awesome commuter trail, because then I don't have to get on the road. I can go from my front porch all the way to my front office door," Bolinger said.

This is the chosen alignment for the new trail:

Boulder County decided on this alignment for its "safety, user experience, and minimal impact on adjacent properties," according to the B.E.R.T. Plan. Much of this alignment will be placed inside of an existing, unused RTD railbed.

Now, officials will find funding for a detailed design that is expected to be completed in 2025. Public feedback opportunities will be available once the design plan is completed.

You can stay up-to-date at the Boulder-to-Erie Regional Trail website.

Erie police are searching for a suspicious man who might have a handgun, the Town of Erie Police Department posted on its emergency blog.

It sent Erie Elementary and Middle Schools to shelter in place Thursday morning after a student reported the man once the child arrived at school, Erie PD said on the social media site X.

"Unmanned aerial systems" were deployed, according to the Town of Erie emergency blog, and the Erie Community Center was put on lockdown.

The shelter-in-place order for both schools was lifted between 30 minutes and an hour later.

No one matching the description of the man was found in the area, according to Erie PD. He was described as having a long red beard and wearing a white shirt, black sweatpants and blue baseball cap, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 303-441-4444.

ERIE, Colo. In the middle of an Erie neighborhood, surrounded by homes and walking trails, an old oil and gas well leaked and contaminated the ground.

The operator, Civitas, discovered the leak late last year and is working to clean up the area. As excavators dig up soil this week, some living in the community are worried about potential health risks and are calling on local and state officials to share more information.

Sara Amodio has lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. She knew about the well when her family moved in. But she never expected a leak.

Amodio can see the cleanup process taking place from her backyard. She has a rare lung condition known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. During the cleanup, she wears a mask whenever she goes outside and has air filters running inside.

It's a known trigger for my condition, she said.

Civitas discovered the leak last November. The well, known as Erie 1-24, was drilled in 1982. Civitas told Denver7 it was part of its normal course of business to remove all of the legacy equipment and restore the area.

"During our plugging and reclamation, we identified some stained soil and immediately notified state regulators and the Town of Erie before removing and replacing with fresh topsoil, a Civitas spokesperson said.

Civitas removed the old wellbore and started removing contaminated soil earlier this year. Now, the company is excavating more soil after tests showed some chemicals remained.

Civitas told Denver7, As with all of our plugging and reclamation efforts, we work closely with state and local regulators to follow all regulations, which remain the toughest in the country.

Colorados top agency overseeing oil and gas, the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, told Civitas it should post signs in conspicuous locations and share an informational sheet with neighbors, according to conditions of approval on the agencys website. Denver7 did see a sign this week warning residents, Reclamation dig in process. Do not enter.

Amodio said she didnt receive an informational handout from Civitas, and it's been challenging to get information from the company beyond what it is legally required to provide. A Civitas spokesperson said the company sent notices to nearby residents and gave presentations about the cleanup process.

Up until last week, that space was wide open, and people were walking their dogs right on top of where the well used to be, she said.

Given Amodios health condition and her background as an educator, she has been particularly concerned about potential health risks. She said although the Town of Erie posts updates on oil and gas operations, including this cleanup, she worries her neighbors still arent aware.

It blows my mind that the Town of Erie is not doing more for families here to address this issue, knowing that we have so many young kids in this community, said Amodio.

She decided to create her own website and passed out flyers in her neighborhood to share updates.

David Frank, the Town of Eries environmental services director, said its all too common to discover leaks during the decommissioning of old, out-of-service wells.

Until five years ago, local governments didnt have much of a say in Colorados oil and gas operations. But a 2019 law gave places like Erie more control over regulations.

As long as we want to have energy security and domestic oil and gas production, there will be, unfortunately, environmental and health consequences, Frank said. It's our role as a local government to try to limit those to the degree possible, while still respecting private rights, not only of residents, but of businesses and landowners, he said.

Currently, in Erie, at least eight old wells are being plugged. And even for wells considered permanently cleaned up, Frank said all of those wells will likely need attention at some point in the future. Whether that is decades or centuries, it's hard to say.

Frank said updates on oil and gas can be technical and challenging to track down for the average person. Erie does its "very best to distill that information into something digestible, something useful to residents, as quickly as we can, he said. However, its difficult for Erie to answer questions about potential health risks.

We at the town simply don't have the resources and the capacity to make health-based assessments, Frank said. We really don't have a good understanding, from my point of view, of what are healthy, safe exposure levels.

In the case of the well in Amodios neighborhood, Frank said, "When this neighborhood was built, the developer built homes as close to this well as they could. And in my opinion, those homes are likely a bit closer than they should be.

Frank said Erie updated its code to prevent future drilling that close to homes. But he said its still very new for local governments to take on these issues, and the town is learning as it goes. Thats left concerned residents like Amodio frustrated.

"What are the short-term and long-term effects here? We don't know. And we deserve that information, Amodio said.

A brush fire briefly shut down part of Highway 52 near Lafayette amid critical fire weather conditions that were expected to remain in effect for much of eastern Colorado through Monday evening.

The small grass fire about 300 yards long ignited on the north side of the highway around noon Monday, according to Rick Tillery with Mountain View Fire Rescue.

Multiple crews from the fire agency responded to the scene of the blaze and quickly got it under control. As of 12:20 p.m., crews were performing mop-ups, Tillery said.

But the highway remained closed in both directions from around noon to 1 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning through 6 p.m. Monday for metro Denver and all of eastern Colorado due to high, gusty winds and relatively low humidity.

"Unlike yesterday, strong winds will be widespread today, impacting all areas/elevations and ramping up quickly mid morning. Gusts 40-50 mph will be common, locally 60+ mph in the mtns," the NWS Boulder posted on the social media site X.

"We really need to be careful with anything that could start a spark or a flame outside. So that could be chains dragging on the ground. Sometimes even metal striking and rocks can cause sparks, certainly disposing of cigarette butts properly, we don't want to throw them out of the window of the car as we're driving along the road, that type of thing. And even sometimes shooting guns, things like that can cause some sparks," Jennifer Spark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Boulder, told Denver7 meteorologist Steve Roldn Monday.

After a brief break from the winds Tuesday through Friday, an increasing fire weather threat returns this weekend with near record warmth and more wind possible Saturday.

"We're gonna have to be watchful as we go into the spring months. And that is because the fine fuels, the grasses and things like that... Late February March, we're still pretty dry. We're still pretty brown outside," Stark said.

ERIE, Colo. A 34-year-old Erie man was arrested Tuesday for the alleged possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the Boulder County Sheriff's Office announced.

Richard Sackschewsky, 34, was booked into the Boulder County Jail for one count of sexual exploitation of a child - distribution (Class 3 felony), two counts of sexual exploitation of a child - possession (Class 4 felonies) and one count of sexual exploitation of a child - possession (Class 5 felony).

The Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information about the distribution of CSAM from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Authorities executed a search warrant at Sackschewsky's home in the 1600 block of Meachum Way in Erie on Nov. 16 and seized several electronic devices.

The sheriff's office said "multiple files were found in violation of sexual exploitation of a child" on Sackschewsky's devices.

Sackschewsky was booked into the Boulder County Jail with no bond.

ERIE, Colo. Four sergeants and one officer are no longer with the Erie Police Department following an "internal complaint of misconduct," Chief Lee Mathis announced Monday.

In a message posted to the police department's social media page and website, Mathis said he became aware of "incidents involving misconduct by some members of our department while on duty." An internal investigation began on Oct. 10.

The chief said the misconduct was not criminal, but it "did not reflect the values of our department and could have been damaging to our work environment." No further details were provided.

"We recognize that accountability is crucial for maintaining the public's trust, and will always hold our officers and staff to a high standard," Mathis said.

The department has adequate staffing to respond to calls for service, according to Mathis. The department will be moving "as quickly as possible" to fill the five vacancies.

"As a member of this community, I want you all to know our police department is dedicated to fostering a professional, respectful, and safe working environment for all," Mathis said. "Our duty is to uphold the trust you place in us and to protect and serve this Town."

ERIE, Colo. An Erie family has created a nonprofit to help others connect with in-home nurses following their own struggle to find care for their daughter.

Two years ago, the Knights struggled to find in-home nursing care after their 6-month-old daughter was born three months premature. Now, Olivia is 2-years-old and has made a drastic improvement. Her parents want to pay it forward to other families with similar struggles.

"Back in August, we got her [tracheostomy tube] out, and she continues to grow and get healthier and bigger, said Olivias father, Gary Knight.

Olivia spent the first nine months of her life in the hospital. When she was finally discharged, she needed 24/7 supervision. She also needed oxygen support and a feeding tube.

Due to the level of care needed, Olivia's mother, Kathryn Knight, had to quit the job she loved.

"We went through a lot of the struggles with nursing and taking care of Olivia by ourselves. A lot of overnight shifts between Kathryn and I to take care of her, said Gary.

During that time, the Knights struggled to find in-home care for Olivia due to a nursing shortage, so they reached out on social media for help. They eventually found an in-home nurse through the placement agency Aveanna Healthcare.

"We're at a point that attracting nurses is nearly impossible, said Victoria Stewart, area vice president of operations for Aveanna Healthcare Colorado.

The COVID-19 pandemic exasperated the shortage.

"Whatever the level of need, we are still unable to get nurses into these homes, or get children out of the hospital, said Stewart.

That's why the Knights created their nonprofit, Hello Nurze.

"We created what our pulmonologist has branded the eHarmony for nurses and families essentially, said Gary.

The website allows families and nurses to create a profile and share what they're looking for.

"The families then end up going to third-party agencies, like Aveanna, to formalize that relationship, said Kathryn. "We feel like it should be easier for families. And home health is not always the part of the health care industry that nurses consider.

Aveanna said it's trying to change that through recruitment and support.

"We just try to personalize every experience to make sure we're giving the nurse what they need and get a patient some support, said Stewart.

The Knights hope to wean Olivia off in-home nursing in a few months. After one more procedure, they hope she'll be able to start school later this month.

"I would love to see her go to college. I would love to see her have a fully normal life, said Kathryn.

The Knights created a GoFundMe online fundraiser to raise money for their nonprofit. They are also selling t-shirts to generate funds.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. Mosquitos from a trap near Erie have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) announced Thursday.

The virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infections are mild, according to BCPH, but more serious infections can cause:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, while one in 150 infected people develop a serious illness.

Symptoms of West Nile virus include:

Symptoms will typically appear three to 14 days after infection, according to BCPH. There is no treatment, cure or human vaccination.

Unfortunately, wet weather followed by high temperatures creates an ideal environment for mosquitos to breed, said Lane Drager, BCPH consumer protection program coordinator, in a statement. Over the holiday weekend and throughout the summer, take time to protect yourself, your family and your community from West Nile virus.

To protect yourself, BCPH is urging residents to remember "the 4Ds," which are:

Anyone who begins showing symptoms of WNV is urged to contact their health care provider.

Mosquito season typically runs from late April through mid-October or the first freeze in the fall.

For more information on the virus or mosquito activity in Boulder County, click here.

LAFAYETTE, Colo. First responders and ranchers helped save a cow that fell through the ice on Prince Reservoir #2 in Erie on Tuesday.

Engineer Lee Brown with Mountain View Fire Rescue said the cow was about 20 yards from the shore when she broke through the ice, which was about 7 to 8 inches thick. A neighbor had called authorities when they saw the cow in the water.

"We made quick plans to make a trench cut back to the shore line," he said. "While doing that, we had the ranchers show up. They aided us and helped us coach the cow back to shore. And then we were able to get the cow to walk out on its own."

Authorities used chain saws to cut through the ice. The cow was out of the water about 30 to 45 minutes after Mountain View Fire Rescue arrived on scene.

Brown said the ranches will monitor the cow to ensure she is OK since conditions were so cold.

He estimated that the water was an extremely low temperature and humans would likely become hypothermic within a couple minutes. The rescuers that went out on the ice wore suits that are made for those bitter cold temperatures. They are thermal and buoyant, which pushes back the time it would take for a person to get hypothermia.

"It's an abnormal call," Brown said, adding. "First time rescuing a cow out of an ice hole."

ERIE, Colo. A new direct primary care clinic called Strive Direct Health recently opened in downtown Erie.

Direct primary care is a healthcare model that does not require insurance to cover costs and instead offers paid memberships for patients interested in primary care services.

It's a monthly membership plan for our patients where they have direct access to myself and Dr. Schuster. We don't have any staff, and so when the patients need us, they contact us directly 24/7 whenever, wherever they need us, said Dr. Brad Brown, owner of Strive Direct Health. Removing the insurance middlemen is very professionally gratifying because we have the bandwidth and the time to spend with our patients to where we can work with them on their health goals.

Brown said Strives memberships are based on age.

Kids up until age 18 are only $40 a month and then older than that its $85 a month for adults. We have family plans, I come from a big family. So I thought it would be unfair to, you know, penalize parents for having huge family. So after two and a half kids, I guess is what the math comes out to be, then the price is capped.

According to Hint Health, a healthcare software company, 40 U.S. states have direct primary care networks, and Colorado is seeing more growth.

There's quite a few in the Denver area and Colorado in general, Brown said. It's really driven by the people of Colorado. I mean, just the other day, I had a patient up at, she was at the top of Copper Mountain. And she texted me and she was like, Hey, I just twisted my knee, my first run of the year, and I don't think I can make it down the mountain. So I gave her a call, talked her through it, and she actually could make it down on her own. And then she came in the next day and we checked out her knee.

Shannon Kennedy, owner of Golden Ember Salon in Erie, is a Strive Direct Health patient.

I noticed that [Dr. Brown] was opening and it was close to my salon. So, I figured it would be best just to have a doctor right next door. You know, we do have accidents that happened in the salon, burns and things like that. So, I wanted to have my staff be able to come and see a doctor, Kennedy said.

Kennedy said she appreciates the personal relationship shes been able to build with her doctor.

Dr. Brad, I think it's nice because he looks at me like a whole human and not just specifically looking at what ailments that I have traditional health insurance that I've had before, it's like I was paying a lot, and I didn't even know who my doctor was. So with this subscription-based model, I feel like it is definitely more affordable. And I do get personalized care.

Kennedy said she does have additional health insurance to cover medical emergencies but her membership still saves money.

We definitely recommend people still have some type of insurance, health insurance, Brown said.

But Brown said when it comes to primary care, the membership is meant to remove some barriers to healthcare and give direct affordable access to primary services.

UPDATE (Friday, Sept. 30, 12:12 p.m.): Erie police said in an update that they had spoken with the two males who were both juveniles with permission from their parents and learned the persons of interest were not attempting to speak with the young girl.

The pair shared that while they do not reside in Erie, they visited the area in search of a park. They both shared that they did not motion to the 9-year-old. They left the area when the father arrived and was taking pictures of their vehicle, the department said in the update.

The department said it spoke with the family before releasing the update.

We are appreciative of the family for contacting the Erie Police. We urge everyone to call us, without hesitation, if anything feels off, the department said.

DENVER Erie police are looking for more information, surveillance video, or witnesses after a possible attempted abduction last Thursday evening near the Latitude neighborhood.

The incident happened between 6:40 and 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, near the Latitude neighborhood in Vista Ridge, the police department said.

A 9-year-old girl was approached by a white Honda Civic with two people inside who were described as being in their 20s. The passenger, a man, pointed at the girl and told her to come here, police said.

She ran away, took photos of the back of the vehicle and went home and told her father, police said. The driver had parked near a park nearby, and the girls father drove to the park, followed the Civic out of the neighborhood southbound on Mountain View, and called police.

Officers looked for the car in the area but were not able to find it, and they are still trying to identify the people inside the car.

Police are asking people who live on Windemere Lane, Fairway Pointe Drive, and Dundee Place to see if they have footage of the white Honda Civic, which has a missing bumper, which was driving in the area at the time of the incident. If people do, they are asked to call 303-441-4444.

A 41-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were identified Monday as victims in a deadly shooting in Loveland last week.

Just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to a home in the 300 block of Pavo Court for a weapons complaint. Juveniles told the 911 dispatcher they were hiding inside the home after two people were shot, according to Loveland police.

The Larimer County Coroner's Office identified the two victims as 41-year-old Lindsay E. Daum and 16-year-old Meadow L. Sinner. A GoFundMe fundraiser states the two were mother and daughter. According to the coroner's office, Daum and Sinner died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Hours after the shooting, authorities were led to 600 Grimson Place in Erie after a "possible suspect" was seen carrying what appeared to be a long gun, Loveland police said in a press release. Shortly after authorities arrived, the suspect was declared dead after suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Loveland police.

The Weld County Coroner's Office confirmed Monday the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Javier Acevedo, Jr., died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. His death was ruled a suicide.

Court records show Acevedo was involved in at least one child custody hearing case last year. Several protection orders were filed against him by two different women, and a permanent retraining order was issued in June. A total of five children are listed on the protective orders.

Records also show that Acevedo had a criminal past, which included child abuse, sexual assault on a child, and at least one drug charge, all dating back to 2020.

Hours after two people were killed in Loveland Thursday, the "possible suspect" died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Erie, according to the Loveland Police Department.

Just before 2:30 p.m., Loveland police officers were dispatched to a home in the area of Aries Drive and Pavo Court for a weapons complaint.

According to Loveland police, juveniles told the 911 dispatcher they were hiding inside the home after two people were shot. It was not known if the suspect was still in the house at the time.

Using an armored rescue vehicle, the Loveland Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team deployed to the house and removed all three juveniles, who were hiding in various parts of the home.

The SWAT Team cleared the home and did not find the suspect, who Loveland police identified as 49-year-old Javier Acevedo.

Investigators learned Acevedo was driving a gray 2019 Volkswagon Jetta and was possibly armed and dangerous.

Authorities were led to 600 Grimson Place in Erie after a "possible suspect" was seen carrying what appeared to be a long gun, Loveland police said in a press release.

Shortly after authorities arrived, the suspect was declared dead after suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Loveland police.

The Weld County Coroner's Office will confirm the suspect's identity, while the Larimer County Coroner's Office will confirm the identities of the Loveland victims.

There is no threat to the community at this time, according Loveland police. The investigation is ongoing.