FORT LUPTON, Colo. Life is not quiet for the Rigley family, who have chickens, ducks, cows, goats, and other farm animals on their property. Feeding the animals requires some extra muscle as the children smash pumpkins open so these furry and feathery friends have a nice bite to enjoy.

Thirteen-year-old Lainey Rigley and her siblings, Samantha and Jonathan, get to work to open up these gourds. They know pumpkins are not just for people but for their furry and feathery friends to enjoy.

"One, it helps with feed; we don't have to pay too much on feed, and two, it's fun for our animals to have something new to eat," Rigley said.

While the chickens and goats have their gourds, Rigley explained that the pumpkins have vitamins and minerals, making them a good food for them to enjoy.

"I do think they look forward to it, and I think that like every day when they finish the pumpkin, every time they finish the pumpkin, they're excited for a new one," Rigley said.

As Thanksgiving celebrations wind down and Christmas decorations go up, the Rigley family is accepting unpainted and uncarved pumpkins.

If you would like to drop off some donations, you can send an email to goatslovepumpkins@gmail.com, and if you are not in the Fort Lupton area, they recommend reaching out to other local farms that may have a similar practice in place.

While it may also seem far away, the Rigely family will also accept any Christmas tree donations for their animals as long as the trees are not sprayed with any kind of chemicals.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. The Adams County Sheriffs Office is mourning the loss of a veteran off-duty deputy who died in a pedestrian/vehicle crash on Tuesday.

Deputy Joshua Tapia served 25 years in the Adams County Sheriffs Office, according to a news release. Fort Lupton police said the crash happened on Tuesday just before 9:27 p.m. near Highway 52 and South Purman Avenue.

Deputy Tapia was a cherished husband, father, friend, and dedicated deputy who devoted over 25 years of service to the Adams County Sheriffs Office. Deputy Tapia was also a key member of @RampartSAR (Adams County Search and Rescue Group) who was devoted to serving the community in any capacity he could, wrote the sheriffs office in a news release.

Police are seeking witnesses to the crash or surveillance video that could be helpful in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fort Lupton police at 720-466-6151.

"As an organization and a close-knit law enforcement family, we are deeply saddened by this loss. Our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones, friends, and colleagues in Adams County during this difficult time. Deputy Tapia's devotion to teaching, training, and mentorship was a blessing for our agency, added the Adams County Sheriffs Office.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. A northern Colorado family is mourning the loss of a woman who was killed in an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this month.

Loved ones say Valarie Garcia, 36, was murdered at the hands of her boyfriend, Jesse Gladney. The two dated for about two years.

According to an arrest affidavit, the Westminster Police Department was dispatched to the Super 8 Hotel on Melody Drive on June 8 for a potential domestic violence call. The 911 caller reported that a man and woman were arguing when the man told the woman to get into the car and grabbed her by the neck.

The affidavit states Gladney asked a friend for a ride and forced Garcia into the Chevy Equinox. The three then drove away from the hotel. A Be On the Lookout (BOLO) was issued for the vehicle.

Not too long after, the Thornton Police Department received a call that a man had shot a woman in a car near 120th and Colorado Boulevard, according to the affidavit. The document states Gladney got out of the vehicle after the shooting and asked surrounding drivers for help.

"He was stopping at every stoplight, hopping in and out of the car frantically, like aggressively screaming for help and slapping her and screaming for Valarie to wake up and not to fall asleep. It's crazy," said Valarie's sister, Alexis Garcia.

The incident ultimately ended at Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton, where Garcia was pronounced dead and Gladney was arrested for first-degree murder. Once at the hospital, Gladney's behavior became erratic and he had to be sedated, according to his arrest affidavit.

Alexis said she never suspected that her sister was being abused.

"You never expect your little sister to be going through this," she said, "He was on everything, in all her social media. Like she shined him like a light. She loved him so much."

According to the Colorado Attorney Generals Office, the number of domestic violence fatalities in Colorado set an all-time high in 2022. That year, 94 people died in Colorado from domestic violence related crimes. Among these, 39 were killed by their current or former intimate partner, and 22 were collateral victims, including six children and two police officers. The two police officers were killed while responding to domestic violence incidents.

That number in 2022 was up from 62 domestic violence related deaths in 2021 and was nearly 1.5 times higher than the average number of fatalities in Colorado the previous seven years, the attorney general's office reported.

According to the analysis, 97% of the domestic violence victims were female and 95% of the perpetrators were male, according to the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. About 86% of the domestic violence fatalities involved guns.

Garcia said she is hoping her sister's story can help save lives.

"Now there's five kids being raised without a mom due to domestic abuse, and it's unfortunate. You know, it happens in households and people aren't aware of it," the sister said.

Valarie was laid to rest on Thursday. Gladney's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available through Violence Free Colorado or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

GREELEY, Colo. The body of a 19-year-old who was reported missing on Wednesday was found in a submerged vehicle in Weld County.

On Wednesday, the Greeley Police Department and Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) issued an alert about 19-year-old Leslie Elizama Vicente Vicente, who was reported missing after she did not return home after attending a a religious event at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley several days earlier on June 13. She left the event around 9:10 p.m. in her gray 2009 Nissan Murano, CBI said.

Greeley police said Vicente headed southbound on US Highway 85 and was last seen around 9:44 p.m. at the Fast Break Gas Station near 42nd Street in Evans. She then continued southbound.

Late Wednesday evening, an employee at the Weld County gravel quarry located around US Highway 85 and Weld County Road 22 called 911 to report that they believed a vehicle had gone into a body of water near the quarry, Greeley police said.

Police from Greeley and Fort Lupton, as well as the departments' dive team members, responded.

The dive team found a vehicle in the water and recovered a body, Greeley police said.

The Weld County Coroner's Office, which has alerted next-of-kin, identified the deceased as Vicente.

The case remains open. The Fort Lupton Police Department is investigating the incident.

Denver7 has requested more information, but no other details were immediately available.

UPDATE | Nov. 25, 2025 Commerce City Police Officer Michael Parker was acquitted of sexual assault charges following a jury trial this month.

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FORT LUPTON, Colo. A Commerce City police officer was arrested on a charge of sexual assault following an October 2023 incident in Fort Lupton.

The incident happened on Oct. 30, 2023, in the 500 block of S. Rollie Avenue, according to the Fort Lupton Police Department.

Following an investigation, Fort Lupton police on Thursday arrested Michael Parker, 30, of Fort Lupton on a charge of sexual assault, a Class 4 felony. He was booked into the Weld County Detention Center.

Parker is a police officer for the Commerce City Police Department and was off-duty at the time of the incident. In a press release, Commerce City PD said Parker was "reassigned to a role within the police department that did not require in-person interactions with the public" when the department was made aware of the investigation.

Parker was placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest. An internal investigation is ongoing.

"It is important to CCPD to be fully transparent with the community we serve, while respecting that anyone accused of criminal activity be presumed innocent until proven guilty," Commerce City PD said in its press release.

PLATTEVILLE, Colo. A woman has filed a lawsuit against a Platteville sergeant and two Fort Lupton officers as well as both police departments who arrested her and placed her in a patrol car that was then hit by an incoming train.

The 40-page lawsuit was filed against the Platteville Police Department, Platteville Police Sgt. Pablo Vazquez, the Fort Lupton Police Department, Fort Lupton Police Officer Jordan Steinke, and Fort Lupton Police Officer Ryan Thomeczek. It alleges that the defendants did not provide a safe environment and prevent foreseeable injury during her arrest, as they are required to do.

On the evening of Sept. 16, 2022, officers with the Fort Lupton Police Department pursued Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, 20, of Evans, after an alleged road rage incident involving a firearm in Fort Lupton earlier that evening.

Body camera video obtained by Denver7 showed that two officers pulled up behind her vehicle just off U.S. 85 near Weld County Road 36 at 7:49 p.m. Rios-Gonzalez pulled to a stop on the county road just past the railroad tracks. One of the officers, later identified as Platteville Police Sgt. Pablo Vazquez, stopped his vehicle directly on the train tracks.

Vazquez, with help from two officers from the Fort Lupton Police Department later identified as Officer Steinke and Officer Thomeczek detained Rios-Gonzalez.

Officer Steinke handcuffed Rios-Gonzalez and put her in the back of Vazquez's vehicle, which was still parked on the train tracks, according to the lawsuit. She was in the rear caged portion of the car and was unable to open the back doors from the inside or climb into the front seat.

According to the lawsuit, there is a blue ENS sign at the railroad crossing that has a phone number to call if there is police activity on the railroad tracks. The officers did not call, it continues.

As the investigating officers went through her vehicle after arresting her, a northbound train approached. The lawsuit reads that there were no view obstructions in either direction.

At 7:53 p.m. and 49 seconds, the conductor of the train blasted the horn to warn emergency personnel. At the time, it was traveling 48 mph and weighed 11,153 tons, according to the lawsuit. It was pulling 113 train cars, 77 of which were loaded. The horn is audible on the body cam footage.

As it approached, the patrol car's passenger side front door was open and Officer Thomeczek was standing next to the door on the tracks, the lawsuit reads.

The train horn is blasted again at 7:54 p.m. At this point, the conductor could see that the vehicle was parked on the tracks, according to the lawsuit.

At 7:54 p.m. and 2 seconds, the conductor released the train's emergency air brakes and blasted the horn again until the train hit the car. At this time, Officer Thomeczek turned to see the incoming train. He warned the other officers about the train at 7:54 p.m. and 8 seconds and ran away from the tracks, according to the lawsuit.

At 7:54 p.m. and 9 seconds, the train smashed into the cruiser that had been parked on the tracks.

Sgt. Vazquez asked Officer Steinke if Rios-Gonzalez was inside. "Oh my God, yes she was," she responded, according to the lawsuit.

The impact caused the vehicle to roll at least twice and travel about a half mile, the document reads.

At 7:54 p.m. and 42 seconds, Officer Thomeczek jogged over to the hit car and Officer Steinke radioed for "medical emergent, the suspect was in the vehicle hit by a train," the lawsuit reads. Sgt. Vazquez did the same about 20 seconds later.

The Weld County Critical Incident Response Team and Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene.

The patrol car's rear driver side door was removed in order to get Rios-Gonzalez out of the back seat. She is seen on body cam footage "bleeding from the head" and "semi-conscious," the lawsuit reads. She was then transported to the Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.

Rios-Gonzalez suffered from a broken arm, broken ribs, broken teeth, fractured sternum, and injuries to her leg, back and head, according to Paul Wilkinson, her personal injury attorney. She was hospitalized for more than a week after the crash. Her family created a GoFundMe to raise money for her medical expenses.

Wilkinson said Rios-Gonzalez tried to escape from the vehicle, but it was locked. She also saw the train from a good distance off, he said, and was yelling at the officers and trying to get their attention before the train hit the car.

After the Weld County CIRT and CSP arrived, Officer Steinke left the scene to go back to her police department. Sgt. Vasquez told his supervisor about "a mishap" and later asked a friend if there was "somebody he could call" and that he needed to talk to the Fraternal Order of Police, according to the lawsuit. Sgt. Vasquez then left the scene before his information could be collected by investigators, it continues.

According to the lawsuit, Sgt. Vasquez was deemed a "significant liability risk by his previous employer, the Federal Heights Police Department." It continues to list examples of him failing to prepare for duty properly, failing to monitor his radio, failing to respond to calls, having a slow response time to calls, lying about his location, and lying about overtime hours. It also claims he "was a confrontational and accusatory leader," who created divisions in his police squad related to racial differences.

Sgt. Vasquez left the Federal Heights Police Department in March 2020 and was later hired by the Platteville Police Department.

Due to the crash, the lawsuit claims that Rios-Gonzalez suffered and continues to suffer from serious bodily injuries, severe head trauma, emotional stress, impairment of quality of life, temporary and permanent physical impairment and disfigurement, injuries, disabilities, and economic losses and damages related to healthcare, rehabilitation expenses and wage loss. This came as the result of neglect, carelessness and recklessness on part of the two officers and sergeant, it reads.

The lawsuit also accuses the police departments of negligent hiring, training and retention.

The document concludes by requesting a trial by jury.

In the weeks after the crash, in late September and early October, multiple videos were released, which showed the arrest, crash and aftermath. On Sept. 23, the Fort Lupton Police Department released an edited eight-minute video of several officers and deputies body cameras who responded to the initial call and subsequent calls after the crash.

Other bodycam videos were released on Oct. 7.

Following the crash, attorneys for Rios-Gonzalez said she planned to sue the Platteville and Fort Lupton police departments for several claims, including negligence and civil rights violations.

On Oct. 25, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said it had completed its investigation into the case and presented their case to the Weld County District Attorney's Office for consideration of possible charges.

In November, prosecutors filed charges against two of the police officers Officer Steinke and Sgt. Vazquez.

Officer Steinke was charged with criminal attempt to commit manslaughter, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. The first two counts are felonies. Vazquez was charged with five counts of reckless endangerment (class 2 misdemeanor), one count of obstructing a highway or other passageway, one count of careless driving and one count of parking where prohibited.

In addition, Rios-Gonzalez was charged with one count of felony menacing, a class 5 misdemeanor.

The trio were issued summons and not arrested.

In the wake of the crash, Dr. George Kirkham, a nationally recognized police standards and procedures expert, spoke with Denver7 about the incident.

It's difficult for me to imagine how you would not be aware your car, or her car, were on railroad tracks, to a very close proximity to railroad tracks, and that would mean you put someone in the back of a police car, he said. You know, it's a Venus flytrap.

Kirkham said its possible the officer had too much adrenaline from the chase and forgot basic procedures.

You have to be conscious of what's going on and follow your training, he said. And this is so basic. Its beyond me how any rational person could do something like this.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. The giving spirit was on display in Fort Lupton on Christmas Eve.

A family-owned restaurant, Copper Kettle Kitchen and Catering, provided free Christmas meals to community members.

The restaurants owner, Robin LaBarbera, said her son, Francis, came up with the idea and the whole family teamed up to make it happen.

We decided that, you know, nobody should be hungry at Christmas time, Robin said. We need to have everybody who doesn't have a place to be for Christmas.

Anyone in need of a hot meal or some camaraderie was invited to show up to the restaurant.

Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, green beans, and pumpkin pie were among the items served to guests on Saturday.

Family members helped plan, cook, and serve the dinner.

They also recruited volunteers.

We started planning about two months ago, but it's been weeks of planning, said Misty LaBarbera, Robins daughter, and a manager at the restaurant. We had a ton of people saying they were going to be volunteers, but we didn't really know how many people were going to show up, so we didn't say no to anybody.

In addition, the LaBarberas said community members also donated money to buy food and supplies.

Robin's children said their mom loved cooking and always wanted to own a restaurant.

Copper Kettle Kitchen and Catering opened during the pandemic.

This has been my mom's dream since we were little, Misty said. Watching her succeed doing this is priceless.

Robin said one reason she was so excited about the dinner was it provided her with an opportunity to give back to a community that has given her so much.

You know, I have five kids. We've had to work really hard to get where we're at and Fort Lupton and the surrounding area has just been awesome, she said.

As for the community members who showed up to dinner, the LaBarbera family said they hoped everyone felt loved.

"That's what I want them to feel is love," Robin said. "Everybody needs to feel love."

DENVER Prosecutors have filed charges against the two police officers involved in putting a woman into a patrol car that was hit by a train in Platteville in September, and against the woman who was detained at the time.

Fort Lupton Police Officer Jordan Steinke was charged with criminal attempt to commit manslaughter, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment, according to a spokesperson for the Weld County District Attorneys office. The first two counts are felonies.

Platteville Police Sgt. Pablo Vazquez was charged with five counts of reckless endangerment (class 2 misdemeanor), one count of obstructing a highway or other passageway, one count of careless driving and one count of parking where prohibited.

Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, 20, was inside the police cruiser after she was arrested for investigation of menacing. She was charged Monday with one count of felony menacing, a class 5 misdemeanor.

Krista Henery, a spokesperson for the district attorneys office, said the three were issued summonses and were not arrested. The DAs Office said there were no arrest affidavits available in the case.

The incident happened Sept. 16 near U.S. Highway 85 and the intersection with Weld County Road 36.

Officers had been pursuing Rios-Gonzalez after she was allegedly involved in a road rage incident in Fort Lupton earlier in the evening.

Body camera video obtained by Denver7 last month shows two officers pulling up behind Rios-Gonzalezs vehicle just off U.S. 85 and one of them, Vazquez, stopping his vehicle directly on the train tracks.

As the officers, and others who arrived, are going through her vehicle after arresting her and placing her in Vazquezs car, a train approaches and smashes into the cruiser that was parked on the tracks.

Rios-Gonzalez suffered a broken arm, broken ribs, broken teeth, fractured sternum, and injuries to her leg, back and head, her attorney said. She was hospitalized for more than a week after the crash.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the incident, said in late October it had presented its case to the Weld County District Attorneys Office for consideration of charges.

Henery, with the district attorneys office, said no other information would be released about the charges on Monday because of the pending litigation. No court dates for the three had been set as of Monday afternoon.

The Fort Lupton Police Department will release the body camera and vehicle dash camera video related to the alleged road rage incident that preceded the train crash in which a woman inside of a Platteville police patrol car that was parked on the tracks was injured.

The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the area of Highway 85 and Weld County Road 36. Authorities said the initial call was reported as an alleged road rage incident involving a firearm in Fort Lupton earlier in the evening.

According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, a Platteville officer located the vehicle to make a traffic stop on US 85 and County Rd. 38. The driver of the vehicle, 20-year-old Yareni Rios-Gonzalez of Greeley, pulled to a stop just past the railroad tracks, with the patrol officer behind the car on the tracks.

With the assistance of two Fort Lupton officers, police conducted a high-risk traffic stop and detained Rios-Gonzalez and placed her in the back of the patrol car parked on the tracks.

While the officers cleared the suspect vehicle as part of the investigation, a Union Pacific train traveling northbound struck the Platteville patrol car, according to a CBI release.

Rios-Gonzalez was taken to a Greeley hospital with a serious injuries. In an update Monday, CBI said Rios-Gonzalez is still in the hospital and is expected to survive.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation. Fort Lupton PD is investigating the alleged road rage incident. CSP is reviewing the crash, and CBI is investigating how Rios-Gonzalez was injured while in police custody.

On Wednesday, Fort Lupton PD announced it will apply for an arrest warrant through the Weld County District Attorney's Office in connection to the alleged road rage incident. The department is also preparing to release the body cam and dashcam video.

It could be several days before the release due to the amount of video, Fort Lupton police said.

Friday night lights are a tradition in many small towns across Colorado, but the lights could be turned off at a Weld County high school.

Last week, during a Board of Education workshop for the Weld RE-8 School District, the budget was presented. During that conversation, measures to save money were discussed, and one of those ideas was cutting the Fort Lupton High School football program.

The superintendent for the school district, Alan Kaylor, said the football program accounts for around $39,000 of the budget, which is about $42 million total.

The Board of Education understands the importance of comprehensive high school, one that offers extracurricular activities for kids," said Kaylor. I believe that after the conversation we have next Thursday, that'll be off the table. That's my thought, that football will be fine.

Kaylor said there are always conversations about how to stretch money in a school district's budget and believes cutting the football program was likely just an idea thrown out while brainstorming.

One of the coaches of the team believes if football were eliminated from the school, many players would not graduate.

It really does help us stay in class and stay dedicated to sports," said Anthony Blan, one of the players on the team. "Me personally, I don't think I would drop out. But my grades wouldn't be as strong as they are right now if I didn't have football."

The decision will be made at the Board of Education meeting planned for May 26.

GREELEY, Colo. A 21-year-old faces up to 96 years in prison after he shot a Fort Lupton police officer in the face in December 2019 and was convicted of attempted murder this week, according to the 19th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Matthew Cotter, of Lochbuie, was convicted on Wednesday of 14 counts, including two attempted first-degree murder counts, three attempted first-degree assault counts, one count of first-degree assault, and six crime of violence counts. He was also found guilty of reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a firearm.

The conviction could result in a maximum sentence of 96 years in prison. The minimum sentence is 48 years, the district attorney's office said.

Cotter was arrested after he fired at the two officers, who were responding to a call about an armed man trying to contact his ex-girlfriend inside a Fort Lupton home along the 200 block of Ponderosa Place on the evening of Dec. 2, 2019, according to an arrest affidavit.

When officers approached the residence, Cotter, then-19 years old, who was hiding behind a neighbor's fence, started to shoot at them. The officers returned fire and hit Cotter, who was taken into custody and airlifted to a hospital, according to the arrest affidavit.

The officer who was hit was in critical condition for some time, but was released from the hospital about a week later. His jaw was shattered and he lost teeth in the shooting, and subsequently underwent two surgeries.

On Dec. 11, 2019, Cotter was formally charged and his bond was set at $5 million.

He was convicted of the charges against him on Wednesday. His sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2022.

Riley Wise has the coolest ride in town, and now, he wants to make sure other kids have one, too.

This past Halloween, Riley and his father designed a Little Red Wagon costume that perfectly fit his wheelchair. He loved it so much that last week, his family launched a GoFundMe for "Riley's Rides" to raise money to make costumes for other kids in wheelchairs.

Riley was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age seven and started needing a wheelchair at age 10. Since then, he has become a master builder and fabricator. His passion for construction has led to many innovative feats at a young age.

This past year, he even won "Best Under 21" at the 2021 Sunflower National Auto Show in tractor pulling.

In the above video, you can learn about Riley and his family's journey, and why they feel their mission is so important.

The GoFundMe was started by their friend, Maria Riehl. You can find it here.

ELY, Minn. (AP) Sheriffs officials say a Colorado man has drowned after a severe storm moving through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota capsized his canoe.

The St. Louis County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday multiple agencies responded to a report of a water emergency on Loon Lake.

Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely told dispatchers two people were thrown into the water Monday when heavy rain and strong wind overturned their canoe.

One person made it to shore while the other was missing. First responders later recovered the body of 73-year-old Wayne Morrow, of Fort Lupton, Colorado.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. The City of Fort Lupton Police Department responded to a report of a student with a gun at Fort Lupton Middle School that turned out to be an airsoft gun.

The department responded to the middle school on Tuesday at approximately 4:27 p.m., located the student and disarmed the student without having to use force.

After disarming the student, the officers determined the student was in possession of a realistic-looking, full-size airsoft replica of a Glock 17 pistol, police say.

The department is urging the public to take caution to avoid tragedy.

Police says airsoft guns should only be used for their intended purpose and the orange tips or anything that identifies the gun as an airsoft should never be removed. People should exercise caution while playing with, transporting and handling airsoft guns. The department says no one should reach for an airsoft gun if they're being contacted by law enforcement because "it is as difficult for us to tell the difference between an airsoft and a real gun as it is for most people."

Police did not provide further details on if any action was taken against the student.

WELD COUNTY, Colo. A 4-day-old colt was stolen from a farm outside of Fort Lupton sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

The Weld County Sheriffs Office is looking for the public's help locating the young horse, which was born on April 18 and stolen April 20. The sheriff's office said it was stolen from a property along the 13600 block of Weld County Road 18 1/2 sometime between 10:45 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The farm is just north of Fort Lupton.

The sheriff's office said the colt is valued at $12,000.

Caiti Hladky, the owner, said they didn't even have time to name the colt since he was so young. She said his mother is named Trixie.

They didn't find any evidence that a predatory animal was responsible for the colt going missing, she said, but instead, found footprints, tire tracks and the colt's hoofprints outside the farm's gate.

"Im not sure how long they can survive without a momma," she said. "Ive taken day-old calves and Ive raised them fine. But its a struggle and you have to know what you are doing. And a calf is a lot easier than a baby colt. So, were half thinking that somebody who had a mare that lost a baby maybe they took him to put on another mare, which would be not nice but at least then hopefully he would have a chance of being alive right now because without another mares milk or his moms milk I dont think he could live that long."

She said she just wants the colt back and reunited with Trixie.

As of the following Thursday at 11:45 a.m., the Weld County Sheriff's Office hadn't received a single lead in its investigation.

Anybody with information on this case is asked to contact Deputy Chris Cantin at 970-400-4182, the Weld County Sheriffs Office at 970-356-4015 or, to remain anonymous, the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.crimeshurt.com.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. Fort Lupton Police took a man wanted in connection for a murder at the K C Motel into custody Friday.

Police identified Preston Cordova, 21, as a person of interest and later named him a suspect and issued a warrant for murder. With the assistance of the Greeley Police Department, Fort Lupton officers took Cordova into custody Friday.

The murder happened at the K C Motel 1st Street on Dec. 5. Officers responded to a call for a shooting around 3 p.m. and found the victim, Joshua Schuler, 36, in the parking lot. He died from his injuries at the hospital.

Schuler, who had addresses in Colorado and Nebraska, was a guest at the motel, according to a release from the Weld County Coroner. They have not released a final manner and cause of death, pending autopsy and laboratory reports.

Sierra Maez, 26, who was also identified as a person of interest, has been located as well, according to police.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Fort Lupton Police Department dispatch at (720) 652-4222.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. Police in Fort Lupton have identified a suspect wanted in connection to a deadly shooting outside a motel on Saturday afternoon. They are asking for the public's help locating him.

Preston Cordova, 21, was originally named a person of interest, but is now a suspect, police said. Police have issued an arrest warrant for murder for Cordova.

Police said they are also searching for Sierra Maes, 26, who is a person of interest.

On Saturday around 3 p.m., police responded to the KC Motel at 201 1st St. for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a man with a life-threatening gunshot wound in the parking lot, police said.

He was transported to a hospital, where he died.

The Weld County Coroner's Office identified the deceased man as Joshua Guy Schuler, 36. He had addresses in both Colorado and Nebraska. At the time of his death, he was a guest at the hotel.

The Fort Lupton Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating both Cordova and Maes. If you have any information, call the police department at 720-652-4222.

This incident remains under investigation.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. The City of Fort Lupton Police Department is looking for two persons of interest after a deadly shooting at a motel Saturday afternoon.

Officers responded to the KC Motel at 201 1st St. around 3 p.m. for a shooting call. When they arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound in the parking lot.

The man died from his injuries at the hospital. Police have not released the identity of the victim, pending next of kin notification.

Police said Preston Cordova, 21, and Sierra Maes, 26, are persons of interest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Fort Lupton Police Department dispatch at (720) 652-4222.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. The family of a man hit and killed by another driver, who then drove away from the scene along a Weld County highway, says they want justice.

On Tuesday around 7:35 p.m., officers with the Fort Lupton Police Department were dispatched to the 10200 block of Highway 52, about two and a half miles West of Highway 85, regarding a crash.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a dark-colored Honda CRV on the south side of the highway. They also located a man in a ditch in front of the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Family members identified the victim as 30-year-old Zac Bruns of Fort Lupton.

"I just dont understand why anyone would do such a thing to such an innocent, loving husband and father," his wife told Denver7 through tears. "He was only 30 years old and weve been married eight years and we have a 2-and-a-half-year-old son. Im just completely lost."

Based on the preliminary investigation, police say he was struck by another vehicle while he was outside his car, which was on the shoulder. The suspect vehicle left the scene, police said.

"Just to leave someone it's totally wrong," Bruns' mother-in-law told Denver7. "(The coroner) had to identify him with a picture of his wedding ring because it was that bad."

Police were able to identify multiple items at the scene from the suspect vehicle. Around 3 p.m., police said they had located the vehicle.

Fort Lupton officers were back out at the scene on Wednesday collecting additional evidence, including what appeared to be a white panel from a vehicle.

Anybody with information on this crash or the suspect should call the Fort Lupton Police Department at 720-652-4222.

"I just want to know who did this to my husband. I want justice," the victim's wife said. "I just I want whoever did this to come out and confess. We deserve that."

WELD COUNTY, Colo. The man accused of shooting and severely wounding a Fort Lupton police sergeant on the night of Dec. 2 was formally charged Wednesday with six felonies, including attempted first-degree murder.

Matthew Cotter, 19, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, one count of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, two counts of first-degree assault involving threatening a peace officer with a weapon, and one count of attempted first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.

In court Wednesday, a protection order was granted, meaning that Cotter cannot have contact with any witnesses in the case or the victim, Fort Lupton Police Sgt. Christopher Pelton.

Cotter is accused of shooting Pelton in the face as Pelton and other officers were called out to Cotters ex-girlfriends home on Dec. 2 after Cotter allegedly threatened to come to the home and kill himself.

When officers arrived, Cotter allegedly grabbed a handgun from his vehicle, ran to a neighbors fence, and then began shooting at officers as they arrived. Officers fired at Cotter as he tried to run from the scene, and he was hit at least once.

Pelton lost teeth and shattered his jaw and has undergone several surgeries since the shooting. He was out of the intensive care unit as of Wednesday morning after undergoing reconstructive surgery and was moving around on Wednesday.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Pelton during his recovery. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation is also pitching in to help, and you can do so by clicking here.

The police community also announced people can go to any Chase bank and make a donation to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48, but people need to mention the money is going toward Sgt. Christopher Pelton.

Cotter is next due back in court on Feb. 19 for a status conference. Court records show his bond has been set at $5 million.

DENVER The Fort Lupton sergeant who was injured in a shooting last Monday is out of the intensive care unit, officials with the Fort Lupton Police Department said Monday.

Sgt. Chris Pelton, who underwent two surgeries following the Dec. 2 shooting, has also begun mobility therapy, officials said in an update on the city governments website.

Pelton was wounded when 19-year-old Matthew Cotter reportedly fired at arriving officers from behind a fence as they responded to the home of Cotters ex-girlfriend. Police went to the home after receiving a report that Cotter had called his ex-girlfriend threatening to come over to their familys home and kill himself.

MORE: Teen says he caught officer off guard in shooting that critically wounded Ft. Lupton sergeant

Cotter, who was critically injured in the shooting as well, was also listed as being booked on the Weld County Jails website Monday afternoon.

He faces one count of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault.

His next court date is Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Sgt. Pelton during his recovery. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation is also pitching in to help, and you can do so by clicking here.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. -- The Fort Lupton community is pulling together to help an officer who was shot while responding to a scene on Monday. Police Sergeant Christopher Pelton remains in critical condition.

On Friday, the Fort Lupton Police Department posted on Facebook that Pelton is awake, aware of his surroundings, and his normal functions are returning.

Pelton was shot in the face by a suspect while responding to a home in the 200 block of Ponderosa Place. The impact of the bullet knocked out teeth and shattered his jaw.

Its just gut-wrenching because Chris didnt even have a chance, Jamie Arfsten, a family friend, told Denver7.

Pelton is a husband and father of three. Arfsten described him as a dedicated father who worked two jobs to provide for his family.

His kids are his number one, Arfsten said. Hes just an all-around amazing person, Arfsten said.

Now Arfsten and Coloradans are rallying to raise money to help Pelton familys as they navigate the long road to recovery and the financial burden they are now facing.

Pelton has undergone two surgeries, and more are expected.

Matthew Cotter, the suspect accused of shooting Pelton, faces several charges, including attempt to commit murder.

How to Help

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Pelton during his recovery. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation is also pitching in to help, and you can do so by clicking here.

The police community also announced you can go to any Chase bank and make a donation to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48, but make sure you mention the money is going toward Sgt. Christopher Pelton.

FORT LUPTON, Colo.  A 19-year-old man who told authorities that he caught a Fort Lupton police sergeant off guard when he admitted to shooting at least three rounds from a handgun at the arriving officer this week has been charged in the case, officials announced on Friday.

Matthew Cotter faces two counts of attempt to commit murder in the first-degree, one count of assault in the first-degree, two counts of assault in the first degree on a peace officer, and one count of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree, the 19th Judicial District Attorney's Offices said in a news release.

Cotter is accused of shooting Fort Lupton Police Sgt. Christopher Pelton in the face as Pelton and other officers were responding to Cotters ex-girlfriends home in the 200 block of Ponderosa Place around 10:45 p.m. Monday.

Pelton was critically wounded and is recovering from his injuries. Cotter was also injured in the incident and was still undergoing treatment on Friday.

The shooting left Pelton with significant injuries, including lost teeth and a shattered jaw, according to an affidavit in the case. Pelton has undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, authorities said. Cotter is listed as stable at the Medical Center of the Rockies.

On Monday evening around 8:42 p.m., police were called to Cotters ex-girlfriends home by the ex-girlfriends mother, who told police that Cotter had called her daughter threatening to come over to their familys home and commit suicide, according to the affidavit. Police arrived and failed to locate Cotter, the documents state. However, about two hours later, the ex-girlfriends father called police to say that Cotter was parked outside their home with his car's lights off and was texting his daughter. The text read, Its too late, the documents state.

While Cotter was inside his car outside the Ponderosa Place home, he grabbed his handgun from his vehicles glovebox after hearing approaching sirens, according to the affidavit. Cotter said he then got out of the car and ran behind a neighbors fence, watching the armed officers arrive through the fences slats. At some point, Cotter said he shot at least three rounds from his handgun at Pelton, saying, I shot, he dropped; they shot, I dropped, according to the documents. Cotter told investigators that he caught Pelton off guard.

After Cotter allegedly fired at Pelton, he took off running but was shot by officers who were returning fire toward him. He was taken into custody and airlifted to the hospital. Pelton was airlifted to a Greeley hospital at first but was later brought to Swedish Medical Center.

The couple had apparently split in August, and Cotter had been expressing suicidal thoughts at various times, according to the documents. A month earlier, Cotter allegedly confronted his ex-girlfriend at her work and gave her a bullet, telling her he was going to kill himself with the round, according to the court documents.

Fundraisers for injured officer

The community has rallied around Sgt. Pelton and his family and have come up with several ways you can help.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Pelton during his recovery. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation is also pitching in to help, and you can do so by clicking here.

The police community also announced you can go to any Chase bank and make a donation to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48, but make sure you mention the money is going toward Sgt. Christopher Pelton.

Lastly, the Northern Colorado Police & Fire Families organization is making t-shirts honoring Pelton. You can order a shirt by clicking here.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. Police in Fort Lupton have arrested a man accused of murdering a woman in a domestic violence-related incident.

Early Friday morning, officers with the Fort Lupton Police Department, Fort Lupton Fire District and staff with Banner Health Ambulance responded to the 1200 block of 3rd Street after receiving a report of an unresponsive person, according to the police department.

When they arrived, they found a woman who was unresponsive. She was transported to the Northern Colorado Medical Center, where she died. Her name has not been released.

Based on the investigation, Joseph Allan Garza, 37, of Fort Lupton was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in connection to domestic violence.

The investigation is ongoing.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. A Fort Lupton police officer and a suspect are both in critical condition following an officer-involved shooting on Ponderosa Place early Tuesday morning.

Around 10:40 p.m. Monday, officers with the Fort Lupton Police Department responded to a call regarding an armed person along the 200 block of Ponderosa Place, according to a press release from the 19th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

When officers arrived, they learned more about the suspect, who was armed with a gun and attempting to contact somebody inside a home.

Police approached the residence and the suspect started to shoot at them.

One officer with the police department was shot, according to CIRT.

The other officers returned fire, injuring the suspect.

The officer and suspect were transported by helicopter to a hospital. They are both listed in critical condition.

As of 1 p.m., the officer had been stabilized but was still in critical condition.

The 19th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting. Anybody with information should call Commander Roy Smith with the Greeley Police Department at 970-371-3706 or Sgt. Craig Bollig with the Greeley Police Department at 970-371-3932.

This is the second officer-involved shooting in Fort Lupton this year. The previous incident occurred on Jan. 16.

GREELEY, Colo. A Fort Lupton police officer was indicted Thursday by a Weld County grand jury on one count of manslaughter in relation to his fatal shooting of an unarmed man on Jan. 16.

Officer Zachary Helbig is accused of shooting 46-year-old Shawn Joseph Billinger in the 600 block of 14th Street in Fort Lupton.

According to a news release from the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office and prior reporting, Helbig responded to a disturbance call that day around 1:45 p.m. Once at the scene, Helbig started chasing Billinger on foot.

But Billinger started walking quickly toward Helbig as he was yelling kill me, according to prosecutors. But Billinger had nothing in his hands at the time.

Billinger was shot once in the chest by Helbig, prosecutors said. He died at the scene.

Helbigs manslaughter charge is a class 4 felony. His bond was set by a Weld County judge at $50,000.

Update on January 20 at 5:52 p.m.: This story has been updated to include the name of the man found dead at the scene of the officer-involved shooting.

Update on January 17 at 5:02 p.m: This story has been updated to include that only one police officer was involved in a shooting in Fort Lupton in which a suspect was declared dead at the scene, and that authorities are asking for the community's help as they continue their investigation.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. An officer was involved in a shooting Wednesday afternoon in Fort Lupton in what was the second police shooting of the day in Colorado.

Weld County dispatch confirmed that officers were working a police shooting in the 600 block of 14th Street in Fort Lupton around 2:45 p.m.

Weld County authorities said the shooting happened around 1:45 p.m. after Fort Lupton officers responded to a disturbance. During the incident, authorities said, one officer from the Fort Lupton Police Department was involved in a shooting in which a man was declared dead at the scene. That man has been identified as 46-year-old Shawn Joseph Billinger, a resident of Fort Lupton.

Video from the scene showed two marked Fort Lupton police cruisers at the scene and several unmarked police vehicles.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative per department policy pending the outcome of the investigation.

The 19th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team is asking for the community's help. If you know anything related to this shooting, you are asked to call Commander Sanchez with the Johnstown Police Department at (970) 587-2216 or Sergeant Bollig with the Greeley Police Department at (970) 371-3932.

On Wednesday morning, a man was shot in Englewood inside a parking garage near Swedish Medical Center while officers were investigating a stolen vehicle, the department said. The shooting in Fort Lupton was the ninth police shooting in Colorado in the past eight days, according to tracking by Denver7.

DENVER Monday will be a First Alert Action Day, as severe thunderstorms expected to develop Monday afternoon could bring strong winds and damaging hail to much of northeast Colorado.

VIEW: Current radar conditions

The National Weather Service says that some storms have the potential to bring hail up to two inches in diameter and winds of up to 70 miles an hourespecially east of I-25. There is also the potential for tornadoesparticularly across the eastern plains.

The metro area and other parts of northeast Colorado will see isolated rain and thunderstorms, with some high wind gusts, lightning and small hail possible, according to the NWS. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for the Denver area and most of the Front Range.

There are flash flood watches in effect for El Paso County and other parts of central and southern Colorado until midnight. The storms are expected to move out of the area to the southeast by midnight.

There are also severe thunderstorm watches for some of the metro area and southeast Colorado in effect through 9 p.m.

CSFD wants all people at the #cheyennemountainzoo to stay where they are at zoo. We are making plans for transportation and reunification location for friends and family. #stayundershter 8 people transported so far due to trauma from hail.

Hail that moved through Colorado Springs Monday afternoon injured at least eight people who had to be transported to hospitals, police said. There was also flooding and other hail damage in the area, as large hail was reported in some areas.

Highs in the metro area will be in the upper 70s, with another chance of rain Tuesday and temperatures in the 80s.

Stay with the Denver7 weather team for the latest updates on severe storms. Click here for the latest radar and weather forecast.

Editor's note: Contact7 seeks out audience tips and feedback to help people in need, resolve problems and hold the powerful accountable. If you know of a community need our call center could address, or have a story idea for our investigative team to pursue, please email us at contact7@thedenverchannel.com or call (720) 462-7777. Find more Contact7 stories here.

FORT LUPTON, Colo. -- So many communities in our state rely on well water, but a Fort Lupton family is depending on friends to bring them water after the well on their property broke down. They tell Contact7 new construction regulations are making it impossible to afford a fix.

Jennifer Whiting had to learn to conserve water fast on her Fort Lupton farm when the pump on her water well broke.

"This goes down a thousand feet into the aquifer, said Whiting. Shortly after Mother's Day, we woke up to no water."

But they found out it was a lot worse and would need to dig a brand new one.

"This is what we used for any dishes, washing dishes, washing our hands and flushing the toilet," said Whiting.

Whiting said she called every licensed well drilling company in the state and the costs were unbelievable.

"....bids ranged from $77,000 to $135,000 which was shocking to us. I mean, that's almost the value of the land. That's a lot of money," said Whiting.

In 2016, the state passed new regulations for water well construction that would include deeper digs and more expensive materials like concrete to encase the entire well and steel to encase thicker pipes. Sediments contaminating the Laramie Foxhills Aquipher Jennifer's well pulls from were corroding the pipes. Whiting said thats unclear to her and wonders if everything possible was done to minimize the economic impact on the community. She showed Contact7 several documents with quotes from different contractors.

"Did they do a fair economic impact study before they put it into place to understand this impact on families? I don't know how they can expect a family to pay this much," said Whiting.

Contact7 contacted the Division of Water Resources and asked about the increased costs.

An employee answering the information line said the costs should not be that high and there was only an expected increase of 20 to 30 percent. Contact7 has reached out to state lawmakers who are aware and are looking into possible solutions. A spokesperson with the States Department of Natural Resources is gathering information to answer Contact7s questions.

"And if we're wrong, and somebody knows some big secret. This would be great," said Whiting.

In the meantime, friends and family have started raising money to help her family through a GoFundMe page. The Whiting family has had to get creative by hauling in water, storing it in large containers and creating a system that connects the water to the plumping of the home. But if they dont find a solution soon, it might mean a drastic move ahead.

"This was our dream to live out here with our houses. We ride our horses in the mountains and raise our daughter in the country. It may force us to leave Colorado. I mean, that's what it comes down to," said Whiting.