AURORA, Colo. — A former teacher at Grandview High School in the Cherry Creek School District is facing multiple charges after an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student that took place in 2022.
Robert Combs, 56, faces five felony charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, and three misdemeanor charges of abuse of public trust by an educator.
A letter was sent from the Cherry Creek Schools to parents late Tuesday afternoon and states the district was made aware on Oct. 23, 2025 of allegations that Combs had "inappropriate sexual contact" with a former student and "immediately placed him on administrative leave."
Combs was "separated" from the district Nov. 13, 2025, and was arrested Monday, according to the letter.
According to the arrest affidavit, obtained by Denver7 Investigates, the charges stem from a relationship between Combs and a now-former student that lasted close to a year.
Combs and the victim first became acquainted in 2021 through a school club, for which Combs was an adviser.
At an overnight conference for the club in Denver in February 2022, Combs allegedly told the victim – who was underaged at the time – to come back to his hotel room after everyone else had left; he then allegedly kissed the student and “expressed romantic feelings” for them, according to the affidavit.
The victim told Aurora Police they “felt shocked and unsure how to respond,” according to the affidavit.
After that conference, the interactions “became more frequent and increasingly inappropriate,” the affidavit said. The interactions eventually became sexual, with many of the incidents occurring at the school, according to the affidavit.
The student told police they felt conflicted about the relationship because they felt like they “owed” him for his help with college applications.
The victim also gave police a Google Drive where Combs communicated with them and showcased Combs’ inappropriate behavior and intentions.
According to the affidavit, a school security guard sent an email to a school official in March 2022 saying that he saw Combs and the victim together and that they “seemed more like a couple than a student and teacher.”
“In a word, it seemed inappropriate,” the email read, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also states that Principal Lisa Roberts spoke to the victim following this report, but the victim denied any inappropriate relationship and that Combs was “like a father” to them.
In October 2025, the victim contacted Roberts, apologized for lying to her and said they were considering reporting the incident. Roberts encouraged them to contact law enforcement or discuss the matter with school officials. Roberts also contacted Aurora Police to report the incident, according to the affidavit.
Combs had worked at Grandview High School since 2002, according to the letter from the district. He was a CTE Engineering and Technology teacher.
"The District is in full cooperation with law enforcement as this case remains open," the letter to parents stated. "The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority."
Combs’ bond is set at $50,000, according to court documents. He is set to appear in court Wednesday morning.
Editor's note: This story was updated Feb. 24 at 9:55 p.m. with information from the arrest affidavit and Feb. 25 at 1:40 p.m. to remove a detail to protect victim anonymity.
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