The Baca County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam involving a traveling paving crew that has been operating in southeastern Colorado, reportedly targeting elderly property owners and threatening them into making payments.

Kit Carson County Undersheriff W. Bishop contacted the Baca County Sheriff's Office to share information about the crew, which was encountered multiple times by Kit Carson County sheriff's deputies — east of Burlington, south of Stratton, and in the Flagler area.

The crew approached residences randomly, offering gravel or road base on behalf of a wind farm, then had residents sign contracts. When trucks arrived, they delivered asphalt rather than gravel and began paving. When residents questioned the change, the crew reportedly threatened them into making payment.

Deputies made several contacts with the crew and found a multitude of issues. The crew could not provide a company name. Kit Carson County authorities identified the business as not legitimate and are conducting an ongoing investigation.

A legitimate paving company, Prestige Asphalt Services LLC, is also operating in Kit Carson County and is not connected to the suspect crew.

Anyone in Kit Carson County who received paving services from this crew is asked to contact the Kit Carson County Sheriff's Office. Anyone who wrote the crew a check is advised to cancel that check immediately.

Residents should verify the identity and company of anyone offering services before signing contracts or making payments, particularly unexpected visitors. If something does not seem right, contact the Baca County Sheriff's Office. Elderly members of the community are urged to be especially cautious.