Law Enforcement

Deputies from the Elbert County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting Saturday night in northern Elbert County.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 people had gathered for a rodeo at a property in the 44000 block of Comanche Creek Road when a fight erupted. One person is said to have pulled out a gun and began shooting. It is not known if anyone was struck by bullets, however two people who were working the event were treated for minor injuries that occurred during the fight.

Thanks to donations, Colorado Operation Game Thief is increasing the reward offer from $1,000 to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest or citation in the case of two mountain goats that were shot and found dead July 3, approximately 2.8 miles up the Quandary Peak Trail.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's Office says a man found in a field southeast of Eads is facing numerous charges.

Deputies were summoned Wednesday to a location near County Roads E and 46.5 south of Nee Noshe Reservoir about a report of a man lying in a field. There they found Brian Mason of Lamar, who was transported by ambulance to Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads.

The Colorado State Patrol, with funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation, will begin the holiday weekend DUI enforcement period Friday with stepped-up patrols and checkpoints.

Nearly 100 law enforcement agencies across the state are joining The Heat Is On campaign to promote awareness of the dangers of driving drunk or high, and encourage safe rides to or from holiday gatherings and other activities.

So far in 2018, 193 people have died in crashes, with over one-third of those fatalities involving an impaired driver. 

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that claimed the life of man from Swink.

According to information from CSP Trooper Michael Tafoya, John Miguel Narez-Estrada, 28, was driving a 2013 Ford Raptor pickup west on Highway 10 about three miles west of La Junta in Otero county. The vehicle drifted off the right side of the road and crashed into a bridge abutment. The pickup became airborne and was engulfed in flames before it landed in an irrigation canal.

Narez-Estrada was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 15-year-old suspect is in custody and a school staff member has been suspended following threats that were allegedly made this week against Elbert School in Elbert county.

Deputies with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office were notified Tuesday about a possible threat against the school. A student reportedly made threats to harm other students, and the threats were considered credible.