JUDGE WON’T DISQUALIFY SELF IN CASE
EAGLE» Colorado’s Supreme Court will decide if the judge in a teenager’s skier-death case will be replaced.
Thirteen-year-old Taft Conlin died Jan. 22, 2012, in an avalanche on Prima Cornice on the front side of Vail Mountain.
A civil suit brought by Conlin’s parents against Vail Resorts claiming negligence and the wrongful death of their son was scheduled to begin on Aug. 7 in Pitkin County District Court but will be postponed as the Colorado Supreme Court sorts out a request to disqualify the judge hearing the case.
Man gets life for killing teen over a phone.
SPRINGS» A twoweek COLORADO trial focusing on the night a 14-year-old boy was fatally shot at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs over a missing cellphone ended Thursday with guilty verdicts against the man charged with pulling the trigger.
An El Paso County jury convicted Riccardo Clinton Kirven, 33, on all charges, including multiple counts of first-degree murder, in the July 2015 death of North Middle School student Desmond Smith.
Fourth Judicial District Judge Larry E. Schwartz proceeded directly to sentencing, imposing two life terms plus 48 years in prison. “This was a horrendous crime, and a really precious life was taken,” Schwartz said.
Road crew repeatedly spilled chemicals.
A state highway repaving project in Dillon has been the site of repeated chemical spills, but state regulators have done little to put a stop to the problem, said a whistleblower close to the situation.
On multiple occasions over the past three months, the whistleblower contacted the Colorado Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the project, and state health department. The source, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, reported a lack of sufficient mitigation measures in place on the resurfacing of State Highway 9-U.S. Highway 6 project.
The source said because CDOT-hired contractors didn’t follow proper practices, pollutants were allowed to pass through Dillon drainages that eventually lead into the Blue River — a headwater tributary of the Colorado River.
Grand Junction councilman ponders run for Congress.
A Grand Junction city councilman says he is exploring a run for U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton’s seat, possibly setting up a Democratic primary in the GOP-leaning district.
Chris Kennedy noted his interest earlier this week on Facebook and says he will decide before the end of August whether to jump into the contest as a Democrat.
State Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush, a Democrat from Steamboat Springs, announced her run for the seat in early July.
Bob Baer, a former CIA officer and frequent CNN contributor who lives in the Telluride area, is also reportedly exploring whether to jump into the race.
Reward offered in arson case.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a Denver arsonist.
Video surveillance images show a man in the area at 5:30 a.m., just before the fire at Shepes Bar and Grill, 7800 E. Colfax.