Swastikas, Nazi references spraypainted on posters

An unknown suspect spraypainted swastikas and references to Nazism on several political signs around Breckenridge, according to Summit County authorities who are investigating the vandalism Sunday.

A citizen first reported the vandalism of a sign in support of reelecting Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons about 8:20 a.m. Sunday, according to the sheriff’s office’s spokeswoman, Erin Opsahl. The vandal spray painted a swastika and the letters “SS” — commonly associated with the Nazi paramilitary organization that committed numerous war crimes — on the sign hanging on a fence in a residential neighborhood near Summit High School off of Colorado 9, about 6 miles north of Breckenridge, Opsahl said.

While investigating the incident, deputies found swastikas spraypainted on two smaller signs in support of FitzSimons and one other sign in support of a Summit County ballot initiative that would create a 10year mill levy on property taxes, Opsahl said. Investigators believe the vandalism was committed overnight.

“From my law enforcement experience, the swastika symbol and “SS” are commonly known as symbols of hate,” FitzSimons said in a news release. “It is illegal to attempt to influence our community through hate and intimidation. I have directed Deputies to open an investigation and collect evidence.”

Investigators with the sheriff’s office contacted the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the FBI about the vandalism, Opsahl said.

Investigators asked that anyone with information about the vandalism or who notices other vandalized signs call 9706688600.

The sheriff’s office is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects, according to a news release.