POLICE DOG RESCUES DEPUTY
COUNTY» A police ADAMS dog named Lex came to the aid of a sheriff’s deputy, the dog’s handler, who was attacked early Sunday morning.
The incident happened about 1 a.m., when the deputy and Lex responded to a report of a “trespass in progress” in the 4700 block of West 89th Place, according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputy jumped a fence in pursuit of a man and was separated from Lex. Behind the fence, the suspect attacked the deputy, punching, biting and strangling him.
Lex, eager to help, “unlatched the gate with his paw” and came to the “assistance of the deputy,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Lex, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, has served with the sheriff’s office since February 2015.
On Thursday, the Adams County district attorney’s office identified the suspect as Gabriel Steven Garcia, 25, of Lakewood. Garcia is being held at the Adams County jail on suspicion of multiple felonies, including attempted firstdegree murder after deliberation, assault by strangulation, assault on a peace officer and attempting to disarm a peace officer. His bail has been set at $500,000.
Court records describe extensive meth ring investigation.
GRAND JUNCTION»
Court records say members of a recently uncovered drug ring in western Colorado brought in large amounts of methamphetamine from Nevada and California to sell to dealers and a Clifton-area storefront.
The Daily Sentinel reports efforts by local and federal drug investigators have resulted in the recovery of 25 pounds of meth and 11 arrests. The newspaper learned the details of their months-long investigation through recently unsealed affidavits.
Popular campground closes early for renovations.
ASPEN» One of Aspen’s largest and most popular campgrounds will be shuttered for the season Tuesday.
Difficult Campground, 4 miles east of Aspen, must close to accommodate renovation of the drinking water system, the U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday.
The campground is usually open into September. Reservations haven’t been accepted for the past six months for any dates past Aug. 15, according to Mike Kenealy, recreation special uses coordinator for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District.
New dam construction to close state park facilities.
Sylvan Lake State Park has an issue to address before it becomes a big dam problem. The 1940s-era dam at the popular recreation location is scheduled for replacement next year. That means the lake will be drained and camping opportunities will be curtailed.
Michael Wall, supervisor at the state park, presented the closure information to the Eagle Town Board this week. Wall noted there is no imminent danger associated with the current dam. But because it was built nearly 70 years ago, it does not meet today’s safety standards. The plan calls for a new structure that meets the current standards, and that can prevent future failures by armoring it against the possibility of a large flood.
Wall said the construction will also bring a new amenity to the park: “We are going to have a really cool foot traffic bridge.”