UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: I-70 is now open in both directions. Please continue to use caution in the area and allow crews space to finish their work safely.
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ACTUALIZACIÓN 2:20 p.m.: La I-70 ya está abierta en ambos sentidos. Por favor, sigan conduciendo con precaución en la zona y dejen espacio a los equipos para que puedan terminar su trabajo de forma segura.
UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: The suspect, 30 year-old Kenny Espinoza has been taken into custody. The shelter-in-place has been lifted.
I-70 will remain closed a little longer as the Colorado Bureau of Investigation continues its portion of the investigation. We are optimistic it will be open soon. Law enforcement will remain in the area to safely process the scene and collect evidence. We sincerely appreciate the community’s patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this situation.
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ACTUALIZACIÓN 2:10 p.m.: El sospechoso, Kenny Espinoza, de 30 años, ha sido detenido. Se ha levantado la orden de permanecer en casa.
La I-70 permanecerá cerrada un poco más, ya que la Oficina de Investigación de Colorado continúa con su parte de la investigación. Somos optimistas y creemos que se abrirá pronto. Las fuerzas policiales permanecerán en la zona para procesar de forma segura el lugar de los hechos y recoger evidencia. Agradecemos sinceramente la paciencia, la comprensión y la cooperación de la comunidad durante toda esta situación.
Westminster Police Department
Westminster Police Department is assisting the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office with their investigation as the vehicle contacted by deputies is related to our ongoing homicide investigation from over the weekend. At this time, the man pictured in their release is a suspect in our case. If you see him, do not approach and call 911.
The purpose of this release is to be transparent and provide timely information to the public. The details shared are based on preliminary information and may be subject to change as additional evidence is collected and reviewed.
News Release Update: 1.13.26- High-risk traffic stop turns manhunt following officer-involved shooting near Dotsero
Eagle County, Colo.- The shelter in place remains ongoing for the Dotsero area as a precaution. I-70 westbound is still closed at mile marker 133, and I-70 eastbound is closed at mile marker 119. Our crews continue working diligently towards reopening the roadway when it is safe to do so. We will have a brief update for the media at 1 pm in the B lot of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, 955 Chambers Avenue. Media Personnel, please follow the signs to the staging area. Sheriff Van Beek and our partners will provide an update on the investigation and suspect information.
Actualización del Comunicado de Noticias: 1.13.26. Una parada de tráfico de alto riesgo se convierte en una persecución tras un tiroteo con participación policial cerca de Dotsero
Condado de Eagle, Colorado. Como medida de precaución, se mantiene la orden de permanecer en casa en la zona de Dotsero. La I-70 en dirección oeste sigue cerrada en el marcador de milla 133, y la I-70 en dirección este está cerrada en el marcador de milla 119. Nuestros equipos siguen trabajando diligentemente para reabrir la carretera cuando sea seguro hacerlo. Ofreceremos una breve actualización para los medios de comunicación a la 1 p. m. en el estacionamiento B de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Eagle, 955 Chambers Avenue. Los medios de comunicación deben seguir las señales hasta la zona de reunión. El Alguacil Van Beek y nuestros socios proporcionarán información actualizada sobre la investigación y el sospechoso.
News Release: 1.13.26 – High-risk traffic stop turns manhunt following officer-involved shooting near Dotsero
DOTSERO, Colo. – Just after 4:00 am on Jan. 13, 2026, Vail Public Safety Communications received information to be on the lookout for a homicide suspect out of the Denver area who was believed to be traveling near Gypsum. The suspect was reported to be armed and possibly accompanied by hostages.
Preliminary information indicates that a deputy with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle that matched the description, driving westbound on 1-70 at a high rate of speed, and began pursuing it. After observing the vehicle exit at mile marker 119 and get back on I-70 eastbound, deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Since the suspect refused to stop, deputies deployed a spike strip successfully near mile marker 130 on I-70.
Two parties then exited the vehicle, pointing a firearm at law enforcement, and shots were exchanged between the suspect(s) and law enforcement. One party was injured in the exchange and received medical care on scene before being transported to a hospital. The remaining people in the vehicle were then contacted by law enforcement.
There is still an active scene at this time with a manhunt and shooting investigation. Deputies with Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, along with Colorado State Patrol and the Special Operations Unit, are still searching for the suspect who fled, pictured below. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. If you see him, do not approach and call 911.
As a precaution, a shelter-in-place order has been issued for the surrounding areas. I-70 is also shut down at mile marker 140 in Gypsum and Eastbound at mile marker 119 at the Glenwood Canyon Rest area.
Community members are asked to avoid the area, follow all directions from law enforcement, refrain from stopping for hitchhikers, and keep a safe distance from the scene.
This is an ongoing situation; the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been requested, and updates will be provided when possible.
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Comunicado de Noticias: 1.13.26. Una parada de tráfico de alto riesgo se convierte en una persecución tras un tiroteo con un oficial cerca de Dotsero.
La información preliminar indica que un oficial de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Eagle localizó un vehÃculo que coincidÃa con la descripción, que circulaba en dirección oeste por la I-70 a gran velocidad, y comenzó a perseguirlo. Tras observar que el vehÃculo salÃa en el marcador de milla 119 y volvÃa a incorporarse a la I-70 en dirección este, los oficiales intentaron detenerlo.
En estos momentos, la escena sigue activa, con una búsqueda del sospechoso y una investigación del tiroteo. Oficiales de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Eagle y de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Garfield, junto con la Patrulla Estatal de Colorado y la Unidad de Operaciones Especiales, siguen buscando al sospechoso que huyó, cuya foto se muestra a continuación. Se cree que está armado y es peligroso. Si lo ve, no se acerque y llame al 911.
Se pide a los miembros de la comunidad que eviten la zona, sigan todas las instrucciones de las fuerzas policiales, se abstengan de parar a los transeúntes y mantengan una distancia segura de la escena.
Se trata de una situación en curso; se ha solicitado la intervención de la Oficina de Investigación de Colorado (CBI) y se proporcionará información actualizada cuando sea posible.
1.13.26, 4:40 a.m. – CORRECTION: I-70 is closed eastbound at the mile marker 119, No Name Rest Area.
1.13.26, 4:27 a.m. – UPDATE: Eastbound is now closed at the mile marker 116, Glenwood Springs. It is also closed westbound at the Gypsum exit in Eagle County.
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
1.13.26, 4:19 a.m. – I-70 is closed at mile marker 125 eastbound, Hanging Lake, due to police activity.
On June 18, 2025, the SPEAR task force, with the assistance of the Garfield County All Hazards Response Team (AHRT), executed a narcotics related search warrant at 513 West Ave. in the City of Rifle.
With elements of this case still open, we will hold off on some of the details but wanted the public to know there is no ongoing threat to the community.
SPEAR would like to thank the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Rifle Police Department for their assistance.
SPEAR is a multi-jurisdictional task force based out of the Garfield County, comprised of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information on criminal activity is encouraged to reach out to SPEAR through your local law enforcement agency or dispatch at 970 625-8095.
6.2.25, 6:56 p.m. – Residence in the area of Apple Tree mobile home park in New Castle and County Road 335: there is law enforcement presence in the area. Please stay inside. Report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
11.6.24, 12:44 p.m. – Police activity on the Roaring Fork River bike path near 8th street. Please avoid the area. Follow Glenwood Police Department on Facebook at cogs.us/police. For emergencies, dial 911.
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Actividad policial en el sendero para bicicletas Roaring Fork cerca de la calle 8. Por favor, evite la zona.
Note: this press release from outside Garfield County is shared as schools in Garfield County have experienced threat activity as well.
NEWS RELEASE 09/13/2024 – JUVENILE ARRESTED AFTER THREATS TO TOWN OF EAGLE, COLORADO SCHOOL
The Eagle Police Department has arrested a juvenile in connection with an investigation into threats against a Town of Eagle school. The investigation began after screenshots of social media messages containing the names of local students at a local school were distributed within the community and reported to Eagle Police Department. Eagle Police Officers successfully identified the juvenile after persistent investigative effort and the juvenile was safely arrested on 09/13/2024.
Additional instances involving other Eagle County Schools are still under investigation. The Eagle Police Department is working closely with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and Federal partners to continue these investigations. The Eagle Police Department would like to thank everyone that contributed information to this investigation.
The Eagle Police Department acknowledges that these investigations are tense and upsetting. The contributions by our community have resulted in a safe and effective resolution. The Eagle Police Department does not believe any current threats to schools in the Town of Eagle represent any additional valid dangers. The Eagle Police Department would also like to recognize the Eagle County School District for their partnership and assistance during this investigation.
Eagle Police Department is committed to protecting the safety and security of everyone in our community. If you have any information about this incident or any of the individuals involved, please contact Eagle Police Department at 970-479-2200 and you will be connected to an on-duty officer. You can remain anonymous by contacting the Eagle County Crime Stoppers to submit your tip online at p3tips.com or send a tip using the free ‘P3 Tips’ mobile app. If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspect involved, you could earn a cash reward from the Eagle County Crime Stoppers.
We understand the immense concern and anxiety these events are causing and encourage our community to reach out for mental health support if needed. It is available through Vail Behavioral Health or call (844) 493-8255 for local 24/7 Crisis Response.
This case has been forwarded to the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. As such, no further information will be released. Persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Names have been withheld because of the ages of the involved persons.
September 13, 2024, 2:26 p.m. – EAGLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office continues to actively investigate social media posts related to potential threats against Eagle County Schools. We understand how unsettling this situation is for our students, parents, and staff, and we want you to know that we are taking every lead seriously. Your safety, and the safety of our entire community, is our top priority.
Eagle Police Department had a break in the case involving the threats to a local school in their jurisdiction. At this time we do not believe that the suspect arrested by Eagle Police Department is connected to the other threats in the area. We are actively working together to locate the individual(s) responsible for the threats to the other schools and other concerning online posts. This remains an active and high-priority case.
We deeply appreciate your continued vigilance, patience, and cooperation as we work through this investigation together. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.
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La Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Eagle continúa investigando activamente las publicaciones en las redes sociales relacionadas con posibles amenazas contra las Escuelas del Condado de Eagle. Entendemos lo inquietante que es esta situación para nuestros estudiantes, padres y personal, y queremos que sepan que estamos tomando en serio cada indicio. Su seguridad, y la seguridad de toda nuestra comunidad, es nuestra máxima prioridad.
El Departamento de Policia de Eagle ha tenido una tregua en el caso de las amenazas a una escuela local en su jurisdicción. En este momento no creemos que el sospechoso arrestado por el Departamento de Policia de Eagle este conectado con las otras amenazas en el area. Estamos colaborando activamente para localizar al individuo o individuos responsables de las amenazas a las otras escuelas y de otras preocupantes publicaciones en lÃnea. Este sigue siendo un caso activo y de alta prioridad.
Agradecemos profundamente su continua vigilancia, paciencia y cooperación mientras trabajamos juntos en esta investigación. Gracias por ayudarnos a mantener la seguridad de nuestra comunidad.
