Douglas County

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office and local animal law enforcement are reminding people not to leave pets unattended in hot cars. Hundreds of calls have been made this summer regarding this issue.

John Adams Academy, a public charter school in Sterling Ranch, Colorado, will be the first in the state to install a drone active shooter suppression system. The system, provided by Texas-based Campus Guardian Angel, includes drones that can deploy rapidly to provide real-time surveillance and potentially use pepper gel or physical force against threats. Concerns about safety, ethics, and unproven technology were raised by local parents and neighbors.

Anthony Kistle, a Pennsylvania man wanted in connection to a 2024 murder, was arrested in Douglas County, Colorado, during a traffic stop on I-25 on July 14. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed his arrest around 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

Crews are fighting a brush fire in Douglas County near 6544 Village Road that threatens multiple homes, according to South Metro Fire Rescue officials. Details about the number of homes at risk, fire size, or cause remain unspecified, and Denver7 is seeking further information as the story develops.

Two suspects involved in road rage incidents on Interstate 25 were arrested by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, who found 'very real looking' BB guns on both individuals.

Larkspur Fire Chief Timothy McCawley warns Douglas County residents to prepare for potential wildfires after battling the 35% contained Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado. He highlights challenging fire conditions and community mitigation efforts, while resident Carrissa Ahlstrom shares concerns about dead trees and emergency preparedness.

Organizers of a Douglas County initiative to increase the number of county commissioners from three to five are in the final 13 days of collecting over 15,000 verified signatures to place the measure on the November ballot. Current progress shows more than 11,000 signatures collected, with efforts focused on pre-validation to ensure compliance before submission to the county clerk's office. Supporters argue the expansion would improve government accountability and representation.

A bear was shot and killed in a Douglas County neighborhood, prompting residents to report increased bear sightings. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirms that the rise in bear activity is not just a perception.

Officials have contained the deadly Chelan Hills wildfire, which spread across nearly 10,000 acres in unincorporated Douglas County. At least one person died in the blaze, which was fully contained by firefighters on Friday.

Sterling Ranch in Douglas County, Colorado, prioritizes water conservation through drought-tolerant home appliances, indoor and outdoor water meters, and resident education on water-efficient plants. The community secured water rights before construction and uses technology like Rachio sprinkler controllers to help residents manage water usage, with residents like Sam Johnson highlighting the community's proactive approach to drought preparedness.

Law enforcement is seeking suspects after at least 20 vehicles were broken into and a Ford F-150 was stolen from hotels in Douglas County.

The 9,776-acre Chelan Hills fire, which killed one person, is being investigated as human-caused. As of Tuesday, it was 20% contained, destroying 19 homes and dozens of other structures, according to Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille.

A drone caused a helicopter to halt operations during a grass fire response in Douglas County. The interference disrupted emergency efforts to address the fire.

Douglas County may impose up to $1,000 fines for illegal fireworks. A commissioner promoted drone shows as a safer alternative during high fire danger periods.

Douglas County in Colorado is under Stage 1 fire restrictions that ban fireworks use but not sales, causing confusion among residents. Fireworks retailers like Discount Fireworks argue sales remain legal during the season, emphasizing safety measures for ground-based 'safe and sane' fireworks. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office advises buyers to wait until restrictions lift before using fireworks.

Douglas County has implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, including a firework ban, ahead of the Fourth of July. The measures follow wildfires burning around the state, prompting Front Range cities and counties to announce similar bans and fire restrictions.

Douglas County will construct a Helitack hangar to support its firefighting crews and aircraft, approved through a $4.2 million contract with TCC Corporation. Construction is set to begin in 2026 and finish in 2027, aiming to enhance wildfire preparedness and resource readiness.

Douglas County commissioners approved an ordinance to regulate the illegal use of low-powered scooters and off-highway vehicles. The new regulation targets unauthorized operation of these vehicles.

Douglas County commissioners passed an emergency ordinance requiring helmets for riders under 18 and imposing up to $1,000 fines for reckless riding of electric dirt bikes (e-motos). The regulations address public safety concerns highlighted by Sheriff Darren Weekly and residents like Lynne Bussard, who reported dangerous behavior on roads and sidewalks. The ordinance, effective immediately, does not apply to e-bikes with pedals and includes educational efforts with schools.

Douglas County has restricted the use of electric dirt bikes and off-road scooters following a surge in crashes. The emergency ordinance, approved by commissioners, was enacted as an urgent safety measure, bypassing the standard 30-day timeline for such regulations.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office used artificial intelligence cameras to help stop a fire in a remote mountainous area west of Castle Rock.

An evacuation warning has been issued for a wildfire near Jackson Creek Road and Rampart Range Road in Douglas County, Colorado, affecting a 3-mile radius including Devils Head Recreation Area. Road closures are in effect at South Platte River Road and South County Highway 67, with officials urging those needing extra time to evacuate to leave immediately.

A wildfire burning near Devil's Head Recreation Area in Douglas County has prompted officials to issue an evacuation warning. The situation remains active as authorities urge residents to prepare for potential evacuation.

A 59-year-old woman named Marilyn Jensen was last seen on June 19 in Glenwood and has been declared missing by authorities. The Alexandria Police Department is seeking the public's help to locate her or the brown 2007 Chevrolet Silverado she was driving with license plates LRT028.

A citizen-led initiative in Douglas County, Colorado, seeks to expand the number of County Commissioners from three to five, with a debate over whether the change would affect term limits. Current County Commissioner George Teal argues the proposal could allow commissioners to bypass term limits by alternating between district and at-large roles, while organizer Angela Thomas contends term limits apply to the position itself. Legal precedent from 2000 involving former Attorney General Ken Salazar supports Teal's interpretation.

Safety concerns over e-bikes and e-motorcycles are rising in Denver metro areas as summer begins, with teenagers engaging in reckless behavior like wheelies and wrong-way riding. Local authorities, including Aurora Police Department, report increased incidents and are shifting focus to education over fines, while cities like Douglas County and Thornton explore new ordinances to address the issue.

Residents of Douglas County expressed concerns about road infrastructure following a fatal I-25 crash that caused significant traffic disruptions. Denver7 reporter Tyler Melito shared these concerns with county officials, including Assistant Director of Public Works Zeke Lynch, who highlighted the county's 2050 Transportation Plan aimed at addressing growth and improving infrastructure.

Douglas County Search and Rescue (DCSAR) is using drones to deliver supplies and communicate with stranded hikers, as demonstrated in a recent Bear Mountain rescue. The technology has evolved from a 2024 jerry-rigged kit to a padded delivery system, aiding rescues and providing psychological comfort to those in need.

Colorado continues to face affordability challenges due to uneven inflation. Weld and Douglas counties are experiencing employment growth, while other large counties are not seeing similar gains.

Minneapolis officials estimate Operation Metro Surge cost the city $700 million from December through April, a significant increase from an initial $203 million estimate. The city's small-business resiliency fund provided license fee refunds to 1,200 businesses. Additional unrelated news includes a court ruling on a tribe's solar power system, a barn quilt tour in Douglas County, and the Minnesota State Fair's new cookbook.

Douglas County is considering new rules for scooter and off-highway vehicle riders as injuries rise. County officials, law enforcement, and emergency doctors report existing regulations have not kept pace with vehicles capable of reaching 75 mph.

Adams County and Douglas County in Colorado, representing different political affiliations, have approved property tax rebate programs for childcare providers under a 2024 state law. The initiatives aim to stabilize the childcare industry by offering financial relief, with rebates starting in 2026, and reflect broader local efforts to support providers facing financial challenges.

Lavern Scott, a 65-year-old repeat sex offender known as 'Cookie Monster,' was arrested after breaking into a home in Omaha, Nebraska, where he attempted to assault a 9-year-old child. With a decades-long criminal history and multiple violations of sex offender registration requirements, Scott is among 233 non-compliant offenders in Douglas County, prompting authorities to call for stronger oversight.