Olivia Prentzel

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A hiker’s deadly fall highlights Colorado’s longtime struggle to account for its abandoned mines Colorado has closed about 14,000 abandoned mine openings since 1980, but officials say thousands more — many unknown to the state — remain

Lots of risks around #Colorado high country, but falling in an abandoned mine is not something you really think about out on the trail. Interesting background and numbers on this issue from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social.

ICE conduct in Colorado "unlawful”: Federal judge orders agency to repay plaintiffs’ bond money, remove ankle monitors and better document reasons for arrest The ruling is a win in federal court for ACLU, Colorado law firms who sued ICE to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions

ICE agents’ conduct during arrests in Colorado has been “unlawful,” a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

The ruling is a significant victory for immigrants rights groups, who sued ICE last month to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions.

Durango father, two kids, ask to return to Colombia after being picked up by ICE on their way to school The family has an active asylum case and the legal right to remain in the U.S., but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting”

A Durango father and his two children who were detained by ICE, after agents mistook the father for someone else, have signed paperwork to voluntarily deport back to Colombia.

They have an active asylum case, but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting."

Immigrants begging to be deported are languishing in ICE’s Aurora detention facility Despite the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy, immigrants have languished behind bars in Colorado, largely in the dark about when they will be freed.

Deportation, once seen as a loss, is much needed relief from detention for some. “The system is failing at every single level,” said an immigration attorney.

After his mother disappeared 18 years ago, this Colorado-born entrepreneur created an AI tool to help solve cold cases Ash Ghaemi’s quest to get the platform into police departments comes as law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on AI

There are plenty of stories about the proliferation of #AI, and it is confusing all the ways it could help or hurt us. @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has the #Colorado story of a man searching for answers and the intersection of police investigations and the fast-moving technology.

Colorado officer who used AI cameras to falsely accuse woman of theft disciplined with extra training Columbine Valley’s police chief said the sergeant’s demeanor was “inconsistent with the standards expected of a sworn officer"

The police chief said the sergeant's demeanor was “unprofessional and inconsistent with the standards expected of a sworn officer” of the Columbine Valley Police Department, but did not cite any errors in his use of the surveillance footage.

On Sept. 28, the day Trump’s order was implemented, a Fox News broadcast played a clip of Kotek saying that Guard troops were not needed in Portland, then immediately cut to a clip of a hectic scene of protesters clashing with police. “Wish she could see some of those images,” the anchor said. Sarcastically, as a co-anchor chuckled, she added: “Look at that. Just a peaceful protest.” A small box on the screen showed the footage wasn’t from Oregon. It was from Illinois.

Amazing kicker on @robwdavis.bsky.social’s story about Fox News’ misleading coverage of Portland before Trump sent in troops.
www.propublica.org/article/port...

Tonight's #auroraborealis from Colorado Springs

Since the officer's false accusation, which sparked outrage over the PD's use of #Flock cameras, the town said it will work “to ensure that our citizens continue to have faith in our officers.” But the town didn't reveal what discipline the officer faces and didn't return emails/VM from The Sun.

Officer who used Flock cameras to falsely accuse Denver woman of theft will face unspecified disciplinary action “You know we have cameras in that town,” Sgt. Jamie Milliman said, according to a doorbell camera footage. “You can’t get a breath of fresh air in or out of that place without us knowing.”

New: A Columbine Valley police officer who used surveillance from AI-powered license plate readers to wrongly accuse a Denver woman of stealing a $25 package will be disciplined, town officials said.

Afghan immigrant who helped U.S. military fight Taliban arrested by ICE The father of four, who had settled in Colorado and gotten his commercial driver’s license, was driving a truck through Indiana when he was taken by masked ICE agents in October

Mohammad Ali Dadfar worked alongside the U.S. government fighting against the Taliban as a security official in the Afghan Army.

Last month, as he drove a truckload of supplies through Indiana, he was taken by masked ICE agents after he was forced to strip by the roadside and handcuffed.

NEW: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it is launching an investigation after a federal agent threw a 57-year-old woman to the ground during a protest in Durango following the detention of a father and his two children.
Read more @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...

Father detained by ICE in Durango will be transferred to Texas, pending immigration proceedings ICE agents detained Fernando Jaramillo-Solano and his two children, 12 and 15, while on their way to school Monday. ICE has not disclosed where the children are being held.

A man who was detained by federal immigration officers, along with his two children in Durango while on their way to school, sparking protests, will be sent to a Texas detention center, officials said Wednesday afternoon.

ICE did not say where his kids, 12 and 15, were being held.

After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence Chrisanna Elser spent days collecting evidence, from apps on her phone to dashcam footage in her vehicle, to prove her whereabouts

After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence.

Faced w/ a high-tech accusation, she turned to a different form of electronic surveillance to exonerate herself — apps on her phone and in her car that were also recording what she did that day.

In Centennial:

In Broomfield, homemade signs on display ranged from the Colorado-centric “Trump Skis in Jeans” to “I’m afraid of crowds but I’m more afraid of facism” to “No sign is BIG enough to list all of the reasons I’m here.” A mountain biker rolled up wearing a black “NICE Agent” T-shirt.

In Pueblo, hundreds showed up to be part of a nationwide protest. But they also were there to build community, and to show unity in the face of division.

“Look around you now. These are your neighbors. These are your friends. These are your people," organizer Kevin Abernathy said.

Crowds turn out across Colorado for "No Kings" protest, seeing threats to democracy Thousands of Coloradans were expected at up to 60 rallies statewide, in show of opposition to Trump Administration.

Crowds turn out across Colorado for “No Kings” protest, seeing threats to democracy.

@coloradosun.com has reporters around the state covering the rallies that are expected to draw thousands

Pitkin County sheriff says he remains confident that Hunter S. Thompson died by suicide Sheriff Michael Buglione said the case review was prompted by “things (Anita Thompson) has been hearing from friends and possible relatives”

Pitkin County sheriff says he remains confident that Hunter S. Thompson died by suicide via @coloradosun.com

Colorado authorities reviewing  2005 probe into Hunter S. Thompson’s death The famous author, known for his gonzo journalism, died by apparent suicide in his home in Woody Creek, outside of Aspen in 2005

NEW: Hunter S. Thompson had a "profound impact" in #Aspen & #Colorado. Said the current sheriff: “By bringing in an outside agency for a fresh look, we hope to provide a definitive and transparent review that may offer peace of mind to his family and the public.” @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has more

Northwestern Colorado fires damaged crucial electric lines, threatening natural gas production for the nation The Elk and Lee fires damaged electrical lines that power the Piceance Basin, which produces about 2% to 5% of the U.S. daily consumption of natural gas

Rio Blanco County is facing more than $24 million in damage to energy infrastructure in the county after the Elk and Lee fires ravaged more than 152,000 acres in August:

“Brown and crispy”: How drought is affecting this year's fall color show in Colorado A dismal snowpack followed by a warm spring with short bursts of precipitation put aspens and many other trees around the state in distress

While hiking last weekend near Buena Vista, I got a wonderful show of fall colors and started to wonder... what makes leaves so bright one year and less vibrant the next? My curiosity led me to Colorado State Forest Service's entomologist, who taught me a lot for this story for @coloradosun.com

14-year-old critically wounded in Evergreen High School shooting confronted attacker, family says “In those terrifying moments, our son showed a level of bravery, strength, and will to survive that no child should ever be asked to display,” the boy’s family said

A 14-year-old student who was critically wounded in a shooting at Evergreen High School this month confronted the shooter, allowing time for students to flee, his family said.

9 minutes: How the shooting at Evergreen High School unfolded, moment by moment Desmond Holly critically wounded two students as he fired about 20 rounds inside and outside the school. Here's how. ithappened

9 minutes: How the shooting at #EvergreenHighSchool unfolded, moment by moment. Excellent reporting by my @coloradosun.com colleagues Erica Breunlin, Taylor Dolven and @jesseapaul.bsky.social

At least 3 in critical condition after being wounded in shooting at Evergreen High School Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school

UPDATE: At least three people are in critical conditions after being wounded in a shooting near Evergreen High School, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school.

coloradosun.com/2025/09/10/e...

At least 2 students shot at Evergreen High School, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says At least two students were shot Wednesday at Evergreen High School, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.  The students are en route to a hospital, the sheriff’s office said. Officials said they...

DEVELOPING: We have reporters en route, but here is the latest from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social on the #Colorado high school shooting in Evergreen.

It is *really* dry on CO's Western Slope where the Elk & Lee fires are burning. This detail stood out to me:

“Some of the driest conditions — 2% relative humidity the other day — many of our firefighters had never seen that low of humidity on any fires in any place they have been."

Counting sheep at 14,000 feet: Inside Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s bighorn sheep survey on Pikes Peak An uptick in pneumonia among bighorn lambs in the Pikes Peak herd has state wildlife officials on alert after this year’s count

Really fun #Colorado story from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social ... great one to read for the weekend when you out and exploring this great state. Oh, and Happy #ColoradoDay.

I ran 7.3 miles across steep single-track trails and up 1,100 feet of elevation with a fast donkey setting the pace... and then wrote about it for @coloradosun.com

What I learned from my first pack burro race, Colorado’s only indigenous sport: