Lake County Sheriffs Office

The Lake County Sheriff's Office wants to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a safe rest of your holiday season.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office administration office will be closed on December 25th, 2023, in observance of Christmas.

For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency calls, call 719-486-1249

On December 7th, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service attacked a US Naval Station in Honolulu, HI. On this day, several Americans were either killed or injured by these attacks, which led the United States into WWII. December 7th will always be a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives on this day.

Today marks the beginning of Impaired Driving Prevention Month. With 21 million risks of encountering an impaired driver this holiday season, your donation to MADD helps turn 21 million to zero. Visit madd.org/togetthere to donate, pledge ToGetThere safely, and learn more ways to get involved in the movement to end impaired driving.

ROAD CLOSURE

UPDATE: Roads are back open. Travel safe!

The road is currently closed at the intersection of County Road 4 & McWethy Dr.

Please use alternate route!

Lake County Search & Rescue continues to be a valuable asset to our county. As some of you may not know, this program is built on volunteers. These volunteers take a great deal of time out of their personal lives to carry out missions that our Lake County Dispatch has for them with grace and grit.

Please help us in recognizing what rockstars these individuals are!

Lake County “SARBecue” and awards yesterday evening was a great success!

We shared wins from the year, recognizing many of our members who shone brightly not only on missions, but administrative duties, aligning with the Race Series and overall team camaraderie.

Cheers to another year, stay safe!

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Office of Sheriff Heath Speckman
News Release

Contact
Deputy Danielle Lomascolo
Public Information Officer
P: 719-293-4095
E: [email protected]

Two Vehicle Crash Highway 91 – Two Fatalities
10/20/2023 at 1923 hours

Lake County, Colo: On October 20, 2023, The Lake County Sheriff’s Office along with The Leadville Police Department, Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue, and St. Vincent’s Ambulance Services responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 91 Mile Marker 4. The Colorado Department of Transportation and Lake County’s Road & Bridge assisted with traffic control during this event.

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash which resulted in two fatalities. One arrest was made, and the investigation by their vehicular crimes' unit is ongoing. The Lake County Coroner’s Office also responded to the crash due to the two fatalities.

For questions, please contact Deputy Lomascolo at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 719-293-4095.

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UPDATE: State Highway 91 is back open. Please travel safe!

UPDATE: For the crash on State Highway 91 Mile Marker 4, it is reported that the roadway should be back open in less than one hour as of 11:33 pm

***ATTENTION***

Multiple vehicle crash on State Highway 91 Mile Marker 4. Highway will be closed indefinitely.

Will provide more information as we get it.

UPDATE: The Highway remains closed at this time, we will advise the public if it’s reopening.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Office of Sheriff Heath Speckman

News Release

Contact
Deputy Danielle Lomascolo
Public Information Officer
P: 719-293-4095
E: [email protected]

Fatality US Highway 24 Mile Marker 169
10/17/2023 at 0755 hours

Lake County, Colo. – On October 17, 2023, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash on US Highway 24 Mile Marker 169 in unincorporated Lake County as an Agency Assist to Colorado State Patrol who is investigating the crash.
In addition to the response of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue and St. Vincent’s Emergency Medical Services responded to the crash, which resulted in a fatality.

The deceased, Bonnie Culpepper, was a full-time EMT at Eagle County Paramedic Services and a Colorado Mountain College student. Culpepper began her EMS career in 2020 and started with Eagle County Paramedic Services in May 2023. The EMS community is grieving her loss.

Following the crash, there was a procession for Culpepper from the crash site to the Lake County Coroner’s Office. This morning, October 18, 2023, Culpepper was escorted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Leadville Police Department from the Lake County Coroner’s Office to the Arapahoe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Please keep Bonnie’s family, friends and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers.

For questions, please contact Deputy Lomascolo at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 719-293-4095.
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Alert - US 24 westbound/eastbound: Road closed between County Road 21 and Sylvan Lakes Road (5 miles west of Leadville North) at Mile Point 169. Road closed expect delays due to a crash.
(Updated Today at 9:28 AM MDT by Colorado Department of Transportation)

Stay updated with CDOT - https://www.cotrip.org/event/CDOT-13161355163WB/@-106.45516,39.29368,11?show=winterDriving,roadReports,plowLocations,weatherRadar,weatherWarnings,chainLaws

Lake County Public Works Lake County Sheriffs Office Lake County Office of Emergency Management

Any business, organization, or individual wanting to help out with our Halloween event can register by scanning the QR Code below or by visiting https://forms.gle/2nocjLzqW2Gu1q1GA.
Leadville Main Street

IMPORTANT: On Wednesday, Oct. 4th at 2:20 p.m. ET, there will be a nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs.

This is a standard test that occurs at least once every three years. No action is needed.

Info & FAQs: fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/national-test-2023

FRAUD ALERT

Residents of Lake County, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified victims in a fraud case. We are looking for residents in the following neighborhoods to come forward if they have seen fraudulent activity on their financial accounts:

Beaver Lake Estates Neighborhood
100 Block Chestnut St.
600 Block of Alpine Dr.

If you have observed fraudulent activity on your financial accounts, please contact 719-486-1249 and ask to speak with the deputy on case number 230603.

Happy Rosh Hashanah! A two-day celebration of the Jewish New Year.

Happy Grandparents Day to some of the wisest of all time!

*** Seeking Public Information ***
At approximately 2:00 am to 4:00 am during the morning of 09/09/2023, vehicle break-ins occurred in the neighborhood of Mountain View West, 19773 US Highway 24. We are seeking public assistance for any information regarding this issue.

We know that approximately 6-8 older juveniles were wearing dark clothing and masks and that they ruined the inside of cars, tampered with ignitions, and stole personal items.

Please let the Lake County Sheriff's Office know if you have any information about these acts at 719-486-1249.

*Travel Advisory*

State Highway 82 is currently closed going over Independence Pass due to a traffic crash. Please plan for an alternate route.

An update will be provided when the Pass is back open.

State Highway 82 is 10pm last night.

For emergencies call 911, questions about closures and further information contact 719-486-1249.

Happy Labor Day! Thank you to those who labor and work hard day in and day out!

Stay safe out there!

The Lake County Sheriff's Office administration office will be closed on September 4th, 2023, in observance of Labor Day.

For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency calls, call 719-486-1249

The event for National Night Out has been canceled due to weather. Please stay tuned for further details!

LAKE COUNTY - Please travel safe on the roadway. The down pour we just received has made it quite difficult travel.

Emergencies call 911. Non-emergencies call 719-486-1249.

IT MAY BE RAINING BUT SWING BY THE COMMUNITY FIELD FOR SOME FUN AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT! FESTIVITIES START AT 4PM!!

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT TONIGHT FROM 4PM TO 6PM!

Hey Lake County! Plan ahead or consider an alternate route.

FYI WORK ZONE AHEAD
July 20, 2023 County Road 10 between CR 10/24 intersection and Couty Road 10/10M intersection will have Reclamite sprayed on it to reactivate the oil in the new recycled asphalt that was spread several week ago. Please work with our crews. There will be times of road closures for up to an hour. As soon as the area is sprayed and sanded down the road will be open to traffic at slow speeds.

Alternate routes are advised! If you need to be somewhere tomorrow, please give yourselves extra time to wait or go around the project. If you are coming from PanArk you will be directed to CR 10 south to State Hwy 82. If you approach from the North, you will also be directed around to Hwy 82 to County Road 10.

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. However, there is a process to follow to make this the best product for all. We are working with the contractor's schedule and since we are located away from the big cities, we have very limited options on when we get things scheduled.

BE SAFE OUT THERE!
Lake County Sheriffs Office Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue Lake County Government Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado Lake County Office of Emergency Management Subdivision

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Office of Sheriff Heath Speckman

News Release

Contact
Deputy Danielle Lomascolo
Public Information Officer
P: 719-293-4095
E: [email protected]

Barricaded Subject 200 Block of East 8th Street
07/11/2023 at 2307 hours

Leadville, Colo - On July 11, 2023, at 11:07 pm, Lake County Dispatch received a reported burglary in progress located on the 200 Block of East 8th St. in Leadville. A Leadville police officer and Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence and established a security perimeter.

The reporting party/homeowner informed first responders that there were no other occupants inside the residence. The reporting party was able to live stream the activity inside their residence through their home security camera. The live stream was used to provide information on Archuleta potential location inside the residence. The use of the security cameras also assisted in identifying the suspect as Ricardo Archuleta.

This call for service became an armed barricaded subject situation inside the residence after Archuleta was seen on camera in possession of the reporting party’s firearm. Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy gave verbal commands to Archuleta to exit the house; however, Archuleta was non-compliant with all verbal orders to exit. Lake County/Leadville law enforcement then requested additional first responder resources while maintaining the security perimeter. Leadville Police Chief Ken Chavez arrived on scene and assumed incident command of the situation. Lake County Sheriff Heath Speckman along with Chaffee County’s regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team were also on scene to assist the Leadville Police Department. A reverse 911 notification was sent to those in the area to shelter in place near the 200 Block of E 8th St.

At 2:09 am, Chaffee County SWAT took command of the incident. Chaffee County SWAT assessed the situation and made several attempts to contact Archuleta from outside the house using a loudspeaker with the order that Archuleta come out with his hands up. After nearly two hours of verbal commands to Archuleta to exit, the first tear gas was deployed inside the residence by SWAT. The tear gas was released to encourage Archuleta to remove himself from the residence. After a few more deployments of the tear gas, Chaffee County SWAT contacted Archuleta at 4:35 am as he was removing himself from the residence due to the effectiveness of the tear gas. Archuleta was taken into custody at 4:36 am without any further incident. A second reverse 911 message was sent to the surrounding area to notify them that the situation had been safely resolved and to end the shelter in place notice. Archuleta was then taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital for decontamination and a medical examination. Archuleta was booked into the Lake County Jail where he received felony and misdemeanor charges by the Leadville Police Department.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the great collaborative work by the Leadville Police Department and thank the Chaffee County regional SWAT team for their assistance in the safe and successful apprehension of Archuleta. Thank you to Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services for their assistance during this incident. We also appreciate the patience and understanding of the community during this incident.

All persons mentioned are innocent until proven guilty in court. For questions, please contact Deputy Lomascolo at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 719-293-4095.

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Take the opportunity to attend! “Animal Problems” are on the rise in Lake County. Treat yourself to an affordable Dog Obedience Class hosted by Lake County Recreation!

Dog Training will start next week and there's a few spots left. Visit our website to get registered.

Happy Father’s Day!

Lake County Search and Rescue – Saving Lives Above 10,000 feet Saving Lives Above 10,000 feet