Last week, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a construction site accident, investigated potential illegal campfires, wrote citations for water users not having personal floatation devices and more.
The following incidents occurred between Monday, June 29, and Sunday, July 5.
Four juvenile raccoons loitering near the Walmart entrance, assumed to be looking for easy access to snacks, prompted a response from animal control officers June 29. They got the raccoons into a crate and relocated them to a nearby wooded area, intending for them to reunite with their mother.
A resident living near a construction site in unincorporated Silverthorne reported hearing commotion and people yelling June 29. The caller stated that it seemed like something had fallen on and injured a worker. The object had been a large piece of metal, and other workers used a bulldozer to lift it off the man. Deputies and emergency medical services responded and transported the worker to the hospital for treatment. Deputies took a report for the incident.
While patrolling the Dillon Reservoir on June 29, a deputy saw two adults on stand-up paddle boards, one with a personal floatation device strapped to her board and the other with no life jacket at all. When the man saw the deputy, he paddled to shore and ran into the trees to hide. The deputy spoke to the woman, telling her about the reservoir safety rules and regulations, and she put on her floatation device. The deputy helped her to shore due to high winds, she asked where the man went, and the deputy said he was hiding in the trees. The deputy did not take any further action.
Two young campers called 911 after hearing suspicious noises and cracking near their McCullough Gulch campsite June 30. The scared campers asked for a deputy to check the surrounding area, but when a deputy arrived, they did not find anything or anyone else in the area. The deputy determined the noises were probably wildlife and did not find anything criminal or out of the ordinary.
Animal control officers helped free a marmot that was stuck between a hot tub and a concrete wall June 30. They used a catchpole and a garden hose to coerce the marmot from its spot and eventually pulled it from its hiding hole. It was drenched and dazed when officers put it down on the grass, taking some time to compose itself before running off. Officers suggested the homeowners fill the holes with rocks, and he said he would figure out a way to fill the gaps.
From July 1-4, deputies received dozens of reports of potential illegal campfires at campgrounds at the Dillon Reservoir, Peru Creek Road, the Quandary Peak area and in Heeney. Most fires were propane fire pits, which are allowed during Stage 2 fire restrictions, but a few illegal fires were found and extinguished. Deputies issued summonses to those responsible.
A deputy found a recent fire ring on the beach July 2 near the Giberson Bay day use area. They dismantled it and removed the leftover fire starter and burnt logs to discourage anyone from building another fire, which is not allowed in the area in general nor anywhere in the county under Stage 2 fire restrictions. The deputy did not identify any suspects.
On July 3, a deputy towed a boat to the marina dock after it ran out of gas in the Dillon Reservoir, leaving its eight occupants stranded. The boaters did not report any injuries.
When an intoxicated woman found herself stranded at a friend’s house in Wildernest on July 3 and wanted to go home, she called 911. Deputies interviewed the woman and friend and found nothing criminal between them. The woman could not figure out how to get home while intoxicated, and deputies gave her a courtesy ride home. A routine check in the system revealed the woman had an active restraining order prohibiting her from consuming alcohol, so deputies gave her a summons to court for the violation, causing her to become upset. She threw the summons and some personal property at the deputies and ran toward them instead of going into her home. Deputies arrested her because of her hostile state, took her to the county jail and booked her on the violation of a protection order.
Residents of unincorporated Breckenridge had a propane heater on their porch and accidentally left it on when they went to bed July 4. They woke up a few hours later to their fire alarm and flames on their roof. The Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District responded and extinguished the flames. Nobody reported injuries, and deputies found nothing suspicious or criminal, as the propane heater was allowed under current fire restrictions.
A vehicle owner found a bear trapped overnight in their car July 4. Deputies responded to help, and while the bear had seemingly caused significant damage to the car’s interior, it appeared content inside. A deputy wrapped a rope around the car handle, moved a safe distance away, opened the door and coaxed the bear out. Nobody was injured, but the vehicle will likely be declared a total loss due to the damage. Deputies took a report for insurance purposes.
On July 4-5, deputies patrolling the Dillon Reservoir encountered several kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders who were not wearing personal floatation devices. Deputies gave some of them loaner life jackets and gave courtesy rides to shore to others, so they could get their own devices. Children 13 and older must wear life jackets at all times, and adults face a mandatory fine if they are not prepared for their own safety. Deputies issued several citations.
Deputies responded to a report about fireworks July 4 in unincorporated Silverthorne and found a group of people using sparklers to celebrate the holiday. The sparklers are not allowed under current fire restrictions, so deputies issued a citation.
A backcountry user reported finding an unattended campfire outside Frisco on July 5. The fire was illegal under current Stage 2 fire restrictions, and when deputies located it, they found it had a significant amount of wood in the fire ring and active flames. Deputies and crews from Summit Fire & EMS and the U.S. Forest Service completely extinguished the fire. Deputies have identified a suspect and are continuing their investigation.
A group renting a truck for off-roading got it stuck in the area of Georgia Pass on July 5. They walked to Good Times Adventure Tours, where an employee called for help for them. A deputy responded, gave them a courtesy ride to their condo and gave them information for truck recovery services. The group did not report any injuries.