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A preliminary hearing is underway for the three suspects charged in the murder of Steamboat resident Elliot Stahl. 26-year-old William C. Ellifritz, 21-year-old Brooke L. Forquer, and 23-year-old Skyla Marie Piccolo-Laabs are all from Craig. A timeline of events that led to the discovery of Stahl’s body near the Flat Tops Wilderness Area was the focus during the two days of testimony at the Routt County Judicial Center. A fisherman found the body. The timeline includes Stahl being involved in a traffic stop west of Hayden, and then getting a ride to the Kum & Go in Craig after the driver of that car was arrested.  There was also surveillance video from Casey’s Pond before the murder that showed Stahl and the suspects. There’s also video of the car they were in passing through Oak Creek, and then heading back more than an hour later. There was an autopsy. Cause of death is loss of blood due to stab wounds. The preliminary hearing will resume Jan. 16.

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Wolves have been confirmed in Moffat County. Hunters in Irish Canyon found a bull elk carcass. It was reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife who tested it, and confirmed the tracks were wolves. Because of another sighting in October, the Craig Press reports that parks and wildlife officials are confident a wolf pack appears to be active in northwest Colorado, and that there are at least six wolves. The reintroduction of wolves to Colorado will be on the 2020 ballot statewide. Moffat County Commissioners are on record as being against the reintroduction of wolves, and Moffat County was the first county in the state to do so.

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Courtesy Craig Fire/Rescue

Craig Fire/Rescue has eight new firefighters signed up for its 2020 rookie class. The eight new members are joining the local fire rescue after three months of recruiting, interviewing, and testing. They’ll now start the fire academy, which happens every year. Craig Fire/Rescue hosts the academy on Fridays and Saturdays twice a month, which trains and develops state certified firefighters. The Craig Press reports that it’s the same certification and training that any career firefighter would have to complete in Colorado, or anywhere in the country.

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Ryan Owens, courtesy Post Independent

A man has been arrested for the recent car thefts in the Rifle area. 28-year-old Ryan Owens was arrested near the Western Star Inn in Rifle, where he was sitting in a stolen Jeep Cherokee. That car was stolen from Parachute. Officers also found a loaded handgun on Owens when he was arrested along with nearly 12 grams of white crystals which is suspected to be meth. Owens faces multiple felony charges, including three counts of motor vehicle theft. He was out on parole after serving a three-year prison sentence. Bond was not set because he was on parole.

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Moffat County Sheriff’s officers responded to a two-vehicle accident near milepost 95 on Highway 40 Thursday. That’s just east of Craig. A Chevy Impala collided with a pickup truck. The Craig Press reports an EMT crew and Craig Fire/Rescue loaded at least one person into a waiting ambulance. The sheriff’s office is investigating.

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Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Someone illegally shot a mule deer in Craig Tuesday. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials want to know who did it. Officials responded to the injured mule deer buck in the 700 block of Barclay Street in Craig on Tuesday. The injured deer had an arrow sticking from his left rear hip. Wildlife Officer Mike Swaro says the deer seems to be doing OK.

Swaro says the wound was fresh and the black carbon arrow looked new, like it could have been a Christmas gift. They would like to know who did it, and if it might have been a mistake. They will take that into account if the person comes forward.

If you have any information on who left the arrow in the buck in Craig, call Swaro directly at 970-942-8275. Or you can remain anonymous by contacting Operation Game Thief. There could be a monetary reward.

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Museum of Northwest Colorado. Photo by Shannon Lukens.

The Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig is officially part of the City of Craig, as opposed to a Moffat County entity, as of today. The museum says there will be new exhibits ahead, and they thank the City of Craig for the successful transition.

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Be ready for some hazardous driving conditions tomorrow. Colorado Department of Transportation is sending out alerts for New Year’s Day and into the holiday night. Check on the weather forecast, plan ahead, and be prepared for heavy traffic, especially on the interstates. CDOT says extreme caution is advised if driving in the mountains. Continue reading →

Stay sober if you are planning to drive, especially over the New Year’s holiday. Statewide DUI enforcement for New Year’s Eve is underway right now from Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement agencies. Last year, 114 agencies arrested 334 impaired drivers during this enforcement period. If you are planning to go out on the town to ring in the New Year, here are a few tips:

Take advantage of options for a free ride home, or call a Lyft or Uber. Don’t be afraid to take someone’s car keys if they’re impaired. Don’t get into a car with someone who has been drinking too much. Make your plans in advance as to who will stay sober to drive. If you are planning a night out on the town to ring in the New Year, remember the following tips:

• Take advantage of the options for discounted, free and sober rides home.
• Don’t be afraid to take someone’s car keys if they are impaired.
• Do not get into a vehicle with someone who is impaired. Encourage them to call a sober ride.
• Plan for a sober ride home before going out.
• Consume responsibly for a fun but safe New Year’s Eve celebration.

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Steven Irwin Lord, Jr. Mug shot

A man from Craig has been arrested on felony drug charges. 31-year-old Steven Irwin Lord, Jr., faces charges of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale of a schedule I/II controlled substance. The Craig Press reports that the arrest affidavit says Lord was a passenger in a car that was pulled over last week. A sheriff’s deputy knew about Lord and called in the drug sniffing dogs. During a search, police found meth and evidence of selling or preparing to sell a controlled substance. Lord has served jail time before on drug related charges. Lord will be in Moffat County court on Dec. 31.

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Moffat County has chosen its Youth of the Year nominees for the Boys & Girls Club of Craig. The Youth of the Year award honors teenage staff members of the club who are called “red shirts,” which is the color of their work shirts. The Craig Press reports that this year’s nominees for Craig are Darbi Zimmerman, Reina Steele, and Maddie Coutts. The three will compete against representatives from Steamboat Springs in January. Nominees all give a speech about how the club has positively affected their lives and their future. Whichever teen wins the district will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

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Get the snow shovels out. Northern Colorado is getting some snow. A heavy round of snowstorms should make for a White Christmas today. The snow will increase into the evening. The high in Craig today should be about 25 degrees. Snowshowers will continue tomorrow. Up at the Steamboat ski area, 94 percent of the trails at Steamboat Resort will be open, along with 13 chairlifts.

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