By Shannon Lukens.
Four new Steamboat Springs Police officers have just finished their training at the Police Academy and they are officially on the force as of 3 p.m. this afternoon. They are:
ELLE CROUCH — Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Elle Crouch graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2017 and moved to Colorado Springs to complete her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I coach girls’ basketball for the Middle School and the High School alongside my sister. I loved growing up in Steamboat Springs and look forward to serving a community that I have been a part of for nearly two and half decades!
BRENDEN ANDREWS — Brenden Andrews was born and raised in Steamboat Springs and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2018. After graduating, Brenden attended Colorado State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in May 2022. Brenden is excited to give back to his hometown in a positive manner though his education and deep community ties.
GENE LEE — Aloha! Gene Lee joined the Steamboat Springs Police Department in May 2021 working for a year as a Community Service Officer before making the decision to become POST certified and join the patrol team. Prior to SSPD, he spent 20 years as a Firefighter/EMT for the Honolulu Fire Department. His love for the mountains, traveling, and skiing, brought him to Steamboat Springs, where he is excited to start career number two as a police officer!
LONNY SHAW — Hailing from Fort Collins, Lonny Shaw has lived in Colorado his whole life, enabling him to push into the outdoors whenever possible through camping, fishing, hiking, and any other means to escape the city. Two years of college was enough to convince him to pursue a different path, ultimately deciding on public service, where he found Steamboat Springs and the police department. When he has spare time, he enjoys writing stories and songs, going to concerts, and listening to heavy metal.
Detective Sam Silva is being promoted to Sergeant, and Mark Beckett receives his commander badge. The ceremony is at Centennial Hall.
The Moffat County Fair has wrapped up. Abby Martinez won the Grand Champion Market Swine heading into the weekend.
Now it’s time for the Routt County Fair. The horse shows continue today and tomorrow with the 4-H Dog Show also on Tuesday.
The Steamboat Gravel ride had 3,000 cyclists at the starting line on Yampa Street Sunday morning, then riding all over Routt County Sunday. Both professional and recreational riders joined the race which has received international attention with 50 states and 20 countries represented. Amy Charity runs the SBT GRVL ride.
Some of those local causes are the Community Ag Alliance, Routt County Riders, and Boys & Girls Club. The fastest male overall for the 142-mile ride was Keegan Swenson from Heber City, Utah. Lauren De Cresenzo of Atlanta was the fast female.
They were also the winners of “Lead Boat.” Ninety of the 3000 riders did “Lead Boat.” They raced the 100-mile mountain bike race in Leadville on Saturday and then the 142-mile SBT GRVL ride on Sunday.
And finally… Zipper Merge in the construction zone along Hwy 40 in Steamboat. Use both lanes until the merge point.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.