By Shannon Lukens.

 

Rumors have been circulating that ICE agents, which is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are showing up at local businesses, schools, and workplaces, to deport local immigrants. Steamboat Springs Police, Hayden Police, and the Routt County Sheriff’s Office all say this has not been happening, and it’s all a rumor. Here’s Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar.

“Our goal is to dispel the rumors that have been going around that ICE agents are in our community, rounding up undocumented immigrants. We have confirmed that agents were not in the area, and that their focus going forward is on apprehending criminals who are in our country illegally. And I’d just like to remind people that being in our country without proper documentation, is not a criminal violation. It’s a federal, civil, administrative issue.”

Hayden Police Chief Scott Scurlock agreed that the rumors need to stop.

“You’re sharing these things. Reach out to a source who would know and don’t just take your information off of social media because, as in this case, the people who are in the know all say this isn’t happening, and if somebody would have simply reached out and gotten the correct information, we could put a stop to the rumors.”

Routt County Undersheriff Josh Carrell confirmed that local law enforcement has no reports of it happening here.

“I would just request that you reach out to the Routt County Sheriff’s office if you have any questions and/or concerns and we’ll do everything we can to answer those questions, and if not, we’ll help you and assist in finding those answers for you.”

All three agencies say they will continue to work together to ensure the safety of everyone in the communities in Northwest Colorado.

More on the Story — Local law enforcement shuts down ICE deportation rumors

 

There were 684 traffic deaths on Colorado roads last year. Most fatalities were in the months of July, September and October. While the number of deaths was down 5% from 2023, the number of motorcycle deaths and construction zone deaths increased significantly. Also, CDOT says a third of fatalities involved an impaired driver. And 183 people died who weren’t buckled up.

Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol are working on a new program to reduce speeding in construction zones, new ways to better protect pedestrians and cyclists, better enforcement programs aimed at impaired drivers, efforts to improve motorcycle safety, and more.

There was a press conference Tuesday in Denver to discuss the options to reduce traffic deaths. Skyler McKinley was one of the speakers. He is the regional director for public affairs for AAA.

“Fundamentally, too many folks are dying on Colorado’s roadways. When you choose to text and drive and you strike someone, you’ve made that choice. That wasn’t an accident. That was a crash that you caused. When you choose to drive impaired, you’ve made a selfish choice. When you speed, you’ve made a selfish choice that takes others lives and health from them. So I think the conversation today is Colorado is moving in a better direction but we all as individuals need to make better choices to look out for one another or someday it might be us who is a victim of a traffic crash.”

More on the Story — Traffic deaths on Colorado roads decreased in 2024

 

 

The Routt County Humane Society has released numbers for last year. They brought in 418 animals, helped with the adoption of 273 pets and 115 animals were returned to their owner. The average length of stay for animals at the humane society was 25 days.

 

The Steamboat Springs High School Alpine Ski Team is hosting a home race all day Thursday at Howelsen Hill. The girls start at 10 a.m. with the second run in the afternoon. Around 12:45, the seniors on the ski team will be honored.

 

Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.

 

For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.