Summit County sees increase in illegal campfires, swift water rescues and hiking injuries as summer approaches, sheriff's office says

The Summit County Sheriff's Office responded to an increase in illegal campfires, swift water rescues and foot and bicycle injuries as summer begins in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

The following incidents occurred between Monday, June 10 and Sunday, June 23, according to notable call logs released by the sheriff's office.

On Sunday, June 23, a group floating the Lower Blue River north of Silverthorne reported seeing a man in an inflatable kayak ahead of them, but then discovered the kayak wedged among trees along the river. A search and rescue mission was launched and the man was located about an hour later while searching for his kayak along the river.

Also Sunday, a couple visiting Summit County for the weekend got into a verbal argument on their way to the Denver airport. The man threw the woman's purse out the window and it was hit by a car. The man then kicked the woman out of the vehicle and fled north on Colorado Highway 9. He was stopped by a deputy on Swan Mountain Road and was arrested on several charges, including domestic violence, and transported at the county jail.

On Saturday, June 22, a woman called to check on her elderly neighbor who had not been able to contact her for a few days. The neighbor’s vehicle was parked in the driveway, but she was not responding to emails or phone calls. When police arrived, they could hear the woman’s dog inside. Upon entering, officers located the woman, who had suffered a bad fall, inside. The woman declined medical attention, but due to her poor condition, medical intervention was requested and she was assessed by paramedics.

On Thursday, June 20, a man in unincorporated Summit County fired a barrel without first obtaining a permit. He was instructed on how to apply for a fire permit and the fire was extinguished.

On Wednesday, June 19, a Colorado Department of Transportation employee reported that a driver stopped and passed out while their car was still traveling near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels on Interstate 70. Upon arrival , officers were unable to wake the man, but he was breathing. Emergency medical intervention was requested. The man finally woke up. He reportedly had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet. Due to his level of intoxication, he was transported to St. Anthony Summit Hospital. He was also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Also Wednesday, several Summit County residents reported receiving voicemails from a man claiming to be Sergeant Matthew Goldstein of the sheriff’s office and asking to be called back for an urgent matter. None of the residents exchanged money or gave any personal information. They were told the call was a scam.

On Tuesday, June 18, deputies received a report of an unattended raft that was unmoored on the shore of Dillon Reservoir. The person who reported the raft was concerned the owner was missing or in trouble. However, officers located the owner the next morning. The owner was issued a citation for an unregistered vehicle and no proof of aquatic nuisance inspection.

On Monday, June 17, a man trying to buy heavy machinery on Craigslist said he paid more than $40,000 but had not received the equipment since he wired the money ago of a month. The man is in contact with the company that sold the equipment, which has indicated it will refund the money. An investigation is underway to determine whether the man was the victim of a scam.

Also Monday, deputies responded to a report of a bonfire with 5-foot flames on the beach near Prospector Campground. Four campers were located and put out the fire after being informed of fire rules.

On Sunday, June 16, animal control received a report of a dog in visible distress locked in a vehicle with the windows rolled up. A deputy received the dog's owner's contact information and asked him to return to his vehicle. Shortly after police arrived, the dog's owner showed up and unlocked the vehicle.

“The dog was drooling excessively, panting heavily and had his tongue out as far as it would go – all signs of overheating,” the sheriff’s log states. “His body temperature was taken and it was elevated, prompting the officer to take him to the nearest veterinary hospital for treatment. The dog is doing well, but 5 to 10 minutes more in those conditions and the outcome could have been very different.”

On Saturday, June 15, the Sheriff's Special Operations Team and Summit County Rescue Group went to the backcountry north of Silverthorne for a man with a broken ankle. The man had fallen about 9 meters down a snowy slope the day before and crawled several kilometers to reach his camp, where he was able to make a call for help. A Flight for Life team dropped off rescue personnel near the man, who was stabilized and transported by helicopter to a local hospital.

On Friday, June 14, Special Operations Technicians responded to a smoke sighting near Officers Gulch along I-70. Using a drone, technicians quickly found a small campfire with two people nearby. Individuals found near the fire claimed they found the fire and were not responsible for it. Fires are not legal within a half-mile radius of I-70 on U.S. Forest Service property. The fire has been extinguished.

Also Friday, special operations technicians and the Summit County Rescue Group responded to an ATV trail near Breckenridge for a woman who crashed and broke her wrist. She was treated at the scene and was able to walk a short distance to a UTV which transported her to an ambulance.

In another incident Friday, a driver reported that a man pulled up next to him and accused him of running a red light. The driver could smell a foul odor of alcohol coming from the other man's vehicle and provided a good description of the vehicle. Officers located the man and arrested him for driving under the influence.

On Thursday, June 13, an employer in unincorporated Silverthorne reported that seven personal and business vehicles were broken into while their crew was working that day. They returned to find their belongings scattered throughout their vehicles and several golf frisbee discs missing. None of the vehicles were damaged. The incident remains under investigation.

On Tuesday, June 11, a father requested a welfare check for his adult son who had gone off-roading with his truck and had not returned. Officers checked several potential locations without success, but were eventually able to contact the man and determine his truck was stuck in neighboring Park County. The man was not injured, but his truck was stuck in the snow. His father arranged a tow.