Many Schools Are in Lockdown Across Colorado [UPDATED]

Emergency Lights (iStock 1185364093)

Posted By: Terry West February 22, 2023

Law enforcement agencies have responded to schools in Boulder, Brighton, Aspen, Alamosa, and Canon City.

Buena Vista

There was a police presence at the Buena Vista Middle School and High School as the Buena Vista Police Department are practicing a lockdown drill. This is only a drill.

Cañon City

Canon City Schools (CCS) said that Canon City High School is on lockdown Wednesday morning. “Canon City High School is in lockdown. More information will be sent as it is available,” CCS said on its website. “Please do not come to the school or call the school. All other schools are on secure status.”

Aspen

Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to a report of an unknown incident in the vicinity of the Aspen schools early Wednesday morning. In a tweet sent at 9:08 am, PCSO confirmed that law enforcement is on scene and that roads leading to and from Aspen Elementary, Middle and High School are closed. The Sheriff’s Office didn’t say what the incident was. Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to an incident around Aspen Elementary, Middle, and High School Wednesday morning.

“Law enforcement is currently on scene of an unknown incident in the vicinity of the Aspen Schools,” PCS tweeted. “Roads are closed in the area. Please stay away from the area at this time. We will update with information as it becomes available.”

The Aspen School District (ASD) said that the three schools are on lockdown. ASD said that parents not at the school should not approach the building.

[UPDATE] At 10:20 am all Aspen School District schools are CLEARED of the threat. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office asks parents to monitor communications from the district for directions on where to go for reunification. Please have identification with you. Please stay out of the area to avoid more traffic if not picking up.

Alamosa

Alamosa School District (ASD) said Alamosa dispatch received a call from an unknown number at 8:24 am Wednesday reporting a threat of an armed individual at Ortega Middle School. “This call triggered a timely response from the Alamosa Police Department (APD),” ASD Superintendent Diana Jones in a statement. “APD was on the school grounds promptly and placed the school on lockdown within a minute. All other schools were placed on hold immediately following notification. The lockdown at Ortega Middle School was lifted within five minutes, and all schools were placed on hold.”

Boulder

According to 9News, the Boulder Police Department (BPD) responded to an unconfirmed report of a shooter at Boulder High School on Wednesday morning and later said they have found no one who was injured. As of 10 am, Boulder Police said buses were en route to the high school to evacuate students to a reunification center.

Police also send a shelter-in-place order and asked the public to avoid the area around Boulder High School. The shelter-in-place is from Taft Drive to Folsom Street to Highway 119 to Highway 93.

Brighton 

Brighton Police Department said it received a call at 8:40 am Wednesday from someone who said they had a bomb outside the high school. Brighton police said the caller hung up and did not answer when dispatch called back. At 9:45 am, Brighton Police said no credible threat was found to students or the surrounding community and the secure status was lifted.

Durango

Durango High School was put on secure lockout Wednesday morning. That lockout was lifted at 10:07 am. “DHS received a call from the 911 Communication Center about an armed suspect approaching the campus,” Durango School District 9-R said on its website. “The district and local law enforcement take all threats very seriously.”

The district said after an extensive search of the high school campus, no threats were identified, and officers determined the scene was secure. 

Englewood

Englewood Schools said the Englewood Campus (Englewood High School, Englewood Middle School and Englewood Leadership Academy) is on lockdown as of 10:10 am. 

“We believe this is related to a swatting incident that is impacting several schools in the Denver Metro area,” the district said. “Swatting refers to a hoax call that falsely reports an emergency. We are working with the Englewood Police Department, who is on scene at The Englewood Campus. All students and staff are safe. Please wait for further directions and do not approach the school at this time. We will keep you informed on the situation and next steps with future messages as more information becomes available.”

Glenwood Springs and Carbondale

Roaring Fork Schools said Glenwood Springs High School was under lockdown as of 10:18 am according to 9News. All other Glenwood Springs and Carbondale schools were on secure perimeter. The district said at 10:32 a.m. that “all safety protocols in the Glenwood Springs schools have been lifted per law enforcement.”

This is a developing situation.

Terry West
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