Former Estes Park utility superintendent arrested

A former superintendent of Estes Park’s Light and Power division has been arrested after accusations of embezzlement of public property.

Larimer County sheriff’s officials said Thursday that Todd Steichen is accused of arranging for leftover copper wire to be sold to pay for a project party and bonuses for non-town employees working for the utility. They say he didn’t have approval from the town’s utilities director and didn’t follow town policies.

Steichen resigned Nov. 5. He is free on a $10,000 bond. He didn’t immediately return a phone message seeking comment.