2 of 3 accused of starting High Chateau fire appear in court

Two suspects accused of starting the High Chateau fire in Teller County back in June were in Teller County court on Monday morning, facing charges of first-degree arson.

David Renfrow, 23, was accompanied by his significant other in court, while 19-year-old Kegan Owens was with his father and stepmother. The pair and one other person allegedly started a campfire and didn’t completely extinguish it before leaving because they were scared off by a bear.

“This fire cost the taxpayers of Colorado somewhere in the area of $2.5 million,” said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. “This was an expensive campfire.”

With 11 structures lost in the fire and dozens of others threatened, those living in the burn area were not happy after finding out the cause of this fire was arson.

However, plenty of people did voice to us that they sympathize with the two young men, saying accidents can happen.

“I hope they are held accountable because they ruined a lot of lives up here,” said one Cripple Creek resident. “When there’s a ban on fires, there’s a ban on fires. You can’t just assume that you can handle something like that up here.”

Renfrow’s and Owens’ preliminary hearings will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 4.