Numerous Colorado schools receive threats and reports of ‘active shooters’ Wednesday
COLORADO (KRDO) -- Wednesday morning, several schools throughout Colorado were placed on lockdown or told to shelter in place due to reports of possible threats or an active shooter.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management told 9News it's also monitoring the incidents.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation provided KRDO with the following statement on the string of threats made against Colorado schools:
FBI Denver is aware of numerous threats made today to a variety of organizations and institutions across Colorado. The FBI works closely with its law enforcement partners by providing resources and guidance in these investigations and can recommend cases for federal prosecution. While we have no information at this time to indicate a specific and credible threat, we continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention.
It is important to note that law enforcement will use all available resources to investigate a threat until we determine whether it is real or not. Investigating hoax threats drains law enforcement resources and diverts officers from responding to an actual crisis. More information about the consequences of posting hoax threats can be found on fbi.gov at https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/hoax-threats-awareness-100518 . We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.
FBI Denver
Alamosa
According to the Alamosa School District, dispatch received a call from an unknown number at 8:24 a.m. reporting a threat of an armed individual at Ortega Middle School.
The Alamosa Police Department responded and the school was placed on lockdown and all other schools were placed on hold immediately following the notification.
According to the district, the threat was "unfounded and the lockdown was lifted.
This is a developing story.
Aspen
At 9:08 a.m., the Aspen School District announced it was on lockdown due to a potential threat in the area. According to the district, law enforcement responded to the campus and students were safe and buildings are secured.
At 10:20 a.m., the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office announced all Aspen School District schools had been cleared of the threat.
Parents were asked to monitor communications from the district for directions on where to go for reunification. Others are asked to avoid the area to avoid more traffic if they aren't pickup up a student.
Boulder
The Boulder Police Department (BDP) reported at 8:56 a.m. there was a report of an active shooter at Boulder High School. However, law enforcement had not confirmed that report.
A shelter-in-place was issued. People were asked to avoid the school.
According to the Boulder Valley School District, students and staff were evacuated during the lockdown and relocated to a reunification point away from the school. Students were sent to Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado campus. That reunification process is set to begin at 11 a.m.
School and after-school activities were canceled for the remainder of the day.
Brighton
The Brighton Police Department said at 9:27 a.m. that officers responded to Brighton High School after dispatch received a "threatening call" from an unknown person. Other schools in the area were placed on a secure perimeter.
At 9:44 a.m., police announced officers found no credible threat to students or the surrounding community. The security measures were lifted.
Carbondale and Glenwood Springs
At 9:07 a.m., Roaring Fork Schools announced that all schools were on secure protocol in Basalt and Carbondale. By 9:27 a.m., the protocol was lifted.
However, at 10:04 a.m., the district said a lockdown was activated at Glenwood Springs High School and all other schools were "on secure per law enforcement." Those security measures were lifted at 10:28 a.m.
Cañon City
According to the Cañon City Police Department, there was a bomb threat called in at the high school.
An alert on the Cañon City Schools Fremont RE-1 website stated the high school is on lockdown as of 8:56 a.m. People are told to not come to the school or call the school.
All other schools are on secure status. Parents are asked to stage at St. Michales and to not approach the high school.
Durango
Durango High School was also placed on a secure perimeter. According to Durango School District 9-R, DHS received a call from the 911 Communication Center about an armed suspect approaching the campus. DHS went into a secure lockout, and officers responded to the campus.
At 10:07 a.m., officers determined the threat was a hoax.
According to DSD, the FBI reported that many schools across the nation receive information that there was a threat to safety.
Englewood
At 10:10 a.m., Englewood School District announced Englewood High School, Englewood Middle School, and Englewood Leadership Academy were on lockdown due to reports of a threat.
However, the Englewood Police Department believes this to have also been false reports related to a larger swatting incident that's impacted several other schools.
By 10:55 a.m., the district's lockdown was lifted.
Estes Park
At 9:23 a.m., the Estes Police Department received a report from an anonymous source that there would be an active shooter at Estes Park High School. The school, however, was closed Wednesday due to the weather.
Still, officers responded to the school. The Estes Valley Community Center was briefly put on lockdown. Officers found no evidence to substantiate the report.
EPD acknowledged the other unsubstantiated reports across the state Wednesday morning.
Gilpin County
The Gilpin County Sheriff's Office announced at 11:01 a.m. they were investigating an "active suspicious incident" at the Gilpin County School. However, the sheriff's office said there was "no active threat and no active gunman."
The school was placed on lockdown.
People were asked to avoid the area.
This is a developing story.
