Olivia Prentzel
@oliviaprentzel.bsky.social
Listening, learning and telling stories for @coloradosun.com. Send tips/story ideas: [email protected].
https://coloradosun.com/author/olivia-prentzel/
https://coloradosun.com/author/olivia-prentzel/
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
Lots of risks around #Colorado high country, but falling in an abandoned mine is not something you really think about out on the trail. Interesting background and numbers on this issue from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social.
A hiker’s deadly fall highlights Colorado’s longtime struggle to account for its abandoned mines
Colorado has closed about 14,000 abandoned mine openings since 1980, but officials say thousands more — many unknown to the state — remain
coloradosun.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Lots of risks around #Colorado high country, but falling in an abandoned mine is not something you really think about out on the trail. Interesting background and numbers on this issue from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social.
ICE agents’ conduct during arrests in Colorado has been “unlawful,” a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
The ruling is a significant victory for immigrants rights groups, who sued ICE last month to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions.
The ruling is a significant victory for immigrants rights groups, who sued ICE last month to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions.
ICE conduct in Colorado "unlawful”: Federal judge orders agency to repay plaintiffs’ bond money, remove ankle monitors and better document reasons for arrest
The ruling is a win in federal court for ACLU, Colorado law firms who sued ICE to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions
coloradosun.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
ICE agents’ conduct during arrests in Colorado has been “unlawful,” a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
The ruling is a significant victory for immigrants rights groups, who sued ICE last month to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions.
The ruling is a significant victory for immigrants rights groups, who sued ICE last month to stop “indiscriminate” arrests and detentions.
A Durango father and his two children who were detained by ICE, after agents mistook the father for someone else, have signed paperwork to voluntarily deport back to Colombia.
They have an active asylum case, but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting."
They have an active asylum case, but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting."
Durango father, two kids, ask to return to Colombia after being picked up by ICE on their way to school
The family has an active asylum case and the legal right to remain in the U.S., but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting”
coloradosun.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:33 AM
A Durango father and his two children who were detained by ICE, after agents mistook the father for someone else, have signed paperwork to voluntarily deport back to Colombia.
They have an active asylum case, but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting."
They have an active asylum case, but weeks in a Texas detention center have “left them unable to continue fighting."
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
Deportation, once seen as a loss, is much needed relief from detention for some. “The system is failing at every single level,” said an immigration attorney.
Immigrants begging to be deported are languishing in ICE’s Aurora detention facility
Despite the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy, immigrants have languished behind bars in Colorado, largely in the dark about when they will be freed.
coloradosun.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Deportation, once seen as a loss, is much needed relief from detention for some. “The system is failing at every single level,” said an immigration attorney.
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
There are plenty of stories about the proliferation of #AI, and it is confusing all the ways it could help or hurt us. @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has the #Colorado story of a man searching for answers and the intersection of police investigations and the fast-moving technology.
After his mother disappeared 18 years ago, this Colorado-born entrepreneur created an AI tool to help solve cold cases
Ash Ghaemi’s quest to get the platform into police departments comes as law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on AI
coloradosun.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:16 PM
There are plenty of stories about the proliferation of #AI, and it is confusing all the ways it could help or hurt us. @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has the #Colorado story of a man searching for answers and the intersection of police investigations and the fast-moving technology.
The police chief said the sergeant's demeanor was “unprofessional and inconsistent with the standards expected of a sworn officer” of the Columbine Valley Police Department, but did not cite any errors in his use of the surveillance footage.
Colorado officer who used AI cameras to falsely accuse woman of theft disciplined with extra training
Columbine Valley’s police chief said the sergeant’s demeanor was “inconsistent with the standards expected of a sworn officer"
coloradosun.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The police chief said the sergeant's demeanor was “unprofessional and inconsistent with the standards expected of a sworn officer” of the Columbine Valley Police Department, but did not cite any errors in his use of the surveillance footage.
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
Amazing kicker on @robwdavis.bsky.social’s story about Fox News’ misleading coverage of Portland before Trump sent in troops.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
www.propublica.org/article/port...
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Amazing kicker on @robwdavis.bsky.social’s story about Fox News’ misleading coverage of Portland before Trump sent in troops.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
www.propublica.org/article/port...
Tonight's #auroraborealis from Colorado Springs
November 12, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Tonight's #auroraborealis from Colorado Springs
Since the officer's false accusation, which sparked outrage over the PD's use of #Flock cameras, the town said it will work “to ensure that our citizens continue to have faith in our officers.” But the town didn't reveal what discipline the officer faces and didn't return emails/VM from The Sun.
New: A Columbine Valley police officer who used surveillance from AI-powered license plate readers to wrongly accuse a Denver woman of stealing a $25 package will be disciplined, town officials said.
Officer who used Flock cameras to falsely accuse Denver woman of theft will face unspecified disciplinary action
“You know we have cameras in that town,” Sgt. Jamie Milliman said, according to a doorbell camera footage. “You can’t get a breath of fresh air in or out of that place without us knowing.”
coloradosun.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Since the officer's false accusation, which sparked outrage over the PD's use of #Flock cameras, the town said it will work “to ensure that our citizens continue to have faith in our officers.” But the town didn't reveal what discipline the officer faces and didn't return emails/VM from The Sun.
New: A Columbine Valley police officer who used surveillance from AI-powered license plate readers to wrongly accuse a Denver woman of stealing a $25 package will be disciplined, town officials said.
Officer who used Flock cameras to falsely accuse Denver woman of theft will face unspecified disciplinary action
“You know we have cameras in that town,” Sgt. Jamie Milliman said, according to a doorbell camera footage. “You can’t get a breath of fresh air in or out of that place without us knowing.”
coloradosun.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
New: A Columbine Valley police officer who used surveillance from AI-powered license plate readers to wrongly accuse a Denver woman of stealing a $25 package will be disciplined, town officials said.
Mohammad Ali Dadfar worked alongside the U.S. government fighting against the Taliban as a security official in the Afghan Army.
Last month, as he drove a truckload of supplies through Indiana, he was taken by masked ICE agents after he was forced to strip by the roadside and handcuffed.
Last month, as he drove a truckload of supplies through Indiana, he was taken by masked ICE agents after he was forced to strip by the roadside and handcuffed.
Afghan immigrant who helped U.S. military fight Taliban arrested by ICE
The father of four, who had settled in Colorado and gotten his commercial driver’s license, was driving a truck through Indiana when he was taken by masked ICE agents in October
coloradosun.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Mohammad Ali Dadfar worked alongside the U.S. government fighting against the Taliban as a security official in the Afghan Army.
Last month, as he drove a truckload of supplies through Indiana, he was taken by masked ICE agents after he was forced to strip by the roadside and handcuffed.
Last month, as he drove a truckload of supplies through Indiana, he was taken by masked ICE agents after he was forced to strip by the roadside and handcuffed.
NEW: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it is launching an investigation after a federal agent threw a 57-year-old woman to the ground during a protest in Durango following the detention of a father and his two children.
Read more @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
Read more @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
An anonymous officer was caught on video throwing a woman to the ground during a peaceful protest outside the ICE field office in Durango.
Dozens of protesters remained Tuesday after demonstrating through the night over the detainment of two children and their father on the way to school.
Dozens of protesters remained Tuesday after demonstrating through the night over the detainment of two children and their father on the way to school.
October 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
NEW: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it is launching an investigation after a federal agent threw a 57-year-old woman to the ground during a protest in Durango following the detention of a father and his two children.
Read more @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
Read more @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
A man who was detained by federal immigration officers, along with his two children in Durango while on their way to school, sparking protests, will be sent to a Texas detention center, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
ICE did not say where his kids, 12 and 15, were being held.
ICE did not say where his kids, 12 and 15, were being held.
Father detained by ICE in Durango will be transferred to Texas, pending immigration proceedings
ICE agents detained Fernando Jaramillo-Solano and his two children, 12 and 15, while on their way to school Monday. ICE has not disclosed where the children are being held.
coloradosun.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A man who was detained by federal immigration officers, along with his two children in Durango while on their way to school, sparking protests, will be sent to a Texas detention center, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
ICE did not say where his kids, 12 and 15, were being held.
ICE did not say where his kids, 12 and 15, were being held.
After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence.
Faced w/ a high-tech accusation, she turned to a different form of electronic surveillance to exonerate herself — apps on her phone and in her car that were also recording what she did that day.
Faced w/ a high-tech accusation, she turned to a different form of electronic surveillance to exonerate herself — apps on her phone and in her car that were also recording what she did that day.
After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence
Chrisanna Elser spent days collecting evidence, from apps on her phone to dashcam footage in her vehicle, to prove her whereabouts
coloradosun.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence.
Faced w/ a high-tech accusation, she turned to a different form of electronic surveillance to exonerate herself — apps on her phone and in her car that were also recording what she did that day.
Faced w/ a high-tech accusation, she turned to a different form of electronic surveillance to exonerate herself — apps on her phone and in her car that were also recording what she did that day.
Crowds turn out across Colorado for “No Kings” protest, seeing threats to democracy.
@coloradosun.com has reporters around the state covering the rallies that are expected to draw thousands
@coloradosun.com has reporters around the state covering the rallies that are expected to draw thousands
Crowds turn out across Colorado for "No Kings" protest, seeing threats to democracy
Thousands of Coloradans were expected at up to 60 rallies statewide, in show of opposition to Trump Administration.
coloradosun.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Crowds turn out across Colorado for “No Kings” protest, seeing threats to democracy.
@coloradosun.com has reporters around the state covering the rallies that are expected to draw thousands
@coloradosun.com has reporters around the state covering the rallies that are expected to draw thousands
Pitkin County sheriff says he remains confident that Hunter S. Thompson died by suicide via @coloradosun.com
Pitkin County sheriff says he remains confident that Hunter S. Thompson died by suicide
Sheriff Michael Buglione said the case review was prompted by “things (Anita Thompson) has been hearing from friends and possible relatives”
coloradosun.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Pitkin County sheriff says he remains confident that Hunter S. Thompson died by suicide via @coloradosun.com
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
NEW: Hunter S. Thompson had a "profound impact" in #Aspen & #Colorado. Said the current sheriff: “By bringing in an outside agency for a fresh look, we hope to provide a definitive and transparent review that may offer peace of mind to his family and the public.” @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has more
Colorado authorities reviewing 2005 probe into Hunter S. Thompson’s death
The famous author, known for his gonzo journalism, died by apparent suicide in his home in Woody Creek, outside of Aspen in 2005
coloradosun.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
NEW: Hunter S. Thompson had a "profound impact" in #Aspen & #Colorado. Said the current sheriff: “By bringing in an outside agency for a fresh look, we hope to provide a definitive and transparent review that may offer peace of mind to his family and the public.” @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social has more
Rio Blanco County is facing more than $24 million in damage to energy infrastructure in the county after the Elk and Lee fires ravaged more than 152,000 acres in August:
Northwestern Colorado fires damaged crucial electric lines, threatening natural gas production for the nation
The Elk and Lee fires damaged electrical lines that power the Piceance Basin, which produces about 2% to 5% of the U.S. daily consumption of natural gas
coloradosun.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Rio Blanco County is facing more than $24 million in damage to energy infrastructure in the county after the Elk and Lee fires ravaged more than 152,000 acres in August:
While hiking last weekend near Buena Vista, I got a wonderful show of fall colors and started to wonder... what makes leaves so bright one year and less vibrant the next? My curiosity led me to Colorado State Forest Service's entomologist, who taught me a lot for this story for @coloradosun.com
“Brown and crispy”: How drought is affecting this year's fall color show in Colorado
A dismal snowpack followed by a warm spring with short bursts of precipitation put aspens and many other trees around the state in distress
coloradosun.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
While hiking last weekend near Buena Vista, I got a wonderful show of fall colors and started to wonder... what makes leaves so bright one year and less vibrant the next? My curiosity led me to Colorado State Forest Service's entomologist, who taught me a lot for this story for @coloradosun.com
A 14-year-old student who was critically wounded in a shooting at Evergreen High School this month confronted the shooter, allowing time for students to flee, his family said.
14-year-old critically wounded in Evergreen High School shooting confronted attacker, family says
“In those terrifying moments, our son showed a level of bravery, strength, and will to survive that no child should ever be asked to display,” the boy’s family said
coloradosun.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A 14-year-old student who was critically wounded in a shooting at Evergreen High School this month confronted the shooter, allowing time for students to flee, his family said.
9 minutes: How the shooting at #EvergreenHighSchool unfolded, moment by moment. Excellent reporting by my @coloradosun.com colleagues Erica Breunlin, Taylor Dolven and @jesseapaul.bsky.social
9 minutes: How the shooting at Evergreen High School unfolded, moment by moment
Desmond Holly critically wounded two students as he fired about 20 rounds inside and outside the school. Here's how. ithappened
coloradosun.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
9 minutes: How the shooting at #EvergreenHighSchool unfolded, moment by moment. Excellent reporting by my @coloradosun.com colleagues Erica Breunlin, Taylor Dolven and @jesseapaul.bsky.social
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
UPDATE: At least three people are in critical conditions after being wounded in a shooting near Evergreen High School, officials said Wednesday.
Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/10/e...
Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/10/e...
At least 3 in critical condition after being wounded in shooting at Evergreen High School
Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school
coloradosun.com
September 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
UPDATE: At least three people are in critical conditions after being wounded in a shooting near Evergreen High School, officials said Wednesday.
Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/10/e...
Officials said they were responding to an “active assailant” near the Jefferson County school.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/10/e...
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
DEVELOPING: We have reporters en route, but here is the latest from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social on the #Colorado high school shooting in Evergreen.
At least 2 students shot at Evergreen High School, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says
At least two students were shot Wednesday at Evergreen High School, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said. The students are en route to a hospital, the sheriff’s office said. Officials said they...
coloradosun.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
DEVELOPING: We have reporters en route, but here is the latest from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social on the #Colorado high school shooting in Evergreen.
It is *really* dry on CO's Western Slope where the Elk & Lee fires are burning. This detail stood out to me:
“Some of the driest conditions — 2% relative humidity the other day — many of our firefighters had never seen that low of humidity on any fires in any place they have been."
“Some of the driest conditions — 2% relative humidity the other day — many of our firefighters had never seen that low of humidity on any fires in any place they have been."
NEW: Firefighters battling “really, really fast” wildfires in northwestern Colorado with 60,000 acres scorched so far
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/l...
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/l...
Firefighters battling “really, really fast” wildfires in northwestern Colorado with 60,000 acres scorched so far
No containment has been reached on the Elk or Lee fires as of Thursday morning. Both fires were sparked by lightning over the weekend.
coloradosun.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It is *really* dry on CO's Western Slope where the Elk & Lee fires are burning. This detail stood out to me:
“Some of the driest conditions — 2% relative humidity the other day — many of our firefighters had never seen that low of humidity on any fires in any place they have been."
“Some of the driest conditions — 2% relative humidity the other day — many of our firefighters had never seen that low of humidity on any fires in any place they have been."
Reposted by Olivia Prentzel
Really fun #Colorado story from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social ... great one to read for the weekend when you out and exploring this great state. Oh, and Happy #ColoradoDay.
Counting sheep at 14,000 feet: Inside Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s bighorn sheep survey on Pikes Peak
An uptick in pneumonia among bighorn lambs in the Pikes Peak herd has state wildlife officials on alert after this year’s count
coloradosun.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Really fun #Colorado story from @oliviaprentzel.bsky.social ... great one to read for the weekend when you out and exploring this great state. Oh, and Happy #ColoradoDay.