Fugitive Arrested on Blanca Peak

A man who’d been on the run from child sexual assault charges for more than four years was found and arrested on Blanca Peak Sunday morning.

Paul Sandoval, 62, is accused of raping an 8-year-old girl in March 2021. Authorities say he disappeared into the mountains that month after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Sandoval resurfaced in August, allegedly committing a pair of break-ins in Alamosa County. He was spotted again Friday, armed and believed to be hiding on the slopes of Blanca Peak, triggering a large-scale, five-day manhunt.

Authorities took Sandoval into custody near Lake Como Road, a backcountry route on the mountain. More than 70 officers from federal, state, and local agencies participated in the search.

Southern Colorado Regroups Amid Flooding

At least two homes may be a total loss, 90 are damaged, and nearly 400 remain under evacuation in La Plata County, where heavy rains dropped up to six inches in less than three days.

In Pagosa Springs, now on pre-evacuation status, the San Juan River posted a historic crest, flooding trails, hot springs, and picnic tables downtown. See a video here.

On Sunday, Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration to complement those issued locally and activate the state’s emergency response plan. No injuries or deaths have been reported, though crews in La Plata County made 11 high-water rescues.

A flood watch for Southwest Colorado is in effect until noon today, with another round of heavy rain and possible additional flooding in the forecast.

Colorado Beer Dominates GABF Awards

Colorado’s craft breweries took home 36 medals and top honors at the Great American Beer Festival, the nation’s largest professional beer competition, which ended Saturday in Denver.

Three Colorado breweries—Cannonball Creek, River North, and Westbound & Down—were named brewery of the year in their respective size categories, the GABF’s highest accolade.

Westbound & Down, a favorite sponsor of The Colorado Flyover, won seven medals, including three golds, making it one of the most-medaled breweries. In all, Colorado collected 16 gold medals, the most since 2018.

The festival drew 8,315 entries from 1,555 breweries and cideries across the U.S. Here’s a complete list of this year’s winners.

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➤ Evergreen: Jefferson County deputies released a more detailed timeline and additional information on the Sept. 10 school shooting to help dispel rumors surrounding the attack. (See Details)

➤ Cañon City: A report on the Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center, one of the state’s few psychiatric residential facilities for children, says it leaves children in unsafe and substandard conditions. (See Report)

➤ Boulder County: A man was rescued after falling two stories inside the abandoned historic sugar mill near Longmont, sustaining serious injuries. Others on site were cited for trespassing. (More)

➤ Summit County: Two adults and a 9-year-old girl were killed early Sunday when a semi-truck crashed and caught fire just west of the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. (More)

➤ Lakewood: Police on Monday asked the public to avoid part of Union Ridge Park due to an agitated bull elk and his herd making the area unsafe. The herd moved on by noon. (See Details)

➤ Hudson: Activists on Saturday protested plans to convert the town’s former prison into a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, calling on local leaders to block the project. (More)

➤ Wheat Ridge: A local cafe has banned unsupervised middle and high school students from the premises following repeated problems with disruptive behavior and theft. (See Details)

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➤ Deion Sanders said Colorado fans should help pay the $50,000 fine for storming the field after Saturday’s 24-17 upset of No. 22 Iowa State: “That’s how it was when I grew up. You know, we going somewhere, everybody, before you get in the car with some gas, you gotta chip in.” (More)

➤ Nikola Jokić slung a no-look pass across the court to find Aaron Gordon in the corner for a wide-open shot during preseason action. (See Highlight)

➤ Postseason brackets have been released for the Colorado high school flag football championship—a 20-team single-elimination tournament that kicks off today and lasts through Oct. 25. (See Bracket)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NFL | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ B&F Mountain Market, Nederland’s only major supermarket, reopened Sunday, three days after a fire in the Caribou Village Shopping Center closed it temporarily and destroyed over a dozen neighboring businesses. (See Details)

➤ Love’s Travel Stops opened a new 13,500-square-foot location off Highway 85 in Brighton, featuring truck parking, a dog park, eight showers, and dining options including Carl’s Jr., Subway, and more. (See Details)

➤ Secret Garden, a popular Denver cafe housed in a historic mansion, abruptly closed Friday. Its owners cite profitability issues, but union leaders allege the closure is retaliatory. (See Details)

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➤ Riverdale Road, an 11-mile stretch connecting Brighton to Thornton, is the second most haunted road in the U.S., according to a new list. (See Video)

➤ A $32 million Telluride home is on the market as the highest-priced listing in the region. It features a resort-inspired sauna, indoor basketball and pickleball courts, and a home theater. (See Photos)

➤ The highest-rated beer in Colorado is WeldWerks’ Coconut Medianoche, an American imperial stout, according to a list of each state’s favorite beers. (See List)

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What’s your favorite style of beer?

1. IPA/pale ale
2. Lager/pilsner
3. Wheat
4. Stout/porter
5. Belgian ale
6. Other
7. None

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you play any instruments?

1. Yes, used to: 24%
2. No, not my thing: 21%
3. No, but I’d like to: 20%
4. Yes, currently: 18%
5. Other: 17%

What was the first brewpub to open in Colorado?

Show me the answer