DENVER (KDVR) — An alleged stolen Clear Creek County shuttle bus led law enforcement on a multi-county pursuit Friday, slamming into a police patrol vehicle before being abandoned in a Denver alley. The driver has not been caught.

Idaho Springs Police released body-worn camera video showing officers jumping out of the way as an alleged stolen Clear Creek County Roundabout shuttle barreled down the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs, ultimately hitting a patrol vehicle.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said no officers were injured, but the crash damaged the unit and shut down eastbound lanes for nearly an hour.

Investigators tell FOX31 the incident began in Gilpin County as an attempted traffic stop involving a suspected stolen car with no plates. The driver allegedly fled into Clear Creek County, ditched the car near Georgetown, then stole the county shuttle parked nearby and headed east on I-70. 

Around 1:30 p.m., the shuttle was later found abandoned near West 13th Avenue and Pecos Street in Denver, its rear tire shredded and engine still running. Detectives tell FOX31 they recovered both stolen vehicles.

Several agencies are now handling different parts of the case, which include:

• Colorado State Patrol is investigating the I-70 crash.
• Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office is leading the criminal investigation into the stolen vehicles and felony eluding, with assistance from Denver Police on the vehicle recovery.
• The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office initiated the original attempted stop.

Timeline

According to law enforcement agencies, the following is a timeline of key events during the Friday incident:

• Around noon: Gilpin County deputies attempt a traffic stop on a stolen car, the driver allegedly flees toward Clear Creek County
• Georgetown area: Suspect allegedly abandons the stolen car, steals a Clear Creek County Roundabout shuttle parked across the street
• I-70 in Idaho Springs: Alleged stolen shuttle clips an Idaho State Police patrol car, eastbound lanes briefly closed
• Around 1:30 p.m.: Shuttle found abandoned in a Denver alley near West 13th Avenue and Pecos Street, shuttle’s rear tire shredded, engine still running
• Mid-afternoon: Law enforcement agencies confirm both stolen vehicles recovered, search for the driver continues

Investigators said they are reviewing video and working across jurisdictions to identify the suspect. However, they do not have the suspect’s identity or description at this time. Those with information regarding the Friday incident are asked to contact the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office or the Denver Police Department.

LITTLETON, Colo. — Pumpkin Festival is the biggest single-weekend event hosted each year at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. While attendees enjoy just a weekend of festivities, the team behind the event spends all year preparing for it.

“How can you be depressed in a pumpkin patch?” said Larry Vickerman, director at the gardens.

Along with the corn maze, live music and wagon rides, visitors can wander the patch and pick their own gourds and pumpkins to take home.

“This is probably one of the few places where you can come out here on 10 acres — I’ll guarantee you’ll find a pumpkin you really like,” Vickerman said.

Vickerman begins preparing for Pumpkin Festival in the winter, typically in January or February.

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms hosts Pumpkin Fest Friday through Sunday

Many of the best seed varieties sell out by then, and securing a rich and healthy mix is paramount to his team.

“There are so many things that can happen to the crop,” Vickerman said, explaining that farmers at the gardens are responsible for protecting the plants from insects, disease and hail for months leading up to harvest.

The work is all worth it, he said, when he gets to share the fruits of that labor with the public.

“I always stand right here so I can throw the gate open on the first day and show them,” he said. “You know, there are some good ones over here. What are you looking for? Big? Small?”

After Pumpkin Festival 2025 wraps up, Vickerman said he will take a short break before beginning work on next year’s harvest.

Pumpkin Festival runs Oct. 10–12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Tickets are available in advance on the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms website.

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche fans are hungry for another Stanley Cup run, but while the team has been great, the food at Ball Arena has not drawn rave reviews recently.

“We conduct guest surveys throughout the season, and what we were hearing consistently was that the fans just weren’t satisfied with the quality of the concession food,” said Jim Mulvhill, director of marketing communications for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Avs, Denver Nuggets and Ball Arena.

Now, KSE and Legends Global, which runs food and beverage operations for the arena, are trying to change that by bringing six locally owned Denver restaurants into the arena. Those restaurants are:

• Big Belly Brothers (barbecue) – Sections 148 and 379
• Redeemer Pizza – Sections 126 and 342
• llegal Burger – Section 102
• Mexico City – Sections 118 and 330
• Jake’s Baby D’s (mini doughnuts) – Section 134
• Nola Jane (cajun) – Section 303

Owner and general manager Casey Allen said gumbo, jambalaya and the debris po boy will be among the food options at the arena.

“Nineteen-thousand people have a chance to eat our food at the arena, instead of before or after the game. And it’s just, I mean, it’s just an awesome experience,” he told Denver7 Thursday.

“Great items that you wouldn’t normally find at an arena, really creative options and really high-quality stuff from places that people know from their neighborhoods,” Mulvihill said.

In addition to the new options, classics like hot dogs, popcorn, candy and soda have had prices cut to $5 each. Those items ranged roughly between $6.50 and $8.50 each last season, according to KSE.

Twenty-ounce domestic draft beers are now $10 each, down from $14.

“I think people have realized that there was a tipping point where the prices were getting too high for the average family, and really it’s good for business too,” Mulvihill said. “You bring down the prices, people buy more. In the end, it’s going to be a wash for us.”

Avs fan Aaron Garcia said the higher prices were a concern for him, and he’s happy to see the more reasonable concession cost for him and his family, including his young son, Daxton.

“Yeah, I did voice my opinion on [the food cost],” he said. “And I’m glad they listen. That’s huge, you know, having a little guy and just, it definitely helps keep prices down.”