A long-term investigation by the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force (NCDTF) has been conducted looking into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Northern Colorado region believed to be distributing cocaine. The investigation resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of an immense amount of illegal drugs and firearms.

On Oct. 5, 2022, multiple search warrants were executed with the assistance of several partner agencies in northern Colorado.  Two locations were in Loveland, one in Fort Collins and one in Frederick.

According to NCDTF throughout the operation many items were seized, and other property was recovered.  These include, but are not limited to 3.4 pounds of cocaine ($64,000 street value);
3.3 grams of fentanyl; 17 firearms (1 suspected ghost gun); $44,000 in US Currency; 340 tabs of LSD; 500 Xanax pills; 5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and narcotics distribution equipment.

The following individuals were arrested on October 5 and booked into the Larimer County Jail.  Tray Renfro (03/12/1995) of Fort Collins was arrested for warrants: 4 counts Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substance (DF2 & DF3) and 2 counts Distribution of a Controlled Substance (DF2 & DF3).  Bond is $250,000.

Jose Angel Morales-Acevedo (06/21/2001) of Loveland was arrested for warrants: 2 counts Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substance (DF2) and 5 counts Distribution of a Controlled Substance (DF2).  Bond is $300,000.

Josue Hernandez-Tremillo (02/28/1993) of Frederick was arrested for warrants: 5 counts Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substance (DF2), Distribution of a Controlled Substance (DF2), and 6 counts Distribute Controlled Substance (DF2).  Bond is $300,000.

Cheyenne Lakoda Merlino (05/17/2001) of Loveland was arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute (DF2), Special Offender (DF1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (DPO), and Child Abuse (M2).  Bond was set at $25,000 and she bonded out on October 6.

Aaron Marez (06/15/1996) of Loveland was arrested on October 6 for warrants:  4 counts Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (DF2) and 4 counts Distribution of Controlled Substance (DF2).  Bond was set at $1,000 and he bonded out on October 6.  A booking photo is attached.

NCDTF detectives also secured arrest warrants for the following individuals who are still at large.

• Noah Klausner (12/09/1999) of Windsor is wanted for 2 counts Distribution of Controlled Substance (DF2)
• Soteros Palmer-Hillman (02/15/1997) of Parker is wanted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (DF2)
• Trevor Gregory (07/25/1996) of Loveland is wanted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (DF2) and Distribution of a Controlled Substance (DF2)

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests/charges are anticipated.

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Berthoud’s Rec Center now accepts SilverSneakers. SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that is included with many Medicare Plans. Visit https://bit.ly/Silver_Sneakers for more information on the Silver Sneakers program, and visit the Berthoud rec center to sign up.

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FEMA has approved another $3.4 million in Public Assistance funding to the State of Colorado for the cost of fighting last year’s Marshall Fire in Boulder County. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued by President Biden on Dec. 31, 2021.

A breakdown of the funding is as follows:

• $1.5 million to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control for fire suppression activities including firefighter ground and air support, and the use of heavy equipment and specialized firefighters to mitigate the threat to life, health, safety and infrastructure from the Marshall Fire.
• $1.8 million to the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for managing the Marshall Fire firefight and recovery effort.

The total FEMA Public Assistance funds provided to the State of Colorado for the Marshall Fire is more than $35 million. The FEMA Public Assistance program provides funding to governmental agencies and certain private non-profits for eligible disaster response costs and to repair or replace damaged public infrastructure. For this disaster event, FEMA is providing a 90 percent federal cost share, with the state and local entities responsible for the remaining costs.

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Traffic deaths surged across Colorado in 2021 hitting a 20-year high and conscious choices to drive distracted, drive under the influence and drive aggressively are resulting in fatal behaviors on our roads. One identified way that each of these choices can affect a motorist’s behavior is through their inability to stay safely centered in their driving lane.

In 2021, Colorado State Troopers investigating injury and fatal crashes around the state saw a spike in crashes caused by drivers leaving their lane, both crossing over the center line or off the side of the road. Investigators found a 30.6% increase in injury crashes caused by lane violations. Even more alarming, investigators saw a 74% increase in fatal crashes caused by lane violations in 2021.

“Focus and control behind the wheel occurs when the task of driving is your number one priority and receives your full attention,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “No amount of experience behind the wheel can prevent a tragedy when you don’t have the time or the awareness to react to another motorist, changing road conditions or unplanned hazard in your path.”

Looking at last year’s lane violation caused fatal crashes investigated by the Colorado State Patrol, the top five counties that had the largest quantity of fatalities were: El Paso, Douglas, Boulder, Mesa and Jefferson.

Looking at data over a three-year period (2019-2021) showed that Saturday was the deadliest day of the week for lane violation crashes with peak hours between 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.