History

crime scene tape

2011 Denver Murder Ends in 2017 Guilty Plea

Travis Forbes was sentenced to life in prison for the assault on and murder of Monge, plus 48 years to be served consecutively for the crimes against Tillman.
a blindfolded lady justice statue upholds bronzed scales while a sword rests at her side in her other hand

The 1927 ‘Insurrection’ in Two Colorado Counties That Led to a ‘Voluminous’ Legal Battle

In 1927, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado granted the release of men involved in an armed clash in Weld and Boulder counties later deemed an “insurrection.” A 1928 appeal in the case was dismissed.
crime scene tape

JonBenet Ramsey: The Famous Colorado Murder That Spawned a Flurry of Lawsuits

The murder of JonBenet Ramsey has been the subject of numerous TV specials, books, magazine spreads, documentaries and podcast episodes.
a 1980s camera sits on old wood planks

1985 Ruling Allowed Camera and Electronic Coverage in Courts

In 1985, the Colorado Supreme Court officially sanctioned camera and electronic coverage in courtrooms, but modern media coverage is still spotty.
Frank Steunenberg

Former Idaho Governor and Cripple Creek Mine Owner Assassinated Following Colorado Labor Wars

Frank Steunenberg, the owner of the Cripple Creek Mine, was assassinated by dynamite in 1905 shortly after the conclusion of the Colorado Labor Wars.
the Denver Mint

The ‘Wildest Gun Battle in Denver History’ Was Also the First Successful Mint Holdup...

The Denver Mint’s 1922 robbery was the “wildest gun battle in Denver history” and the first successful Mint Holdup.

1994 Denver Cold Case Gets 2021 Arrest

The Denver DA in June announced it charged Steven Cumberbatch with the murder of Rita Desjardine, a breakthrough on a 1994 cold case.

The Most Recent Republican Governor of Colorado

The most recent Republican governor was former Gov. Bill Owens, who may be best known for winning his 2002 reelection by the largest majority in state history.
Akram Bada’an

1988 Denver Cold Case Victim Gets ID Through Genetic Genealogy

In a three-decades-old cold case, DNA helped investigators trace Akram Bada’an’s family to Israel and get a positive ID, an important step in the resolution process for cold cases.
An old stethoscope rests on a leather med kit on clean white sheets.

Colorado’s Lukewarm Reaction to the 1921 Sheppard-Towner Act

Congress passed the Sheppard-Towner Act in 1921 to provide federal funding for maternity and child care, but the Act wasn’t renewed past 1929 and state compliance was inconsistent.