Durango Police

06/22/2026

NEWS RELEASE
June 22, 2026

Multi-Agency Investigation Links Stolen Vehicles in Durango and Farmington; Possible Kidnapping Report at Sky Ute Casino Determined Unfounded; Juvenile Suspect Detained

DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango Police Department, in coordination with multiple regional law enforcement partners, is investigating a series of stolen vehicles that began in Durango, continued into Farmington, New Mexico, and later became connected to a suspicious activity report at Sky Ute Casino Resort.

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, DPD took a report of a stolen red Kia from the 400 block of East Second Street in Durango. The vehicle had been taken sometime overnight.

Through the use of Automated License Plate Reader, or ALPR, technology and follow-up investigation, DPD determined the stolen vehicle had traveled out of Durango and into Farmington, New Mexico. The vehicle was later recovered in Farmington, abandoned and damaged.

As investigators continued to follow the incident, regional law enforcement partners identified a second stolen vehicle, a black Kia reported stolen from Farmington. ALPR data showed the black Kia traveled from New Mexico into Colorado. That vehicle was later recovered at Sky Ute Casino Resort.

At approximately 6:40 a.m. Thursday morning, the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Sky Ute Casino Resort that was initially believed to be a possible kidnapping. Southern Ute Police Department and LPCSO responded and began investigating the report, including searching for a black pickup believed to be involved.

ALPR technology and regional information-sharing helped law enforcement identify and locate the pickup in northern Durango. Deputies and Durango police officers contacted individuals associated with the vehicle. Based on interviews, security camera recordings review, and further investigation, law enforcement determined the incident at Sky Ute Casino Resort was not a kidnapping.

Although the possible kidnapping report was determined to be unfounded, the investigation led law enforcement to identify juvenile suspects believed to be connected to the stolen-vehicle incidents in La Plata County and San Juan County, New Mexico.

One juvenile later responded to the Durango Police Department with a parent and was interviewed by investigators. The juvenile was screened into juvenile detention and charged with Motor Vehicle Theft in the Third Degree, a Class 5 felony. Because this case involves juveniles, names are not being released.

“This case is a clear example of why regional coordination and investigative technology matter,” said Chief of Police Brice Current, Durango Police Department. “What began as a stolen vehicle report in Durango quickly became a multi-jurisdictional investigation. ALPR data allowed investigators to connect multiple stolen vehicles to the same series of events, locate involved parties, and quickly determine that the possible kidnapping report was not a kidnapping.”

The Durango Police Department thanks the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Ute Police Department, Farmington Police Department, San Juan County law enforcement partners, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Southern Ute Tribal Rangers, Southern Ute Division of Gaming, Sky Ute Casino Resort Surveillance, Southern Ute Shared Services, the FBI Denver Field Office, and regional dispatch and communications partners for their assistance.

This investigation is ongoing. Additional charges may be pursued as investigators continue reviewing evidence related to vehicle thefts, vehicle damage, and possible additional suspects.

Anyone with information related to recent Kia thefts or attempted thefts in Durango is asked to contact the Durango Police Department at (970) 375-4730.

All charges are accusations, and the juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until adjudicated.

06/21/2026

Today, we celebrate the fathers who serve our community and their families with dedication, strength, and heart.

Whether they’re answering calls for service, coaching from the sidelines, helping with homework, or simply being there when it matters most, fathers play an important role both in and out of uniform.

To all the dads of the Durango Police Department and fathers throughout our community, thank you for your leadership, sacrifice, and commitment to those who depend on you every day.

Happy Father’s Day.

06/16/2026

UPDATE: We received additional information indicating that the Durango baseball tournament website may be linked to an event that was canceled due to low registration, rather than being a fraudulent website.

We are working to verify the updated information.

We will update this post when more information is confirmed.

FRAUD ALERT: Fake Durango Baseball Tournament Website

The Durango Police Department has verified that durangobaseball.com is a fraudulent website.

The website advertises a baseball tournament in Durango scheduled for July. That tournament does not exist. The site asks users to enter contact information and payment details, with listed fees up to $1,095.

Do not use this website.

Do not:
• Click any links on the site
• Enter your name, phone number, email, or team information
• Enter payment or credit card information
• Pay any registration fees through the site

The Durango Police Department is working to get the website taken down.

At this time, DPD has no confirmed victims connected to this website. We are sharing this alert to help prevent community members, families, coaches, and teams from being scammed.

If you entered payment information on this website, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.

If you believe you were impacted, contact non-emergency dispatch at 970-385-2900.

06/15/2026

E-bikes are allowed on some Durango trails, but not every electric ride belongs there.

Under the City of Durango ordinance, motor vehicles are prohibited on city parks, trails, recreation facilities, and city-owned or managed open space unless a specific exception applies. The ordinance allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on paved city trail systems, including the Animas River Trail, Florida Road Trail, Goeglein Gulch Road Trail, SMART 160 Trail, and Three Springs Trail. It also allows Class 1 e-bikes on the Twin Buttes trail system.

Colorado law also requires electric bicycles to meet class and equipment requirements. C.R.S. 42-4-221 addresses bicycle, electric scooter, and personal mobility device equipment, including e-bike equipment and labeling requirements.

Before you ride, know what you are using.

Legal on Durango paved city trails:
• Class 1 e-bikes
• Class 2 e-bikes

Legal at Twin Buttes:
• Class 1 e-bikes only

Not allowed on city trails:
• Class 3 e-bikes
• Electric scooters
• Minibikes
• Dirt-bike style vehicles
• Electric motorcycles
• Any vehicle falsely labeled or modified beyond its legal e-bike class

If it looks more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, it probably does not belong on the trail.

Ride predictably.
Slow down around pedestrians.
Keep right.
Pass on the left.
Use a bell or say, “On your left.”
Be ready to stop.

Respect the trail. Protect everyone.

Report unsafe or reckless behavior to non-emergency dispatch at 970-385-2900.

For full rules, visit https://www.durangoco.gov/933/Electric-Bikes

06/14/2026

Today we celebrate Flag Day and the symbol that has represented our nation through triumph, sacrifice, challenge, and unity for nearly 250 years.

The American flag is more than a piece of fabric. It represents the freedoms we enjoy, the service of those who defend them, and the communities we work to strengthen every day.

At the Durango Police Department, we are proud to serve under the Stars and Stripes and alongside the people who make our community such a special place to call home.

Flag Day is an opportunity to reflect on the values our flag represents and to honor the generations of Americans who have served, sacrificed, and helped build our nation.

We encourage everyone to take a moment today to learn about the history of our flag, display it proudly, and reflect on what it means to be part of our community and country.

Happy Flag Day from the Durango Police Department.

🇺🇸 Protect • Serve • Care 🇺🇸

06/13/2026

Strong partnerships help keep our communities safe.

The Durango Police Department recently worked alongside the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office during a stolen vehicle investigation that crossed jurisdictional boundaries. Through information sharing and coordinated investigative efforts, the case resulted in the arrest of a suspect.

We appreciate the teamwork and professionalism demonstrated by all personnel involved. Cases like this highlight the value of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Southwest Colorado

The Montezuma County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize the outstanding cooperation and teamwork between our agency and the Durango Police Department during a recent stolen vehicle investigation involving vehicles stolen from both jurisdictions.

After a Montezuma County Sheriff's Office sergeant and deputies identified and arrested a suspect in a stolen vehicle case within Montezuma County, information developed during the investigation led to the discovery of a related vehicle theft in the City of Durango. Through close coordination and information sharing between agencies, investigators were able to connect the cases and continue the investigation across jurisdictional boundaries.

The investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest of the suspect. However, due to the ongoing nature of related investigative efforts, no further details can be released at this time.

This case serves as a reminder that crime does not always stop at county or city lines, and neither does the dedication of the law enforcement professionals who work to protect our communities. The successful partnership between the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office and the Durango Police Department highlights the value of interagency cooperation in addressing criminal activity wherever it occurs.

We appreciate the professionalism, teamwork, and commitment demonstrated by all personnel involved. The Montezuma County Sheriff's Office remains committed to working alongside our local, state, tribal, and federal partners to keep our communities safe.

06/11/2026

Today was gun destruction day.
The Durango Police Department recently conveyed 128 fi****ms for destruction by pulverization through GunBusters Fi****ms Pulverizer. These fi****ms came from adjudicated cases, seized weapons, and surrendered fi****ms that were legally cleared for destruction.
So, what happens to fi****ms once a case is resolved, a court orders destruction, or a weapon is surrendered and no longer needs to remain in evidence?
A lot of careful work happens long before destruction day.
Every firearm must be properly documented, tracked, reviewed, and cleared before it can be destroyed. That process protects the integrity of criminal cases, ensures legal requirements are met, and maintains accountability for every item in our custody.
This effort was led by our Property and Evidence Team, with valuable assistance from our intern, whose hard work helped prepare and verify the fi****ms for this event.
Gun destruction events like this serve several important purposes:
They help ensure fi****ms from closed cases or surrendered property do not return to circulation. They reduce the risk of weapons being stolen, misused, or improperly transferred. They also help law enforcement agencies responsibly manage evidence storage, maintain accurate inventory, and recycle materials when possible.
We are grateful for the behind-the-scenes work of our Property and Evidence personnel. Their attention to detail is critical to public safety, case integrity, and responsible stewardship of property entrusted to the Durango Police Department.
128 fi****ms destroyed.
128 fi****ms permanently removed from circulation.
Thank you to our Property and Evidence Team and our intern for their dedication to this important work.

06/08/2026

POV: the forest is watching you.

Ranger Tosh may need a refresher on outdoor etiquette.
Join The Rangers for the final Ranger Series class on Outdoor Etiquette.

We’ll cover campsite setup, bathroom practices in the wilderness, trash, food storage, wildlife, noise, water sources, and how small choices can have a big impact outdoors.

Thursday, June 11
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Durango Parks and Recreation Center

This class is free and open to all ages.
Come learn how to enjoy the outdoors without trashing the place everyone else came to enjoy, too.

06/05/2026

Drone Assists First Responders During Smelter Mountain Rescue
Drone technology helped first responders make faster, smarter decisions during a rescue on Smelter Mountain this morning.
Durango Police Department’s drone was used to assist the Durango Fire Protection District after an injured paraglider was reported in a difficult-to-access area near the Smelter Mountain paragliding launch.
The location presented an immediate challenge: the patient was up the mountain, blocked by a locked gate, where traditional emergency vehicles could not quickly reach him. Rather than sending crews in blind or immediately escalating to a full Search and Rescue response, the drone was launched to help locate the patient and assess the situation from above.
The drone gave Durango Fire real-time visual information, helping responders confirm the patient’s location, evaluate his condition, and determine what level of care and equipment needed to be sent up the mountain.
That information helped streamline the response. Search and Rescue was initially considered, but responders ultimately reached and extricated the patient without a prolonged rescue operation.
This is exactly why drone technology matters in public safety. It allows first responders to quickly gather information, reduce risk to personnel, and get the right help to the right place faster.
Great teamwork by Durango Fire, dispatch, and responding personnel.