The big chill: Aspen investigators partner with FBI, Black Hills Energy on gas outage
Investigators have a photo from one of the three Black Hills Energy sites that were vandalized Saturday night showing two words scrawled nearby: Earth First! Author: Megan Tackett Aspen Daily News Published: 8:00 AM MST December 30, 2020 Updated: 8:00 AM MST December 30, 2020
ASPEN, Colo. Although there has been no formal communication claiming responsibility from the organization, investigators have a photo from one of the three Black Hills Energy sites that were vandalized Saturday night showing two words scrawled nearby: Earth First!
About 3,500 customers were left without heat or hot water by what’s being characterized as a criminal incident, including much of the downtown commercial core. While the Federal Bureau of Investigation is aiding local authorities, law enforcement Monday afternoon tried several times to soften the language
Thousands of Colorado residents were left without heat for two days after vandals intentionally tampered with natural gas service lines in Aspen as temperatures are forecast to plunge to 2 degrees Tuesday night.
Officers from the Aspen Police Department said that the FBI has joined a criminal investigation into the vandalism of the service lines that occurred on Sunday after the words Earth First were found on one of the affected pipes.
Authorities are now looking into the Earth First environmental group to see if members of the organization were involved.
Black Hills Energy said technicians have been going door-to-door to safely facilitate necessary repairs and turn off the approximately 3,500 impacted gas meters in the city.
feed to stay on top of the news.
The FBI and state law enforcement officials are working with local authorities on the criminal investigation. Aspen Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn said those responsible would have had to be familiar with the gas system to pull off the sabotage.
“They tampered with flow lines. They turned off gas lines,” Linn said.
The words “Earth First!” were also found writing on a pipe at a natural gas pumping station near the town, which is the name of a self-described “radical environmental group,” although it’s not clear at this time if the group was involved.
Thousands of Colorado residents without heat after attack on gas service kxel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kxel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Former city employee with more than four decades of service remembered fondly
One thing is clear when speaking about Kathryn Koch: thereâs often trepidation in doing so. Among her myriad accomplishments during a rich life, Koch boasted a more-than 40-year tenure with the city of Aspen, in roles including secretary for the Aspen Police Department and City Clerk.
Thatâs not because thereâs a dearth of what to say; quite the opposite.
When asked about his reflections and memories of Koch, who died Friday, Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn hesitated at first â he didnât want to risk taking away from what he felt should be her post-mortem spotlight.Â