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FBI, Sheriff’s Office investigating explosive device found at Steamboat Ski Area

Matt Stensland

— The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Routt County Sheriff’s Office are trying to find the person responsible for an explosive device found at Steamboat Ski Area.

According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the ski area at noon on Oct. 7 to investigate a suspicious device in the area of the Pony Express lift line.

Officials from the Sheriff’s Office, FBI and ski area would not elaborate on what the device was because the investigation was ongoing.



Deputies found that the device resembled an explosive. Bomb technicians from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded and “rendered the item safe,” the news release stated.

“We would like to encourage citizens to be attentive and use caution if a suspicious device is found,” Routt County Undersheriff Ray Birch said in the news release. “We believe it may have been thrown away there but not placed in that location to injure anyone.”



Birch would not say who found the device. He said the device was not attached to the ski lift, and it was found on the ground.

“It wasn’t intentionally placed to blow up the ski lift,” FBI spokeswoman Deborah Sherman said.

Officials did not want to release more information because they felt it could hurt their ability to find out who put the device there.

“We’re looking into who put it there and why,” Sherman said.

After the device was found, other areas at the ski area were searched by the FBI and deputies.

“That was definitely an extensive process over a few days period of time, and there were no other devices found,” Birch said.

Birch encourages citizens to be attentive and use caution if a suspicious device is found.

“Please do not touch or handle the item, maintain a safe distance of at least 300 yards and notify local law enforcement,” Birch said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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