Richard J. Ortner

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  • Crowds gather at the Aurora memorial vigil.

    Timeline: Updates in the Aurora movie theater shooting

    AURORA -- At least 12 people were killed and 38 more injured in a mass shooting during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" at an Aurora movie theater Friday. Go to this story for live, continuous updates.

  • Aurora shooting victims remembered

    AURORA, Colo. — Stories of heroism, zest for life and a birthday celebration that turned tragic emerged as family and friends spoke of loved ones killed in Friday’s mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater. Almost all of the 12 victims were young — including a 6-year-old girl who had just learned to swim — with so much life ahead of them. The cause of death in all cases is related to gunshot wounds, according to the Arapahoe County Coroner’s […]

  • Investigators: Father lied about driving truck that hit, killed two Texas women

    LIMON, Colo. – Investigators say a 16-year-old from Louisiana was driving a truck early Saturday morning when he struck and killed two Texas women while they were changing a flat tire along I-70 near Limon, according to the Colorado State Patrol. 37-year-old Michel Martin told investigators that he was driving at the time of the accident. He now faces a false reporting charge.  The teen, identified as Tristan Martin, left the scene with another party before officers arrived, according to […]

  • Estes Park woman seriously injured in elk attack

    ESTES PARK – A 60-year-old woman who was attacked and trampled by an elk outside her apartment improved to fair condition at a hospital Wednesday. She was rushed to the hospital in serious condition after the unprovoked attack by a female elk Tuesday. “Elk can be very aggressive this time of year, when females have young calves to protect,” said Estes Park Police Chief Wes Kufeld. Neighbor Teresa Binstock saw the attack. “Looking down (from her apartment window), there was […]

  • Credit: Kelli Jepson

    Fire destroys Avon condominium building

    AVON, Colo. — Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that consumed a four-unit condominium complex in Avon Monday, and also spread flames to adjacent land. The intense fire destroyed the three story Chambertin Townhomes at 438 Nottingham Road and charred three acres of brush before it was contained. Three units were occupied at the time of the fire, officials told the Vail Daily.  One of the occupants was taken to Vail Valley Medical Center to be treated for […]

  • Mother, step-daughter killed in ATV accident

    MORGAN COUNTY, Colo. – A woman and her 15-year-old step-daughter were killed Saturday evening when the ATV they were riding crashed. Nicole Harris, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to a Colorado State Patrol representative. 15-year-old Dakota Harris was flown to Colorado Plains Medical Center where she died from her injuries. Investigators tell FOX31 Denver they believe the mother was driving the ATV at the time of the accident.

  • Human remains found at Holy Cross campsite may be missing hiker

    MINTURN, Colo. – The remains of a body discovered at an abandoned campsite in Eagle County are believed to be those of a hiker who was reported missing on October 3, 2010. James Nelson, 31, of Chicago, went missing during a five day, 25-mile hike of the Holy Cross Wilderness area near Minturn. Nelson was reported missing by his fiancée when he failed to return from his trip. Investigators found a notebook at the campsite that indicated he may have […]

  • Plaque captures the essence of Memorial Day

    ALMA, Colo. – An unidentified plaque at the base of a Bristlecone pine tree caught the eye of FOX31 Denver viewer Haji Mahmood while he was photographing Windy Ridge near Alma. The inscription on the plaque is a fitting tribute for Memorial Day. Thanks Haji! The Broken Chain We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly. In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. […]

  • Woman dies after being struck by RTD Light Rail train

    DENVER – A woman was struck and killed by an RTD Light Rail train late Saturday at 400 West Evans Avenue, according to Denver police. The unidentified woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say the woman entered a restricted area and “placed herself on the tracks” before being hit by the train. The incident occurred around 11:45 p.m.

  • Coroner identifies man killed in northwest Denver home

    DENVER – A 59-year-old man was shot to death early Saturday morning in the 5000 block of West Alaska Place has been identified as Richard Mack. Officers discovered Mack’s body in his home at approximately 7:15 a.m. after responding to a report of a suspicious death in the northwest Denver neighborhood. Neighbors told FOX31 Denver that they heard gunshots around 2:00 a.m.                          

  • Georgetown Loop Railroad passenger injured by falling tree

    GEORGETOWN, Colo. – A passenger on board the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad was injured Saturday when strong winds uprooted a tree, causing it to fall onto the tourist train. According to a History Colorado representative, a “portion of the dislodged tree struck a single passenger riding in one of the train’s open-air cars.” The accident occurred around 11 a.m. as the train was en route from Georgetown to Silver Plume.  The train was able to continue to the Silver Plume […]