MONTROSE PARADE

Advocacy leaders condemn reported hate speech directed at LGBTQ+ float

LGBTQ+ advocacy leaders on Wednesday condemned reports of hate speech directed toward a Pride float in the Montrose Fourth of July parade.

Montrose Pride’s participation in the annual parade was met with “hate speech, slurs and other attacks,” the group wrote on Facebook.

“That such behavior came from members of our own community is especially disheartening. This kind of conduct has no place in Montrose or anywhere else, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” the group wrote Monday.

The incident also earned condemnation from One Colorado, a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.

“I am deeply disappointed that the Montrose Pride community had such backlash after hosting its first very successful and well-attended Pride this year,” Western Slope Field Organizer Heidi Hess said.

RED ROCKS

Avett Brothers fan dies after “medical event”

A fan attending The Avett Brothers show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Friday night died after experiencing a medical event, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the venue about 11:25 p.m. after a man fell ill while standing in line for the bathroom, sheriff’s spokesperson Jacki Kelley said.

Bystanders started performing CPR before paramedics arrived, but he did not survive, Kelley said.

The man’s death does not appear to be related to a fall or other trauma, but his cause of death will be determined by the coroner’s office, Kelley said.

Band member Scott Avett identified the fan as a man named Rusty.

“We consider that losing one of our own,” he said.

The coroner’s office could not be reached Wednesday to confirm the man’s identity.

— Katie Langford, The Denver Post

FORT COLLINS

Middle school teacher arrested on suspicion of sexual assaults

A teacher at a Fort Collins middle school was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting students, police said.

Evan King, 50, was a teacher and assistant track coach at Lincoln Middle School in Fort Collins’ Poudre School District for about nine years before being placed on administrative leave in April.

In April, school district workers reported King to the Fort Collins Police Department, telling officers there were accusations that King had inappropriately touched students on multiple occasions, according to a news release. King immediately was placed on administrative leave.

After a four-month investigation, Fort Collins officers on Wednesday arrested King on suspicion of four counts of sexual assault, including one count stipulating a pattern of sexual abuse, police said.

King has not been officially charged by the Larimer County district attorney, and final charges are pending.

During the investigation, officers identified two juvenile female victims and multiple student witnesses, police said in the release. Investigators believe there may be more victims and are asking any other students targeted by King to come forward.

“This is an intolerable abuse of his responsibility as an educator and we are saddened by the prospect there may be more victims,” Fort Collins police spokesperson Kristy Volesky said. “Our detectives and Victim Services Unit are working to ensure these students receive the support they need during this difficult and emotional time. Now that King has been arrested, we hope any additional victims feel safe to report to us.”

Anyone who believes they or their child may have been a victim or anyone who has additional information about King’s behavior should contact detectives at 970-221-6340 or Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868.

— Lauren Penington, The Denver Post