Golden – Two 15-year-old boys pleaded guilty Wednesday to starting the July 22 fire that burned more than 200 acres of brush and grassland on North Table Mountain.
The teens, who are not being identified because they are juveniles, were sentenced by Jefferson County Magistrate Chris Voisinet to one year of probation supervised by the juvenile diversion program and 40 to 45 hours of community service.
Community service work will be done with the Fairmount Fire Protection District, which was the lead agency in battling the blaze.
The two teens will split paying $170,000 in restitution for damage to properties and the cost of fighting the fire. Their parents’ homeowner insurance will cover the amount.
Voisinet reserved ordering payment of restitution for 90 days while details are worked out.
District Attorney Scott Storey took an uncommon approach to the case by meeting with community members and Fairmount officials to get advice on how to handle the case. Storey said he was told the teens had demonstrated remorse and took responsibility, and that community members didn’t want the teens to have felony histories.
“Rehabilitation and accountability are cornerstones of the juvenile justice system, and those goals have been reached today,” Storey said Wednesday.
Under the agreement, both teens pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree arson, a class 4 felony, and one count of firing woods and prairies, a class 2 misdemeanor.
Voisinet said the felony charges will be dismissed if the teens successfully complete their supervised probation, which consists of regular meetings with diversion officers, urine analyses and other requirements.
“This should go a long ways in making amends,” Voisinet said.
A father of one of the boys said later, “We’re grateful that it is over.”
Investigators said the two boys were seen shooting off fireworks on Jefferson County Open Space land. A backpack containing fireworks was confiscated from the boys after a neighbor held them for authorities.
Due to dry, windy conditions, the fireworks touched off a fire that threatened several homes. More than 100 firefighters from 10 departments battled the blaze.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
