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Highlands Ranch – A 33-year-old pastor from Highlands Ranch is facing a charge of sexual assault after having a relationship with a 16-year-old girl he was counseling, police said.

Authorities said that for 2 1/2 years, Donald Richard Ryan, a pastor with Greenwood Community Church, 5600 E. Belleview Ave., had been sending the girl inappropriate text messages, and e-mails were exchanged.

That led to the sexual contact, authorities said.

After turning himself in Tuesday, Ryan appeared in Arapahoe County District Court on Wednesday, when he was advised of the charges. They include sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and unlawful sexual contact.

He faces up to 12 years in prison on the felony sex assault count and up to 18 months on the misdemeanor contact charge.

Greenwood Community Church issued a written statement after learning of the allegations.

“We are very saddened by the revelations, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, the victim’s family, as well as all others concerned and touched by these events.

“The church leadership takes these allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously and has cooperated with the authorities in their investigation.”

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Additional Denver & The West news briefs:

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

Car thieves stopped after several crashes

Car thieves stole a Range Rover in an exclusive Cherry Hills Village neighborhood and later rammed a police car during a wild chase through several south metro area cities, authorities said Wednesday.

Police said the vehicle was stolen Monday but it was spotted in Cherry Hills Village on Wednesday morning, police Lt. Pat Whitman said. A chase followed, and the suspects drove the SUV into a police car, damaging the front end but not injuring the officer.

The chase was called off because it became too dangerous, Whitman said.

Englewood police then started chasing the stolen SUV, which ran a red light at the intersection of Broadway and Quincy Avenue. Minutes later, Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies received reports of the SUV driving on sidewalks, Whitman said.

Colorado State Patrol officers followed the Range Rover for a short time on C-470 but called off the chase. The suspects crashed into another car late Wednesday and were captured, according to 9News.

PUEBLO

Denver train will make State Fair trip

A passenger train will make a special run from Denver to Pueblo for this year’s Colorado State Fair.

“It’s like having a new attraction to the fair,” said Chris Wiseman, general manager for the 11-day annual event in Pueblo.

U.S. Rep. John Salazar sent a letter last month asking the Union Pacific Corp. to offer a special ride from Denver to the fair. The company agreed.

Though details have not been worked out, the train is tentatively scheduled to run Aug. 24 and carry as many as 250 passengers.

The fair drew 400,000 people last year. The last time the fair did a market survey – in 2003 – 21 percent of fairgoers were from Denver.

“I think it draws a lot of attention to the fair. It certainly is a novelty type of thing that people will want to do. It’s another tool in the marketing of the Colorado State Fair,” Wiseman said.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Allard, AG Gonzales meet on “Supermax”

U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., met with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Wednesday to discuss security concerns at the maximum- security “Supermax” prison in Florence, pushing for a new fence around the facility.

Gonzales said he would work with Allard to add $12 million to an appropriations bill for the perimeter fence, which Allard said would deter outsiders from communicating with Supermax’s prisoners.

A recent report by the Justice Department’s inspector general cited instances of lax security at the prison, such as not screening some mail or monitoring phone calls from terrorist prisoners. Prison workers have long complained of understaffing at Supermax, and both Allard and Sen. Ken Salazar have asked federal officials for improvements.

“We need to ensure we are doing everything needed to protect the prison personnel and the surrounding communities,” Allard said.

ASPEN

Ajax mountain moves up opening ski day

This week’s snowstorms have given a much-desired boost to the state’s ski areas, allowing Aspen’s Ajax mountain to open five days early.

“It would be criminal not to open this mountain,” said Peter King, Aspen mountain manager, after another 16 inches of snow fell there, allowing for an opening Saturday.

Vail received 16 inches of powder Tuesday and Wednesday and 26 inches for the past week. Managers expect to open with nine lifts serving 55 trails on 784 acres.

AURORA

2 CU health buildings show high lead levels

Two more University of Colorado Health Sciences buildings on the Fitzsimons campus have tested positive for elevated levels of lead, according to CU officials.

Tests were conducted Monday morning by Aurora Water and university officials.

In total, levels of lead and copper higher than the state and federal standards have been found in 13 buildings on the campus.

In the newly identified buildings, the School of Dentistry’s Lazarra Center for Oral Facial Health had levels 846 times higher than the state and federal standards. And the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building had levels 262 times higher than the standard.

Bottled water will be brought in to those buildings, and workers will have a chance to be tested.