COLORADO SPRINGS — A body found Saturday in Springs Run Reservoir may be that of a 29-year-old missing Fort Carson soldier.
Colorado Springs police said the body is believed to be Shawn Michael Stoddard.
On Tuesday, a car belonging to Stoddard was found in a parking lot at the Bank at the Broadmoor.
On Friday, members of Stoddard’s family and Colorado Springs police, along with volunteer search-and-rescue teams and canines, scoured in and around the reservoir but didn’t find anything, police said.
On Saturday, Stoddard’s family hired a private helicopter to help in the search. About 11:15 a.m., the helicopter discovered a body in the water shortly after circling the reservoir.
The cause of death is unknown and police are conducting an investigation.
Denver Post staff reports
Man falls from bridge over U.S. 6, lands on car
A man – apparently trying to commit suicide – plummeted from a bridge onto a car on U.S. 6 on Saturday, smashing through its back window and scaring a parent and three children inside, officials said.
“The children were traumatized,” said Lt. Phil Champagne, Denver Fire Department spokesman.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was taken by ambulance to Denver Health Medical Center in critical condition, said Lt. Ron Saunier, spokesman for the Denver Police Department.
Witnesses said the man, who appeared distraught, was standing on the Federal Boulevard bridge about 12:30 p.m., positioning himself to jump from the bridge. It looked like he had second thoughts, Champagne said.
The man lost his balance, grabbed onto the edge of the bridge, but couldn’t maintain his grip and fell, Champagne said.
Vietnam vet seeks Tancredo’s House seat
ARAPAHOE COUNTY — A Vietnam veteran says he is running for the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Tom Tancredo.
Democrat Mike Collins, 56, says he has been actively involved with the Democratic Party, including serving on precinct committees. He also blogs about politics, he said.
“I think Mike Coffman is going to have a lot to worry about with my candidacy,” said Collins, who is disabled and speaks through a mechanical device because, he said, he got larynx cancer from Agent Orange, a defoliant used in Vietnam.
Coffman, Colorado secretary of state and a Republican, has every intention of running, his spokesman has said.
Two injured in 30-bicycle pileup
COLORADO SPRINGS — Two bicyclists were rushed to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs by ambulance after they were injured in a chain-reaction accident involving up to 30 bicycle riders, emergency rescue officials said.
The names and conditions of the bicyclists who were injured in the 10:50 a.m. accident south of U.S. 24 near Marksheffel Road were not available, said Jeff Sievers, spokesman for the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
“One went down and then a whole lot of others went down after them,” Sievers said. “There were bicycles strewn all over the side of the road.”
Dalai Lama coming in July
ASPEN — The Dalai Lama is scheduled to appear at the Aspen Institute in July, making his second trip to Colorado in two years.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will speak July 26, the last day of a three-day event titled “The Dalai Lama at Aspen: A celebration of Tibetan Art and Culture.”
Colorado Springs hires new city manager
COLORADO SPRINGS — Penelope “Penny” Culbreth-Graft was named city manager by the Colorado Springs City Council.
Culbreth-Graft will start in January and replaces Lorne Kramer, who retired in June. Her salary will be $210,000.
Culbreth-Graft has served as city administrator for Huntington Beach, Calif., and Grover Beach, Calif. She also has been an assistant city manager in Riverside, Calif., San Diego, Tucson, Chino, Calif., and tribal government manager for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in San Diego County.
From Denver Post staff and wire reports
