Authorities took a suspect into custody and called in a regional explosives squad Monday after a bomb threat prompted the evacuation of staff and students from buildings at the Colorado Mountain College campus in Leadville.
Mike McHargue, director of emergency management in Lake County, said a 911 caller made the threat about 9:15 a.m. The suspect was arrested shortly thereafter. The El Paso County bomb squad went to Leadville to investigate.
By 6:30 p.m. Lake County emergency management officials said the “campus has been cleared of any bomb threats and the bomb squad has left the scene.”
“We can’t take any claim like that casually,” McHargue said.
The Lake County Sheriff has the only current suspect in custody. The investigation continues.
— Lake County OEM (@LakeCountyOEM)
Authorities said more than 60 people from Colorado Mountain College were moved to the school’s cafeteria for safety.
No injuries were reported, according to a college spokeswoman.
Officials have not released information about the suspect. It was not clear how, or if, the person is connected to the college.
Wendy Wyman, superintendent of the Lake County School District, said schools in the district were placed on a lockout as a precautionary measure.
