History

Denver Police announced a genetic identification of someone they believe may be the killer in four cold cases.

A February state Supreme Court ruling that a juror was dismissed for improper reasons sent a 1997 rape and attempted murder case back to trial.

Last year, Historic Denver made the home of former Judge Raymond Jones into a landmark. While Jones didn’t build that house himself, he laid another brick by brick — a house that had a perpetually open door to the state judiciary and broader legal system.

Edwin Hackley, Colorado's first Black lawyer, struggled to build a local practice but used his voice in publishing to speak out against racism.

Alferd Packer, also known as the Colorado Cannibal and the “Man-Eater,” remains a popular state figure but was denied a posthumous pardon.

Benjamin Ratcliff was hanged in February 1896 for murdering three school board members in “the most brutal and unprovoked murder ever known in Park County,” according to the New Castle News.

In 1979, Zita Weinshienk became the first woman to sit on the federal bench in the state and she broke many glass ceilings.

Wilbur Alter is best known as a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court for two terms between 1928 and 1957.

Travis Forbes was sentenced to life in prison for the assault on and murder of Monge, plus 48 years to be served consecutively for the crimes against Tillman.

In 1927, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado granted the release of men involved in an armed clash in Weld and Boulder counties later deemed an “insurrection.” A 1928 appeal in the case was dismissed.