WEEK OF MAY 8, 2025
VOLUME 123 | ISSUE 23
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DUI crash brings murder conviction Victim was killed while pumping gas in Castle Rock BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUMNITYMEDIA.COM
division chief of support services at the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office, saw other agencies repelling down the sides of hospitals on social media. Davis immediately presented the idea to his community resource team and soon after, members of the Douglas County Regional SWAT team were getting fitted for their superhero suits. “It was super fun,” said Sgt. Dan Moffitt of the Castle Rock Police Department, who served as Captain America for the day. “We jumped at the opportunity.”
A Castle Rock man faces life in prison after a Douglas County jury convicted him of first-degree murder in a DUI crash that killed a decorated Air Force pilot and father of four. Jurors found 57-year-old Paul Stephenson guilty on April 28 for the August 2024 crash that killed Lt. Col. Matt Anderson, 39, who was at a 7-Eleven gas station in Castle Rock after attending the Douglas County Fair with his family. Anderson was pumping gas while his wife was walking into the gas station when Stephenson drove his Chevy Silverado into the Andersons’ vehicle. All four Anderson children — ages 11, 8, 4 and 20 months — suffered injuries from the collision. According to courtroom testimony, Stephenson admitted to drinking a bottle of Fireball whiskey and two beers prior to the incident. According to prosecutors, Stephenson’s blood alcohol content measured 2.5 times the legal limit. The crash marked his third DUI offense. District Attorney George Brauchler said that disregard is what prompted him to pursue the rare first-degree murder charge versus vehicular homicide. “This is not just some other DUI,” Brauchler said. “This dude does not care about the value of human life. That’s how we charged it.”
SEE SUPERHEROES, P16
SEE CONVICTION, P2
Dressed as superheroes, team leaders from the multi-agency regional tactical team commanded by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office rappelled down PHOTO BY HALEY LENA the side of the Children’s Hospital Colorado South Campus location in Highlands Ranch.
DC Comics and Marvel superheroes descend onto Children’s Hospital Colorado in Highlands Ranch BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITY
“Was it a bird, was it a plane?” No — it was the Douglas County Regional SWAT team dressed as DC Comics and Marvel superheroes bringing smiles to the faces of everyone at the Children’s Hospital Colorado South Campus in Highlands Ranch. One by one, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Flash, Superman and Captain America rappelled from the top of the hospital, waving through the windows as they passed by patients, their families and nurses. This has been a beloved event at Chil-
dren’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and in Colorado Springs for years, that’s aimed to bring a joyful surprise to everyone. On the final day of April, the superheroes made their way to Highlands Ranch to ascend on the hospital for the first time. “To have superheroes propel is amazing because it just brings morale for the kids,” said Erin Bolinger, corporate and community development junior specialist for the hospital. “This at least brings a little sunshine to their day.” The idea to bring the event to Highlands Ranch sparked when Taylor Davis, the
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