Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF AUGUST 3, 2023
VOLUME 40 | ISSUE 2
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Sheriff’s “The Best of the West” Parade returns for Buffalo Bill Days office looking for a sexual predator at Flying J BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The parade, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, returned last year. The event is a quintessential part of the four-day festival, drawing thousands of people to the festival and downtown Golden, organizers have said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office continues to look for an unarmed sexual predator targeting female hikers in Flying J Ranch Park in Conifer. Anyone who was hiking in the park in the last month who saw anything unusual or suspicious should contact the sheriff ’s office at 303-271-0211, according to spokeswoman Karlyn Tilley. As of July 31, the person had not been apprehended. “Even something they think might be nothing,” Tilley said. “If they got an uncomfortable feeling and remember seeing someone who fits the description in the park, we would like to know the day and time they saw this person.” The suspect is described as a white male, 20-30 years old, fit/ athletic build with dark-colored hair. He has carried a darkcolored backpack in some cases. In each incident, the suspect has run off into the woods, avoiding capture. Tilley said the department knows that discussions have
SEE BUFFALO BILLS DAY PARADE PHOTOS, P2
SEE PREDATOR, P3
Barb and RD Melfi from White Fox Productions wave to everyone from their horses while they’re dressed as Annie Oakley and BufPHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG falo Bill during the Buffalo Bill Days parade. BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
During the final weekend of July, Golden’s cowboys and cowgirls ride again. The Buffalo Bill Days festival hosted its annual “The Best of the West” Parade July 29, as thousands of people lined Washington Avenue
to see their favorite reenactors, horseriders, firefighters and more. Dozens of local businesses, nonprofits and equestrian groups like the iconic Buffalo Bill Saddle Club ride or march in the parade every summer. Attendees over the years have shared how much they appreciate the parade’s traditional Western flair.
WESTMINSTER VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 30
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