Arrest Made in Stringtown Homicide

A Community Mourns The Loss

Eric Christopher Gurule, 27, of Leadville, was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office without incident Sept. 4, 2020, in connection to the death of Randy Flores, 55, according to a press release distributed to media outlets yesterday from the District Attorney’s office.

Eric Gurule of Leadville.

Mr. Flores was found deceased Sept. 3, 2020, at 1734 Highway 24 in Leadville, Colo. (Lake County). The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location and discovered the deceased, after a 911 call had been placed. At the residence, there were signs of a struggle and a homicide investigation began immediately by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Agencies assisting with the investigation include the Office of the District Attorney, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which will be the lead investigator for the case.

Defendant Gurule was arrested on a warrant alleging first-degree murder, and is currently being held with no bond. He will be advised of the charges against him Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in Lake County Court. At the hearing, the Court will order a date for charges to be filed (likely due Sept. 14).

Mr. Flores was the owner of Pro-Electric, Inc.—an electric services business in the Leadville area for more than 10 years (per their business website). Defendant Gurule worked at Pro-Electric, and it is believed the homicide took place at Mr. Flores’s home, where a routine after-work gathering occurred.

To report any information about this incident, please contact the LCSO at: (719) 486-1249, or their website.

Randy Flores, 55, owner of Pro Electric in Leadville was found dead in his home located near his Stringtown business (south of Leadville).

Homicide Inquiry Underway in Leadville

“Yesterday, Sept. 3, 2020, at approximately 8:30 a.m., a Hispanic male was found deceased at 1734 Highway 24 in Leadville, Colo. (Lake County),” stated the press release distributed by the Public Information Officer for the District Attorney (DA). Locally, the area where the incident took place is known as Stringtown, located just south of Leadville’s city limits on Highway 24 South. The DA’s report stated that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to the location and discovered the deceased after a 911 call had been placed. At the residence, there were signs of a struggle. A homicide investigation has been opened by the LCSO.

No one has been arrested in connection with this investigation. The deceased party’s name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. Further details will be released as soon as it is appropriate. Per the LCSO, there is no danger posed to the community at this time. According to the press release, agencies on the scene included the Office of the District Attorney and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, who has been identified as the lead investigator in the case.

To report information about this incident, please contact the LCSO at: (719) 486-1249, or the LCSO website.

Leadville will see CDOT crews return for the Highway 24/Harrison Avenue Paving Project on September 9.

Last Blast for Summer Traffic

The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to anticipate heavy traffic in many areas of the state as the people head out to enjoy the final days of the summer travel season over Labor Day weekend. Whatever your final destination, please remember to wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, and stay in small groups. We need everyone to do all of the above, so we can keep COVID-19 at bay.

CDOT will suspend lane closures on all its construction projects statewide on Friday at noon to reduce potential traffic delays.  The only exception is for emergency work.  Projects can resume normal operations on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Note Leadville’s Highway 24 paving project begins on Wednesday, September 9.

Heavier than normal traffic should be anticipated on Interstate 25 along the Front Range and on I-70 west of Denver this weekend.  I-70’s traffic is expected to be heaviest from mid-morning until late afternoon on Friday, and from 7 a.m. to mid-afternoon on Saturday.  Eastbound I-70 traffic will be at its peak on Labor Day from mid-morning to late afternoon, especially from Summit County to the Denver area.  Please be aware that traffic on the I-70 Mountain Corridor has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels and is exceeding last year’s traffic volumes during some high travel periods.

2019 Labor Day Weekend Tunnel Traffic

Have you ever wondered how many vehicles go through the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel on I-70 on big holiday weekends? A lot! But CDOT doesn’t guess, they know! Here are the numbers from last Labor Day weekend along with a reminder about upcoming closure plans for the heavily-trafficked tunnel so that repairs and upgrades can be completed.

Tunnel Closures for Paving Thru October

As if there wasn’t enough happening on August 31, CDOT began paving work on the I-70 Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. Travelers should be advised of overnight closures of the tunnel through early October.  According to @Colorado Transportation officials “Crews have been working through the summer on road repairs in the tunnel and are now ready to mill and pave the surface which is critically needed to improve safety.  The tunnel will be open, but all traffic will travel through one tunnel bore while the other bore is closed for paving operations.  Ten to fifteen-minute travel delays are expected from 10 p.m. to midnight with minor delays for the rest of the nighttime hours.”

Here are the details concerning travel impacts:

• The eastbound tunnel will close overnight Monday – Thursday, 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. from August 31 to September 3 and from September 8 to 18.  Traffic will be detoured through the westbound tunnel.  No planned closures over the Labor Day weekend, September 4 to 7.
• Once the eastbound side is paved, the westbound tunnel will close overnight for paving September 21 to October 8. Traffic will be detoured through the eastbound tunnel.
• Arrangements have been made to ensure emergency vehicles will be able to get through quickly during the closures.

The schedules above could change depending on the weather and other factors. It’s best that overnight travelers check cotrip.org for the latest information on road work, closures, and other conditions.

Across the State This Weekend

Motorists in the western part of Colorado should be prepared for possible closures of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. The burn areas from the Grizzly Creek Fire have increased the potential for debris flow, mudslides, and rockfall, resulting in possible safety closures between Glenwood Springs (Exit 116) and Dotsero (Exit 133). Travelers should pay close attention to weather forecasts and have an alternate route identified in the event of a closure. When driving in the canyon, motorists should prepare for additional travel time due to reduced speeds and be aware that stopping in the canyon is prohibited. Rest areas and the bike path remain closed for public safety.

In Southwest Colorado, bikers are making their way to the annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally for the holiday weekend. CDOT is urging caution and safety from all drivers. Motorcyclists should be diligent following the laws of the road, including obeying speed limits and wearing protective gear. All other vehicle drivers are advised to keep an eye out for motorcycles, especially in blind spots,

The seasonal roadways – Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park – remain open through the fall until adverse weather requires a full closure for the winter.

Drivers can get the latest information on the status of the state’s roadways by checking www.cotrip.org or by calling 511.  Specific information regarding Interstate 70 is available at: www.GoI70.com. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reminds travelers to enjoy their Labor Day safely by wearing a mask, keeping your distance, washing your hands, and staying in small groups. After the 4th of July, cases of COVID-19 went up. Remember, COVID-19 doesn’t take a holiday.