ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. Colorado State Patrol crime investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to a deadly crash on Interstate 70 east of Byers Wednesday morning.

The fatal crash happened while CSP troopers were investigating a single-vehicle, property-damage-only semi crash on westbound I-70 near milepost 321 at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

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As troopers were working the scene, one of their patrol cars was struck by a Ford F-150, according to a news release.

Initial reports show the trooper was partially blocking the left lane of travel while tow trucks were removing the semi from the center median when the Ford F-150, driven by an 18-year-old man, lost control, striking the patrol vehicle and sideswiping the passenger side. The F-150 continued westbound, entering the center median, striking the guardrail, and then striking the rear driver's side of the semi-trailer.

The 18-year-old driver of the F-150 was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries. The passenger of the pickup, a 19-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, according to the release.

The trooper involved was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation; no injuries were reported at the scene.

The name of the 19-year-old will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner once family has been notified.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating this crash.

DENVER Ice Castles, the family-friendly winter wonderland experience that drove thousands to Cripple Creek and Silverthorne each year, will not be returning to Colorado for the 2026-2027 winter season after the state experienced one of its worst winters on record.

While Wednesdays announcement does not explicitly state that Colorados record-low snowpack was a reason for cancelling the event this year, Cripple Creek officials said earlier this month that organizers cited operational and business considerations as the reason behind the decision.

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ice Castles will not return to Cripple Creek for 2026 - 27 Season

Mild weather last season throughout the country were challenges for the organization, Cripple Creek officials said. As a result, they will be scaling back on the number of sites they will be opening this coming season.

City officials also cited significant water issues in Teller County as another contributing factor for cancelling Ice Castles in Colorado this winter.

We're deeply grateful to the Town of Silverthorne and the Outlets at Silverthorne, and to the City of Cripple Creek and the property owners who hosted us there, along with the guests and communities across Summit and Teller counties and the greater Front Range who made Ice Castles part of their winter tradition, said Andrew Child, a spokesperson for the Ice Castles in a statement.

Though Ice Castles is canceled this winter, organizers said they hope to return in the future to the Centennial State.

Ice Castles first made its debut in Colorado in 2017 and has been a staple for thousands of people each winter. The last time the massive frozen tourist attraction canceled its season in Colorado was in 2021.