'Heavily armed man' found dead at Colorado amusement park with multiple guns and explosives

Law enforcement in Colorado is investigating after they said a "heavily armed" man was found dead inside an amusement park over the weekend "wearing body armor" with "multiple improvised explosive devices" on him.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Office reported that Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park employees notified officials the body of the 22-year-old man was found Saturday morning, prior to the park opening.

The park is located in Glenwood Springs, a resort city in the Rocky Mountains surrounded by the White River National Forest.

Walt Stowe, a spokesperson for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office told USA TODAY the man’s death is being investigated as a possible suicide.

“There is no danger to the community as of right now,” Stowe said. 

The agency did not release how the man died but, according to a press release, said his death did not involve any of the rides and he was not authorized to be inside the park.

Dressed in black tactical clothing bearing emblems as if he were law enforcement

According to a preliminary investigation, police wrote in a news release Monday, the man, from the Carbondale area, was found dead dressed in black tactical clothing "bearing patches and emblems that gave the appearance of being associated with law enforcement."

He was armed with a semi-automatic rifle, a semi-automatic handgun and multiple loaded magazines for both weapons, the release continues. He wore a body armor and what appeared to be a ballistic helmet Additional multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDS) were discovered with the suspect and a vehicle associated with the suspect, found at the park.

A bomb squad responded to the park and "we able to render the devices safe," the release continues.

Bomb squad members backed by the Garfield County All Hazard response team swept the park to make sure no other IEDs were planted.

Police also released the following statement on Facebook:

"Our investigation has so far indicated that nobody in the public was at risk; it would appear that the suspect's actions were limited to the property of the Glenwood Caverns. The initial two days of the investigation I’ve been carried out in the slow, methodical manner in order to search the property, as well as the suspect's residence to ensure the safety of the public and to begin to determine the extent of his criminal activity. The safety of the public, bomb, disposal personnel, Lawn enforcement, and other first responders were the priority, as well as making sure the cabins were safe to re-open."

Man's cause and manner of death pending autopsy

His identity and cause of death will be determined by the Garfield County coroner, according to the release.

Also according to the release, it appears the man drove a vehicle to the park before he entered it and investigators were making sure none of the rides, equipment or any of the park's on-site buildings or facilities "were tampered with."

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Discovery of man's body prompts closure of park

On Monday, the park remained closed according to its website.

According to its website, the park is the nation's only mountain-top theme park located between Aspen and Vail along Interstate 70.

The park's attractions include roller coasters, other rides, zip lines, a gondola and mountain-top dining.

USA TODAY has reached out to the park for comment but has not heard back.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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