CLEAR CREEK COUNTY – Police arrested a man after a nine-hour standoff in the High Country which occurred overnight, beginning Friday and ending Saturday.
The Gilpin County Sheriff's Office says the standoff began Friday night around 10:15 p.m. when a deputy went to check on a suspicious car which was parked on the side of the road at Virginia Canyon Road and Russell Gulch Road near Central City Parkway.
As the deputy approached the car, the driver, later identified as 44-year-old Michael Lee Kutz, got out, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the deputy, according to authorities.
The deputy told Kutz to put the gun down, but Kutz jumped down a snowbank and took off into the hills, authorities say.
The deputy called for assistance and a Jefferson County K-9 officer and a SWAT officer responded, tracking the suspect into a heavily wooded area, according to authorities.
Authorities say several other agencies responded for support.
As deputies approached, Kutz climbed a tree and fired one shot. No one was injured by the shot, and a standoff began.
Clear Creek County Sheriff's tactical team was able to contain and negotiate with Kutz, according to authorities.
After a nine-hour standoff, Kutz was taken into custody a little after 8 a.m., west of the Central City Parkway and CO Road 279, authorities say.
Kutz is now being held at the Gilpin County Detention facility. Charges against him are pending, according to authorities.
