Colorado officials acknowledge error in release of Clear Creek County chase suspect

The Colorado Department of Corrections has acknowledged that a significant error within their department contributed to a man, Christopher Moore, who had violated his parole, being able to remain free. Tragically, this led to a chase by law enforcement on Tuesday in which an innocent person lost their life in a head-on collision on Highway 6 in Clear Creek County. The two drivers involved, Steven Ainsworth and Christopher Moore, both perished in the crash, while a woman in Moore's vehicle sustained injuries. According to officials, Moore should have been incarcerated due to his extensive criminal history, including recent criminal cases in 2022. Despite being arrested for theft just four days after his parole release in June, the parole revocation process was not promptly initiated as required by department policy. This failure resulted in a four-month delay until the process began on October 10. The Department has described this delay as "unacceptable" and has initiated an internal review to identify the causes and ensure accountability. Responding to the incident, law enforcement officials noted Moore's dangerous behavior and stressed the necessity for action, expressing frustration that he was not in custody. They emphasized the need for deeper solutions beyond incarceration to address ongoing societal challenges. The Department of Corrections offered its condolences to the family of Steven Ainsworth and affirmed its commitment to upholding policies to safeguard public safety.