CRIPPLE CREEK – The two men who pleaded guilty to starting the High Chateau Fire in Teller County were sentenced to jail time and probation Monday.
A judge sentenced David Renfrow to 70 days in jail and Kegan Owens to 60 days in jail Monday. They were also sentenced to 10 years of probation.
District Court Judge Scott Sells noted that these convictions could have come with a sentence of up to 18 mo. in prison or Community Corrections, but prison was agreeable to the parties and it allows Owens and Renfrow to get to work paying restitution.
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Owens had earlier reached a plea deal with prosecutors, where he might have faced 18 months in prison with a year of parole. However, that sentence was reduced to allow them to work to begin paying restitution.
Renfrow, Owens and a 17-year-old were all arrested on First Degree Arson charges several days after the High Chateau Fire started on June 29.
Investigators say the group was camping when they lit an illegal campfire during Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Teller County. They said they left the area when they were spooked by a bear, and told investigators they thought the fire was out before they left.
The High Chateau Fire burned more than 1,400 acres and destroyed eight homes and several outbuildings.
