The Rifleman revisited -- with horses in the sites

Zoning disputes: Not an inherently fascinating subject for folks not involved with them -- and often not even then. But the interest level perks up when wholesale horse assassination is thrown into the mix. According to the Weld County Sheriff's Office, Trenton Parker recently received a ninety-day sentence for contempt...

By Michael Roberts

August 27, 2009

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Zoning disputes: Not an inherently fascinating subject for folks not involved with them -- and often not even then. But the interest level perks up when wholesale horse assassination is thrown into the mix.

According to the Weld County Sheriff's Office, Trenton Parker recently received a ninety-day sentence for contempt of court because he's refusing to clean up his property to the jurist's satisfaction. So, of course, he decided to circulate a flyer advertising for people willing to shoot 24 horses a week from Saturday. Of course! Makes perfect sense! Except for the fact that participating would result in a felony cruelty-to-animals charge, it sounds like a great time!

Read the WCSO release and the text of the flyer below.

Disgruntled citizen disperses flyer

A flyer indicating a search for rifleman executioners is being dispersed around Weld County. Trenton Parker is upset with Weld County Zoning codes as he faces a 90 day jail sentence for contempt of court regarding his court order to clean up his property located at county roads 8 and 35 north of Lochbuie, CO. The court order has been in effect since December 31, 2007; to date he has failed to clean up the property from converted mobile homes. Mr Parker has made notice through this flyer that he is looking for riflemen to publicly execute 24 registered horses in protest of the zoning codes at high noon on September 5th. Any participation in this activity would be considered illegal and charges of felony cruelty to animals could be enforced. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff's Office at 970-356-4015 ext 2850 or contact Weld County Animal Control through dispatch at 970-350-9600.

John B. Cooke -- Sheriff

Flyer text:

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Public Execution of 24 Registered Horses to Protest Weld County Zoning Codes

12 p.m. -- Hight [sic] Noon

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

W.C.R. 8 & W.C.R. 35

For Tea Party Information

Call 303-654-1038

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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