The Boulder Outlook touts itself as the "cure for the common hotel." Today, however, folks at the business likely wish they could find a cure for the uncommon guest. Yesterday, Boulder Police found a 41-year-old man dead of an apparent suicide in one of the Outlook's rooms -- and as a goodbye present, he left a note warning that chemicals had been released and members of the fire department should be called. At this point, authorities haven't said what substances, if any, were discovered by the responders, and thus far, no one's gotten sick -- with the possible exception of the Outlook's accountant.
Read the initial Boulder Police Department release by clicking "Continue."
Police, firefighters respond to a possible suicide, hazardous materials incidentBoulder police officers and firefighters are on scene of a possible suicide and hazardous materials incident at the Boulder Outlook hotel, 800 28th Street. Officers were called to the hotel at about 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, by a woman who said she was concerned that her adult son was suicidal.
When police arrived, they verified the man, 41, was a guest at the hotel. They tried several times to get his attention by knocking on his room door and calling out to him. When they got no response, they broke down the door. Officers saw the man lying on the bathroom floor. When they investigated further, they discovered he was already deceased.
The officers on scene became concerned when they smelled a chemical odor and saw a note that had been duct-taped to the bathroom door indicating that chemicals had been released. The note urged the officers to call the fire department.
The fire department responded with four engines, Boulder Rural, Pridemark and hazardous materials teams from Boulder and Longmont. The north wing of the hotel has been evacuated. All guests have been relocated to other areas in the hotel.
The first responders are being decontaminated as a precaution. At this point, no officers, firefighters, hotel guests or employees are reporting any symptoms or illnesses.
The crews are likely to be on scene for several hours continuing to assess the situation. Updates will be sent out as appropriate.