A mysterious helicopter hovering over Ridgway homes, using a spotlight and circling town after dark Monday night has left residents rattled, wondering what the heck was going on.
Accompanying reports of explosions, possibly fireworks or shots, at the same time the helicopter was sighted by eyewitnesses in the area, have also added to the concern.
Ridgway Marshal Shane Schmalz didn’t receive reports of the incident until Tuesday morning, long after the helicopter was sighted around 8:30 p.m. Monday.
As for the sounds of explosions, those are still a mystery, too, and it’s unclear whether they’re related to the helicopter report or a completely separate incident.
“There were either fireworks or shots fired but we can’t confirm if it was from the helicopter or to the helicopter,” Schmalz said.
So far, he’s looked into various possibilities, including everything from possible wildlife monitoring to emergency response flights.
He ruled out possible search and rescue operations or medical flights. The Plaindealer inquired with the Colorado National Guard, and confirmed it was not associated with any of their trainings or missions.
Schmalz said he checked with the Montrose airport and there were no arrivals or departures of helicopters matching the reports on Monday night.
The Plaindealer filed an information request for records related to a helicopter that refueled at the Telluride Airport on Monday night. The aircraft, designated as a military helicopter, arrived around 5:30 p.m. and departed around 8 p.m. Monday.
The receipt shows 250 gallons of fuel was purchased, for $1,897.50, but doesn’t have a name on the receipt, which only specifies “military.”
An airport employee said the crew flew into Telluride, went to dinner in town, and left.
It’s unclear whether the helicopter that left Telluride is the same one spotted in Ridgway, as a positive identification has not been confirmed.
“Nobody can describe the helicopter, it was too dark,” Schmalz said. “Nothing really adds up to anything, except so many reports of a helicopter flying low between 300 and 500 feet over town.”
Though some swore it sounded like a military helicopter, others said they thought it was likely a private aircraft. So far, nothing is confirmed.
At this time, the helicopter incident is still a mystery. Schmalz is asking anyone who obtained video or photos of the aircraft, especially anything that could help identify the helicopter, please call the marshal’s office at 970-626-5196.
Schmalz said the report from some eyewitnesses that the helicopter resembled a Black Hawk might add up with the arrival and departure of the military helicopter that refueled at the Telluride Airport.
“But nothing is confirmed,” he said.
