The release of millions of files from the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein revealed the far reach of his crimes – even Durango, tucked away in Southwest Colorado, was mentioned.
The documents show a few people with ties to Durango were connected to Epstein, including a couple who were being considered for jobs and a female victim who was living in a tent with her dog in town at the time of the sex offender’s death in 2019.
“She is currently refusing any housin (sic). She has a dog and she is unwilling to leave him for any reason. She is living in a tent near the river in (redacted). As of right now, that is where she wants to be,” a federal investigator wrote.
According to emails between investigators, the woman was escorted to the Durango-La Plata County Airport so she could fly to Miami for a victims’ briefing conducted by the FBI.
In 2021, an investigator appeared prepared to travel to Durango again to interview the woman as a potential witness in the trial of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In fewer than 10 email exchanges about the woman, agents expressed concern for her well-being.
“She is in extreme crisis and alone there,” a federal investigator wrote in an August 2019 email to a colleague.
The woman was said to be working with the Sexual Assault Services Organization.
“Sex trafficking is everywhere,” said Laura Latimer, the organization’s executive director, who said she was unaware of any connection between the group and the Epstein investigation.
“We do lots of programming and outreach and education in our community about human trafficking and missing and murdered Indigenous relatives,” she said. “Human trafficking is an issue all around the world, and it’s certainly here in our community and in the Four Corners.”
Additionally, in late January 2017, emails show Epstein was searching for a couple to manage Zorro Ranch, his 7,500-acre property in New Mexico, and was interested in a couple in the La Plata County area.
The married pair were described in correspondence as having ties to a now-closed guest ranch in Vallecito and had planned to visit the estate and meet Epstein in February 2017, according to emails between ranch staff members. It is unclear whether they ultimately made the trip or accepted the job.
Epstein was accused by federal prosecutors and multiple lawsuits of running a yearslong sex-trafficking operation involving underage girls, allegations that led to his 2019 arrest and have supporting evidence.
His long-term associate, Maxwell was later convicted in federal court of helping recruit and groom minors for Epstein’s abuse and is serving a prison sentence.
The newly released records became a point of public contention as the federal administration delayed their disclosure. Their eventual release has revealed more about the scope of the case and the individuals who crossed paths with or were victimized by Epstein and his associates.
Outside Durango, records and flight logs tied to Epstein indicate he traveled to Colorado on multiple occasions, including visits connected to wealthy social circles in Aspen.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
