The man accused of beginning the Alexander Mountain Fire west of Loveland in July 2024 pleaded not responsible to all six costs he’s going through Wednesday morning.
Jason Hobby, 50, pleaded not responsible in eighth Judicial District Court in Fort Collins to first-degree arson, a category 3 felony; two counts of impersonating a peace officer, a category 5 felony; false imprisonment, a category 5 felony; menacing with an actual or simulated weapon, a category 5 felony; and impersonating a public servant, a category 2 misdemeanor, in accordance with court docket information.
Hobby, 50, was arrested Sept. 10, 2024, in reference to the fireplace, which was first reported July 29, 2024, earlier than charring almost 10,000 acres in Larimer County. Among the burned land had been elements of the Sylvan Dale Ranch and over a thousand acres that the ranch’s homeowners had been planning to donate to the Heart-J Center for Experimental Learning, a plan investigators had been informed Hobby was in opposition to. He was employed by the ranch as a safety officer till he was terminated in July 2024 after repeated incidents with different workers members and guests.
Suspected Alexander Mountain hearth arsonist wished to play hero, investigators say
Investigators discovered that Hobby portrayed himself as a firefighter within the aftermath, regardless of having no formal credentials. A ranch workers member informed investigators that he was involved Hobby began the fireplace to “insert himself as a hero in the eyes of staff after his recent disciplinary work history,” in accordance with his arrest affidavit.
In October, Judge Sarah Cure determined there was sufficient proof in Hobby’s case to proceed to trial, which prompted protection lawyer Mark Savoy to enchantment the ruling to the Colorado Supreme Court. The petition was denied Nov. 13, in accordance with court docket information.
Hobby is ready to look for a three-week trial starting July 6, 2026, with no trial scheduled on July 14, in accordance with an electronic mail from Kylie Massman, communications and neighborhood engagement specialist for the eighth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.