Aspen liquor store employee allegedly assaults former coworker

A former Aspen liquor store employee lost his vision in one eye after he was allegedly assaulted by his old coworker in October 2024. 

Suspect Anthony James Neuroth, then 46, has a Monday, April 21, arraignment after previously posting bond.

Neuroth allegedly charged at his former coworker when his back was turned, “attacking (him) from behind” at the 400 block of E. Main Street shortly after 8 p.m., Oct. 1, 2024, according to surveillance footage.

Neuroth was later arrested for felony and misdemeanor assault, and harassment on Oct. 29, 2024, after the police issued a warrant. He posted his $5,000 bond on Oct. 30, 2024.

According to an affidavit filed by Aspen Police, trouble began when the two men were riding on the same Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) bus in Aspen on the night of Oct. 1, 2024. The two former coworkers reportedly had “bad blood from previously working together.” 

As seen in RFTA security footage, Neuroth shouted profanities at the man, then 49, and appeared to discuss their shared work history with another RFTA passenger.

The two former coworkers are next seen exiting the bus at the E. Main Street and South Galena Street stop, according to Local Spirits footage.

“They then cross to the north side of Main Street and can be seen engaging in a verbal interaction,” the affidavit states. “At one point, (the man) turns his back to Neuroth and walks in the opposite direction away from Neuroth. Neuroth can then be seen charging after (the man) and attacking (the man) from behind.” 

Police were unable to see the remainder of the altercation because a tree blocked the video.

Police responded on scene at 8:20 p.m. and identified a shirtless Neuroth walking east on the sidewalk next to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. 

They found the victim with blood dripping from his right eye onto his clothes and sidewalk. 

The man was taken by Aspen Ambulance paramedics to the Aspen Valley Hospital, before being flown by helicopter to a Denver area hospital later in the evening for additional treatment, according to the affidavit. 

Police learned from Aspen Valley ER Dr. Greg Balko that the man’s eye damage met the threshold for serious bodily injury.

They determined they have probable cause to believe Neuroth was the primary aggressor in the altercation, concluding that he caused the man serious bodily injury by striking him in his right eye.

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.