Caloia to prosecute trespassing case against state wildlife chief

Ninth District Attorney Sherry Caloia has been named special prosecutor to revive a hunting-related trespassing charge against the head of Colorado’s wildlife agency a year after the case was dismissed.

Routt County District Judge Michael O’Hara ruled in February that state law didn’t support prosecutors’ decision to dismiss the charge against Department of Natural Resources director Mike King.

Prosecutors had said they weren’t sure if they had to prove King knew he was trespassing. King said he had permission to hunt on one parcel and didn’t know he crossed onto another.

King didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Routt County District Attorney Brett Barkey said he would appeal O’Hara’s order. He said prosecutors have discretion in such cases.

King was cited in September 2013.