Investgative Photojournalist at KUSA/9News Denver vimeo.com/annahewson
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Articles by Anna Hewson
Here's what happens at the lab that's tanked your cell service in Boulder County
Widespread cellphone dead zones across Longmont have left frustrated residents packing retail stores to demand answers, after network adjustments forced by a nearby government research facility abruptly cut off basic communications. Steve On Your Side found all three major wireless carriers were recently required to modify their networks to accommodate the Table Mountain research facility, located roughly a mile away.
Colorado woman falsely accused of package theft sues Flock Safety, police department and officer
A Colorado woman who was falsely accused of stealing a package from a porch has filed a lawsuit against Flock Safety, the Columbine Valley Police Department and the officer who accused her, arguing that surveillance technology has gone too far. Attorneys for Chrisanna Elser filed the suit Monday, roughly a year after a police sergeant knocked on her door and told her that license plate camera data showed she was involved in the theft.
Arrest made in bank fraud scheme where losses topped $800,000
Follow Arrest made in bank fraud scheme where losses topped $800,000 Janet Oravetz (9News), Steve Staeger, Anna Hewson Updated Tue, October 6, 2026 at 2:29 PM EDT Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Here’s why your cell phone hasn’t been working in parts of Boulder County
A federal law regarding radio signals north of the city of Boulder prompted the nation's three largest cellphone networks to alter their signals this year — causing widespread coverage problems, Steve On Your Side has learned. More than 100 people in Longmont and Niwot have filed complaints about their cellphone coverage with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since the beginning of September, according to data from the FCC.
Wheat Ridge family says PNC should have done more to prevent scam on 81-year-old woman
An 81-year-old Wheat Ridge woman lost $49,000 to a scam after one PNC Bank branch raised questions about a suspicious cashier's check request while a second branch just miles away handed over the check with no questions asked, according to the woman's family, who contacted 9NEWS Consumer Investigator Steve Staeger for help. Wilma Helms said the ordeal began the morning of Aug. 7.
'Not on my watch': How 9/11 forced Denver International Airport to transform overnight
Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks transformed aviation security overnight, former acting security director Mark Nagel reflected on the critical hours he spent shutting down, searching and completely overhauling operations at Denver International Airport.
He got a Denver parking ticket for a plate he hasn't used in 9 years. The city told him he'd have to prove it.
A Denver man is fighting to clear his name after the city sent him a parking ticket for a personalized license plate that has sat unused in his garage since 2017 — while Denver's own records show other drivers have been ticketed, and have paid, using that same plate in the years since.
State leaders accused 'free e-bike' shop of misleading customers, misrepresenting e-bike tax credit law
In a strongly worded letter in mid-June, state leaders told a local bike shop to stop having its customers contact the state to request that tax credits be released faster. "Directing customers to contact the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) to help speed up Bear Trail Bikes' order fulfillment is misleading customers and misrepresenting the e-bike statute," the June 15 letter to the company reads.
'Free e-bike' shop owner dares feds to charge him
The owner of a bike shop that promised "free e-bikes" though a Colorado state tax credit has a message for federal prosecutors. "You guys are dragging this on too long," Takuma Hagood said in an interview with Steve On Your Side on Monday.
Internal emails show Denver's parking dispute problems could have been avoided
Officials with Denver's municipal court had been asking the city's transportation department to take over the parking dispute process since February of 2024 before abruptly cutting the program last fall, internal documents obtained by Steve On Your Side show. The budget cut last fall shuttered an online dispute portal for parking tickets, driving people disputing tickets to traffic court.
Bear Trail Bikes phone disconnected, shops empty after FBI seizes assets from owner
Two months after the FBI seized luxury cars and cash from the owner of a shop offering free e-bikes using a state tax credit, the company's phone number appears to have been disconnected and storefronts the company used throughout the state remain vacant. Last week, Steve On Your Side reported the FBI seized more than a half a million dollars in assets from the owner of Bear Trail Bikes, Takuma Hagood.
Steve On Your Side Free E-bike update: FBI seizes property belonging to owner of Bear Trail Bikes
Follow Steve On Your Side Free E-bike update: FBI seizes property belonging to owner of Bear Trail Bikes Steve Staeger, Anna Hewson Updated Fri, July 24, 2026 at 4:22 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Denver sees explosion of parking court cases after dispute office cuts
Mike waited months for his chance to prove the city of Denver wrong and expose the absurdity of the city's flawed parking dispute process. But a week before he was scheduled to make his case in front of a Denver traffic court judge, he got an email saying his ticket was being thrown out because the right-of-way agent who wrote it couldn't appear in court.
A double charge glitched a man's account. Public Storage threatened to auction his stuff.
It took nearly 20 phone calls, but Mark Wonder finally got somewhere. Since late May, he's been locked in a battle with Public Storage over a unit at a downtown Denver facility. First, he was double charged. Then, when he disputed the error, the company put a padlock on his unit and scheduled it for auction. Wonder said the situation began in mid-May when he approached the company about upgrading to a larger unit.
King Soopers rolls out digital shelf price tags at more than 100 stores
Shoppers at more than 100 King Soopers stores in Colorado may noticed a somewhat subtle change in the way their grocery store displays prices on the shelves. Steve On Your Side has learned the company rolled out digital shelf price tags at more than 100 of their 122 stores in Colorado and Wyoming. The company says the digital tags should increase accuracy for shoppers and free up time for store staff to focus on customer service rather than changing out paper tags.
Denver family's street sweeping ticket sparks frustration with city's dispute process changes
A Denver family got a street sweeping ticket after a city notification system alerted them to the wrong date. And an ongoing city budget cut now means they face a frustrating process to dispute it. Steve On Your Side has been reporting on the gap for months – when Denver cut the budget last fall, the city's court system eliminated a parking middle man position which handled disputes before they went to court.
Grand Junction man told to drive to Denver to prove a parking ticket wasn’t for his car
Steve Staeger, Anna Hewson Updated Mon, June 15, 2026 at 11:13 PM UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Denver resident Brad Sant received a parking ticket for a vehicle he doesn't own, in a city he hasn't visited, but was told he must appear in court to dispute it.
This could be a reason license plate readers keep misreading Colorado plates
A woman received a photo radar ticket in the mail for speeding, but it was actually meant for a vehicle with a similar license plate number but different letter, leading to confusion and potential consequences for her job application.
Hudson details how it will issue refunds for photo radar tickets
At a Hudson town council meeting this week, the town's manager detailed how the small Weld County community plans to reimburse thousands of drivers who were ticketed by a controversial speed camera on the northbound side of Weld County Road 49 near Interstate 76.
New law requires stronger warning period for photo radar, bans tickets for slower speeds
Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill this week reforming a state law that regulates how Colorado cities and towns use photo radar systems. The new law was inspired in part by a six-month investigation into photo radar by Steve On Your Side. That investigation helped void $2.3 million in traffic tickets across two Weld County towns.
A Colorado bike shop promised free e-bikes. Many customers are still waiting
Steve Staeger, Anna Hewson Updated Thu, June 4, 2026 at 12:01 AM UTC 5 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The online ads caught Rachel Paradise's attention. A local bike shop called Bear Trail Bikes was offering a brand new e-bike for free using a state tax credit. She went to the website and opted to go beyond the free option. She picked out a higher-priced model which was reduced thanks to that tax credit.
Hudson voids $1.2 million tickets from controversial camera
Hudson Town Council voids all tickets from controversial temporary camera on Weld County Road 49 and plans to refund drivers who’ve already paid fines. Decision comes after complaints from citizens and reporting questioning camera placement and lack of state-mandated warning period. Town council orders staff to develop plan to refund drivers and redeploy camera with 30-day warning period in the future.
Hudson’s police chief resigned after being placed on leave not related to speed camera
In a public statement Friday, Hudson town officials acknowledged the town’s police chief resigned after being placed on administrative leave. The statement, posted to Hudson’s Facebook page, said Chief Scott Sedgwick and Lt. Dustin Trujillo each resigned from their positions following administrative leave.
Hudson police chief placed on administrative leave
Hudson Police Chief Scott Sedgwick was placed on administrative leave last week, 9NEWS has learned. Interim police chief Kevin Jamison confirmed the move to 9NEWS Consumer Investigator Steve Staeger on Monday afternoon. Jamison said Sedgwick is on leave due to a personnel matter, but said he couldn’t elaborate further. Jamison said he was installed as interim police on Thursday.
This speed camera was writing 1,000 tickets a day. Did drivers get the required warning?
Hudson Town Council members are discussing the installation of a speed camera on Weld County Road 49, north of Interstate 76, following complaints from drivers ticketed in the area. Colorado law requires public notice and a warning period before deploying a new automated vehicle identification system, but it's unclear if these requirements were met for the temporary camera in Hudson.
Hundreds arrive at Denver courthouse after fake summons texted to Denver-area phones
KUSA Nearly 200 people arrived at the Denver City and County Building on Friday morning after receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they were delinquent on parking, speeding and toll fines, court officials told Steve on Your Side. The scam, which also prompted hundreds of phone calls to Colorado’s federal courthouse on Thursday, included an image of a fake court order.
Drivers question speed camera tickets in Hudson
Bonnie Babcock received a speed camera ticket alleging she was driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone, but found no cameras at the reported location when she investigated. Hudson, Colorado, used a temporary speed camera trailer on the northbound side of CR 49 for three weeks, but has since removed it and is considering moving the permanent camera farther south.
Fighting a DMV late fee? Here’s a shortcut that’ll get you out of the line Original
DENVER — The fight against all of the expired temp tags on Colorado roadways has created another problem for people trying to register their cars: fighting a late fee that they don’ t deserve. Take Kimberly Harvey for example. She bought a new car on December 29. Under state law she has 60 days to get it registered. In her case, the temporary tag expired on February 27. This story continues below.
Denver is still months away from a better parking ticket dispute system
9NEWS Denver’s transportation department is still months away from implementing an easier parking ticket dispute system, Steve On Your Side has learned. The move comes after the city’s court system shuttered its office of the parking magistrate in a round of budget cuts last fall, cutting off a middleman of sorts that kept simple parking disputes out of the court system. Now all drivers looking to dispute parking tickets must appear before a magistrate in traffic court.
A Colorado couple thought they signed a contact for an interest-free loan. They could owe triple what they initially got
A Colorado couple filed a federal lawsuit this week, seeking class action status, against a home investment company that owns an option on a significant portion of their Centennial home.
He thought he parked legally on a city street. Then a private company towed him away
David Cunnison’s immediate reaction to his son’s frantic phone call was to use the situation as a teaching moment. His college-aged son, who was home visiting friends over the holidays, had been towed from what he thought was a legal street parking spot along a Denver city street. “Got a call from my son saying, Dad, in a bit of a pickle here,” Cunnison said. Little did he know the lesson plan for that teaching moment would evolve quite a bit from there.
As gas prices increase, you should watch for price cycling in Metro Denver
9NEWS Gas prices in the south Denver metro area varied by 69 cents, with some stations increasing prices by 21 cents in a matter of minutes. The increase in gas prices is attributed to the conflict in Iran, as well as seasonal pricing adjustments as refineries switch to a summer blend of gasoline and undergo regular maintenance.
Photo radar companies got the majority of ticket revenue in some Colorado towns
Some photo radar vendors in Colorado have pricing structures that allow them to profit as towns write more tickets, capturing more revenue than the towns themselves. State legislators are exploring the state’s photo radar law to determine if the guardrails in place to prevent cameras from becoming revenue generators are effective.
Gym chain keeps closing locations and transferring members to other gyms
Zone Athletic Club at Southlands in Aurora abruptly closed, transferring memberships to a nearby YMCA with a 30-day cancellation notice requirement. This closure marks the third time in a year that Zone Athletic Club has exercised a term in their membership agreement allowing them to transfer memberships to gyms within five miles.
Colorado bill would allow cities to post speed cameras on interstates
State lawmakers will debate whether to allow towns, cities and counties in Colorado to post automated photo radar cameras on interstate highways. The move is championed by the City of Wheat Ridge, which wants to post a speed camera along the stretch of Interstate 70 that runs through the city – between the Wadsworth Blvd exit and the exit for 32nd Ave.
She parked at the airport for 14 hours. She was charged $2,300.
DENVER — At first Cheryl McConnell thought she got a deal. When she logged into her bank account, she says she thought she read that a transaction for her parking in the garage at Denver International Airport cost $23. Parking there usually costs $35 a day. Then she put her glasses on. The charge really said $2,310. “I'm really baffled by the whole thing,” McConnell said. McConnell owns Ushood, a small business that produces and sells sun shirts and base layers.
Man calls United Airlines customer service, gets connected to someone else who takes $17k
DENVER — Dan Smoker was trying to salvage a dream vacation, but it ended up in a nightmare. His call to United Airlines' customer service line ended with him talking to someone else who charged his credit card for more than $17,000. The airline is now investigating. Smoker was set to take his wife, kids and their friends on an 18-day trip to Europe in late May. The family’s first flight got canceled after hours of delays due to mechanical problems.
Injured Denver firefighter got $1,500 in gift cards from friends, and then DoorDash locked their account
DENVER — A Denver firefighter and his wife were suddenly locked out of their DoorDash account after friends donated $1,500 in gift cards to support the family during a the firefighter’s recovery from a surgery.
'Heartbreaking': Some scam victims asked to pay taxes on losses
ARVADA, Colorado — Victims of financial scams are appealing to Congress to revise a federal tax law that forces them to pay taxes on money they've lost to fraudsters. A 2017 tax law change eliminated the ability to deduct losses from theft or fraud, leaving victims to face significant tax bills on top of their financial devastation. Debbie Fox is among those feeling the impact. She shared her story of a romance scam with Steve On Your Side this past summer.
REI banning some members from making returns and exchanges
DENVER — Lindsay Powell has no idea what she did wrong. But in a simple email, she lost a privilege that’s the reason she bought a $30 membership to REI 12 years ago - the ability to return and exchange items. “My biggest complaint is I feel like myself and other members, we're getting punished for something that we don't even know what the rule was to begin with,” Powell said. On Oct. 30, Powell got an email from REI’s Policy and Standards team.
Denver father claims he was fired from his job after his employer was notified of state family leave benefits
DENVER — Ryan Tartar never got the chance to take time off when his son was born six years ago. So he decided to do something different when his daughter came along. Sunny was born in the summer of 2023, which meant Tartar would be eligible for leave through Colorado’s FAMLI Act – a program offering job protection and wage reimbursement to new parents for up to 12 weeks. Parents can use the program anytime within the first 12 months of the child’s life.
CDOT fines drivers over $40 million for toll lane violations, netting $16.4 million
DENVER — Nine months into a new program aimed at catching toll violators, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has issued more than $40 million in fines to drivers who weave in and out of toll lanes. Denver Gazette news partner 9News requested the data after receiving complaints from some drivers who called the $75 violations excessive. Anyone who crosses into or out of a toll lane outside of a designated entrance or exit can be fined $75.
CDOT fines drivers over $40 million for toll lane violations, netting $16.4 million
DENVER — Nine months into a new program aimed at catching toll violators, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has issued more than $40 million in fines to drivers who weave in and out of toll lanes. Denver Gazette news partner 9News requested the data after receiving complaints from some drivers who called the $75 violations excessive. Anyone who crosses into or out of a toll lane outside of a designated entrance or exit can be fined $75.
HOA insurance premiums skyrocket across Colorado, driving up condo dues
ARVADA, Colo. — To say Rosalie Hayes was stunned when she opened the letter describing a dues increase at her Arvada condo complex this year would be an understatement. “When I opened this letter, it was just like you could have knocked me over with a feather,” she said. “It was a shock.” The letter explained her monthly condo dues would increase from $346 to $620, an increase of nearly $300.
Judge rules in custody battle between relatives, foster parents
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo — On a Friday afternoon in late December, Ponch and Lettie waited outside a courtroom for their case to be called. They had been coming to the El Paso County Courthouse for months, fighting for the right to raise their great niece Juliette. "Well we're nervous, a little nervous, and scared," Lettie said.
Colorado Department of Human Services responds to allegations of systemic bias in child welfare cases
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Human Services has finished a review of Washington County's child welfare services department after questions were raised about fairness and bias. In June, Colorado’s child protection ombudsman, Stephanie Villaforte, asked the department to review all the child welfare cases in Washington County between 2018 and 2022. This was after Villaforte said her department received eight complaints that involved six families and 10 children.
School nurse talks about helping migrant students showing up at her school
DENVER — When families traverse several borders and treacherous landscapes to come to the United States seeking a better life, they often find themselves in cities like Denver with people like Eileen Schwartz to help them. "Public health, that's one of our primary roles, keeping our kids and our teachers safe and healthy," Schwartz said. She is a school nurse at Bryant Webster ECE-8 School in northwest Denver.
Vecinos en Denver unen fuerzas para ayudar a migrantes necesitados
DENVER — Christian Thompson ha estado viviendo en el noroeste de Denver durante 20 años. Con nuevos migrantes que llegan todos los días desde el otro lado de la frontera, Thompson quería ayudar. >>>Read in English "Hay mucha gente y cada día viene mucha más", dijo Thompson. La ciudad de Denver informa cientos de llegadas de migrantes en una noche determinada, hasta más de 300. Génesis y Alexander llegaron juntos desde Venezuela. "Bueno, ya estamos aquí, fue un viaje largo", dijo Génesis.
Neighbors help migrant arrivals in Denver
DENVER — Christian Thompson has been living in northwest Denver for 20 years. With newcomers arriving every day from across the border, Thompson wanted to help. "There's a lot of people and there's a lot more coming every day," Thompson said. The City of Denver reports hundreds of migrant arrivals on any given night up to more than 300. Genesis and Alexander arrived together from Venezuela. "Well, we're here, it was a long trip," Genesis said.
Report states Colorado lags behind in kinship placement
DENVER — Aunt Lettie and Uncle Ponch are ready and waiting. They're waiting for their 4-year-old grand niece Juliet to join their family. "So, we have her room. We've had her for two years already," Lettie said. We are choosing to protect the full identity of Juliet. Ponch and Lettie are hopeful that she will be allowed to live in the room they've decorated with pictures of loved ones. They say their culture is rooted in family. "It's a big family," Lettie said.
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