Two Colorado men charged in Glendo fire

GLENDO--Two Colorado men made an initial appearance in Platte County Circuit Court Monday after they were arrested earlier this month for allegedly shooting off roman candles at Glendo State Park.

Luke David Pennington, 30, and Matthew Paul Cooper, 26, are charged with third degree arson, failure to extinguish or contain a fire in the woods or prairie, throwing a burning substance from a vehicle, being intoxicated at a State Park and using fireworks at a state park.

Pennington and Cooper allegedly shot roman candles from a vehicle into a prairie area near the Bennett Hill campground at Glendo State Park on June 13. The incident started a six and a half acre fire that was extinguished by the Glendo Volunteer Fire Department and Glendo State Park staff.

This fire occurred days after the Guernsey State Park blaze that burned 2,7000 acres and forced people to evacuate their homes.

Pennington and Cooper appeared in Platte County Circuit Court on June 15 for a probable cause hearing. Magistrate Scott Cole set the cash bond for the two men at $25,000 each at that time.

During their initial appearance on June 25, Magistrate Cole lowered the cash bond to $7,500 each. Pennington and Cooper were also told they are not to enter any Wyoming State Park or historic site.

It was learned during their initial appearance that the two men live near Fort Morgan, Colo. and are employed by the same construction company.

Third degree arson is a felony that is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.

The next court appearance for Pennington and Cooper will be their preliminary hearing.