Arson Suspect Locked Up for “Knowingly” Igniting Destructive Divide Wildfire

By Trevor Phipps

Late last October, the Teller area experienced a major disaster scare after a structure fire that started in the Highland Lakes Subdivision northwest of Divide quickly turned into a devastating 160-acre blaze.

Fueled by strong winds, the wildfire burned for just over three days before crews reached 100 percent containment. During the incident, $300 million worth of homes and property were threatened and more than 2,000 people were displaced.

Luckily, nobody was injured, and no structures were lost, but many have since been wondering what exactly happened and why no suspects were promptly identified. But after three months since the fire ignited, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office announced that they had arrested a suspect.

According to a recent press release, deputies arrested 77-year-old Lowa (a.k.a Lacey) Tillitt on felony charges for starting the fire. On. Jan. 17, Tillitt was booked into the Teller County Jail for 4th-degree arson, which is a class two felony. At press time, the suspect was still in custody at the Teller County jail with a $50,000 bond.

Authorities still have released few details, as to the specifics of what Tillitt did in “knowingly setting fire to her home which spread to become the Highland Lakes Fire.” The sheriff’s office hasn’t released any details of the arrest, or why it took so long to apprehend the suspect. The latter point has been a sticky issue with many residents and even Colorado Springs’ media outlets. For weeks,  Tillitt’s name was commonly mentioned as the starter of the fire, even though no arrests occurred.  She reportedly has had a number of incidents with law enforcement, but according to television reports, wasn’t seen in the property area for some time.

The Teller sheriff’s most recent press release on the case indicated that the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office assisted them in making the arrest.

The arrest comes as a relief to many who were displaced during the three-day fire that threatened 700 homes and even prompted school closures. “The evacuation lasted for three days, and approximately 15 firefighting and medical agencies along with firefighting aircraft and county and state law enforcement supported the effort,” the sheriff’s office reported.

After the blaze was extinguished, local news sources discovered that Tillitt was under foreclosure for several weeks leading up to the fire. In fact, District Judge William Moller officially ordered the foreclosure of her home in the Highland Lakes subdivision the day the fire ignited.

Further reports by local news agencies reported that Tillitt has a lengthy rap sheet that dates back to more than decade. Background investigations have revealed that Tillitt has been arrested several times in multiple counties including several arrests in Teller County over more than a decade.

Tillitt’s most recent arrest in Teller was for misdemeanor harassment and obstructing a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical service provider. Tillitt missed both court dates for the charges that are still pending.

During the majority of Tillitt’s arrests, her mental health was questioned by first responders. Tillitt went to court recently for a review with appearance of parties and a new court date has not yet been set.