The long-awaited criminal proceedings for 77-year-old Lowa Tillitt, the local suspect accused of igniting the Highlands Lake Fire northwest of Divide nearly a year ago, have experienced more delays. As a result, the pending trial date is still in limbo.
According to earlier reports, Tillitt was scheduled recently to enter a plea on a felony arson charge she faced in relation to the incident that led to a major evacuation of several residential areas in the Divide region last winter.
Tillitt was arrested at a motel in Manitou Springs in January 2025 for charges related to intentionally starting a fire inside her home in Divide on Oct. 28, 2024. Since then, her trial proceedings have experienced several delays, including mental health stays.
However, in August, Fourth Judicial District Judge William Moller ruled that Tillitt was mentally competent to be tried on one count of felony arson. Later that month, Tillitt’s defense attorneys waived her right to a preliminary hearing, which prevented the prosecution from bringing up new evidence.
The arraignment, originally scheduled earlier this month, was then postponed so that Tillitt’s defense team could have more time to review the evidence brought up against her. She is next due in court on November 17.
Ever since her arrest on Jan. 16, Tillitt has been incarcerated at the Teller County Jail on a $50,000 bond. While in jail, Tillitt was also arrested on assault charges for attacking a guard.
Tillitt was arrested nearly three months after the fire incident that generated a major scare and forced many residents to comply with mandatory evacuation orders. Following a detailed investigation, authorities say she intentionally burnt down her home, which records show was under foreclosure and getting repossessed the same day as the alleged blaze. Tillitt’s structure fire then spread to the surrounding neighborhood, where it scorched 166 acres and caused the evacuation of more than 700 homes.
