Silverton narrowly averted a legitimate news story on Monday, when a report of possible unexploded ordnance came in. But instead of a weapon of mass destruction, officials found only the remains of an impressive model rocket of some sort.
The white tube with red fins was found by Jarod Pittman, 9, of Montrose, who was scouting for elk with his grandfather, Rick Jones. High on Sultan Mountain Jarod came across the rocket.
“We thought it was an avalanche thing,” Jones said, referring to explosives used to trigger controlled slides in the winter. “We put it in my backpack and packed it all the way down.”
The two stopped at the Triangle Service Station. Authorities were notified and soon a contingent including Colorado Department of Transportation personnel, Silverton Fire Chief Gilbert Archuleta, and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Maxfield were on the scene, along with San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy Jason Sutter.
The fire department personnel quickly determined the 18-inch long tube posed no threat and carted it away.
Jarod expressed disappointment at the outcome.
“They said that even if you had electronics near it it could automatically go boom,” Jarod said. “But it didn’t blow up.”
He suggested officials could “give me one that's already blown up.”
“It hurt my grandson’s feelings that they won’t let him have his bomb,” Jones said.
