Colorado Police Chief on Leave Amid Rape Allegations Against Stepson

Alleged rape occurred at Chief Jeff Wood's home during a party, triggering community calls for his resignation.

Police Chief Jeff Wood of Ouray, Colorado, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal case involving his stepson and two other men, who are accused of raping a 17-year-old girl at Wood's home during a party in May 2023.
The alleged rape became widely known after a local restaurant owner stole hundreds of copies of the Ouray County Plaindealer, which had published a front-page story about the allegations.
Wood, who was reportedly asleep during the party, has stated that he was made aware of the allegations two months after the incident and anticipates being called as a witness at trial.
Wood's stepson, Nate Dieffenderffer, 18, along with Gabriel Trujillo, 20, and Ashton Whittington, 18, have been charged with felony sexual assault.
The case has triggered intense calls from the community for Wood to resign.