Dove Creek County: Three Fort Carson Soldiers Fined for Poaching Mule Deer

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that three active-duty soldiers from Fort Carson were cited and fined after an investigation tied illegal mule deer takes to military personnel, a case that could affect local hunting privileges and trust between the community and the base.

The probe began in November 2024 when a hunter reported finding a poached buck in a Fort Carson training area. Investigators followed physical and digital leads - boot tracks at the scene, a vehicle search and phone records - that led to charges against the soldiers. The case was made public Jan. 21, 2026 as agencies finalized citations and penalties.

Sgt. Jacob Curtis Keyser admitted to taking six mule deer and was hit with 30 wildlife charges. Keyser faces a $19,005 fine and 180 suspension points on his hunting license. Army Staff Sgt. Juan Salcedo was cited on multiple charges and received an $8,817 fine and 65 suspension points. A third soldier was fined $900 for disposing of illegally taken venison.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife noted that the men face possible hunting license suspensions and that penalties could include a lifetime prohibition under the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which can revoke hunting privileges across member states. CPW also said rifles used in the illegal takes may be seized and destroyed. The fines and suspension points reflect both the number of animals involved and the legal framework the state applies to deter commercial-scale or repeated illegal takes.

For Dove Creek County residents, the case has several local implications. Hunters who use public lands near military training areas now have a high-profile example of cross-jurisdiction enforcement. The incident underscores that illegal takes will be investigated thoroughly, whether they occur on civilian public lands or within military property. It also illustrates how evidence from on-the-ground tracking and digital records can be combined to build a case, raising the stakes for anyone tempted to circumvent hunting rules.

Institutionally, the case highlights active cooperation between state wildlife officers, military authorities and state prosecutors. That coordination can speed investigations and broaden enforcement reach, particularly when interstate compacts can carry consequences beyond Colorado. For the Fort Carson community, the prosecutions may prompt internal reviews of off-duty conduct and reinforce expectations that service members abide by state wildlife laws.

What comes next is administrative and legal follow-through: hunting license suspensions, potential loss of firearms used in the offenses and any additional prosecutorial actions. For local hunters and residents, the immediate lesson is that wildlife violations carry substantial civil penalties and can lead to multi-state consequences under existing enforcement agreements.