FORT MORGAN, Colo. — A convicted felon being transported on felony robbery and weapons charges escaped from a prisoner transport van on Interstate 76 near Fort Morgan on Friday, prompting an armed-and-dangerous manhunt across Morgan County that stretched into the weekend. The escaped inmate, 33-year-old Byron Roth, fled on foot near milepost 79 and was still being sought as of the latest alerts from the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.
TL;DR: Byron Roth, 33, escaped from a transport vehicle Friday, Oct. 16, while being taken to Weld County. FOX31 Denver reported that Roth, convicted of felony robbery, ran from the vehicle in Morgan County. The sheriff's office warned Fort Morgan residents he could be in the area, asked them to avoid him, and described him as armed and dangerous. The search continued into the weekend.
The escape on I-76
According to FOX31 Denver, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office said Roth “allegedly ran from a transport vehicle in Morgan County while being transported to Weld County.” 9NEWS Denver reported that Roth, 33, escaped from the transport vehicle on Friday.
A law-enforcement dispatch bulletin transcribed by police-monitoring services added detail: the escape happened Friday morning near milepost 79 on I-76, where Roth told the transporting officer he was feeling ill and convinced the driver to pull over. Once the van stopped, Roth fled eastbound on foot toward Fort Morgan. The bulletin described him as armed and dangerous, with felony warrants, and said he may be traveling in a gray 2005 Ford Freestyle.
Manhunt across Morgan County
The Morgan County Sheriff's Office warned Fort Morgan residents that Roth could be in the area and asked them to avoid him and call the sheriff's office if they spotted him. Authorities consider the escapee armed and dangerous and urged the public not to approach him.
Roth is described as 33 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, and about 180 pounds. He had been scheduled to be booked in Weld County on felony robbery and weapons-related charges, and he now faces additional charges connected to the escape.
Still at large
As of the latest coverage Saturday, Oct. 17, deputies were still searching for Roth, and no recapture had been announced. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office continues to ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the office or call 911. Residents across the Fort Morgan area were told to stay alert and report anything suspicious.
The search has drawn on resources beyond the sheriff's office. Transport escapes along rural interstate corridors typically pull in neighboring agencies, highway patrol troopers, and sometimes air support, because a fugitive on foot can cover significant ground through farmland and drainage ditches — terrain that is common along the I-76 corridor east of the Denver metro. Authorities have not said whether Roth had help waiting for him or whether he acted alone, and that question will likely shape how the investigation proceeds once he is back in custody.
Anyone who may have picked up a hitchhiker, noticed an unfamiliar person walking near the interstate, or seen a gray Ford Freestyle in the Fort Morgan area since Friday morning is urged to contact investigators. Even small details — a discarded jacket, a vehicle parked in an unusual spot — can help deputies narrow the search grid.
FAQ
Who is Byron Roth?
Byron Roth is a 33-year-old man convicted of felony robbery who escaped from a prisoner transport van in Morgan County, Colorado, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. He was being transported to Weld County to be booked on felony robbery and weapons charges.
Where and when did he escape?
Roth escaped Friday morning near milepost 79 on Interstate 76 in Morgan County, not far from Fort Morgan. He fled eastbound on foot after the transport van pulled over.
How did he get away from the transport van?
According to a law-enforcement dispatch bulletin, Roth told the transporting officer he was feeling ill and convinced the driver to pull over. Once the van stopped, he ran from the vehicle.
Is he considered dangerous?
Yes. Authorities describe Roth as armed and dangerous, with active felony warrants. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office has urged the public not to approach him.
What vehicle might he be using?
The dispatch bulletin said Roth may be traveling in a gray 2005 Ford Freestyle with Colorado plates registered to a civilian.
Has Byron Roth been caught?
As of the latest reports on Oct. 17, Roth was still at large and deputies were continuing the search. No recapture had been announced.
What should residents do if they see him?
Do not approach him. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office asks anyone who spots Roth or has information about his whereabouts to call the sheriff's office or 911 immediately.
