17 Cockfighting Roosters Rescued After Traffic Stop on I-70 in Colorado

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office out of Eagle, Colorado, shared a story on the department’s official Facebook page detailing a recent traffic stop where officers not only discovered illegal narcotics, but, perhaps even more disturbing, 17 roosters that were likely being trained to fight as part of a cockfighting ring.

Cockfighting Roosters Rescued in Eagle County, Colorado

The traffic stop took place along I-70 near mile marker 140, which is near Gypsum, Colorado, when an officer with the Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team, commonly referred to as GRANITE, pulled over a vehicle in a routine traffic stop.

After pulling the vehicle over, which was occupied by individuals identified as Jose Fernando Gutierrez Cisneros, Gustavo Manon Valdez, and Patricio Simon Pena, the detective discovered that the trio had a large amount of cash, illegal drugs, 17 roosters, and, most disturbingly, blades that are commonly affixed to roosters for cockfighting.

After taking possession of the drugs, roosters, cash, and cockfighting accessories, the birds were taken in by Eagle County Animal Services and later transported to Danzig’s Roost Rooster Sanctuary in Bennett, Colorado.

According to the official website of Danzig’s Roost, the organization’s mission is stated as follows:

Our mission first is to provide a safe, lifelong home for roosters seeking refuge from the cruelty of the meat, egg, feather, hobby-farming, and animal control seizure situations.

While it’s unclear as to what charges the three men in the vehicle will be facing, you can check out the official statement from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office regarding the incident here.