HOOPER — Two bombs were found among the contents of a storage container in Hooper this week, prompting the Pueblo Police Department bomb squad and individuals with the U.S. Air Force to come to the site for detonation.  

According to Division Chief Ken Anderson with the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), on Monday, deputies were dispatched to the Hooper area on the report of several bombs being discovered among the contents of a self-storage unit. 

An individual had purchased contents of one of the containers sight unseen at Healdworks Self Storage and, in the process of going through what was inside, discovered a 60 mm mortar and a pipe bomb.  

For context, a 60 mm mortar is the type of bomb that is inserted into a tripod launcher and has the capacity to travel several thousands of yards once launched. It is commonly used in warfare, including during the war in Afghanistan. 

Officers with ACSO immediately responded to the site where the scene was contained, and all individuals were backed away to a safe distance from the storage unit. As is protocol, the bomb squad with the Pueblo Police Department was then contacted as they are the law enforcement agency closest to the scene with that capability. Due to the 60mm mortar being a military weapon, they were accompanied by members of the U.S. Air Force. 

Anderson said it took several hours for the bomb squad to arrive. Once they did, they safely removed the bombs from the storage unit and, per an agreement with a local farmer, took the bombs to an isolated area where they were safely detonated. 

No one was injured in the course of the bombs’ removal or detonation. 

Anderson confirmed that being in possession of either a 60 mm mortar or a pipe bomb is illegal and that the incident is currently under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.