6 people found dead at Colorado dairy, local authorities say

KEENESBURG, Colo. (AP) — Rescuers have recovered six bodies from a dairy on the Colorado plains, authorities said Thursday, but they didn’t immediately say what led to the deaths.

Rescue crews entered a confined space at the dairy Wednesday and recovered the bodies, the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District said.

Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Melissa Chesmore said her agency also responded Wednesday to an emergency at the dairy.

“We didn’t find anything criminal in nature,” she said. “It looks like an accident.”

She didn’t elaborate on the nature of the emergency or say where exactly the bodies were found, referring questions to occupational safety regulators.

Chauntra Rideaux, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, said in an email that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating and more information would be available after it’s complete.

The local Keenesburg Police Department said it was not among the responding agencies.

The dairy is located along a rural road near Keenesburg, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) northeast of Denver.

County tax records say the property is owned by Prospect Valley Dairy LLC and list a Bakersfield, California, address for the owners. Phone messages left for a number at the California address were not immediately returned.