Story by Patti Brown & Barb Boyer Buck
The Estes Park Police have secured three arrest warrants for David Anthony Morales, wanted for allegedly providing alcohol to minors at a closed business and offenses relating to sex offender registration.
In February 2025, the Estes Park Police Department received a report of a party hosted by Morales at the Twisted Griffin Pub and Restaurant, located at 247 W. Elkhorn Ave, where alcohol was allegedly served to minors by Morales.
The warrants are for two counts of failure to register as a sex offender, a class 5 felony; nine counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a first-degree misdemeanor; and five counts of unlawful acts, a second-degree misdemeanor.
When the alleged incident occurred, the Twisted Griffin had just permanently closed. It had been owned by David Bard. Bards also owned and operated the Hyland Bard gift shop and the Griffin’s Nest Coffee and Tea Pub in Estes Park.
According to EPPD, a total of fourteen underage victims were identified and interviewed. During the investigation, it was discovered that Morales failed to register as a sex offender as required by Colorado State Law upon moving out of Estes Park following this incident.
In 2010, Weld District Court Judge Thomas Quammen sentenced Morales to 12 years in prison, followed by 10 years of sex-offender specific intensive supervised probation.
According to court records, Morales was initially charged with sex assault, overcoming a victim’s will, and sexual assault against a victim who was incapable of appraising conditions for an attack in 2008, according to court records. As part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and attempted sexual assault.
Estes Park Police believe that Morales is currently living in the Denver area. They ask the public to contact local law enforcement immediately with any information that could lead to his arrest. Morales’ most recent sex offender registration photo is attached.
According to EPPD Chief Ian Stewart, “This was a complex investigation requiring many interviews, hours of evidence review, and working non-stop to eventually secure the appropriate arrest warrants to bring the case to a successful conclusion. I am very proud of the work our team has done.”
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.