Colorado Springs, Colorado – Business owners in downtown Colorado Springs are seeking answers after an explosion occurred near Costilla Street and El Paso Street on January 12. According to Colorado Springs Police, multiple calls reporting the blast were received around 10:10 p.m., with the explosion causing damage to nearby properties. The area is located just north of South Shooks Run Park.
Authorities have identified a suspect, Edward Kiley, who was taken into custody on January 23 and later released on bail. Kiley is facing charges related to arson, violent crime, multiple explosive device charges, criminal mischief, and drug possession.
Court records indicate that Kiley has a history of involvement with explosive devices, with surveillance video from the night of January 12 showing what appeared to be an “improvised hot-air balloon” with an object hanging from it catching fire. The resulting explosion damaged nearby windows and a garage door.
Further investigation revealed that Kiley had previously been involved in similar explosive incidents in the neighborhood. In 2011, he was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of explosives, and in 2018, he received a six-year prison sentence after being found in possession of eight homemade explosive devices.
Surveillance video from the recent explosion in 2024 showed a truck similar to Kiley’s with a “plastic type” material in the back, with the material no longer there after the explosion. Subsequent search warrants executed by investigators found evidence connecting materials from the explosion to Kiley’s home and truck.
In addition to the explosive device charges, Kiley also faces drug-related charges after a large amount of drug paraphernalia, including meth, was found in his home during the search warrant.
Kiley denies any involvement in the recent explosion, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. Authorities, however, have not revealed details on how they believe the explosive device was created.
The community is awaiting further developments in this case as investigators continue to gather evidence and explore the circumstances surrounding the explosion.