A bomb threat phone call briefly sent officers racing to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood on Thursday, but police later said the scare was unfounded and the campus has been fully cleared. Investigators combed the grounds while hospital staff activated security protocols to protect patients and employees. No injuries were reported, and officials said patient care was not materially disrupted during the response.
According to KDVR, Lakewood police confirmed investigators were on scene and that St. Anthony was returning to normal operations after the sweep. Hospital representatives told reporters the threatening call appeared to be tied to a different facility rather than the Lakewood campus.
Hospital Response and Safety Protocols
St. Anthony Hospital, part of the CommonSpirit Health system, followed its established security playbook while officers carried out a precautionary search of the building and surrounding campus. The Lakewood site serves as a regional trauma center with a heavy emergency-care load, and hospital leaders said routine safety checks were completed before restoring regular access for visitors and staff. For details on the Lakewood campus and visitor guidance, see CommonSpirit Health.
Call Traced to Penrose in Colorado Springs
As reported by KDVR, CommonSpirit later said the threat seemed to be directed at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. Penrose briefly went into a shelter-in-place status while police checked the facility and the surrounding area. The hospital is part of the same network as St. Anthony but is located in downtown Colorado Springs, where authorities lifted the shelter-in-place once the scene had been cleared.
Why Hoaxes Strain Responders
False or misdirected threats can trigger lockdowns, divert ambulances, and pull already stretched first responders off other calls, even when nothing dangerous is ultimately found. Similar alarms have hit other Colorado hospitals, including a February lockdown at Mercy Hospital that was later ruled unsubstantiated, according to The Durango Herald. Those looking for contact information or status updates for the Colorado Springs campus can check CommonSpirit Health.
Lakewood police have asked anyone with information about the call to contact investigators, and no arrests have been announced as of the all-clear. Hospital officials thanked staff and first responders for a coordinated response and urged patients with scheduled appointments to confirm details with their providers. This story will be updated if Lakewood police or CommonSpirit release additional information.
