GOLDEN, Colo. (Oct. 18, 2024) – Glenn Braden was sentenced to eight years to life in prison yesterday for his string of sexual crimes in Jeffco parks last year. Between Apr. 3, 2023, and Aug. 8, 2023, 11 female hikers were confronted by Braden along trails in Flying J Ranch Park, Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, and Genesee Mountain Park in Jefferson County. In August, Braden pled guilty to attempted sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact and indecent exposure, and as a result, faced a term of between four to twelve years, up to life in prison.
“People come to Colorado for the mountains,” said Deputy District Attorney Allie Galvan. “Thousands of women across our state like to hike alone to enjoy the beauty of nature and soak up the mental health benefits of hiking”, further stating that Braden destroyed a basic freedom to enjoy the outdoors for so many women.
Galvan discussed the aggravating nature of the sexual contacts, and the large number of victims, but also emphasized the pattern of escalation. Before moving to Colorado, Braden had two prior incidents with similar behavior in South Carolina, in 2019 and 2020, which Galvan argued showed the pattern of escalation was over a period of years, not months, and “he grew more brazen with each contact, and attempted to rip the clothing off one of his final victims.”
Through pre-sentence evaluations, Braden was found to have a high risk to reoffend sexually, which Galvan argued made him an extreme public safety risk. “This is someone who has been given a chance at diversion and treatment for similar behavior, and who has admitted he has a compulsion he cannot control.”
Braden also addressed the Court and the victims stating, “I take complete responsibility for every single action that occurred during this time.” Braden also apologized to the victims and expressed an eagerness to start treatment and “commit to the time it takes to change my thoughts, behaviors and actions.”
The Court thanked the victims for their powerful impact statements, stating “you are seen, and you are heard.”
Count 11: CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SEXUAL ASSAULT-Section 18-3-402(1)(a); 18-2-101, C.R.S. (F5) (range 1-3 years)
Sentence: Three years DOC, concurrent to count 16
Count 16: UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONTACT- Section 18-3-404(1)(a),(2);18-3-402(4), C.R.S. (F4) (range 4-12-life/indeterminate sentence)
Sentence: Eight years to life with an indeterminate term of parole
Count 17: INDECENT EXPOSURE – Section 18-7-302(1)(b), C.R.S. (M1) (range up to 364 days in jail)
Sentence: 364 days, with 436 days pre-sentence confinement credit
Braden was also ordered to pay $1,526 in restitution and comply with lifetime sex offender registration.