Colorado ski coach arrested for alleged sexual assault on 9-year-old

TAOS COUNTY, N.M. (KKTV) - A former coach for a Colorado ski team has been suspended from coaching by a national organization following his arrest last month for allegedly sexually assaulting a 9-year-old.

Jared Hedges, 48, a former coach of Team Summit Colorado, has been temporarily suspended by U.S. SafeSport for “allegations of misconduct”, according to the agency’s online disciplinary database. Team Summit Colorado confirmed to 11 News Wednesday that Hedges was no longer employed by their organization.

According to the Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Hedges was on a “training trip” with ski students in the Taos Ski Valley area when the incident occurred on March 21. Hedges was arrested by Taos County deputies and charged with criminal sexual penetration of a minor and criminal sexual contact.

Arrest papers for Hedges provided to 11 News by the victim’s attorney allege Hedges laid down next to and inappropriately touched one of the young skiers. Those documents go on to say the child called their mother and the other children staying in the cabin told police on scene that Hedges immediately began packing his things after that call.

“We’re deeply concerned there may be additional victims. These kinds of crimes are often committed by repeat offenders, and for years, Jared Hedges was responsible for travel logistics and controlling sleeping arrangements for young children,” Jason Jordan, attorney for the victim and the family, said. “We fear there are other children who may be too scared to come forward, and we want them to know that they are not alone and that it’s important that they speak up.”

“We are shocked and horrified by the news that one of our coaches has been accused of sexual assault of a minor on one of our teams,” Team Summit Colorado’s Executive Director C.B. Bechtel told 11 News. ”Team Summit takes these allegations seriously, as the well-being of all of our athletes is of paramount importance. Upon learning of the allegation, we immediately reported it to the U.S. Center for SafeSport as required by our National Governing Body, US Ski and Snowboard, and terminated the employee. We are cooperating fully with the local authorities, SafeSport, and other authorities in their investigation."

“Team Summit Colorado, a youth development organization, reported its coach’s arrest to U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. As soon as U.S. Ski & Snowboard was notified, his membership was immediately suspended,” a spokesperson for U.S. Ski & Snowboard told 11 News.

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