A Manitou Springs man arrested by police on Thursday allegedly threatened to annex the city over an “illegal” ballot measure, according to court documents obtained by The Gazette.

Travis Garrigan, 50, emailed a Manitou Springs police commander several times on Oct. 4-5 and nine times on Thursday about his seizure and annexation of the City of Manitou Springs after claiming the city illegally put a measure to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana on the ballot in 2014.

Annexation is a process a municipality uses to incorporate certain parts of land into its jurisdiction, and cannot be conducted by an individual.

Manitou Springs police and city officials locked down city hall on Thursday around 9 a.m. after the “emails and threats” from Garrigan, including a 911 call earlier that day advising the city he would be “going to city hall to collect”, according to court documents.

Police advised the cancellation of some events out of precaution and left the final decision to organizers, according to a news release by the city on Friday.

Garrigan’s message titled “Final Public Notice” sent on Oct. 4 is addressed to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and stated the information was “presented” to the Manitou Springs police commander, according to court documents.

In the message, which has been similarly reiterated numerous times on his social media since Oct. 2023, he asserts the city failed to meet the memorandum period to allow for a ballot measure.

He also attributes to numerous individuals and law enforcement agencies a litany of charges ranging from child abuse to terrorism, according to court documents. The city passed its referendum in 2014 under former Mayor Marc Synder, who is cited in the post.

Police on Oct. 6 alerted City Administrator Denise Howell, who expressed feeling threatened and concerned for the safety of city employees, according to court documents.

In follow-up emails to the commander on Thursday, Garrigan stated he informed dispatch about what was happening and wrote, “I suggest you get the (obscenity) out of there. This is not a drill, nor a game.”

Court documents stated Garrigan also wrote, “Remain Silent. Don’t let me see you. Please clear all personal belongings from the Facilities”, and “I Hereby, Annex Jurisdiction over Manitou Springs” followed by the address of city hall.

Police previously had contact with Garrigan, court documents reveal. He is “well-known” to police for previous incidents expressing discontent with the city and elected officials.

Garrigan’s arrest in Park County was announced on Friday by the city, but it is unclear if he has any connection to the county or why he was arrested there.

Garrigan was charged with attempt to influence a public servant, criminal extortion, harassment and obstructing government operations, according to court documents.

His first court appearance is Oct. 22 in El Paso County. As of Monday evening, he was being held on a $25,000 bond in the El Paso County Jail.