'BONGATHON' BRINGS EXCITEMENT AND PROFIT

(Red Feather Lakes) - Patti McMillan watched 60 to 80 police cars
converge in this mountain village at dawn Saturday.

Four hours later, the tiny Larimer County town filled with hundreds of
hung-over partygoers. They had been rousted from cars and sleeping
bags during an unprecedented police raid on an illegal music and drug
festival - widely known as the 25th annual Colorado Invitational, or
"bongathon.''

Booted from their remote weekend party grounds, the revelers bought
snacks, soda and beer from McMillan's stores, Red Feather Trading Post
and Red Feather Liquors.

"They basically moved from there down to the town. The town was
packed. They were very pleasant and very courteous. From a business
standpoint, we were very pleased to have them here,'' McMillan said.
"They spent a lot of money for a couple hours before they moved on
down the road.''

On Monday, Red Feather Lakes was still abuzz with news of the huge
party

and police raid, which local law-enforcement officials said was
probably the largest of its kind ever staged in Larimer County,
involving up to 150 officers from 10 agencies.

The festival, which began Friday night, featured booze, drugs and live
music. It drew more than 2,000 people from throughout Colorado and
beyond, said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.

The raid yielded 18 arrests for felony drug charges and 24 citations
for petty offenses.

Two Denver-area men suspected as key players are expected to face drug
charges in Larimer County District Court this week.

Investigators believe Michael J. Davis, 37, of Lakewood, hosted the
festival on land he owns about 10 miles northeast of Red Feather
Lakes. Christopher T. Lopez, 30, of Littleton, is suspected of
promoting the event.

According to county records, Davis bought 38.5 acres of land for
$19,600

in 1992.

The property is off a dirt road that's so narrow, partygoers had to
drive in on Friday - and exit the next morning - going single file at
a snail's pace, neighbors said.

This was the second summer Davis hosted partygoers, neighbors said.
The first year, locals were surprised by the rowdy festival.

But when the portable toilets began arriving Thursday, the neighbors
knew what was up. They alerted the sheriff, who organized the early
morning bust.

Authorities said the annual bongathon - a reference to a type of water
pipe used to smoke marijuana - has been held in other spots in previous