Device That Forced Students To Evacuate Near Auraria Campus Found To Be Harmless

DENVER (CBS4) - Hundreds of students near the Auraria Campus had to get out and stay out for hours while Denver police investigated a suspicious device found on Saturday.

The buildings that were evacuated serve as dorm rooms with four to a room. Police say roommates reported seeing something that looked suspicious so they took a picture of it and sent it to police. By 4 p.m. the area was filled with police and firefighters ready for something to explode.

The students were told about the suspicious package in their dorm through texts and email messages.

"I mean totally completely concerned, and the fact that nobody even knocked on our doors, there's nothing being said over the intercom, nothing," student Maggie Dowling said.

Once outside, students worried what might happen next.

"It's uncomfortable; we have a bunch of stuff that's in there," student Chandler Kelly said.

Firefighters leaned a ladder against the building where the device was discovered.

"The Denver police department was contacted by roommates who observed a suspicious device and sent that information ... or pictures of that device to the Denver Police Department," police spokesperson Eranda Piyasena said.

After waiting outside for some three hours, the students received the all clear.

"It's a long time and it was kind of hard, but I'm glad they're kind of trying to keep us safe," student Lexi Lansdow said.

"That device was found not to be an explosive device, but it was nonetheless something they thought was suspicious from the pictures," Piyasena said.

Police didn't describe the device but did interview a couple of students where the device was found. Nobody was arrested.