🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: San Miguel County Parents, Your Child Is at Risk — Here’s What You Need to Know

San Miguel County, Colorado — Every year, thousands of young people across America join fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations hoping to build friendships, gain leadership experience, and create lifelong memories. What many don’t realize is that some of these organizations engage in dangerous, illegal, and sometimes deadly initiation rituals known as hazing.

If your child attends or plans to attend Telluride High School, Norwood High School, Ridgway High School, or any college near San Miguel County — including Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, or Colorado Mesa University — they may be at risk. Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities. It happens in small towns, in rural communities, and yes — it could be happening right here in San Miguel County.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening nationwide — and it could be happening to your child in Colorado.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (It’s Not What You Think)

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. Under Colorado law, hazing includes any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether the person agrees to participate.

Examples of hazing we’ve seen in our cases and nationwide:

Forced excessive drinking leading to alcohol poisoning
Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happened to our client)
Extreme physical punishment — 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls until collapse
Forced eating until vomiting, then forced to continue activities
Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members at all hours
Physical beatings with wooden paddles or other objects
Sexual humiliation — forced to carry sexual objects, strip in public
Psychological torture — threats, intimidation, isolation

The most dangerous part? Many students don’t recognize it as hazing. They think it’s “tradition,” “team bonding,” or “just part of joining.” It’s not. It’s abuse.

🏥 The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Kill

Our current client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do extreme physical exercises. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood, which can cause kidney failure, cardiac arrest, and death.

Other medical consequences of hazing we’ve seen:

Alcohol poisoning (leading cause of hazing deaths)
Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
Hypothermia or heat stroke from exposure
Broken bones and internal injuries from physical abuse
PTSD, anxiety, and depression from psychological trauma
Suicide resulting from extreme humiliation or distress

Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. That’s not a statistic. That’s someone’s child.

📚 It’s Happening at Schools Near San Miguel County

You might think hazing is a problem for big universities in other states. It’s not. It’s happening right here in Colorado.

Colleges Near San Miguel County with Active Greek Life:

College	Location	Distance from San Miguel County	Greek Organizations Present
Fort Lewis College	Durango, CO	~80 miles	Yes — multiple fraternities and sororities
Western Colorado University	Gunnison, CO	~120 miles	Yes — Greek life active
Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction, CO	~150 miles	Yes — fraternities and sororities
Colorado State University	Fort Collins, CO	~300 miles	Yes — large Greek system
University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	~300 miles	Yes — multiple chapters with hazing histories

These are not hypothetical risks. In 2021, Colorado State University suspended its Sigma Nu fraternity chapter after a student was hospitalized from hazing. In 2019, a University of Colorado Boulder student died in a fraternity-related incident. And in 2017, three students at a Colorado university were charged with hazing after a pledge was hospitalized.

The same national fraternities involved in our $10 million lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others — have active chapters at Colorado universities near San Miguel County. If they’re hazing in Houston, they’re likely hazing in Colorado.

🚨 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed

Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs parents should watch for:

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
Sudden weight loss or gain
Signs of alcohol or drug use
Disheveled appearance or unusual clothing choices

Behavioral Signs:

Sudden withdrawal from family or friends
Increased secrecy about activities
Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
Decline in academic performance
Avoiding questions about their organization
Fear or reluctance to attend events
Talking about “traditions” or “tests” they can’t describe

Academic Signs:

Missing classes or declining grades
Sudden interest in joining a group with no prior connection
Pressure to keep group activities secret

Social Media Signs:

Deleting old posts or accounts
Posting cryptic messages about “tests” or “challenges”
Photos showing concerning activities (even if they seem “funny” at first glance)
Group chats with unusual rules or language

If you notice these signs, don’t dismiss them as “normal college behavior.” Trust your instincts. Your child may be in danger.

💔 The Psychological Impact: More Than Just Physical Harm

Even if your child isn’t physically injured, hazing can leave deep psychological scars that last a lifetime.

Victims of hazing often experience:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety
Depression — feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
Anxiety disorders — panic attacks, social anxiety
Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships
Academic decline — inability to focus, dropping out
Substance abuse — self-medicating to cope with trauma
Suicidal ideation — in severe cases, hazing has led to suicide

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real. Hazing creates a culture of silence where victims feel they can’t speak out without facing social consequences.

⚖️ Colorado Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

Colorado has strong anti-hazing laws, but many parents and students don’t know their rights.

Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-9-124 — Hazing

Definition: Any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of or causes a risk of bodily injury to an individual for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization.

Key Points:

Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal
Applies to all groups — Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, bands, ROTC, etc.
Applies to high schools AND colleges — Hazing isn’t just a college problem

Penalties:

Class 3 Misdemeanor — Up to 6 months in jail and/or $750 fine
If serious bodily injury occurs — Class 1 Misdemeanor (up to 18 months in jail)
If death occurs — Class 4 Felony (2-6 years in prison)

For Organizations:

Can be fined up to $5,000
Can be suspended or banned from campus

Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, victims and families can sue for damages in civil court. This is where Attorney 911 can help.

Who can be sued?

The organization (fraternity, sorority, team, club)
The national headquarters (if applicable)
The university or school (if they knew or should have known)
Individual members (those who participated or allowed it)
Property owners (if hazing occurred at a private home)

What can you recover?

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages (if your child had to miss work or school)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers and prevent future hazing)

In our current $10 million case, we’re suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
✅ The local chapter
✅ The University of Houston (who owned the fraternity house)
✅ Individual fraternity members
✅ A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing at their home)

The same legal strategy applies in Colorado. If your child is hazed at Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, or any school near San Miguel County, we can help you hold every responsible party accountable.

🏛️ Why Universities and National Organizations Keep Failing

Despite laws and policies against hazing, it continues because institutions prioritize reputation over safety.

How Universities Enable Hazing:

They turn a blind eye — Many universities know hazing happens but don’t investigate until someone is seriously injured or killed
They protect the brand — Universities fear negative publicity and alumni backlash, so they handle hazing internally and quietly
They lack real oversight — Greek life offices are often understaffed and unable to monitor hundreds of students
They rely on self-reporting — Universities expect fraternities to report their own violations — which they rarely do
They use meaningless punishments — Suspending a chapter for a semester doesn’t stop hazing — it just drives it underground

How National Fraternities Enable Hazing:

They ignore their own policies — Most nationals have anti-hazing rules, but they don’t enforce them
They blame “rogue chapters” — When hazing is exposed, nationals claim it’s an isolated incident, not a systemic problem
They reopen chapters quickly — Our defendants in the Pi Kappa Phi case closed the chapter after our client was hospitalized — but their statement said they “look forward to returning to campus.” They’re already planning their comeback
They protect their image — Nationals spend more time on PR damage control than on preventing hazing

The result? Hazing continues. Students get hurt. Families suffer. And the cycle repeats.

💡 What San Miguel County Parents Can Do NOW

1. Talk to Your Child — Before It’s Too Late

Have the conversation. Now.

What to say:

“I’ve been reading about hazing, and I want to make sure you know what it is.”
“Hazing isn’t just drinking or pranks — it can be dangerous and illegal.”
“If anyone ever asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, you can say no. No one has the right to hurt you or humiliate you.”
“You won’t get in trouble for telling me. I’m here to support you.”
“If you ever feel pressured, threatened, or unsafe, call me immediately. I’ll come get you — no questions asked.”

What NOT to say:

“It’s just part of college life.” (It’s not. It’s abuse.)
“Boys will be boys.” (This excuses criminal behavior.)
“You have to go through it to be part of the group.” (No one has to be tortured to belong.)

Make it an ongoing conversation. Hazing isn’t a one-time event — it’s often a weeks-long process. Check in regularly.

2. Research the Organizations Your Child Wants to Join

Before your child joins any group, ask:

Does this organization have a history of hazing incidents?
What is their national organization’s policy on hazing?
Has the university ever disciplined them for hazing?
What oversight does the university provide?

Where to look:

Google the organization name + “hazing” (e.g., “Pi Kappa Phi hazing”)
Check the university’s Greek life website for disciplinary records
Search the organization’s national website for anti-hazing policies
Look for news articles about the organization

Red flags:

Any history of hazing incidents
Vague or weak anti-hazing policies
No clear reporting mechanism for violations
National organization with multiple hazing incidents at different chapters

3. Teach Your Child How to Recognize Hazing

Many students don’t realize they’re being hazed because it’s disguised as “tradition” or “team bonding.”

Teach your child that hazing includes:
❌ Any activity that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional or physical harm — even if “everyone else is doing it”
❌ Forced consumption of alcohol or drugs
❌ Physical punishment or abuse (paddling, beating, excessive exercise)
❌ Sleep deprivation or forced servitude (being made to act as a personal servant)
❌ Sexual humiliation or assault
❌ Being forced to break laws (underage drinking, vandalism, theft)
❌ Any activity that creates excessive fatigue, stress, or anxiety

Make sure they know: “If you feel uncomfortable, it’s probably hazing.”

4. Know Your Child’s Rights — and Their Power

Your child has the right to:
✅ Say no to any activity that makes them uncomfortable — without fear of retaliation
✅ Leave any situation where they feel unsafe — no one can force them to stay
✅ Report hazing without fear of punishment — Colorado law protects whistleblowers
✅ Join organizations without being subjected to abuse — hazing is not a requirement

Your child has the power to:
🔹 Refuse to participate — no one can force them
🔹 Report hazing anonymously — many universities have anonymous tip lines
🔹 Leave the organization — they don’t have to endure abuse to belong
🔹 Speak to an attorney — if they’re injured, they have legal rights

5. What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed

If your child tells you they’ve been hazed — or you suspect it — act immediately.

Step 1: Ensure Their Safety

If they’re in immediate danger, call 911
If they’re injured, seek medical attention immediately
Remove them from the situation if possible

Step 2: Document Everything

Take photos of any injuries
Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages)
Write down everything they remember (dates, times, locations, people involved)
Get names and contact information of any witnesses
Keep all medical records

Step 3: Report the Hazing

To the university — File a formal complaint with the school’s Greek life office or student conduct office
To law enforcement — Hazing is a crime in Colorado; consider filing a police report
To the national organization (if applicable) — Report to the fraternity/sorority national headquarters

Step 4: Contact an Attorney

Do NOT talk to the organization or their lawyers without legal representation
Do NOT sign anything from the organization, university, or insurance companies
Do NOT accept a settlement without consulting an attorney

At Attorney 911, we offer FREE consultations for hazing victims and their families. We can help you understand your rights and options — with no upfront cost.

Step 5: Seek Support

Medical support — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out
Mental health support — Hazing can cause PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Academic support — If hazing is affecting their schoolwork, talk to professors or advisors
Family support — Make sure your child knows they’re not alone

📞 San Miguel County Families: We’re Here to Help

If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — call us immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 legal emergency hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations — No cost to discuss your case
✅ No upfront fees — We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Nationwide representation — We can help San Miguel County families no matter where the hazing occurred
✅ Aggressive advocacy — We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case and know how to fight these institutions
✅ Compassionate support — We understand what your family is going through

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire. Contact us today.

🔥 Our Message to San Miguel County Organizations: We Are Watching

To fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations near San Miguel County:

We know what you’re doing. We know the “traditions” you’re hiding. We know the rituals you’re defending.

Waterboarding. Forced drinking. Extreme physical punishment. Sexual humiliation. Sleep deprivation. Psychological torture.

You call it “brotherhood.” We call it abuse.

You think you can get away with it because victims are afraid to speak out. You think universities will protect you. You think national organizations will bail you out.

You’re wrong.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are former insurance defense attorneys who know how you operate. We know your playbook. And we are coming for you.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and every other national organization with chapters near San Miguel County: We know your chapters are hazing. We know your nationals are ignoring it. We know your insurance companies will try to minimize it. We’re ready.

To Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, Colorado Mesa University, and every other school near San Miguel County: We know you’re failing to protect your students. We know you’re turning a blind eye. We know you’re prioritizing your reputation over their safety. We’re watching.

To the parents of San Miguel County: We’re fighting for your children. We’re holding these organizations accountable. And we won’t stop until every student in Colorado is safe from hazing.

📅 What Happens Next: The Legal Process for San Miguel County Families

If your child has been hazed, here’s what you can expect when you work with Attorney 911:

Phase 1: Free Consultation

We listen to your story
We evaluate your case
We explain your rights and options
You decide whether to move forward

Phase 2: Investigation

We gather all evidence (medical records, communications, photos, witness statements)
We identify all responsible parties (individuals, organizations, universities)
We build a strong legal strategy

Phase 3: Demand and Negotiation

We send a demand letter to all defendants
We negotiate with insurance companies and lawyers
We fight for a fair settlement

Phase 4: Litigation (If Necessary)

We file a lawsuit
We conduct discovery (depositions, document requests)
We prepare for trial

Phase 5: Resolution

Settlement or verdict
Compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages
Justice for your child

Throughout the process, we keep you informed every step of the way. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening with your case.

🏆 Why San Miguel County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we’re bringing that expertise to San Miguel County families.

2. We Know How the Other Side Thinks

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We’ve seen the playbook from the inside. We know how insurance companies try to minimize claims. We know how universities try to protect their reputations. And we know how to beat them.

3. We Have the Resources to Fight Big Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers. They have insurance companies. They have PR firms. You need a legal team that can go toe-to-toe with them. We have the experience, the resources, and the determination to take on these institutions and win.

4. We Serve San Miguel County Families Nationwide

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across America. If your child was hazed at Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, or any school near San Miguel County, we can help.

5. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Cost

We understand that San Miguel County families may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

6. We Care About More Than Just the Money

Yes, we fight for compensation. But we also fight for accountability, change, and justice. We want to make sure what happened to your child never happens to another student. That’s why we’re also working with legislators to strengthen hazing laws in Colorado and nationwide.

🎓 A Message to San Miguel County Students

If you’re reading this and you’ve been hazed — or if you’re currently being hazed — we want you to know something:

You did nothing wrong.

You didn’t deserve this.

You are not alone.

Many students stay silent because they feel ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid of retaliation. Some think they “agreed” to the hazing. Others worry they’ll be ostracized if they speak out.

But here’s the truth:

Hazing is never your fault. The people who hazed you are the ones who broke the law.
Consent doesn’t matter. Colorado law says you can’t consent to being hazed.
You have the right to be safe. No one has the right to hurt you or humiliate you.
People will support you. Your family, your friends, and organizations like ours are here to help.

If you’re being hazed right now, you can walk away. You don’t have to endure abuse to belong. There are other ways to make friends and find community.

If you’ve been hazed, you can speak out. You can hold the people who hurt you accountable. You can help prevent it from happening to someone else.

You have the power to stop this cycle.

📞 Call Us. We’re Here to Help.

San Miguel County families — if your child has been hazed, or if you suspect they have, call us today.