ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – A 200-year-old portrait of the first U.S. President that was stolen over a year ago from a Colorado storage unit has been recovered, law enforcement shared Monday.
Englewood Police said their investigation started in January 2024, when the historic painting of President George Washington was reported stolen from a storage facility in Englewood.
Police said that despite initial investigative efforts by both Englewood PD and the FBI Denver office, the portrait, painted in the early 1800s, remained missing.
Earlier this month, police said a Crimestoppers tip gave them a lead that suggested that the theft may have involved multiple people, and police used that information to identify the person they believed was currently in possession of the painting.
According to officials, that person told investigators he unknowingly came into possession of the art while staying at a Denver hotel in 2024, claiming that a hotel clerk gave him the painting after it was found abandoned in a room. Police said that person also told them he was initially hesitant to come forward due to widespread publicity surrounding the painting’s theft.
Officials said the painting was surrendered to law enforcement on Friday after two weeks of negotiations and appeared “largely undamaged,” with only some minor cosmetic damage to the frame.
Police said the painting, which was insured, will now be turned over to the insurance company.
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