A series of mysterious drones have been caught flying around Colorado and Nebraska, worrying residents and confusing military officials, CNN reports.
What’s happening: Authorities have reportedly spotted more than 16 different unmanned drones flying through Colorado over the last month, according to CNN.
- Officials in Colorado’s Yuma and Phillips counties said the area received multiple reports about these drones in the last month, too.
- The drones are reportedly flying 150 to 200 feet away from buildings and people.
- The drones have flown in government airspace.
- The drones have 6-foot wingspans. They’ve been flying between 7 and 10 p.m., according to The Coloradoan.
- The drones have confused experts, too. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told CNN that the FAA and government agencies are looking into the drones to figure out where they came from.
- Yuma County Sheriff Todd Combs said in a Facebook post that the drones likely aren’t causing any harm.
- Combs: “There are many theories about what is going on, but at this point, that’s all they are. I think we are all feeling a little bit vulnerable due to the intrusion of our privacy that we enjoy in our rural community, but I don’t have a solution or know of one right now. All I can say is don’t live your life in the fear of the unknown.”
Reaction: There have been multiple reactions to the drones, The New York Times reports.
- Missy Blackman, who lives in Palisade, Nebraska: “It’s creepy. I have a lot of questions of why and what are they, and nobody seems to have any answers.”
- Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner: “I’ve been in contact with the FAA regarding the heavy drone activity in Eastern Colorado and I’m encouraged that they’ve opened a full investigation to learn the source and purpose of the drones. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
- Dawn George of Wray, Colorado: “They’re high enough where you couldn’t shoot one anyway, but they’re low enough that they’re a nuisance. ... All the sudden, it’s just going to stop and we’re not going to have answers. And that’s very unsettling to a lot of people. It’s the fear of the unknown.”