Hayman fire-starter released from prison

A former Forest Service worker was released from federal prison Monday after completing a six-year prison sentence for starting the worst wildfire in Colorado state history.

Terry Lynn Barton, 44, was released from a prison in Fort Worth, Texas, said Juan Segovia, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

During a severe drought and extreme fire danger in June 2002, Barton, a U.S. Forest Service fire spotter, reported that a fire had started in a campground northwest of Lake George. About a week later, she was arrested after admitting she accidentally started the fire by burning a letter from her estranged husband.

The fire burned 137,000 acres, predominantly in Pike National Forest; led to widespread evacuations from Lake George to south of Denver; and destroyed 133 homes.

Barton's release from federal prison comes two months after 4th Judicial District Judge Thomas Kennedy resentenced Barton to a state sentence of 15 years of probation and 1,500 hours of community service. That sentence ended years of legal wrangling by prosecutors from the four counties affected by the fire, after her original 12-year prison sentence on state charges was thrown out by a higher court.

Barton must also serve four years of federal probation and pay $14.7 million in restitution. State prosecutors also are asking that Barton pay $27.5 million in restitution. A judge has not yet ruled on the state request.

State and federal prosecutors say it will be up to Barton's probation officers to arrange payments on the restitution debt.

Barton was originally sentenced to 12 years in state prison, but the Colorado Court of Appeals tossed that out after ruling the judge should have disqualified himself because he voluntarily evacuated his home during the fire.

The court also ruled the judge was not allowed to sentence Barton to more than the normal six-year prison sentence for the state arson charge without a jury finding aggravating factors.

During the resentencing in late March, Barton, who has declined to speak to The Gazette in recent years, told the judge, "I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm asking people to get on with their lives."

That angered some of her victims.

John Hill, who lived 13 miles north of Divide until the fire ripped through his property, told The Gazette, "She destroyed my life and destroyed my dreams. She ruined my life. Period."

At her resentencing, Barton, who became a certified personal trainer in prison, asked Kennedy to allow her to serve her probation in California, where her children live. The judge refused, saying "that would be of no benefit to the state of Colorado."

Barton's immediate plans have not been disclosed. Her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Marcus Henson, could not be reached for comment Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.