Denver man gets 40 years for trafficking drugs throughout Weld County
Published on August 07, 2025
GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Denver man has been sentenced to 40 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that spanned across northern Colorado and the Denver metro area.
In January 2024, the Weld County Drug Task Force launched an investigation into a major drug operation.
Due to the extensive scope of the case, the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force (Larimer County) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined the investigation.
Multiple individuals connected to several interconnected drug trafficking organizations were identified, including Brayan Ismael Rueda-Delgado.
Rueda-Delgado was identified as a key supplier and high-level narcotics distributor operating in Colorado.
On March 29, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Denver residence. Inside, officers discovered a loaded handgun and significant quantities of illegal drugs, including:
- 29 grams of methamphetamine
- 763 grams of cocaine
- 974 grams of heroin
- 102 grams of counterfeit M-30 pills containing fentanyl
He was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts, including possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, as well as a special offender charge.
In May, Rueda-Delgado plead guilty to two felony drug charges and faced a sentencing range of 8 to 40 years in prison.
On Tuesday, Weld County District Court Judge Vincente Vigil imposed the maximum sentence of 40 years.
“I want to be clear,” Judge Vigil said during sentencing. “This was not a mistake you made — this was a choice.”
Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia, who prosecuted the case alongside Deputy District Attorney Katherine Fitzgerald, emphasized the damage caused by Rueda-Delgado’s actions.
“The weight of his actions can’t be measured in pounds or profit,” Pirraglia said. “The destruction he caused to our community, and the pain he inflicted on families, is immeasurable. We won’t tolerate this behavior and hope this sentence sends a clear message: if you choose to sell drugs in Weld County, you will be held fully accountable.”