Grand Junction man gets 30 years for double homicide

GUNNISON COUNTY, Colo. ( KREX ) – The Grand Junction man, who killed two men on U.S. Highway 50 near Blue Mesa Reservoir in 2023 , entered a guilty plea Thursday at the Gunnison County Combined Court.

Zachary Baker received 30 years – two 15-year consecutive sentences – for the second-degree murder of Fruita resident Estefan Coronado, 33, and Colin Williams, 45, of Clifton. He will also have to pay $26,000 in restitution.

Baker was facing up to 48 years in prison.

According to the arrest affidavit, Baker, who was 27 at the time, shot the men from behind while sitting in the back of a truck. Baker claimed the men were acting hostile toward him and allegedly talked about hiding a body.

One of the family members of the deceased spoke at the plea hearing. She said despite Baker’s heinous actions, she has forgiven him – but she will not have her loved one back.

“This was you friend,” she told the court.

Sentencing will be on Dec. 6.

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