Colorado contractor sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding elderly woman, environmental crimes

Feb. 14, 2025 (DENVER) – Lance Slayton was sentenced to 10 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for defrauding an elderly woman and exposing a community to hazardous asbestos contamination, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.

A Jefferson County District Court judge imposed the sentence yesterday afternoon after a jury convicted Slayton in November on multiple charges, including criminal exploitation of an at-risk elder and violations of the Air Quality Control Act. Despite prosecutors’ request for consecutive sentences, the court ordered all sentences served concurrently.

“This sentencing holds Slayton accountable for the harm he caused—not just to the victim he defrauded, but also to the workers and neighbors he put in danger,” Weiser said. “By prioritizing profit over people, he violated the trust of a vulnerable property owner and knowingly exposed others to a dangerous carcinogen. Our office will continue to prosecute those who exploit older Coloradans and disregard public health and safety.”

Slayton was sentenced to 10 years in prison for criminal exploitation of an at-risk elder and theft from an at-risk elder, each carrying a 10-year term. He also received a four-year sentence for intentionally causing a hazardous substance incident and another four-year sentence for knowingly endangering others in violation of the Air Quality Control Act. Additionally, he was sentenced to 364 days for a misdemeanor violation of the Air Quality Control Act.

The charges stem from Slayton’s work at a fire-damaged rental property in Arvada owned by an 82-year-old woman, where he was paid more than $70,000 to perform asbestos abatement and restoration. Instead, he used unlicensed laborers, mishandled hazardous materials, and failed to complete the project, leaving the property unsafe. An investigation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment revealed significant violations of air quality regulations, placing workers and nearby residents at risk of asbestos exposure.

Prosecutors are seeking restitution and surcharges totaling approximately $85,000. A restitution hearing is scheduled for early April.

Slayton’s co-defendant, Christina Beckner, pleaded guilty to theft from an at-risk elder and recklessly causing a hazardous substance incident. She is scheduled for sentencing next month.

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov