Military-grade explosives found in a Colorado Springs neighborhood on Tuesday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A startling discovery in the trash Tuesday morning triggered an investigation in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Colorado Springs.

“I was going to put some stuff in the garbage can and I moved the Walmart bag that was on top, and there was a grenade,” Floyd Clarke told 11 News. “I reached down and touched it, when I moved the bag I touched it, then I seen what it was and it said ‘grenade frag’ on it so I went inside and called 911 right away.”

For the next few hours, the normally quiet intersection of Bonfoy and St. Vrain was bustling with law enforcement as a bomb squad investigated whether the item was real.

Clarke, a Vietnam veteran, said there was no doubt in his mind it was.

“I didn’t take it for granted -- I figured it was real because I’ve seen it before and it looked real,” he told 11 News. “It freaked me out. I was like, ‘How did this get here and why is this here in my yard?’”

A robot was dispatched to investigate the item.(KKTV)

The bomb squad eventually determined the item was indeed an authentic military-grade explosive. The Fort Carson 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was contacted to remove the grenade and take it back on post.

The Ft. Carson 71st EOD then transported the device back to Ft. Carson for proper disposal.

There is no threat to the public. We don't have any more information at this time. Additional details will be released when appropriate.
— Colorado Springs Police Department (@CSPDPIO) June 14, 2022

It’s unknown how the grenade ended up in the garbage, but a police lieutenant told 11 News that in a military town, it’s not uncommon for soldiers to leave random items behind -- even weapons -- when moving.