Colorado Contractor Accused of Stealing $1.1 Million from At-Risk Gilpin County Couple

Description: CBI arrested contractor David Paul Perez on felony theft charges after investigators alleged he received more than $1.1 million for a Gilpin County home that was never completed. Mugshot: Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriff's Office...

Home Contractor Charged with Theft of $1.1 million from At-Risk Couple

July 20, 2026 – CBI –  Gilpin County, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested David Paul Perez, 57, on felony charges following a lengthy investigation into alleged financial fraud involving a home construction project in Gilpin County.

Perez, doing business as PJ Construction, faces charges including Theft (between $100,000 and $1,000,000) and Crimes Against At-Risk Persons, both counts are Class 3 felonies.

According to the arrest affidavit, the CBI Economic Crime Unit initiated an investigation In October 2025 after receiving reports that Perez, doing business as PJ construction had received more than $1.1 million from a Gilpin County couple for the construction of a residence. Investigators allege that while significant funds were transferred to Perez for materials and labor starting in 2022, the promised home construction was never completed, and the funds were not utilized for the project as agreed.

After a review of financial records, bank statements, and witness interviews, the CBI Economic Crime Unit submitted its investigation to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office and in May, prosecutors filed three counts of Theft, including from an At-Risk Victim after the  investigation identified that one of the victims, an 82-year-old female, is considered an at-risk adult under Colorado law, leading to the additional felony charge. The female’s husband passed away in 2025.  

On May 11, 2026, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Perez.

On Friday, July 17, Perez was located and taken into custody by CBI Agents. Perez posted his $50,000 cash or surety bond with the condition that he appear for future court dates.

Perez’s next court appearance will be August 4, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Gilpin County.

The criminal court case number is 26CR57. 

First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Official Charges:

COUNT 1: THEFT, C.R.S. 18-4-401(1),(2)(i) (F3) (one hundred thousand dollars or more but less than one million dollars)

COUNT 2: THEFT, C.R.S. 18-4-401(1),(2)(i) (F3)

COUNT 3: THEFT FROM THE PERSON AT-RISK VICTIM, C.R.S. 18-6.5-103(5);18-4-401(1),(5) (F4)

Perez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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