FORT COLLINS, CO — August 24, 2025 — Cassandra Poncelow, a former school counselor once honored as Colorado’s “Counselor of the Year,” has been arrested and charged with multiple felony sex crimes involving a student she allegedly groomed and assaulted over several years. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the Poudre School District and raised urgent questions about institutional oversight, mandatory reporting, and the protection of vulnerable students.
Poncelow, 40, was taken into custody on August 19 and booked into the Larimer County Jail. She faces four felony charges: sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust (pattern of abuse), criminal attempt to commit sexual exploitation of children, aggravated sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, and sexual assault.
Alleged Pattern of Abuse
According to Fort Collins Police Services, the investigation began in July 2025 after a tip was received about an inappropriate relationship between Poncelow and a former student. The alleged victim, now an adult, told investigators that the abuse began while she was navigating high school and continued for years off campus.
Police records reveal that Poncelow first met the victim in her counseling office, where the relationship allegedly progressed from emotional manipulation to physical contact. The victim described being invited to Poncelow’s home and other off-campus locations, where she was allegedly kissed, touched, and ultimately sexually assaulted on multiple occasions.
In one particularly harrowing account, the victim told police she feared for her life during an assault and was emotionally coerced into silence. “If you tell anyone, I’ll kill myself,” Poncelow allegedly said, according to the arrest affidavit.
Admission and Psychological Manipulation
During the course of the investigation, police uncovered communications in which Poncelow allegedly expressed regret and acknowledged the power imbalance. “Our physical and sexual relationship was not okay. Lack of boundary, not okay. The power difference, not okay. It was wrong,” she reportedly told the victim.
Investigators say Poncelow admitted to falling in love with the student and recognized the harm caused, attributing her recent clarity to sobriety. The victim also reported that Poncelow discouraged her from speaking out, reinforcing emotional dependency and fear.
The affidavit details a phone call earlier this year in which Poncelow allegedly confirmed the existence of prior reports to Safe2Tell and the Department of Human Services (DHS), both of which failed to result in timely intervention.
Prior Reports and Institutional Response
Court documents reveal that a Safe2Tell report was filed in 2023, alleging inappropriate relationships and alcohol abuse. DHS also received a third-hand report that same year, indicating the victim had “sleepovers” at Poncelow’s home and unsupervised time in her office. At the time, the victim denied any sexual relationship, and the case was closed due to insufficient evidence.
It wasn’t until July 2025 that the victim came forward with a full account of the abuse, prompting the current criminal investigation. Police now believe the victim was assaulted more than 100 times over several years.
The Poudre School District has confirmed that Poncelow worked there from 2007 through 2024, holding various roles across multiple campuses. She was employed at Poudre High School for much of that time and was named Colorado’s “Counselor of the Year” in 2016 by the Colorado School Counseling Association. She was also a finalist for the American School Counselor of the Year in 2018.
District and Community Reaction
The school district issued a statement calling the allegations “deeply troubling” and confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. “The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority,” said Austin Fleskes, public relations coordinator for the district. “We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment and to responding with transparency and care”.
Poncelow’s staff profile was removed from the Center for High School Success website shortly after news of her arrest broke. A spokesperson for the organization clarified that her role did not involve direct work with students and that they were unaware of the allegations prior to her arrest.
Local parents and advocacy groups have expressed outrage over the failure to act on earlier reports. “This is a systemic failure,” said Maria Salazar, director of Safe Passage Colorado. “When a counselor is allowed to operate unchecked for years, despite warning signs, it’s not just negligence—it’s complicity.”
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Poncelow is being held without bail pending arraignment. The charges against her include:
- Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust – pattern of abuse (Class 3 felony)
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Sexual Exploitation of Children (Class 4 felony)
- Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Client by a Psychotherapist (Class 4 felony)
- Sexual Assault (Class 4 felony)
If convicted, Poncelow could face decades in prison. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may be filed as more victims or witnesses come forward.
Broader Implications and Legislative Response
The case has reignited calls for stronger mandatory reporting laws and oversight of school personnel. Lawmakers in Colorado are drafting legislation that would require independent audits of Safe2Tell reports and mandate follow-up investigations for any allegations involving minors and school employees.
“This case is a wake-up call,” said State Senator Rachel Zenzinger. “We need to ensure that every report is taken seriously and that no child is left vulnerable because of bureaucratic inertia.”
Advocacy groups are also pushing for trauma-informed training for school staff and counselors, emphasizing the need to recognize grooming behaviors and boundary violations early.
Conclusion
The arrest of Cassandra Poncelow, once celebrated as a model educator, has shattered public trust and exposed deep flaws in the systems meant to protect students. As the legal process unfolds, the community of Fort Collins—and the state of Colorado—must confront the uncomfortable truth that prestige and accolades can mask abuse, and that vigilance must never be optional.
References
- MSN News. (2025, August 20). Former Northern Colorado school counselor arrested, accused of felony sex crimes against student. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/former-northern-colorado-school-counselor-arrested-accused-of-felony-sex-crimes-against-student/ar-AA1KPcI7
- CBS News Colorado. (2025, August 19). Colorado school counselor arrested for alleged sexual assault of student. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-school-counselor-accused-felony-sex-crimes-against-student/
- Coloradoan. (2025, August 19). Former Colorado Counselor of the Year arrested for child sex assault. https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2025/08/19/former-colorado-counselor-of-the-year-arrested-for-child-sex-assault/85731007007/
- 9News. (2025, August 21). Former school counselor accused of sexually assaulting student was subject of prior Safe2Tell report. https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/poudre-schools-counselor-arrest/73-4e172a82-aeee-4050-ab41-0d3a4ec153b1