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Two teen girls detained after threat against Colorado high school

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- Two 16-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to harm students and staff members at their high school about 45 minutes south of Denver on Tuesday.

Authorities say the plot was foiled after someone texted a tip line. Sheriff's officials declined to elaborate on the threat but said the teens could be charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch.

Douglas County Sheriff's deputies took the two teens, both students at the school, into custody after determining that is was a credible threat, according to CBS Denver.

The Sheriff's Office released video statement about the incident on YouTube Tuesday afternoon, the station reported.

"We take these types of threats extremely seriously and will take all efforts necessary to ensure the safety of our schools, students, and teachers," Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said in the video.

Liz Fagen, the Douglas County School District Superintendent, released a statement on Tuesday morning which read in part, "...we want you to know that many of the safety systems we have in place worked well - did their jobs successfully, and it was through these systems, including our partnerships with law enforcement and our families, that this threat was successfully disrupted."

Anyone with information pertaining to the case is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 303-660-7500 or the Major Case Tipline at 303-660-7579.

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