Starting Fairview High School quarterback Aidan Atkinson has been arrested after police allege he sexually assaulted multiple young women on a party bus in 2018.

Boulder police issued a news release about the arrest of a person it did not identify, but Boulder County Jail records indicate the suspect is Atkinson, 18. Atkinson was a juvenile at the time of the incident.

Atkinson is facing three charges of sexual assault, one charge of attempted sexual assault, and five charges of unlawful sexual contact stemming from an incident on a party bus in September 2018.

The Daily Camera does not typically name defendants in juvenile cases, but is in this case due to the serious nature of the allegations and because the defendant is now an adult and his arrest is a matter of public record.

Atkinson’s booking photo is not being released by the jail at this time. He will remain in custody at the jail until a scheduled first appearance on Monday, according to officials at the jail.

According to the release from Boulder police, the suspect sexually assaulted multiple female victims — all of them also juveniles — on a party bus in Boulder.

“The District Attorney cannot comment on cases involving a juvenile defendant,” Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. “Generally speaking, we take all sex assault cases very seriously, and we encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward so justice can be done.

“As things develop we will be able to give more information to the public.”

Fairview High School Principal Don Stensrud said he is still waiting for official paperwork from the district attorney, but said policy dictates that any student charged with a felony sex offense will not be allowed to attend school until the conclusion of any court proceedings.

Boulder Valley School District spokesman Randy Barber said, “The Boulder Valley School District is cooperating with our partners in law enforcement and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.”

Atkinson, a senior, did not play in Fairview’s 5A playoff game tonight against Cherry Creek.

Barber said Atkinson would not play because of a rule that requires athletes to attend school the day of a game. Because he was arrested, he is not in school today.

After the game, which Fairview lost 42-28, coach Tom McCartney said he could not comment on the situation.

If Atkinson doesn’t play again this year, it marks a stunning and abrupt end to one of the most storied careers in Colorado high school football.

The 2018 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year in football, Atkinson this year broke the all-time state career records for both passing yards and passing touchdowns. He is committed to play college football at Northwestern University.

Northwestern Associate Athletic Director Pat Kennedy said he could not comment on the case when reached by email this morning.

“Northwestern is not permitted to comment on any prospective student-athlete until such time as they sign a National Letter of Intent,” Kennedy wrote.

Anyone with more information on this case or who thinks they also were victims of a crime are asked to contact Boulder police Detective Kara Wills at 303-441-3482 or Detective Sarah Cantu at 303-441-4382.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit nococrimestoppers.com.