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Two navy Ford F-250s state the builder's identity clearly enough: "Gary L. Wall (not the sheriff)."

Gary Wall runs Associated Building and Remodeling - and jokingly dissociates himself from Routt County's controversial sheriff. He added the words to his pickups and trailer about eight months ago. They also remind passers-by that the fellow Wall works with, Ralph Fox, is "not the deputy."

"We obviously share the same name," Wall said about himself and the other Gary Wall. "Business is one of the slowest times I've ever seen. I might as well share some notoriety if I can."

His wife, Teri Wall, said the words have drawn plenty of attention.

"We get so many comments," she said. "We get people laughing and looking and pointing."

Wall has been in building and remodeling since 1973, when he lived in Dallas. He also has lived in Utah and California. Wall made his way to Steamboat Springs in 1998, and he and Teri married in 2005. Wall plans to stick around, he said.

"I don't know if I'm going to heaven or hell, but I'm going there from here," he said with a grin.

Associated Building and Remodeling does mostly additions and repairs, Wall said. Fox, who isn't the deputy, has worked with Wall for the past year. He was a cowboy in Meeker before moving to Steamboat. The two talk about becoming partners but are waiting for business to improve, Fox said.

Sometimes, the signs don't cut down the confusion, he said.

"We've had people walk up and go, 'Are you with the sheriff?'" Fox said. "And I'm like, 'No, I'm not with the sheriff. That's why the sign reads not the sheriff and not the deputy.'"

Wall said he thought the sheriff joke would attract business along with laughs. He understands that people aren't rolling in dough these days.

"I'm not spending, either," Wall said. "I'm squeezing that old penny till Mr. Lincoln screams."

Wall works out of his house on Arapahoe Lane. He keeps signs and banners with his "not the sheriff" slogan in his basement office. He also has a "Gary Wall for Sheriff" sign he snagged after the other Wall was elected.

"I stole it," the builder admitted. "But I couldn't resist."

He said he hadn't met the sheriff but sometimes was tempted to knock on his door and say hello.

Gary Wall the sheriff confirmed that he hadn't met Gary Wall the builder. He doesn't mind the other's stringent efforts not to trade on his name.

"I've been told that he has that, and I have a sense of humor, so it doesn't bother me at all," the sheriff said.

The two have that sense of humor in common, if little else.

"If you can't have fun in life, what's the use of living?" the builder asked.