The Routt County Sheriff's Office

Routt County Sheriff Wiggins will not join lawsuit against Colorado gun laws

Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins is not one of the 37 Colorado sheriffs who have signed onto a lawsuit challenging the gun laws recently passed by the state Legislature.

Colorado sheriffs planning lawsuit to block new gun laws

More than half of Colorado sheriffs have agreed to launch a legal challenge to the state's recently passed gun restrictions.

Routt and Moffat county sheriffs say they won't, and can't, enforce new Colorado gun laws

Wiggins and Jantz maintain the legislation passed by Colorado's House and Senate won't keep guns out of the hands of criminals and instead will punish law-abiding citizens. Both sheriffs said Tuesday that gun control has been the No. 1 concern of their constituents in recent months, and that every email, phone call and comment they have heard is from residents who oppose gun control legislation.

Attorney wants former sheriff's blood retested in DUI case

The attorney representing former Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall in a DUI case wants his client’s blood sample to be retested.

New Year's Eve keeps officers busy in Steamboat

Local police were busy, but most people seemed to behave themselves during New Year’s celebrations Monday night in Steamboat Springs.

Former Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall arrested on suspicion of DUI

Wall was booked into Routt County Jail on Thursday afternoon after his arrest by the Colorado State Patrol.

Routt County law enforcement lax on marijuana laws

Local law enforcement officials said enforcing existing marijuana laws has not been a burden, and the numbers prove it.

Sheriff's Office, Steamboat police department fill ranks

For the first time in a long time, the Steamboat Springs Police Department and the Routt County Sheriff's Office have their ranks filled.

Thrift store burglarized in Oak Creek

The burglary at the Brand Spankin Used thrift store at 107 E. Main St. was reported at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and it is suspected the burglary occurred sometime after 3 p.m. Saturday.

Spike strip used to stop SUV; Steamboat man faces DUI

Police used a spike strip to stop an SUV driven by a Steamboat Springs man who officers say was drunk and driving recklessly Monday night east of Hayden.

Hummer joins Routt County Sheriff's Office fleet

Sheriff’s Office adds vehicle to help SWAT team with operations

A Hummer transport vehicle has been added to Routt County’s fleet to help the SWAT team with its tactical operations.

Drought persists; some burns allowed in Routt County

Despite restrictions on fires and burning in Routt County, residents might notice a few agricultural burns taking place.

County agenda for May 7 and 8

Steamboat briefs: Routt County Sheriff’s Office awards scholarship to Ellicia Fuller

Soroco High School senior Ellicia Fuller has been announced as the recipient of the County Sheriffs of Colorado scholarship award for Routt County.

Our View: It's time for a fire ban

With extreme conditions already leading to considerable fire danger, local officials should place a temporary ban on controlled burns and other open fires in Routt County.

Our View: Finding a middle ground

A Steamboat Springs man’s run-in with Colorado campaign finance reporting laws is evidence that the system needs to change, but not to the dangerous degree proposed by Secretary of State Scott Gessler.

Routt County Sheriff’s Office changes its look

Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins hopes new uniforms will help distinguish his deputies from other law enforcement officers in the county.

2 investigators leave Routt County Sheriff’s Office

Two longtime Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputies who made up the investigations division have left the department.

Routt County Sheriff's Office seeks funds for bulletproof vests

Routt County Undersheriff Ray Birch will ask the county commissioners Tuesday to approve spending $6,300 to replace dated and ill-fitting bulletproof vests for his deputies.

Routt County Sheriff's Office seeks lead in shootout

The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking two men whom investigators wish to speak to in connection with a bizarre shootout that was reported at about noon Tuesday in the rural southern part of the county.

The Record for Sept. 19

Routt County Sheriff's Office to join drug task force

Sheriff confirms deputy will be provided to ACET

The Routt County Sheriff’s Office again will be a contributing agency to the All Crimes Enforcement Team drug task force.

Sheriff investigates fight at Routt County Jail

Adam Huber, the man serving a six-month sentence for stabbing a 14-year-old boy in the hand at Bud Werner Memorial Library in April, was involved in an altercation Saturday with the boy’s older brother, William Ellifritz, who has pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and second-degree theft related to six burglaries at downtown businesses May 4.

Routt County sheriff to add half-time employee

The Routt County Board of Commissioners gave unanimous approval today for Sheriff Garrett Wiggins to add a half-time position in his record-keeping department.

Steamboat building slated for demolition a training ground for officers

Monson Hall is living its final hours serving the purpose it was built for. Instead of being filled with those matriculating at Colorado Mountain College, the building was occupied Thursday by law enforcement officers who were smashing windows and breaking down doors for the purpose of education.

2 leave Steamboat Springs Police Department to return to Sheriff's Office

Munden, Scherar to work for Wiggins

Two Steamboat Springs Police Department patrol officers have resigned with plans to return to the Routt County Sheriff’s Office.

Routt County sheriff works to overhaul agency

Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins and Undersheriff Ray Birch said they have been putting in 60- to 70-hour workweeks since taking office Jan. 11.

Wiggins takes reins as new Routt County sheriff

Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to work for a new boss Tuesday after Sheriff Garrett Wiggins was sworn in at the historic downtown courthouse. Wiggins wasted little time getting to work. After moving some things into his new office, Wiggins planned a meeting to explain his law enforcement philosophy.

Routt County Sheriff's Office deploys defibrillators

After more than two years, Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall now has the life-saving equipment he has been pleading for. Heart defibrillators, or AEDs, have been placed in all 15 vehicles that patrol the 2,362 square miles in Routt County. The AEDs analyze a person’s heart rhythm and automatically determine whether a shock is necessary.

Hayden's Ray Birch accepts Routt County undersheriff position

Routt County Sheriff-elect Garrett Wiggins has offered his undersheriff position to Hayden Police Chief Ray Birch, who said today that he'll take the job.

Gary Wall preaches office independence to a group of new Colorado sheriffs

Outgoing Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall, notorious for ongoing battles with the Routt County Board of Commissioners over control, stressed the importance of maintaining control of a sheriff’s office during a speech to Colorado’s new top law enforcement officials Monday.

Joe DeAngelo turns down Routt County undersheriff job

DeAngelo, the former investigator for the 14th Judicial District, recently took a position with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, which he has called a “dream job.”

Joe DeAngelo undecided about undersheriff job

Joe DeAngelo, the former investigator for the 14th Judicial District, remains undecided about whether he will accept Sheriff-elect Garrett Wiggins’ offer to be his undersheriff. DeAngelo said Monday that he will make a decision by Dec. 10.

Wiggins, Wall reflect on Routt County sheriff race

New sheriff-elect considering his options for undersheriff

Routt County Sheriff-elect Garrett Wiggins said he got only two hours of sleep on the late election night Tuesday, and even then, his phone was ringing all night and he couldn’t sleep for long.

Hayden’s Referendum 3B could shift

Provisional, unsigned mail ballots could tip school funding vote

With Referendum 3B hanging by just a few votes, Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland said it’s possible for the results to shift as provisional and unsigned mail ballots are counted.

Routt County Jail works toward solar water heater

Commissioners waiting for written approval on federal grant

Work to install new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment at the Routt County Jail is well under way, but a federal grant that would subsidize a solar domestic hot water system is temporarily on hold. County Purchasing Director Tim Winter told the Routt County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that new boilers are in place at the jail and have been tested.

Routt County sheriff candidates debate tolerance

Wall seeks to define difference; Wiggins says approaches similar

Sheriff Gary Wall said the difference between him and Republican opponent Garrett Wiggins is Wall’s commitment to encouraging officer discretion and rejecting a zero-tolerance approach to law enforcement. Wiggins said that difference doesn’t really exist. The two candidates squared off Tuesday.

Routt sheriff remains in Denver hospital

Wall says blood leaking in the brain to blame

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall revealed Friday that he actually was taken to a Denver-area hospital after doctors discovered blood leaking in his brain, and not just because of the flu, as he had earlier reported. He remained in the hospital Friday, and his wife, Jenny Wall, said she didn’t know when he would return to Steamboat Springs.

House District 57 candidates discuss medical marijuana at Steamboat forum

Trio differs about medical marijuana, other issues

The three candidates for state House District 57 gave their opinions about the booming industry and the controversies surrounding it during a Thursday night forum at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Sheriff airlifted to Denver hospital

Gary Wall is hospitalized in Denver with what he said were complications from the flu. He and his wife plan to return to Steamboat Springs on Friday, and Wall won't appear at tonight's candidate forum.

Wiggins’ campaign yard signs stolen in Steamboat

Some taken to opponent’s lawn, taped over Gary Wall’s campaign signs

Routt County sheriff candidate Garrett Wiggins reported that 50 to 100 of his campaign yard signs, including nearly all his signs in Old Town, were stolen during the weekend. A number of Wiggins’ signs also appeared in his opponent Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall’s yard, where someone taped Wiggins’ signs over Wall’s.

Candidates forum draws 60 in Hayden

County sheriff hopefuls again trade jabs

About 60 people attended a forum Wednesday night at the Routt County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Hayden at which 15 candidates spoke. Like other forums this election season, Routt County sheriff candidates Democrat Gary Wall and Republican Garrett Wiggins traded a few jabs.

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall could defend self in suit

Sheriff finds no takers in complicated claim with Routt County

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall might have to represent himself in a civil suit with a law firm and the county commissioners after the sheriff found that no law firms were willing to represent him, he said in court Tuesday.

Sheriff candidates Wall, Wiggins trade barbs at Steamboat forum

The 90-minute First Impressions Candidate and Issues Forum on Wednesday was mostly tame, with unanimous consent among attendees that ballot initiatives Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 would hurt local governments and schools. But sparks flew near the end of the forum between the candidates for Routt County sheriff.

Wall appeals campaign fines

Sheriff says finance issues a result of confusion with new law

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office hit Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall with two fines in late August for failing to report major campaign contributions in a new electronic reporting format. Wall has appealed both fines.

Gary Wall, Garrett Wiggins prepare for Routt County rematch

Retention and relationships key in sheriff campaign strategies

Garrett Wiggins has faced Gary Wall before. The men ran against each other in the 2006 election for Routt County sheriff, which Wall won. But now, with more history behind each of them and potential issues on both sides, the men are preparing new strategies for the rematch.

High turnout, low stress for Routt County mail-in primary

About 3,200 of 9,000 primary ballots returned as of Monday afternoon

Turnout for the primary elections in Routt County is nearly triple that of 2006 as of Monday afternoon, and votes will continue to be counted until polls close at 7 p.m. today.

Routt County GOP sheriff hopefuls close in fundraising

Wiggins has outspent Bosick in primary race

With several days remaining in the primary elections, Routt County has had 26 percent of ballots returned, already surpassing the 12 percent turnout in the 2006 primary.

Former Routt County Sheriff Tim Walsh dies

Walsh, who served from ’83 to ’90, died from cancer in Hawaii

Tim Walsh, who served as Routt County sheriff from 1983 to 1990, died July 5 in Hawaii at age 62.

Ballot drop-off locations located across Routt County

Final day to drop off GOP primary election ballots is Aug. 10

About 400 Republican primary ballots have been turned in to the Routt County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The final day of the primary is Aug. 10, but Clerk’s Office officials say primary voters should have their ballots in the mail at least a week before then.

A Controversial Wall