KSJD Local Newscast - September 10, 2024

Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin gave a grim report Monday on the current state of his office. He told the county commissioners at their workshop that, because of budget cuts, the sheriff’s office is understaffed and demoralized. He said, “We’re running ragged.” Of particular concern is the detention center. Nowlin said the number of deputies working in the jail now does not meet the standard required by law for the number of inmates present. Nowlin said this means taking a serious look at the jail and possibly limiting the number of inmates. He also voiced concern about law enforcement’s ability to protect local schools, saying that he had just spent a day investigating a threat to the Dolores schools. Commissioner Jim Candelaria said the revenue shortfall is why a question has been placed on the November ballot asking county voters to approve a public-safety sales tax. Later in the meeting, the commissioners spoke about the fact that the Colorado legislature in a recent special session passed a compromise bill that will reduce property taxes. Candelaria said this is good news for property owners but will mean reduced revenue for local governments. He asked, “What do we keep or not keep and what goes away?”