Grand Junction – Growth, tight budgets, high living expenses and less-than-competitive salaries have left some western Colorado law enforcement agencies understaffed and scrambling to keep up with the rising demand for service.
Some agencies are seeking tax increases, while others are working with elected officials to gradually add officers.
Personnel statistics from area sheriff’s departments show that none is close to the U.S. Justice Department’s suggested staffing level of two deputies per 1,000 residents. Mesa County would need more than 268 deputies patrolling the streets, nearly three times its current 96.
But Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey said his department continues to respond quickly to every part of the county.
Less-urgent tasks, however, may fall by the wayside during a major event, such as the search for Paige Birgfeld, a 34-year-old Grand Junction mother of three who went missing June 28.
Rio Blanco County Sheriff Si Woodruff said his eight deputies cover a population of 6,180 spread over 3,221 square miles.
Glenwood Springs, the Garfield County seat, is struggling to hire and retain police officers. The Police Department’s force of 22 is four officers below what’s in the budget.
“I think there was once since I’ve been here, for a day or two, we were at full staff,” said police Lt. Bill Kimminau, a 22-year member of the department.
He said the reasons include the mountain town’s high cost of living and competition from the private sector.
