Saying Larimer County’s censors were closing in on him, Sheriff Jim Alderden announced Wednesday that he would no longer post his controversial “Bulls-eye” column on the county website.
Instead, Alderden will bankroll his own, private website where the Bulls-eye will be featured along with other interactive information about the Sheriff’s Office.
“I think the writing was on the wall,” Alderden said.
The county commissioners earlier this month began studying a new policy aimed at editing or deleting material on the county website not considered “objective general information,” Alderden said.
Commissioner Randy Eubanks said Wednesday that he has received several requests for the Bulls-eye’s removal. He said he is happy Alderden will put his views on a private website.
“If someone wants to pontificate, electioneer and critique commissioners, then by all means do so, but do so on your own dime,” Eubanks said.
Since the Bulls-eye appeared more than a year ago, Alderden has sounded off on budget decisions made by the commissioners, holiday-display rules in Fort Collins, and the county’s decision to extend medical benefits to same-sex domestic partners. Most recently, he targeted the Boulder cycling community. He often uses insults and sarcasm to make his point.
Alderden said he has a right to express his professional opinion on topics related to his office or on county decisions that impact the department.
“When I observe a segment of our community poised to trample the First Amendment, shouldn’t I speak out?” Alderden said in his Wednesday column.
Still, he acknowledged that his missives are not popular among the commissioners.
“I fully realize that the proverbial deck is stacked against me and the Sheriff’s Office,” Alderden said. “Needless to say, I’m not going to run. However, I am going to walk away.”
Work is underway on a new website — — where new material will be featured, including video streaming, he said.
An update on weekly activity in the county detention center — the “Bull Sheet” — also will be part of the new website, said Bull Sheet author and sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella.
The new website should be accessible in two weeks, Alderden said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
