DENVER—James Wolfinbarger has been sworn in as chief of the Colorado State Patrol, replacing the retiring Mark Trostel.
Wolfinbarger was sworn in by Gov. Bill Ritter on the west steps of the State Capitol Friday. His wife, two sons and other family members looked on.
Wolfinbarger has pledged to continue programs aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, with special attention on the 40 percent of that are alcohol-related.
Wolfinbarger is a Denver native who graduated from Green Mountain High School and the University of Northern Colorado. He joined the patrol in July 1995.
The patrol has about 700 uniformed officers throughout the state.
Ritter thanked Trostel for 31 years of service and declared March 1 “Mark V. Trostel Day.”
