Former Park County Undersheriff Monte Gore, who resigned his post after a that left a suspect and a deputy dead, is now his former boss next year.
Gore’s decision is the latest in a — including a pair of federal lawsuits — following the Feb. 24, 2016, gunfight in Bailey that happened during .
“Many of you have shared your concerns with me about the current administration,” Gore said in last month. “I agree, it’s time for a change. It’s time for integrity and honesty through transparency and accountability. It’s time to re-establish trust with the public.”
At the center of the tension is Sheriff Fred Wegener, who, newspaper in Park County, has been in office since 1999.
Wegener and his command staff ordered deputies to evict anti-police protester Martin Wirth nearly two years ago. When they went to his door to remove him from his home, , killing and wounding two other deputies.
Carrigan’s family and a then-sheriff’s sergeant have sued Wegener and the Park County Sheriff’s Office over the attempted eviction.
The former claims Wegener was reckless when he sent deputies in to evict Wirth, who had a history of violence toward law enforcement. The latter claim, from the former sergeant, alleges he was ousted from his job for questioning the decision-making that day.
Gore was also suspended after the Wirth shootout under less-than-clear circumstances, ultimately leading to his resignation.
The sheriff’s office knew that , 58, had made a litany of threats against law-enforcement officers and considered, but ultimately rejected, Colorado Bureau of Investigation records released in August show. When deputies rammed down Wirth’s door, he began firing at them with a rifle.
Gore’s campaign website and social media postings have made a host of indirect references to the shooting, including a news release announcing his resignation that said he had nothing to do with Carrigan’s death.
He declinedto speak with The Denver Post in depth about his campaign.
Gore received a lump payout of $131,000 in April 2016 with the sheriff’s office. Wegener wrote a letter of recommendation for Gore as part of the , that said “During his tenure, Undersheriff Gore demonstrated consistent professional skill in law enforcement, administration and management. … You will benefit from Undersheriff Gore’s outstanding professionalism and expertise.”
The separation also included nondisparagement and confidentiality agreements.
Wegener declined to talk to The Post about Gore’s run or to say if he is planning to run for re-election next year.
“I have no comment at this time,” he said in an email.
There are no term limits for sheriffs in Park County, according to County Manager Tom Eisenman. They must run for re-election every four years.
Both Wegener and Gore are Republicans.