Steamboat Today: The Routt County Sheriff's Office

Fine system helps jump police department revenue

With more time for officers to devote to traffic enforcement in the city and a new model traffic code in the county, the Police Department and Sheriff's Office report increased revenue from traffic tickets in the past year. That change is due to the adoption of the Colorado Model Traffic Code.

Sheriff's budget holds steady

Commissioners indicate they will not allow 2 new positions

The budget for the Routt County Sheriff's Office will hold steady for the coming year. During a budget presentation to the Routt County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Routt County Finance Director Dan Strnad spelled out a few minor changes that likely will be turned down by the commissioners before final adoption of the budget.

Safety measures ahead for U.S. 40

Dangerous stretch likely won't see major improvements for a year

As more than 20 community members introduced themselves around a table at the Routt County Courthouse on Tuesday night, many said the same thing about the curved stretch of U.S. Highway 40 near mile marker 127. "It's scary."

Plans change for jail staffing

Sheriff will hire deputies, not civilians, to man posts

A plan to hire civilians to work in the Routt County Jail control tower has been nixed in favor of hiring new, fully trained jail deputies. Sheriff Gary Wall reversed his initial proposal and now says that hiring trained law enforcement officers will allow greater staffing flexibility.

Commissioners OK Routt County Jail hires

Sheriff allowed to add staff to replace outgoing county deputies

Six months after the Routt County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to implement a hiring freeze on all county positions, they again voted unanimously to give the Routt County Sheriff's Office leeway to hire replacements for outgoing Routt County Jail deputies.

Wall's salary request denied

Sheriff's Office employees not exempt from countywide pay cut

Routt County commissioners elected not to act on a request by Sheriff Gary Wall to restore some of his employees' salaries.

Arrest warrant pending in pot bust

Chemicals and 6 plants, 2 ounces of dried marijuana seized

Routt County Sheriff's Office deputies seized six marijuana plants, 62.8 grams (2.2 ounces) of dried marijuana and 10 samples of chemicals during a raid on a house east of Hayden on Thursday and Friday.

Civilians may take post at county jail

Routt County commissioners approve civilian control room operator position

The supervision of the control room at the Routt County Jail may move to civilian hands after the Routt County Board of Commissioners approved a measure proposed by the Routt County Sheriff's Office.

Oak Creek police force wanted

Residents, officials meet with commissioners to discuss issues

The Routt County Board of Commissioners is willing to talk to Oak Creek about its policing issues, but the best solution would be the creation of a new town police force, Commissioner Doug Monger said Tuesday night.

Don't confuse contractor Gary L. Wall with the sheriff

Gary Wall runs Associated Building and Remodeling - and jokingly dissociates himself from Routt County's controversial sheriff. He added the words "Gary L. Wall (not the sheriff)" to his pickups and trailer about eight months ago. They also remind passers-by that the fellow Wall works with, Ralph Fox, is "not the deputy."

County presses Wall

Commissioners could slash benefits for departments that don't accept cuts

The Routt County Board of Commissioners is threatening to take away the health and retirement benefits of Sheriff's Office employees if Sheriff Gary Wall doesn't accept a 10 percent countywide pay reduction for his department.

Sheriff's letter to county has little impact

The Routt County Board of Commissioners reacted impassively Monday to a letter from Steamboat Springs attorney Mark Fischer on behalf of Sheriff Gary Wall questioning its authority to unilaterally reduce the salaries of the sheriff's employees.

Wall fights pay cuts

County refuses to foot sheriff's bill

A recently adopted 10 percent pay cut for Routt County employees has provided the next point of contention between the Board of County Commissioners and Sheriff Gary Wall. Click here to see a copy of the letter from Wall's attorneys questioning the commissioners' legal authority to cut the pay of Sheriff's Office employees.

Proposal worries cyclists

Baumgardner: 2-abreast amendment protects all road users

State Rep. Randy Baumgardner has angered some cycling groups with an effort to curtail riders' ability to ride two abreast on state highways, but the Hot Sulphur Springs Republican said his amendment is for the safety of all road users, including cyclists.

Sheriff's license suspension up

Wall won't confirm whether his driving privileges have been restored

Sheriff Gary Wall, who was convicted of driving while ability impaired and two related charges in July, would not confirm Monday whether he is back behind the wheel.

Judge dismisses lawsuits about disputed invoice

Lawsuits filed earlier this month by the Routt County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Gary Wall against each other and the Steamboat Pilot & Today were dismissed by a judge last week.

Lawsuits filed over disputed legal invoice

County, sheriff sue newspaper, each other about Wall's legal fees

The Routt County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Gary Wall filed lawsuits against each other and the Steamboat Pilot & Today last week, seeking a court determination as to whether the county or the Sheriff's Office is required to release copies of a disputed legal invoice.

Black Friday brings relief

Local retailers report strong turnout on traditional shopping day

Whether you were on Wall Street in New York or Lincoln Avenue in Steamboat Springs, this year's Black Friday provided a bright spot after months of dark economic news.

Wall, county spar over fees

Commissioners want details about legal bill; sheriff refuses

Routt County Commissioners want more information before they will pay a $6,700 legal bill forwarded to them by the Routt County Sheriff's Office.

County tightens Wall's belt

Commissioners limit Sheriff's Office overtime, vehicle use

County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to cut back Routt County Sheriff's Office overtime and county vehicle use for the rest of 2008, in what Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak called a "last-ditch effort" to get the department's budget in line.

$80K added to sheriff budget

Commissioners approve supplemental funds at Wall's request

The Routt County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an $80,000 supplemental budget for the Routt County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, bringing an end - for now, at least - to a contentious dispute between the board and Sheriff Gary Wall.

Budget frustrations grow

Commissioners unsatisfied with Wall's expenditure explanations

Sheriff Gary Wall and the Routt County Board of Commissioners flexed their constitutional authority Tuesday as a budget dispute between the county's top law enforcement officer and administrators raged on.

Wall sentenced to probation

Sheriff ordered to complete public service, alcohol therapy

Senior Judge Cecil Wayne Williams sentenced Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall on Wednesday to a year of unsupervised probation, 36 hours of community service and 12 hours of alcohol education and therapy.

Wall sentenced to unsupervised probation

Sheriff convicted of DWAI ordered to conduct community service, receive alcohol education

Senior Judge Cecil Wayne Williams sentenced Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall today to a year of unsupervised probation, 36 hours of community service, 12 hours of alcohol education and therapy, and ordered him to pay fines and fees totaling $816.

Budget resolution near

Sheriff's Office predicts downward trend in costs until year's end

Budget wrangling between Sheriff Gary Wall and Routt County commissioners could end, as Sheriff's Office officials said 2008 expenditures are trending closer to county budget allocations.

Budget battle continues

County commissioners place Sheriff's Office under hiring freeze

Routt County commissioners have placed what amounts to a hiring freeze on the Sheriff's Office while they and Sheriff Gary Wall continue to spar about his department's budget.

Steamboat briefs for Sept. 19

Sheriff Wall's DWAI sentencing postponed

Wall budget $300K off

County urges cutbacks as Sheriff's Office expenditures soar

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall and the Routt County Board of Commissioners butted heads Tuesday in the latest installment of what has become a periodic ritual for the county's top administrators and law enforcement officer.

County denies Wall's funding request

The Routt County Board of Commissioners unanimously denied Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall's request Tuesday to outfit all Sheriff's Office vehicles and the Routt County Justice Center with defibrillators.

Eldridge felt he had to resign

Sheriff Wall not ready to discuss 'issues' with his traffic stop, DWAI conviction

Former Deputy Lance Eldridge said Thursday that he felt "he had no choice" but to resign from the Routt County Sheriff's Office late Tuesday night.

Wall found guilty of DWAI

Sheriff avoids DUI conviction, is found guilty of two related charges

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall was found guilty of driving while ability impaired, failure to dim his headlights and prohibited use of a weapon Wednesday in Routt County Court, where a six-member jury rendered its verdict after a three-day trial.

Wall found guilty of DWAI

Routt County Sheriff also found guilty of failure to dim headlights and prohibited use of a weapon

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall was found guilty of driving while ability impaired, failure to dim his headlights and prohibited use of a weapon today in Routt County Court, where the jury rendered its verdict after a three-day trial.

Eyewitnesses testify in county sheriff's DUI case

Two Routt County Sheriff's Office deputies offered conflicting opinions Tuesday about whether their boss was under the influence of alcohol the night of Oct. 27, 2007.

Sheriff's deputy says he would have arrested Wall

In Routt County Court, Deputy Lance Eldridge cited his observations of sheriff on night of DUI charge

Routt County Sheriff's Office Deputy Lance Eldridge said in court Tuesday that he would have arrested Sheriff Gary Wall on suspicion of DUI on Oct. 27, 2007.

Wall trial gets started

Sheriff's public prominence makes for lengthy jury selection

After a few witnesses Monday, attorneys prosecuting Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall with charges that he drove drunk nine months ago had a hard time establishing more than Wall's defense already admits.

Wall trial to begin Monday

Witnesses named for court proceeding

The jury trial of Sheriff Gary Wall begins Monday at the Routt County Justice Center, and Wall himself is on a list of potential witnesses who could defend the county's top law enforcement officer against charges that he drove drunk nine months ago.

Defense: A plot against Wall

A disgruntled former deputy and a concerted effort by area law enforcement officers to frame Gary Wall led to the Routt County sheriff's arrest last year on suspicion that he drove under the influence of alcohol, defense attorney Ron Smith suggested Monday.

Judge denies Wall appeal

Sheriff will fight DUI charges in jury trial

Senior Judge Cecil Wayne Williams upheld the revocation of Sheriff Gary Wall's driver's license in Routt County Court on Tuesday, and a jury trial has been set for the drunken driving case against the county's top law enforcement officer.

Wall to face DUI charges

Routt County sheriff scheduled for two hearings today

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall is scheduled to appear in Routt County Court today for hearings in two cases related to charges that he drove drunk on an October night last year.

Sheriff tightens jail policy

Wall: Former time-shaving practices out of compliance

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall has tightened policies allowing prisoners at Routt County Jail to get time shaved off their sentences for good behavior.

Prosecutor responds to Wall appeal

License revocation will be subject of April 29 hearing

The prosecutor in the driving under the influence case against Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall thinks the revocation of Wall's driver's license was appropriate and should not be stayed or reviewed by a judge in Routt County Court.

Wall's winch request stalls

Commissioners, sheriff discuss policy questions, impact on towing companies

When Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall first talked about installing Sheriff's Office vehicles with winches, he hoped they could be used to help people. He's now convinced they could save people's lives.

Wall trial to be held in Routt County

Judge denies prosecution's motion to change venue

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall's trial will be held in Routt County, Senior Judge Cecil Wayne Williams ruled Wednesday morning.

Wall to appeal license revocation

Routt County sheriff will appear in court today

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall will fight the Colorado Department of Revenue's yearlong revocation of his driver's license and is asking that his license be reinstated while the appeal process plays out.

New judge to hear Wall case

Prosecution, defense venue dispute spurs Garrecht's recusal

A new judge will hear the case against Gary Wall, and his first order of business will be whether to grant a new trial location for the Routt County sheriff accused of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Wall case delayed again

Judge Garrecht may rule on venue change request

Gary Wall made a brief appearance in Routt County Court today, but little progress was made in the case involving the Routt County sheriff accused of driving under the influence.

Wall case delayed again

Garrecht may rule on venue change request

The location of Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall's trial will not be decided until at least next month.

Wall to appear in court today

Local attorneys speculate on possible change of venue, potential strategies

Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall will appear in court at 8:30 a.m. today, but little is expected from the proceedings.

Change in venue requested

Wall's defense opposes motion; judge's decision uncertain

If the prosecution has its way, Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall's driving under the influence trial will not be held in Steamboat Springs.

Deputies don't drive Wall

Change of venue possible for Routt County sheriff's DUI trial

The loss of his driver's license has not impeded Gary Wall's ability to perform his duties as sheriff, an official with the Routt County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.