Jefferson County commissioners express support for Evergreen after high school shooting; resident urges faster school security response

Jefferson County commissioners on Sept. 16 said they are supporting the Evergreen community after a high school shooting last week that left two students critically wounded and prompted local vigils and outreach. Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper, speaking for the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, said the board’s “hearts are with the Evergreen community” and thanked the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office and other first responders for arriving “within 2 minutes of receiving the call of shots fired.”

The commissioners urged people to use county mental-health resources and listed a county web page with links to the Colorado Mental Health Line and other services; Dahlkemper told the public the state and national crisis line can be reached by dialing 988. “Please lean on one another for support,” she said.

Why it matters: the shooting prompted immediate calls for support, short-term trauma services and longer-term discussion about school safety. At the meeting a resident who volunteers at his child’s school said parents are reporting inconsistent law-enforcement presence at local schools after elevated threat notices, and he asked county leaders what can be done to ensure a reliable and timely response.

During public comment, resident Andrew Pulford said he volunteers weekly as a “watchdog” at his child’s elementary school and described a pattern where parents told him police were not present after some elevated threat reports. “I feel that each time, school is worthy of being elevated in a security position … I mean, something’s happening down the road. There needs to be a response,” Pulford said, asking which office or official could amend standard operating procedures to guarantee police arrive quickly when schools report elevated threats.

Commissioner Dahlkemper acknowledged Pulford’s concerns and reiterated that the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement were on scene at Evergreen High School immediately after the incident. The record shows Dahlkemper told Pulford she would connect him with county contacts for additional resources and support.

County and community response: the board said county staff are coordinating with the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office, school district officials, victim advocates and mental-health partners to provide services. Commissioner reports later in the meeting recounted vigils and student gatherings in Evergreen, and Dahlkemper said students and families are continuing to seek ways to translate their grief into policy discussions about safety and mental-health supports.

Discussion versus action: no formal policy change or emergency order was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners read a proclamation and provided information on resources; they did not vote on a new school-safety protocol during this session. Residents seeking further action were advised to contact county staff and the sheriff’s office for follow-up.