Residents urge independent review after ICE-related sheriff action; commissioners say attorneys are involved

Public commenters on Tuesday urged the Chaffee County Board of Commissioners to seek an independent review of a sheriff's office operation that involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying the department's actions harmed community trust. Commissioners said the county attorney and the Colorado Attorney General's office are examining the incident and that the sheriff has proposed possible responses.

George Smith, a Buena Vista resident, asked the board to "authorize an independent review covering the ethical, moral, and legal obligations" after an incident he described as a "debacle in Salida." Smith said he was not focusing solely on whether the sheriff acted within the law but on whether the sheriff acted "in the best interest and with good faith in representing and executing the interest of the citizens of Chaffee County." He added that he had concerns about the welfare of a child during the incident.

Monk Brown of Salida also urged an independent review and pointed to body-camera footage he said shows the sheriff's office assisting ICE. Danielle Brown, who said she had been at the courthouse during related events, asked commissioners to review ideas submitted by community members to close perceived policy loopholes.

The board responded with a mix of statements and reported steps. One commissioner said, "We have had conversations with the Attorney General's office this week. Our attorney is looking at this, and we're discussing with the sheriff ' bringing up some ideas that we'll be bringing forward as well." The commissioner added, "So we are actively looking at solutions." The board did not vote on a formal independent-investigation motion during the meeting.

The board described ongoing consultations rather than a final policy or a specific investigatory body. Commissioners said the county attorney is reviewing the situation and that the sheriff has shared proposals the commissioners will consider in coordination with state counsel.

Why this matters: Residents raised concerns about civil liberties, county law enforcement practices and the county's relationship with federal immigration enforcement. Commissioners' comments indicate legal review is underway but do not indicate a formal, board-directed independent investigation was authorized at the meeting.

What happens next: The commissioners said the county attorney and the Attorney General's office are reviewing the incident and that any proposals or next steps would be brought back to the board after that review. No timeline was provided.

Ending note: Public commenters warned of possible litigation if they perceive the county fails to provide transparency or to address perceived property- or civil-rights harms; commissioners reiterated they are pursuing legal review and discussions with the sheriff.