Weld County proclaims Roosevelt Roughrider Day and honors retiring deputy Van Duvall

The Weld County Board of Commissioners on May 14 proclaimed “Roosevelt Roughrider Day” to honor Roosevelt High School’s FFA dairy evaluation team after the team won the 2025 Colorado state championship, and presented a certificate recognizing Deputy Van Duvall’s nearly 32 years with the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.

The proclamation noted Roosevelt’s performance at the April career development event at Colorado State University where the two-day competition drew more than 1,800 students. Brett Hopkins, one of the Roosevelt advisers, told the commissioners the honor “lays the foundation for agriculture to the future.”

The board read the proclamation into the record and asked the team and advisers to come forward. Students introduced themselves: “Hi, I’m Dakota Goddard, and I’m a sophomore at Roosevelt High School,” and “I’m Marilyn Ballard, and I’m a freshman,” among others. Commissioners praised the students’ leadership and work ethic as reasons the county marked the achievement with an official proclamation.

Separately the board recognized Deputy Van Duvall of the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners recounted Duvall’s career in court services beginning in 1993, and noted he overcame a serious medical condition to finish his career. Duvall addressed the board, thanking colleagues, family and faith communities; he said, “Above everything, all praise and glory and thanks belongs to God and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

The board read a certificate of achievement that records Duvall’s service dates as July 19, 1993, to June 1, 2025, and said the certificate was signed by all five commissioners. Commissioners and attendees offered personal remarks of gratitude and best wishes for his retirement.

The ceremony concluded with photos and brief comments from commissioners and honorees.