Sheriff Justin Carey and his command staff presented the Ouray County Board of County Commissioners on June 4 with an annual update describing staffing changes, training accomplishments and operational improvements across the sheriff’s office.

Carey said the office had added supervisory capacity during the prior year, with a new sergeant position and additional deputy staffing. The agency reported a 25.9% increase in calls for service from 2023 to 2024 (6,655 to 8,379), and deputies emphasized the value of proactive patrols and community engagement in reducing crime and strengthening relationships with residents.

Training and fieldwork: The sheriff said 1,355 hours of training were delivered in 2024, including leadership coursework, specialized investigations (homicide and sexual-assault investigations), and mandatory annual certifications (firearms, driving and defensive tactics). Sergeants attended supervisory leadership courses and deputies completed standard field sobriety and other certifications.

Investigations and court security: Investigator Gio Mendoza described multiple major investigations, including several sensitive cases (***-related investigations, unattended deaths and a multi-jurisdictional inquiry that involved Boulder and Garfield counties). The office noted varying investigation timelines; some DNA lab results can take many months. Court security staff reported increasing visitor numbers at the courthouse and a reduction in weapons detected at the screening point compared with prior years; staff said visitors were adapting to courthouse security procedures.

Evidence and records: The sheriff’s office has implemented a barcode-based chain-of-custody system for evidence storage. Evidence technician Jessica Tice said the system now shows 100% accuracy in the recent audit, and that firearms tracing and improved storage protocols were in place. Evidence disposition now follows DA authorization and sheriff oversight prior to destruction, and controlled incineration is used for hazardous materials.

Victim services: Victim advocate Tabitha Chamblin reported 36 cases in the prior year with 29 primary victims and 7 secondary victims. She said domestic-violence investigations had become more complex and severe; of 12 domestic violence cases cited, seven involved strangulation. Chamblin described increased demand for long-term advocacy, medical accompaniment and legal-system support and asked commissioners to consider sustainable funding and support for victim services in future planning.

Community outreach: Sheriff’s staff described participation in youth programs, Shop with a Cop, National Night Out, school safety presentations and collaborative regional training and camps. The sheriff thanked the commissioners for additional deputies and emphasized the need to retain supervisory coverage and the value of sergeant-level leadership to ensure accountability and on-scene supervision.

Ending: Carey and his team asked the board to consider continued investment in public-safety staffing, training needs and victim services capacity; commissioners and staff indicated the presentation would inform future budget and policy discussions.