New district attorney briefs commissioners on staffing, discovery fixes and morale improvements

Jeff Lindsay, the newly elected district attorney for the 11th Judicial District (which includes Chaffee County), gave commissioners an update on office staffing, discovery improvements and other operational changes since he took office in January.

Lindsay said he has prioritized two operational goals: improving discovery (the process of providing evidence to defense counsel) and increasing office morale. "My first goal is to come to work. Literally, I'm at work every single day," Lindsay told the commissioners, describing a shift toward consistent presence and management in the office.

He said the office has elevated staffing levels, hired new computers and equipment to speed discovery processing, created a part‑time appellate deputy to handle appeals and training, and appointed an assistant district attorney and a chief deputy for Chaffee County. Lindsay said victim‑services pay disparities were addressed and some wages were raised after review.

Lindsay outlined ongoing areas of work: addressing misdemeanor/traffic caseload pressure, possible additional prosecutor staffing for county court, and facility needs for the Chaffee office. He asked the commissioners to provide his budget presentation and supporting documents about two weeks in advance of an August 5 budget discussion.

Why it matters: district attorney staffing, discovery capacity and morale affect prosecutions, victim services and the performance of law enforcement partnerships across the county; Lindsay asked for budget engagement with commissioners to ensure needed resources are available.

Next steps: Lindsay and staff will prepare a budget packet and provide it to commissioners in advance of the August budget discussion; commissioners said they will review and support staffing requests where warranted.