Grand County approves $248,000 jail behavioral services amendment and permits secure transport provider

Grand County commissioners on Tuesday approved an amended contract worth $248,000 to expand jail‑based behavioral health services and separately authorized a secure transportation permit for a private company to provide non‑patrol transfers for people in mental‑health crisis.

The contract amendment for jail‑based behavioral services was presented to the commissioners by Brett Hirtland of Judicial Services. Hirtland said the funding — identified on the first page of the contract documents — supports services for inmates “who are experiencing substance abuse or mental health challenges,” and that the amendment included a date change, a revised amount and a modified statement of work.

The action matters because the funding pays for care inside the county jail and modifies how those services are delivered. “These specific changes are noted on page 4 of the document,” Hirtland told the board when he recommended approval. Commissioners voted to approve the amendment and authorized the chair to sign applicable documents.

Separately, the board approved a secure‑transport vehicle permit for Connor Udell doing business as Sheepdog Transport LLC. Sheriff’s Office staff described the permit as part of the county’s duties under House Bill 21‑1085, which delegates responsibility for secure transport licensing to counties and their sheriff’s offices. The permits allow the county to use specialized vehicles rather than patrol cars to move people experiencing a mental‑health crisis.

Commissioners were told the permits reduce the need to transport those individuals in patrol vehicles and are intended to be both safer and more comfortable for people in crisis. The motion to approve the permit authorized the chair to sign all related documents.

No recorded roll‑call vote tally was given in the meeting minutes, and actions were adopted after the board voice‑voted “Aye.” The approvals were presented as routine and supported by legal and finance review; the jail services amendment had already been reviewed by those offices before the board’s vote.

The approvals do not appear to create new county programs beyond expanding a current contract and allowing a contracted transport vendor; staff said the jail services contract amendment included specific work‑plan and budget changes that will govern implementation.

The board’s approval directs staff to carry forward the revised contract and the transportation permit paperwork for execution and implementation.