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Larimer County approves defense and indemnification for multiple pending lawsuits
Summary
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 2–0 to authorize defense and indemnification for county employees named in several federal and state lawsuits after a closed executive session. Deputy County Attorney David Aro summarized each case before the board voted.
Commissioner Kristen Stevens moved that the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners approve and authorize defense and indemnification for county defendants named in a series of pending federal and state cases; the board approved the motion by a 2–0 voice vote.
Deputy County Attorney David Aro summarized the matters in public after the board returned from executive session, telling commissioners that "most of the conversation was about legal issues that pertain to the case and or legal advice, so that won't be summarized." Aro then outlined each claim and asked the board to authorize defense and indemnification for county employees in those matters.
The board's action covers the following cases as read into the record by Commissioner Stevens and summarized by Aro: Elizabeth Evans v. Larimer County et al (federal case 26CV02199), Brandon Farmer Sr. v. Larimer County Human Services et al (federal case 26CV00118), Catherine Ann Ghent v. Larimer County Sheriff's Office et al (federal case 26CV02223), Janelle Goodwin v. Larimer County Sheriff's Office (state case 20CV30322), Steven Ojeda v. Larimer County Community Corrections (state case 20CV00178), and Gerald Paul Hirschfeldt v. Larimer County et al (federal case 26CV00342). A board member read the cases into the public record when making the motion.
Aro described the core allegations at a high level: one complaint alleges an unlawful seizure of license plates after a traffic stop; other matters involve child-welfare and custody procedures, employment discrimination and retaliation claims, and civil enforcement of a child-support order tied to actions in other jurisdictions. He told the board the county would limit indemnification to county employees where appropriate.
The action does not resolve underlying claims; it authorizes the county to defend and indemnify named county employees. The board made the authorization public after convening in executive session under Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4)(b).
The board took the vote immediately after the motion; Chair Jody Shaddagh McNally announced the motion carried 2–0. The board adjourned at 10:19 a.m.
