Grand County adopts resolution opposing SB25‑003, sheriff warns of staffing costs

The Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution formally opposing Colorado Senate Bill SB25‑003, which county officials said would impose new duties and training requirements on local law enforcement. Commissioner speakers framed the resolution as opposition to an unfunded state mandate that would shift costs to county governments.

Sheriff Brett Shortland told commissioners the bill’s implementation could “potentially make me have to add 1.0 to 1.2 FTEs to my budget,” saying the vetting and training workload would be “extremely time intensive” and create liability pressures for the sheriff’s office. The sheriff added that the county’s current concealed‑carry program already demands staff time and that the new requirements would largely duplicate or expand that work.

County counsel and commission members discussed constitutional and funding concerns, describing the proposal as an “unfunded mandate” because it would require county law‑enforcement resources without state funding. Commissioners corrected the bill reference on the record before voting to approve Resolution 2025‑04‑03 (notation corrected to SB25‑003). The motion carried with an affirmative voice vote.

Next steps: staff said the resolution will be filed in county records and shared with regional partners and legislative contacts; the county also plans to monitor related state action and coordinate with association partners. No implementation actions at the county level were authorized beyond the resolution and outreach.