In times of need — as a victim of a crime, during a loved one’s mental health crisis, in a wildfire, when you’ve lost a dog, or when you are injured in the backcountry — your sheriff’s office is always here for you. Our deputies are a lifeline, bringing help, hope, and safety to Summit County when it matters most.

As sheriff of Summit County, I am sworn to serve and protect the people who call this place home and the millions who visit each year. With a proposed budget cut looming in 2026, public safety as we know it in our community is at risk. A significant reduction could have devastating consequences for law enforcement operations and the broader community, our local economy, and the safety of our residents and visitors.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for public safety throughout unincorporated Summit County, which includes five schools, a hospital, four ski resorts, the national forest, Dillon and Green Mountain reservoirs, along with all neighborhoods and roads outside incorporated towns. We operate the Summit County Detention Facility and ensure the safety and security of the Justice Center Complex, including the Office of the District Attorney and the courts, along with their staff. The Sheriff’s Office also offers the county animal control and shelter services, emergency management, and civil services. Additionally, per state statute, the sheriff serves as the fire warden responsible for coordinating wildfire response.

Significant budget cuts would diminish our workforce, impacting key positions such as patrol deputies, school resource officers, investigators, animal control officers, and essential professional staff. Fewer personnel would inevitably result in longer emergency response times, reduced investigative capabilities, and less effective community initiatives and support services.

I am deeply committed to community-oriented programs, including youth outreach, school resource officers, mental health crisis intervention, and substance abuse prevention. Our System-Wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) has become a national model for effective and compassionate mental health crisis response. Programs like SMART prevent crimes, crises, and critical incidents before they occur, which is the ultimate measure of effective public safety. Cutting resources for intervention programs is shortsighted and costly in the long run.

It is impossible to quantify tragedies that never happen. However, a budget reduction would inevitably force us to scale back or eliminate essential programs and services, depriving our community of vital support and leading to increased crime and instability.

Summit County’s breathtaking landscape is a recreational haven, attracting millions of visitors annually. However, this also presents unique public safety challenges far beyond those of a typical county our size. We live and work in a high-risk wildfire zone, making the local wildfire response capacity more critical than ever. Both fire protection districts in Summit County have recently expressed concerns that federal staffing cuts could weaken local agencies’ ability to respond effectively to wildfires.

Our capacity to coordinate evacuations, manage emergency shelters, and support firefighting efforts is directly tied to our funding. A significant budget cut would leave Summit County dangerously vulnerable.

Summit County’s search-and-rescue operations, which operate under the sheriff’s authority, are among the most active in the state. Without sufficient funding, our ability to deploy and coordinate specialized response and rapid medical units will be significantly hampered. This results in longer wait times for those in distress and a higher likelihood of preventable tragedies.

A fundamental responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office is to operate the county jail, and with this responsibility comes significant risk, liability and expense. Budget cuts would negatively impact the Summit County Detention Facility operations, resulting in challenges to meet security and safety standards and diminishing inmate programs essential for rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

In recent years, the negative consequences of shortsighted public safety cuts have become evident nationwide. While budget cuts can be implemented quickly, rebuilding a skilled team takes years. Our community deserves better and should learn from the experiences of others while seeking cost savings elsewhere.

With over 35 years in law enforcement, I’ve learned one truth: We must either invest in safety now or face the costs later. There is no free lunch, and there are no days off.

Public safety is not a luxury or a discretionary expense. It is a vital investment in our community’s well-being. Think of it as an insurance policy for the most challenging moments we face as a community.

I am committed to leading an efficient and professional law enforcement agency that everyone can rely on and take pride in. By exploring alternative funding sources, advocating for sustainable solutions, and prioritizing community well-being, we can ensure that Summit County remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

Jaime FitzSimons is the sheriff of Summit County. He can be reached at SheriffInfo@SummitCountyCO.gov.