Delta County Sheriff's Office

09/04/2026

No matter where your adventures take you this weekend, remember to make safety part of the plan.✅

Heading into the backcountry? Be sure to check the weather and pack accordingly. Monsoonal moisture has made afternoon thunderstorms more common and conditions can change fast, bringing lighting, heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding.🌊

Going camping? Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reporting increased human-bear conflicts across the state. Secure food and trash, and never keep them inside your tent.⛺

Planning to go boating or paddleboarding? Wear a life jacket, and never operate a vehicle, boat or OHV while impaired.🛥

Although Delta County has downgraded from Stage 2 to Stage 1 fire restrictions, wildfire risk remains. Check the restrictions for your destination, use fire only where permitted, and make sure it is extinguished before leaving.🔥

Enjoy the long weekend, and stay safe. Our administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 7th, but deputies will be on duty. Call us if you need us!

09/03/2026

Delta County Downgrades to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions – Effective September 4th

Delta County will downgrade from Stage 2 to Stage 1 fire restrictions along with other regional counties and the Bureau of Land Management on Friday, September 4th. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests has removed all fire restrictions effective September 3, 2026 prior to the Labor Day holiday weekend. Residents are encouraged to visit WestSlopeFireInfo.com to view active fire restrictions across Western Colorado before traveling to go camping or hunting this fall.

Delta County will remain in Fire Restrictions just at a lesser level due to ongoing extreme drought and high fire danger. Fall weather patterns with higher relative humidity levels, shorter days, and cooler temperatures have reduced but not eliminated wildfire risk and Stage 1 restrictions are necessary to balance the risk of human caused wildfires with recreational camp fires.

Undersheriff Quinn Archibeque made the decision to move to Stage 1 fire restrictions this week after reviewing the latest fire indices, weather forecasts, available fire suppression resources and consulting with neighboring Sheriffs, emergency management, the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. “As we head into fall, it is important to allow residents to have recreational fires at home and in established campgrounds in permanent fire rings, while also keeping restrictions in place to minimize the risk of human-caused wildfires during this persistent drought and high fire danger.”

While restrictions are being reduced, the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management and fire management partners would like to remind all residents and hunters coming to Delta County to be fire wise to help prevent a wildfire from starting. Vegetation is extremely dry and careless actions such as throwing a lit cigarette out of a vehicle, parking in tall grass, dragging trailer chains or starting a campfire outside of a permanent fire ring may lead to a wildfire which can spread quickly and endanger private property and homes.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will become effective in Delta County on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 12:01 am and apply to all unincorporated lands within Delta County, state parks and wildlife areas and within the Town limits of any municipality within Delta County which elects by appropriate ordinance or resolution to have the provisions of Delta County fire restrictions apply within their jurisdiction.

Violations of fire restrictions can result in a citation by law enforcement, fines and the possibility of additional charges based on the conditions of the fire and damages caused. Stage 1 fire restrictions will remain in effect until rescinded by order of the Sheriff.

Stage 1 Restrictions prohibit all agriculture burning of ditches, fields, brush or trees, bonfires, camp fires outside of a permanent fire pit (such as a metal ring), or the use of fireworks and exploding targets. For the full list of restrictions and a fire restriction graphic, please visit: https://www.deltacountyco.gov/138/Fire-Restrictions

09/01/2026

On this National Police K9 Day, we join the nation in recognizing our four-legged partners, Teg and Jocko, and memorialize others like them who have given their lives in the line of duty.

These heroes serve with unmatched bravery to protect their partners, fellow deputies, and most of all — our community.

What they ask for in return is nothing more than some head scratches, and a game of fetch. They truly are man's best friend.

Thank you for your service, Teg and Jocko.🐾

08/25/2026

Please join the Sheriff's Office in celebrating🎉🙌 these amazing EMS 🚑 providers in the North Fork Valley for their years of service to the citizens of Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Somerset and outlying areas!

Congratulations Rick and Kathy Steckel and Deb Ferrier on 30 years of Service! Thank you is not enough for your years of service! 🎉🚑3️⃣0️⃣

Congratulations to Tanya Applegate and Marie Stucker on 15 years of dedicated service to the North Fork Valley! 🎉🚑1️⃣5️⃣

Congratulations to Drew Felix (10 years), Tami Leaton and Terrell Winder (5 years) for your service to the North Fork Valley! 🎉🎉🚑

These are the men and women who along with many others who show up 24/7/365 to help a neighbor in need. When you see them on a call or in the grocery store or in the community, please stop and say thank you!

08/21/2026

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a full-time Public Safety Dispatcher to join our team!🚨

Our dispatchers are the first voice on the other end of the phone during someone’s worst day. They are the critical link between the public and our first responders, coordinating emergency and non-emergency responses for over 13 public safety agencies throughout Delta County.

We are looking for someone who can stay calm under pressure, thrives in a fast-paced environment, can multitask, and has the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating shift schedule.

💵Starting Pay: $59,635.21 - $69,406
⚕Benefits: Medical, dental, vision insurance
🗓11 paid holidays per calendar year

Public safety dispatching is more than a job, it’s a calling and a career! This is an opportunity to serve your community, and make a difference.

Become a 911 Dispatcher — Apply today ➡ https://www.deltacountyco.gov/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=76&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Dispatcher-714

08/19/2026

The U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests have announced a decision along with the Bureau of Land Management - Colorado - Uncompahgre Field Office to move U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands in Delta County and surrounding areas from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective August 20th. PLEASE NOTE - this is ONLY the U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands - Delta County remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to the hot, dry weather, and extremely dry fuels at lower elevations.

If you are planning to go camping on BLM or U.S. Forest Service lands in Delta County or neighboring areas, please review the links in the post below of what Stage 1 Fire Restrictions means.

Delta, Montrose, Mesa and Hinsdale Counties remain in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. To view the status of Fire Restrictions in the region you can visit https://WestSlopeFireInfo.com

*Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Move to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions starting Aug. 20.*

All lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning August 20 at 12:01 a.m. through December 31, unless rescinded.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Order:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/stage-1-fire-prohibitions

News Release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/newsroom/releases/grand-mesa-uncompahgre-and-gunnison-national-forests-move-stage-1-fire-0

08/19/2026

🚌School Bus Safety: What Drivers Need to Know🚌

With school back in session this week, buses are traveling roads and highways across Delta County. Changes to Colorado law took effect last year, making it especially important to understand when drivers in both directions must stop.⬇️⬇️

Drivers approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction must ALWAYS stop, UNLESS a raised or depressed median—or another physical barrier—separates the roadways.

🛑Painted lines or painted median: BOTH DIRECTIONS STOP
🛑Center turn lane: BOTH DIRECTIONS STOP
🛑No physical barrier separating the highway: BOTH DIRECTIONS STOP

⚠THE ONLY EXCEPTION⚠

✅Raised, depressed, or grassy median: Opposing traffic may proceed with caution
✅Other physical barrier: Opposing traffic may proceed with caution

Traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must always stop.

Here's a quick review of other important laws:

🟡 Flashing yellow lights: SLOW DOWN and prepare to stop
🔴Flashing red lights: STOP at least 20 feet from the bus
🛑Bus stopped at an intersection: Approaching traffic MUST stop
🛑Remain stopped until bus's red lights stop flashing
👀Before proceeding: Look for children near the roadway

Please be patient and use extra caution as everyone settles back into the school year routine. We all play a role in keeping our kids safe!🚸

For more information from Colorado State Patrol, visit: https://csp.colorado.gov/press-release/elementary-expectations-around-a-school-bus

08/17/2026

Delta County Schools will be back in session tomorrow, so just a little refresher until everyone gets back into the school routine:

📍Follow posted speed limits
🚸Stay alert for kids and crossing guards
🛑Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks
🚌Stop for school buses when their stop sign is extended and lights are flashing
🚲Share the road with cyclists

Give yourself a little extra time on the morning commute to make sure stress levels stay low, and everyone arrives safely.

DCSO is wishing our students, families, and schools a great year!🏫

08/14/2026

School starts next week, but for the little ones that attend story time through the Delta County Library District, learning begins long before they enter the classroom.📚

Did you know that reading just one book a day can expose a child to almost 300,000 words through shared reading before kindergarten? Every story matters!

Being dads themselves, Sergeants Lackey and Romisch, and Deputy Amaya felt right at home sharing stories with this group of young learners. We are always grateful for the opportunity to take a break from our typical duties and make time for the moments that matter most to all of us.

Thank you to the Delta Library for welcoming us and to all the families who joined us!