Gunnison County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/13/2026

As your Sheriff, I want to address the recent events and intense commentary surrounding our office. Lately, I have faced heavy criticism, accusations of violating my oath, and calls to step down.
Growing up here, Gunnison was never this polarized. Unfortunately, it seems our community is not immune to the national trend of hostility toward differing views. I recently reviewed video from the Sheriff’s Office where individuals expressed significant anger toward visiting federal agents—professionals who are simply carrying out their sworn duties. I employ 40 dedicated individuals who do the same every day, and seeing peace officers targeted with disrespect remains deeply concerning.
To those questioning my oath: I take it seriously. My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado. As the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia noted, the Constitution "says what it says and doesn't say what it doesn't say." My duty is to enforce state and local law. I am a local elected official, not a federal agent.
Under the legal doctrine of Anti-Commandeering, the federal government cannot compel local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law or honor civil detainers. Accordingly, I have made the decision to cease ICE cooperation at the Gunnison County Jail. We will continue to collaborate with federal agencies on standard public safety matters, but local jail resources will remain focused on local laws.
In my 30 years in law enforcement, I have chosen to serve in Sheriff’s Offices because the role belongs directly to the people. I have never viewed this position as a political tool, but recent rhetoric has dragged local public safety into the political theater. Real change happens through legislation and the true voice of the community—not political noise. My priority remains serving Gunnison County with integrity.
Sheriff Adam W. Murdie

08/12/2026

August 12, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.
All official updates for the Steep Fire can be found on the 2026 Elk Fire page.

We are grateful for the rapid response provided through the current Complex Incident Management Team as they continue to work on this new fire!

********
12 de agosto de 2026 a las 7:15 PM

Todas las novedades sobre el incendio Steep Fire se pueden consultar en la página de Facebook de 2026 Elk Fire.

¡Agradecemos la rápida respuesta del actual Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos, que sigue trabajando en este nuevo incendio!

____________________________________________________________________________

We are aware of a new fire start in southern Gunnison County. Full details can be found in the shared post below, and updates will be posted through Gunnison County Emergency Management as they become available.

*******

Tenemos constancia de que se ha declarado un nuevo incendio en el sur del condado de Gunnison. Podéis consultar todos los detalles en la publicación que se incluye a continuación, y la Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del condado de Gunnison irá publicando actualizaciones a medida que estén disponibles.

August 12, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.

All official updates for the Steep Fire can be found on the 2026 Elk Fire page.

We are grateful for the rapid response provided through the current Complex Incident Management Team as they continue to work on this new fire!

********

12 de agosto de 2026 a las 7:15 PM

Todas las novedades sobre el incendio Steep Fire se pueden consultar en la página de Facebook de 2026 Elk Fire.

¡Agradecemos la rápida respuesta del actual Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos, que sigue trabajando en este nuevo incendio!

__________________________________________________________

August 12, 2026 at 5:50 p.m.

Gunnison County Emergency Management and Gunnison Regional 911 Center are aware of a new fire start in the southern area of Gunnison County, approximately 2.5 miles north of the Elk Fire perimeter (just south of U.S. Forest Service Road 868). Watch Duty is reporting it as the Steep Fire, and it is currently estimated to be 2 acres.

An initial attack from helicopter support assigned to the Elk Fire is currently dropping water around the fire start, and a ground crew has arrived on scene. Smoke will be visible in and around the area- do not call 9-1-1 to report the smoke.

Please be alert for emergency services along Highway 149 so they can safely access the scene. A Temporary Flight Restriction is still in place around the Elk Fire, which includes this new fire start location- do not attempt to fly any drones in the area for the safety of the firefighters in the air and on the ground.

Updates will be provided once available.

*******

12 de agosto de 2026 a las 5:50 PM

La Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del condado de Gunnison y el Centro Regional 911 de Gunnison tienen constancia de un nuevo incendio que se ha declarado en la zona sur del condado de Gunnison, aproximadamente a 2,5 millas al norte del perímetro del incendio Elk (justo al sur de la carretera 868 del Servicio Forestal de EE. UU.). El servicio de vigilancia lo ha denominado «Steep Fire» y, según las estimaciones actuales, tiene una extensión de 2 acres.

Un equipo de primera intervención, con apoyo de helicópteros asignados al incendio Elk Fire, está lanzando agua sobre la zona donde se ha iniciado el fuego, y un equipo de tierra ya ha llegado al lugar. Se podrá ver humo en la zona y sus alrededores. Se verá humo en la zona y sus alrededores; no llames al 9-1-1 para informar del humo.

Por favor, manténganse atentos a los servicios de emergencia a lo largo de la carretera 149 para que puedan acceder al lugar de forma segura. Sigue vigente una restricción temporal de vuelo en torno al incendio Elk, que incluye esta nueva zona de inicio del fuego; no intenten volar ningún dron en la zona por la seguridad de los bomberos, tanto en el aire como en tierra.

Se facilitarán actualizaciones tan pronto como estén disponibles.

08/10/2026

We are sharing the post below to inform the community of an event starting today that may impact travel on Highway 135.

Information on the route and when the even twill be coming back into our County can be found below.

Please drive with care, respectfully share the road, and plan for a time buffer today if traveling along the route.

Download the CoTrip app on your smartphone 📲 or visit https://www.cotrip.org/home to stay informed about road conditions and alerts.

******

Compartimos la siguiente publicación para informar a la comunidad de un evento que comienza hoy y que podría afectar a la circulación por la carretera 135.

A continuación se ofrece información sobre el recorrido y el momento en que el evento volverá a nuestro condado.

Conduzcan con precaución, compartan la carretera de forma respetuosa y calculen hoy un margen de tiempo adicional si van a circular por esa ruta.

Descarga la aplicación CoTrip en tu smartphone 📲 o visita https://www.cotrip.org/home para mantenerte informado sobre el estado de las carreteras y las alertas.

⚠️TRAVEL ALERT⚠️ | 300 cyclists set to tour south-central Colorado roadways

Beginning Monday (8/10/26), a week-long bicycle tour is scheduled to take place between Crested Butte, Buena Vista, Salida and Gunnison. Approximately 300 cyclists will participate in the event which will take place on highways and several county roads. Motorists are reminded to be prepared and share the road. Share the road with cyclists, give at least three feet of space when passing.

Highway closures will not be necessary; however, motorists are urged to watch for cyclists along several highways, forest service and county roads in Chaffee, Gunnison and Saguache Counties. The event will take place over five days (Aug. 10 to 14, 2026), between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.

📰More info: https://www.codot.gov/news/2026/july2026news/300-cyclists-tour-south-central-colorado-aug10-14

08/07/2026

We are sharing some information about a new team transitioning in to managing the Elk Fire, located north of Lake City in Hinsdale County. We want to let you know they will be setting up their Incident Management Post at the Gunnison County Fairgrounds & Event Center.

You will notice an increase in activity around the property. For more details, please read through the shared post below and refer to the map provided.

******

Les facilitamos información sobre un nuevo equipo que se está haciendo cargo de la gestión del incendio «Elk Fire», situado al norte de Lake City, en el condado de Hinsdale. Queremos informarles de que instalarán su puesto de gestión de incidentes en el recinto ferial y centro de eventos del condado de Gunnison.

Notarán un aumento de la actividad en los alrededores del recinto. Para obtener más detalles, les rogamos que lean la publicación que se incluye a continuación y consulten el mapa adjunto.

08/06/2026

We want to ensure everyone is aware that water-scooping aircraft will be using Blue Mesa Reservoir for firefighting operations.

Stay aware and keep clear of operations if recreating on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Follow Curecanti National Recreation Area for more updates.

******

Queremos asegurarnos de que todo el mundo sepa que habrá aviones cisterna utilizando el embalse de Blue Mesa para operaciones de extinción de incendios.

Estad atentos y manteneos alejados de las operaciones si estáis realizando actividades recreativas en el embalse de Blue Mesa. Sigue a Curecanti National Recreation Area para estar al día de las últimas novedades.

Heads up! 🚨

Water-scooping airplanes are currently using Blue Mesa Reservoir to collect water for wildfire response in the region.

If you’re boating, paddling, or on the water in any way, please stay well clear of areas where water-scooping operations are taking place. Give aircraft plenty of space so pilots can safely perform their missions and crews can focus on protecting nearby communities and natural resources.

Your awareness and cooperation help keep everyone safe and support effective wildfire response.

08/06/2026

A Red Flag Warning 🚩 will be in effect for Gunnison County again today- hot, dry, and windy conditions will allow fires that start to spread quickly.

Please continue to respect the Stage 2 Fire Restriction rules- do your part to prevent the spark.

The shared post below contains the full details- thank you.

******

Hoy volverá a estar vigente una alerta de bandera roja 🚩 en el condado de Gunnison: las condiciones de calor, sequedad y viento favorecerán que los incendios que se produzcan se propaguen rápidamente.

Por favor, seguid respetando las normas de restricción contra incendios de nivel 2: colaborad para evitar que se produzca una chispa.

La publicación compartida a continuación contiene toda la información; gracias.

08/06/2026

We have reduced evacuation zones 32 and 33 for the Gold Mountain Fire to a 🟩Pre-Evacuation status.

Please see the shared post below for full details.

****

Hemos rebajado las zonas de evacuación 32 y 33 del incendio de Gold Mountain a un estado de 🟩preevacuación.

Consulta la publicación compartida a continuación para obtener todos los detalles.

Gold Mountain Fire Evacuation Zone Updates: Zones 32 & 33 to Reduce to 🟩 Pre-Evacuation Status, public land closures still in place

Message from Gunnison County Sheriff:
Effective 9 AM on Thursday, August 6, evacuation Zones 32 and 33 from the Gold Mountain Fire will be reduced to a pre-evacuation status.

➡️For Zone 32, this includes the area south of Storm King, east of Cimarron Ridge to County Rd 864A in the Cimarron Valley to the US Forest Service boundary. This includes the Bear Claw, Silver Jack, Eagle's Rest, and Little Bighorn subdivisions.
➡️For Zone 33, this includes the area east of County Road 864A and West of Big Blue Creek, up to the BLM boundary; and south of the intersection of County Road 883 and County Road 864, also known as Little Cimarron; and north of the Forest Service Boundary.

📍To view exact zone boundaries or search for an address, visit https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a245e662d7d74b679c420acb6b20ba83

Fire crews have completed containment lines in the area, and fire behavior continues to be moderated. However, conditions may change quickly, and if you are returning to your property, we need you to be prepared and ready in case an evacuation order is issued. You may still see fire crews working in the area; please allow them to work efficiently and safely.

⛔🌲The National Forest and BLM closures will remain in place: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/gold-mountain-wildfire-area-closure-order-amended
🚫🛩️The Temporary Flight Restriction (this includes drones) will remain in place: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_9802

Please call the Gunnison County Emergency Operations Center at 970-641-7660 for any questions or needs regarding re-entry, or visit https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/ for incident information.

If you are not signed up for Gunnison Regional Alerts, the emergency alerting system used for Gunnison County, visit https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/preparedness/sign-up/ to register or access your account to confirm your information is current.

For public health recommendations for returning to your home after a wildfire, visithttps://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Gunnison-County-Public-Health-Considerations-for-Residents-Returning-Home-2026.pdf

******

Actualizaciones sobre las zonas de evacuación del incendio de Gold Mountain: las zonas 32 y 33 pasan al estado de 🟩 preevacuación, los cierres de terrenos públicos siguen vigentes

Mensaje del sheriff del condado de Gunnison:
A partir de las 9:00 AM del jueves 6 de agosto, las zonas de evacuación 32 y 33 del incendio de Gold Mountain pasarán a un estado de preevacuación.

➡️En el caso de la zona 32, esto incluye el área al sur de Storm King, al este de Cimarron Ridge hasta la carretera comarcal 864A en el valle de Cimarron, hasta el límite del Servicio Forestal de EE. UU. Esto incluye las urbanizaciones Bear Claw, Silver Jack, Eagle's Rest y Little Bighorn.
➡️En el caso de la zona 33, esto incluye el área al este de la carretera comarcal 864A y al oeste de Big Blue Creek, hasta el límite de la Oficina de Gestión de Tierras (BLM); y al sur de la intersección de la carretera comarcal 883 con la carretera comarcal 864, también conocida como Little Cimarron; y al norte del límite del Servicio Forestal.

📍Para consultar los límites exactos de las zonas o buscar una dirección, visite https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a245e662d7d74b679c420acb6b20ba83

Los equipos de extinción han completado las líneas de contención en la zona y el comportamiento del incendio sigue siendo moderado. Sin embargo, las condiciones pueden cambiar rápidamente y, si vas a regresar a tu propiedad, necesitamos que estés preparado y listo por si se emite una orden de evacuación. Es posible que sigas viendo a los equipos de extinción trabajando en la zona; por favor, permíteles trabajar de forma eficiente y segura.

⛔🌲Los cierres del Bosque Nacional y de la Oficina de Gestión de Tierras (BLM) seguirán vigentes: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/gold-mountain-wildfire-area-closure-order-amended
🚫🛩️La restricción temporal de vuelos (incluidos los drones) seguirá vigente: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_9802

Si tiene alguna pregunta o necesidad relacionada con el reingreso, llame al Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia del condado de Gunnison al 970-641-7660, o visite https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/ para obtener información sobre el incidente.

Si aún no está suscrito a «Gunnison Regional Alerts», el sistema de alertas de emergencia utilizado en el condado de Gunnison, visite https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/preparedness/sign-up/ para registrarse o acceda a su cuenta para confirmar que sus datos están actualizados.

Para consultar las recomendaciones de salud pública sobre el regreso a su hogar tras un incendio forestal, visitehttps://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Gunnison-County-Public-Health-Considerations-for-Residents-Returning-Home-2026.pdf

08/04/2026

We want to inform our community that a Red Flag Warning 🚩 will be in effect on Wednesday, August 5th, AND that Gunnison County remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

Full details can be found in the shared post below from Gunnison County Emergency Management.

******

Queremos informar a nuestra comunidad de que el miércoles 5 de agosto estará vigente una alerta de bandera roja 🚩 y que el condado de Gunnison sigue sujeto a restricciones contra incendios de nivel 2.

Podéis consultar todos los detalles en la publicación que se incluye a continuación, compartida por el Gunnison County Emergency Management

08/03/2026

Please see the attached flyer for information regarding the new requirements for Colorado SB25-003 which went into effect on August 1st, 2026. Be advised the cost for the eligibility card is $52 which is required by CPW and paid to them. The Gunnison County Sheriff's Office will charge no additional fees. The cost is collected by the Sheriff's Office prior to issuance of your eligibility card. Please visit our website for any additional information pertaining to this process. Thank you!

07/29/2026

We want to remind everyone that Gunnison County remains in 🚫Stage 2 Fire Restrictions🚫. The rain received has not been widespread enough to change overall wildfire start conditions.

For full details and to access links to federal land partners, who are also remaining in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, see the shared post below.

*****

Queremos recordar a todo el mundo que el condado de Gunnison sigue en el 🚫Nivel 2 de restricciones contra incendios🚫. Las lluvias caídas no han sido lo suficientemente generalizadas como para modificar las condiciones generales de inicio de incendios forestales.

Para obtener más detalles y acceder a los enlaces de los organismos federales con los que colaboramos, que también se mantienen en el Nivel 2 de restricciones contra incendios, consulta la publicación compartida a continuación.