DA To Investigate Garfield County Sheriff

Vail Daily News

John Gardner
jgardner@postindependent.com
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado,

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County commissioners on Monday referred the matter of allegations of misconduct by Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario to the 9th Judicial District.

District Attorney Martin Beeson will determine if any of what Vallario is being accused of could amount to “criminal conduct.”

Commissioner Trési Houpt said that referring the matter to the DA’s office is the only way to resolve the issue.

“After looking at the allegations that were made and who it concerned, it made sense to me to give it to the one person who could do an independent investigation, the DA,” Houpt said. “In the long run it’s going to help everyone involved.”

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario maintained Monday that the allegations against him are “ridiculous.”

“I’m a little disappointed that it’s risen to this level,” Vallario said. “It’s ridiculous. It’s totally untrue, baseless, lies and unfounded. I’m sure that the DA will do whatever he has to do to clear this up quickly.”

Garfield County Attorney Don DeFord asked the Garfield County Board of Commissioners to decide on how they would like to move forward after John Martin and Houpt received e-mails alleging that Vallario and a detention deputy participated in a variety of inappropriate behavior including complaints about alleged favoritism and promotions. Vallario has admitted to having a “romantic relationship” with the deputy, but maintained that the allegations of misconduct are false.

DeFord told county commissioners on Monday that some of what Vallario is being accused of could amount to “criminal conduct” and asked what direction the commissioners would like to take on the matter.