EPC Sheriff's Office

Join us in wishing K9 Mako a very Happy 5th Birthday today! 🎉🐾

We hope his special day is filled with all the treats, toys, belly rubs, and tail wags he deserves! Happy Birthday, K9 Mako! 🦴🎂🐶

⭐️El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Assigns Dedicated SVU Detective to Safe Passage Child Advocacy Center⭐️

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce Detective Christina Gardner of the Special Victims Unit (SVU) has been assigned to work full-time at Safe Passage, the community’s child advocacy center. Detective Gardner has served with the Sheriff’s Office since 2014 and brings years of experience to this critical role. This strategic placement marks a significant step forward in strengthening efforts to protect and support children in crisis.

By embedding Detective Gardner on-site, the Sheriff’s Office is enhancing collaboration among law enforcement, the Department of Human Services, mental health professionals, medical providers, and victim advocates. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach fosters a more victim-centered investigative process while ensuring children and their families receive immediate access to critical support services.

Locating investigative resources within Safe Passage allows for a more compassionate response to cases involving child victims. Families are connected to professional care and advocacy in a single, supportive environment, helping to reduce the emotional and psychological impact on young victims during the investigative process.

“This partnership represents our continued commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “By placing a dedicated SVU detective at Safe Passage, we are strengthening collaboration, improving how we support victims and their families, and ensuring children receive the care, compassion, and justice they deserve.”

“We are grateful for this partnership with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the assignment of Detective Gardner to Safe Passage,” said Maureen Basenberg, MPA, and Executive Director of Safe Passage. “Having a dedicated SVU detective on-site enhances our ability to provide a coordinated, child-centered response. This collaboration ensures children and families receive the support, care, and advocacy they need in a safe and compassionate environment.”

Safe Passage gives abused children a voice and enables the healing process by acting as a single point of contact for medical, investigative, and legal services. The organization serves children from birth to age 18, as well as intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse and/or witnesses to homicide or domestic violence.

The presence of a full-time SVU detective at Safe Passage will foster additional trust across the community and vulnerable populations and encourage more families to report suspected abuse. This unified effort not only enhances the effectiveness of investigations but also reinforces El Paso County’s broader commitment to child safety, welfare, and protection. This initiative aligns with the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Plan, developed in partnership with the community, which serves as a clear roadmap for the agency’s future. Built on four pillars—Community Trust, Reduce Victims, Quality Service, and Legislation.

To learn more about Safe Passage, visit: www.safepassagecac.org

Today, we celebrate the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, father figures, and mentors who have made a lasting impact through their love, guidance, and support.

Thank you for the lessons you've taught, the sacrifices you've made, and the countless ways you've shown up for your families and communities. Whether it's offering advice, lending a helping hand, or simply being there when needed most, your influence helps shape future generations.

Wishing all fathers and father figures a day filled with appreciation, joy, and time spent with those who matter most.

Happy Father's Day! 💙

👏 Shoutout to our incredible School Resource Officers! 👏

During the first two weeks of June, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Colorado Springs Police Department to host the annual Regional Teen Academy — and what an amazing success it was!

More than 100 students from 25 schools across the Pikes Peak region participated in this immersive four-day experience, gaining a hands-on look at the world of law enforcement and public service.

Held at Sand Creek High, the Teen Academy introduced students to a wide range of specialized units and operations, including Patrol Operations, SWAT/TEU, K-9, Mounted Unit, Explosives Unit, Criminal Investigations, Crime Lab, Search & Rescue, drone operations, and crisis negotiations.

Students not only learned about the challenges and rewards of serving their communities, but many also took the extra step to earn three college credit hours through Pikes Peak State College by completing additional coursework.

A special thank you to our School Resource Officers, led by Sergeant Josie Haag, along with our partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department, for investing in the next generation and strengthening connections with students across our community.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office maintains a strong connection to local schools through its School Resource Officers, who serve in:

Widefield School District 3
School District 49
Lewis-Palmer School District 38
Ellicott School District 22
and Hanover School District #28.

Our hearts and prayers are with our Brothers and Sisters at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office as they face this tragic loss 💙.

Larimer County, we’re heartbroken to share information about a sudden and tragic loss within our agency.

On June 16, an LCSO Deputy, Sergeant, and Sergeant’s family member were vacationing together on a motorcycle trip. The men were traveling on a North Idaho scenic highway when a pickup truck attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The truck crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with the motorcycles, killing all three riders.

The truck driver was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on three counts of vehicular manslaughter. Idaho State Police are investigating this crash.

Out of respect for their families’ strong desire for privacy, we aren’t identifying the deputies at this time.

There are no good words in a situation like this. Put simply, these were incredible people who dedicated their lives to making Larimer County better every single day. They trained hard, they served well, and they loved life. As we walk the long and winding path of grief alongside their families, our resolve is stronger than ever:

For them, we’ll bring light into dark places.
For them, we’ll stand for good and fight against evil.
For them, we’ll live each day with gratitude and carry their legacy forward.

Rest easy, brothers. We’ve got it from here. 💙

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We’ve gotten several inquiries about how people can help the affected families who lost loved ones. The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police is our only official donor partner and has set up a link for those who wish to support. 100% of proceeds will go to these families: https://givebutter.com/colorado-fop-family-support-fund-lodge4

Be wary of scams - never click links from unknown sources, and do not provide financial information to anyone soliciting it. We will never call, text, or email to ask for donations for this or any other cause.

Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Application Process Transitioning to Online System

The Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) application process for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is moving to a fully online platform designed to enhance accessibility, improve ease of service, and provide a more citizen-driven experience.

The new system will allow applicants to complete and manage all CHP-related applications online, including:

-CHP new applications
-CHP renewal applications
-Change of address requests
-Name change requests
-Lost permit replacements

All applications will be submitted and processed through the Permitium platform, which will be accessible via a link on the CHP webpage.

Under this updated system:

-Applicants will schedule their own appointments online
-Applicants will be able to modify appointments directly within Permitium
-Applicants will have real-time access to check the status of their applications

This transition is intended to streamline services while maintaining a high level of professionalism and support. Aside from moving to an online application and self-scheduling system, the overall CHP process for applicants will remain largely unchanged.

El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal stated:

“This move to an online CHP application system reflects our continued commitment to accessibility, ease of service, and a citizen-driven approach. Our goal is to ensure the public experiences a streamlined process, maintaining the highest standard of quality service while making it more convenient for applicants and instructors alike. My Office remains committed to delivering efficient, transparent, and accessible services to the community while modernizing processes to better meet public needs.”

Today, Sheriff Roybal, our Mounted Unit, and more than 100 deputies, posse members, and staff proudly attended the 90th Annual Western Street Breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs.

It was a great morning filled with music, food, community spirit, and celebration of our region’s rich Western heritage — a tradition Sheriff Roybal remains committed to preserving for future generations.

The pride we have as an Office in seeing our Mounted Unit deputies and their equine partners present the Stars and Stripes and lead the Range Riders down Pikes Peak to officially kick off rodeo season is immeasurable.

We are especially thankful to all of the citizens — from kiddos to grandparents — who stopped by our booth, snapped a photo in the “El Paso County Jail,” and shared their continued support for law enforcement across the Pikes Peak region.

Thank you, El Paso County, for another memorable Western Street Breakfast!

Great news! Thanks to our partners at TRE - The Resource Exchange and The Independence Center, the Blue Envelope Program received a $21,000 grant, ensuring those with special needs in the Pikes Peak region have access to this important resource.

Cassandra Sebastian, Public Information Officer with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, acknowledged The Resource Exchange’s role in securing the recent funding. Sebastian noted, “TRC did a really wonderful thing by applying for a grant to the independent center to find additional products and envelopes, which will get first responders and different agencies through the next few years with supplies.”

For drivers, the blue envelopes contain crucial information intended to facilitate smoother interactions with law enforcement. These envelopes provide instructions, space for emergency contact and medical information, and helpful reminders.

All law enforcement personnel in El Paso County, including deputies and posse members, receive training on how to effectively use the blue envelopes. Sebastian explained that this training helps first responders understand how to better meet the needs of individuals using the program. “When a deputy or a posse member, a first responder, sees this. They’ve all been trained here in El Paso County to look at this and say, ‘Okay, what does this person need? How can I serve them better? What can I do to ensure that the communication that I’m having with them is, up to the standards that they need?'” Sebastian said.

Blue Envelope program expands in El Paso County (COLORADO SPRINGS) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has received a $21,000 grant from The Independence Center to expand its Blue Envelope program. This funding aims to improve comm…