Rio Blanco County Detention Center: Explanation on closure and reopening
Dear Editor:
I want to take some time to address the reopening of the Rio Blanco County Detention Center, since a couple of people have asked, “Why did we close the jail?”
First, a little personal background. I worked in the old Rio Blanco County Jail from 1996 until 2005, when I transferred to patrol. I truly enjoyed my time there. It was a great place to begin a career in law enforcement; working with Bob Ruckman and the other deputies allowed me to learn many valuable lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career, working in the jail provided an opportunity to learn how to de-escalate conflict and interact with individuals who, at that point in their lives, had made poor decisions and entered the criminal justice system. It was also a controlled environment where you could observe how detention deputies handle difficult situations, manage inmate behavior, and resolve conflicts safely and professionally.
Changing Financial Conditions
In 2012–2013, during a period when Rio Blanco County (RBC) was financially strong, county leadership recognized that the old jail was outdated, deteriorating, and no longer met modern standards. The decision to build a new detention facility was not a luxury but a necessity. The facility was funded using oil and gas revenues that had been saved by the County.
However, while the facility was built with those funds, the ongoing operational costs—staffing, maintenance, and daily operations are paid by taxpayers. Since that time, RBC has experienced a significant decline in revenue due to reductions in oil and gas activity, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue over the past several years. Property tax revenues have declined, along with other key funding sources, including severance taxes, PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes), and Federal Mineral Lease revenues. Some of these revenues have also been reduced or withheld at the state level, further impacting the County’s overall budget.
Declining Jail Population
Another major factor in the closure of the detention center was the decline in inmate population. The last time the jail housed 10 or more inmates was June 2020 with 13. Since 2022, the average daily population (ADP) for RBC inmates housed in Moffat County has been 5 inmates. While our detention center is not currently housing full-time inmates, we still utilize it for temporary detention prior to transport, and have had other agencies come up to train Detention Facility tactics.
Legislative Changes
Changes in Colorado law have also significantly impacted jail populations. Many offenses that were once jailable are now handled with a summons and release, particularly for misdemeanor charges. Additionally, there has been a broader trend towards increased use of personal recognizance (PR) bonds, reduced pretrial detention, and lower bond amounts, even for repeat offenders. This is not just a local issue—it is a statewide and national trend.
Transportation Concerns
Transporting inmates to Moffat County can take time, and while there are risks (such as wildlife collisions), incidents have been minimal over the past several years.
• Local Booking Statistics (2025): Meeker Police Department: 24 bookings, Rangely Police Department: 42 bookings, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office: 31 bookings. These numbers further demonstrate the relatively low demand for a full-time detention facility.
Increased Regulatory Requirements/ Jail Standards
Since the jail closed, new state requirements have significantly increased the cost of operating a detention facility.
By July 1, 2026, all Colorado jails must comply with updated statewide standards, including:
• Medical staffing requirements: Nurse: median wage $72,500/year, Physician oversight: median wage $37,500/year
• Mental health services: Part-time psychologist (3 days/week): ~ $108,000/year
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program: Estimated ~$44,000 per inmate annually.
Staffing Requirements
To operate the jail safely and effectively, staffing would include approximately 11 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. This ensures 24/7/365 coverage, including: Detention deputies, supervisors, control operators, staff for inmate transport, court, meals, and facility operations.
Financial Comparison
Estimated Annual Cost to Operate RBC Detention Center:
• Operations: In 2021, RBC taxpayers paid $486,079.89 for running the RBC Jail. For current prices with an inflation increase of approximately 5% increase per year for 5 years, totaling 25%, it would be $607,599.00.
• Salaries: $823,480
• Benefits (approx. 12%): $98,817.60
• Subtotal: $1,529,897.46
Additional required services:
• Nurse: $72,500, Physician contract: $37,500, Psychologist: $108,000, MAT Program: $44,000.
Total Estimated Cost: ~$1.7 million annually
Other Costs
There would be additional first-year expenses due to required staff training and certifications. This includes QMAP certification, allowing staff to administer medications when medical personnel are not on duty, as well as food preparation and safety certifications, enabling staff to properly prepare meals.
Additional startup costs would include updating facility software subscriptions and performing necessary maintenance and upgrades to security systems, such as doors and cameras.
Cost of Housing Inmates in Moffat County
Estimated annual cost based on ADP: 5 inmates: 140,817; 10 inmates: $281,634; 20 inmates: $563,268; 30 inmates: $844,902; 40 inmates: $1,126,536; 50 inmates: $1,408,170. We average 5 inmates.
Actual Costs Paid to Moffat County
2022: $62,272.16; 2023: $44,846.85; 2024: $121,972.65; 2025: $133,918.16; 2026 (Jan–Feb): $28,317.72
Conclusion
Based on current numbers, Rio Blanco County would need to average nearly 50 inmates per day, year-round, to make reopening the detention center financially comparable to housing inmates in Moffat County.
At this time, continuing our current approach is the most fiscally responsible decision for Rio Blanco County taxpayers. With the recent decline in county revenues, we simply do not have the funding necessary to reopen and operate the detention center.
While transporting inmates is not always convenient, the data clearly supports this approach.
If future legislative changes lead to increased incarceration rates, stricter sentencing, or a significant rise in inmate population, reopening the detention center may once again become a viable option.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further. (970) 620-5608.
Travis Mobley
Candidate for RBC Sheriff
Notice of intent to destroy dental records
Dear Editor:
To our valued patients: We would like to inform you of an important update regarding patient records previously maintained by our office under the care of the former dentist.
In accordance with record retention policies and privacy regulations, all patient records from the previous doctor dated before Dec. 31, 2018, will be securely destroyed on June 1, 2026.
If you would like to obtain a copy of your dental records for your personal files or to transfer to another dental provider, we encourage you to contact our office as soon as possible within this 60-day period. After this timeframe has passed, the records will no longer be available.
To request your records, please reach out to our office by phone or visit us in person. You may be asked to complete a records release form and provide valid identification to ensure the protection of your personal health information.
We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring a smooth transition. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at 970-272-1712.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Grant Family Dentistry
Rangely