La Plata County Jail

Colorado House committee advances bill targeting sexual abuse in jails

Alleged victim says former La Plata County jail commander ‘fouled his oath and utilized his power to victimize women’

March 12, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Former La Plata County Jail commander pleads not guilty; trial date set

Aber accused of viewing inmate strip search videos for personal sexual gratification

March 3, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Colorado lawmakers introduce bill to prevent sexual abuse in jails

legislation comes amid former La Plata County jail commander’s invasion of privacy case

February 10, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Plea hearing delayed for former jail commander accused of invasion of privacy

Attorneys continue negotiations in case involving 117 counts

February 3, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Fort Lewis College student arrested on suspicion of murder-for-hire scheme

police received tip about threat toward classmate

February 2, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Adult education

La Plata County Jail inmate graduates from GED program

Education reduces risk of recidivism, prepares inmates for life outside prison

November 1, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Contests

Female victims speak out about alleged invasion of privacy at La Plata County Jail

Capt. Ed Aber charged with 117 misdemeanors for allegedly watching strip-search videos

September 22, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Former jail commander not required to relinquish firearms, court rules

Aber charged with 117 counts of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification

September 9, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Jail

Second class-action lawsuit filed against former La Plata County Jail commander

18 victims seek damages, changes to strip-search policies

September 5, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Jail

Victims file class action lawsuit against jail commander accused of viewing strip-search videos

Plata County Sheriff’s Office also named as defendant

August 15, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Ed Aber advisement hearing yields protection, no-contact orders against all named victims

Pretrial hearing for former La Plata County jail commander scheduled for Oct. 13

August 7, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Jail commander viewed strip-search videos more than 3,000 times, affidavit says

Aber suspected of official misconduct, 117 counts of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification

July 26, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Former La Plata County jail commander charged with 117 counts of invasion of privacy

Aber allegedly viewed over 100 strip-search videos, harassed inmates and staff

July 24, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Death and dying

Family of inmate who died in La Plata County Jail files lawsuit

Parents say nurses, deputies ignored man’s pleas for 15 hours

July 22, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Durango man sentenced for shooting Farmington police officer

Buck to serve 10 years in N.M. state prison, on top of federal sentence

May 7, 2025 • Debra Mayeux — Tri-City Record

Axis Health System

Commissioners’ jail tour reveals need for more space, funding

Facility requires an estimated $11 million in improvements, but county has ‘thin checkbook’ to work with

March 19, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Archuleta County

Durango considers deal with Archuleta County to house municipal inmates

Proposed agreement will be discussed Tuesday at City Council meeting

March 1, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Immigration

Immigration authorities ask La Plata County Jail to notify of inmates’ release

Compliance with request to hold detainees for extra time would violate state law, sheriff says

February 22, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango City Council

Durango to charge La Plata County more for 911 dispatch, as conflict escalates

wants to offset municipal code enforcement costs

February 14, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Durango to drop jail lawsuits against sheriff, La Plata commissioners

officials denounce legal actions, say they have damaged relations

February 6, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Immigration

Immigration enforcement is outside purview of Durango, La Plata County law enforcement

Cooperation is not synonymous with helping federal authorities, police chief says

January 27, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Court sides with sheriff in first hearing over La Plata County Jail dispute

Durango lost a judicial bid to temporarily restore ability to house municipal inmates at jail

January 23, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Durango names La Plata County commissioners in second jail lawsuit

says decision to terminate contract is ‘arbitrary and unreasonable’

January 23, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

Widespread sexual harassment found after resignation of La Plata County Jail commander

Aber, a 19-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, left quietly in July

January 22, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer