La Plata County Sheriff

Local News

Community, law enforcement to come together for National Night Out on Tuesday

1200 block of Main Avenue to close Tuesday afternoon

August 2, 2024

Local News

The Blotter, June 26-July 2

Durango Police Department July 2 12:08 a.m. A man who allegedly pulled a gun on another person at the north…

July 5, 2024

Local News

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputies form collective bargaining unit

Employees voted 30 to 14 in favor of adopting Fraternal Order of Police representation

May 3, 2024

Local News

Officer injured by La Plata County Jail escapee sues county, jail and sheriff’s office

Buck is accused of shooting Farmington cop 11 days after escaping detention center

April 12, 2024

Local News

La Plata County woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Patricia Loaiza is accused of stabbing her husband in neck, back

October 12, 2023

Local News

Inmate who died at La Plata County Jail had fentanyl in system

Despite drugs in blood, coroner rules cause of death is health related

October 10, 2023

Local News

Law enforcement responds to pellet gun shooting in Animas Valley

‘The public’s not in any danger at this point’

October 3, 2023

Local News

Man arrested on suspicion of armed robbery north of Hermosa

Suspect fired two gunshots into the air before surrendering to law enforcement

September 26, 2023

Local News

Car camper found dead in La Plata Mountains is identified

Investigators confirm man’s identity almost two weeks after his death

July 24, 2023

Local News

Search inconclusive for body reportedly seen floating down Animas River

Durango Police Department seeks information to help in recovery

June 27, 2023

Local News

Body of Vallecito kayaker found and identified

was submerged more than 80 feet at bottom of lake

June 15, 2023

Local News

Man drowns in Vallecito Reservoir

of 21-year-old victim has not been recovered

June 12, 2023

Local News

Hiker slips, fatally hits head in La Plata Canyon

Russell Hill, 62, was rescuing his dog from swift-moving waterway

May 30, 2023

Local News

Weekend crime spree leads to standoff at Durango motel

is arrested without incident while woman barricades herself into room at Adobe Inn

November 11, 2022

Local News

Sun sets on Purple Cliffs homeless camp south of Durango

Plata County Sheriff’s Office clears the few remaining residents Monday afternoon

October 4, 2022

Local News

Durango runner reported missing in La Plata Canyon still not found

teams use all-terrain vehicles and air support to navigate trail loop

October 3, 2022

Local News

Photos: Sheriff’s Office rounds up shopping carts at Purple Cliffs

La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith, left, and Sgt. Chris Burke collect about 25 shopping carts Tuesday at the Purple…

August 23, 2022

Local News

La Plata County sheriff says road closures also apply to bicyclists

Smith watched as cyclists rode through work zone

August 2, 2022

Local News

Durango’s storied history with homelessness: Can we become a ‘model community’?

Imminent closing of Purple Cliffs renews a complex history of unhoused camping, community action

July 16, 2022

Local News

Catalytic converter thefts reported in La Plata County

of the valuable car parts have been stolen in recent weeks

July 2, 2022

Local News

Public land agencies remove fire restrictions ahead of July 4

prompt San Juan National Forest, BLM to rescind Stage 1 measures

July 1, 2022

Local News

La Plata County doubles-down on plan to close Purple Cliffs this year

failed efforts to establish a managed camp, officials say dispersed camping can no longer continue

June 17, 2022

Local News

Local governments and land agencies upgrade fire restrictions

2 bans campfires in San Juan National Forest, among other activities

June 15, 2022

Local News

Search called off for parole fugitive who ran from traffic stop in Grandview area

was last seen wearing tank top, plaid pajama bottoms

June 7, 2022