Police

Local News

Bayfield hires new police chief

Dugan comes from a background in military, law enforcement

April 17, 2026

Local News

Cortez police officer delivers Domino’s pizza after arresting delivery driver

Suspect was stopped on a warrant and an inoperable license plate light

March 25, 2026

Local News

Meet Bayfield’s police chief finalists

Dugan and Tony Hobbs both bring experience in law enforcement

March 20, 2026

Local News

Two finalists named in Bayfield’s search for police chief

residents question transparency in hiring process

March 17, 2026

Local News

La Plata County sheriff’s deputy will not face criminal charges for killing suspect, DA rules

enforcement ‘had an objectively reasonable belief that a lesser degree of force was inadequate,’ district attorney says

February 4, 2026

Local News

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

police received tip about threat toward classmate

February 2, 2026

Local News

Plea hearing scheduled for former La Plata County Jail commander

Outcome could result in trial or plea deal

January 6, 2026

Courts and Crime

Man convicted in Cortez of sexually assaulting a child

Sentencing hearing will be in March

December 30, 2025

Local News

Man shot north of Durango was armed with ax handle, baseball bat, CBI says

Plata County sheriff’s deputy fired on domestic violence suspect

November 6, 2025

Sports

Cortez lead dispatcher completes grueling Moab240 ultramarathon despite extreme weather

ultramarathon lasted from Oct. 10 to Oct. 15

October 23, 2025

The Durango Herald

Two arrested on suspicion of killing man in Cortez park

reportedly died from blunt-force trauma; two others injured

August 21, 2025

New Mexico

Bloomfield police identify man who shot, critically wounded officer during traffic stop

Officer Timothy Ontiveros in critical condition at UNM Hospital

May 30, 2025

Courts and Crime

Cortez man gets 15 years for sexual exploitation of a child, other charges

Anthony Mizell faces multiple felony counts after discovery of explicit content on seized phone

May 25, 2025

AP New Mexico

Judge finds police acted reasonably in shooting Farmington man while at wrong address

Attorney says lawsuit against Farmington police will move forward on other claims under tort law and provisions

May 21, 2025

Courts and Crime

Emergency alert sent to residents after domestic violence incident in Cortez

suspects arrested; man is found hiding in a closet

April 18, 2025

Courts and Crime

Cortez Police Department announces warrant for arrest of Duece Martinez

Martinez was sentenced in five cases in January

April 11, 2025

Local News

Who’s watching? In Durango, it’s a flock of license plate readers

Cameras allow police officers to access thousands of images from nationwide network

April 7, 2025

Courts and Crime

Man suspected in a Cortez car chase that injured an officer, woman and child

pursuit, officer hits car containing three people

March 18, 2025

The Durango Herald

Man arrested at Cortez nightclub after late-night reports of gunfire

Suspect allegedly pointed handgun at his cousin

March 2, 2025

Local News

Search and rescue, law enforcement train while combing Animas River for evidence

Efforts were unsuccessful Monday to locate items linked to the 2023 fatal Santa Rita Park shooting

February 25, 2025

Local News

Durango DUI arrests spike during first weekend of Snowdown

warn celebrants that driving under the influence is no game to play

January 28, 2025

Local News

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

Local News

Retired Durango police, firefighters receive pension increase for cost of living

have changed, but risks on the job remain for first responders

January 26, 2025

Local News

Warrant issued for driver in Cortez suspected of hitting man, leaving scene

was reportedly driving a gray Impala when she struck man

January 25, 2025