{"id":42519,"date":"2022-01-19T21:50:30","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T04:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/nowlin-seeks-third-term-as-montezuma-county-sheriff\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:07:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:07:52","slug":"nowlin-seeks-third-term-as-montezuma-county-sheriff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/nowlin-seeks-third-term-as-montezuma-county-sheriff\/","title":{"rendered":"Nowlin seeks third term as Montezuma County sheriff"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin is seeking a third term and is a candidate in the November general election. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span>Jim Mimiaga<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin has announced he will run for a third, four-year term as sheriff in November.<\/p>\n

Nowlin, a Republican, was elected sheriff in 2014 and reelected in 2018. So far, he is the only candidate, said Montezuma County Clerk Kim Percell.<\/p>\n

Nowlin has 45 years of experience in law enforcement \u2013 with the Cortez Police Department and as sheriff, sheriff\u2019s deputy, Colorado State Patrol trooper and detective.<\/p>\n

In an interview Monday with The Journal<\/em>, Nowlin said he\u2019s running because he loves the job and serving the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity members tell me they want me to continue,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have seen the progress we have made. The main goal is to continue to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nowlin, whose job reaches from controlling marauding bears to murders, focused his discussion on his efforts to improve patrols, investigations, court security, detention and pretrial services.<\/p>\n

He received a budget increase from the Board of County Commissioners for six new officers \u2013 three deputies and three for the jail \u2013 to have 24-hour patrol shifts and adequate backup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was grateful for the commissioners\u2019 help,\u201d he said. \u201cCalls for service continue to increase.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also said training and professionalism have created \u201cone of the best departments in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cState statutes require 24 hours of training per year, and I require at least 100 hours of training per year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin, center, is running for a third term as sheriff.<\/span>Journal file photo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Amid the drought, Nowlin trained a second officer to handle water issues in an effort to prevent conflict with education and enforcement. Agriculture deputies Dave Hughn and Nathan Horton responded to dozens of violations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWater is private property. It is illegal to divert what is not yours, or to not measure how much you are using,\u201d Nowlin said. \u201cLeaking ditches also became a problem \u2013 that is wasting someone else\u2019s water, also illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nowlin also installed dash cameras in patrol vehicles, then switched to body cameras for all officers before it became a state requirement this year.<\/p>\n

Nowlin started state-funded education programs so that inmates could study with certified tutors and take high school equivalency exams.<\/p>\n

In 2018, Nowlin supported a state law that made assaulting a police horse a felony.<\/p>\n

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin, right, pushed a bill that increases penalties for harming police horses. It was signed into law in 2018 by then-Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, and introduced by Rep. Marc Catlin, representing the 58th District. The Denver Mounted Patrol provided the backdrop. (Journal file photo)<\/span>Journal file photo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Nowlin also is responsible for evacuations during wildfires. He managed preevacuations during the Plateau fire north of Dolores and evacuations during the East Canyon Fire near Mancos.<\/p>\n

His second term, however, has not been without tension. Following is a look back at some of his high-profile cases.<\/p>\n

Murder investigations<\/div>\n

Under Nowlin, the Sheriff\u2019s Office investigated two high-profile murders in Mancos and Dolores.<\/p>\n

In July 2018, Debra Gaylyn Riddle was arrested for the murder<\/a> of her common law husband, David Mooney, at a residence west of Mancos. She was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n

In January 2018, Kevin Wade Folsom was arrested for the murder<\/a> of James Lloyd Box Jr., who was shot on Haycamp Mess east of Dolores. Folsom was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years.<\/p>\n

Deputies\u2019 shootings investigated<\/div>\n

In February 2018, Sgt. Edward Francis Oxley was involved in a chase and shootout in McElmo Canyon<\/a>. Oxley shot and killed Fordell Hill during an exchange of gunfire just inside the Utah border.<\/p>\n

The FBI ruled that the use of force was justified, but a investigation by the Sheriff\u2019s Office concluded that Oxley violated three policies during the chase \u2013 shooting from a moving vehicle and carrying and using unapproved ammunition. He pleaded guilty to first-degree official misconduct as part of a six-month deferred judgment and sentence and was fired.<\/p>\n

On July 4, 2017 former Sgt. Brad Ray was involved in a standoff with a suspect in Pleasant View<\/a> who was fatally shot. Internal and external investigations concluded that the use of deadly force was justified.<\/p>\n

Tyrone Orvy Peabody, 53, was shot and killed after he fired at deputies at his residence on County Road 12. Officers had responded to a report of domestic violence and DUI.<\/p>\n

Drug cases investigated<\/div>\n

Nowlin and his narcotics investigators have focused on drug trafficking, working with local, state and federal agencies.<\/p>\n

Meth, heroin, fentanyl and black market marijuana have become more common in Montezuma County, said Nowlin, and threaten the health and safety of the community.<\/p>\n

In Aug. 2018, Nowlin and his team took part in a multiagency marijuana raid<\/a> at several properties in the county. An estimated 4,300 plants and 500 pounds of processed marijuana were seized as part of an investigation of a Chinese-speaking drug ring that surfaced in Rifle in 2016.<\/p>\n

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin discusses the presence and threat of hard drugs being trafficked into the community. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span>Jim Mimiaga<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Eight people were arrested, but charges were dropped for all but four. Jimmy Dang, Qi Lin Wu, Lisa Yang, and Sang Teng pleaded guilty to drug charges and were sentenced in federal court.<\/p>\n

In June 2019, Nowlin and cooperating agencies served warrants on six residences suspected of drug activity<\/a> after an 18-month investigation. Eight suspects were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses.<\/p>\n

Nowlin and narcotics Detective Victor Galarza gave community presentations<\/a> this year in Cortez and Pleasant View about drug trafficking in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cCortez has become a hub of drug trafficking and distribution, and it comes from the south. Once it reaches here, it is pipelined to the rest of the state and country,\u201d Nowlin said during a presentation July 28 at the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. \u201cWe are putting this out to the community because what we are dealing with today is endangering every citizen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Galarza said investigations in Colorado and across the country often link drug sources to Mexican cartel organizations.<\/p>\n

Nowlin wants to expand narcotics investigations, which require coordinated arrest sweeps and regular training.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an important piece in what we do. If people elect me, another goal will be to increase the drug task force in cooperation with the state and federal agencies, and the Ute Mountain Tribe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nowlin creates mounted patrol<\/div>\n

Nowlin cited his creation of the mounted patrol unit<\/a> as another highlight. Officers on horseback connect with residents, he said, during public events, patrols and search and rescue operations.<\/p>\n

\"Don
Don Brown, Yvonne McClellan, Sheriff Steve Nowlin and BLM Field Manager Connie Clementson pose with one of the BLM horses as the horse grabs Clementson\u2019s hair. The sheriff department started a mounted patrol unit after training wild horses. (Journal file photo)<\/span>Journal file photo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cIt works well. People of all ages walk up to an officer on horseback and want to talk, where they are less likely to do so with patrol cars,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

After two children were kicked and injured by a patrol horse during Dolores\u2019 Escalante Days in 2018, Nowlin limited the horses\u2019 contact with crowds. And stationary horses now must stand tail to tail to prevent another kicking incident.<\/p>\n

Pandemic issues hit jail<\/div>\n

The jail reported an outbreak of 14 positive COVID-19 cases on Oct. 13, then 28 cases on Oct. 20, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.<\/p>\n

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin opens the door to the Montezuma County Detention Center on Dec. 21 after resolving a COVID-19 outbreak at the jail.<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

As the coronavirus spiked, Nowlin ordered in an Oct. 6 letter to area law enforcement agencies<\/a> that intake at the Montezuma County Detention Center would be limited to suspects accused of Class 1 through Class 3 felonies, sexual assault and mandatory domestic violence arrests and\/or protection order violations. All other suspects should be issued a summons, Nowlin said.<\/p>\n

District Attorney Matt Margeson of the 22nd Judicial District, objected to the order, saying it conflicted with Colorado law and was issued without consulting the DA\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Nowlin stood by the order.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no choice. We only have so many holding cells. I could not risk it spreading it further into the jail,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The COVID outbreak was resolved, and the order rescinded.<\/p>\n

Animal welfare becomes a priority<\/div>\n

Nowlin\u2019s department is keen to enforce animal cruelty laws.<\/p>\n

In April 2018, he seized 18 \u201cemaciated\u201d horses on County Road N<\/a>, leading to the conviction of a woman on an animal-cruelty charge. She was ordered to pay $6,000 in fines and barred from owning a horse for two years.<\/p>\n

In July 2021, Nowlin ordered the temporary seizure of 14 dogs<\/a> from a property on County Road P for suspicion of animal neglect.<\/p>\n

The state veterinarian and brand inspectors were called in to evaluate dozens of livestock on the 11-acre property. Nowlin suspected the animals lacked sufficient food and water, but conditions had improved, and the veterinarian determined a seizure was not required.<\/p>\n

The Colorado Humane Society recommended that the collection of 30 livestock be reduced to 10 to 12 based on the size of the property.<\/p>\n

Later that month, county Judge JenniLynn Lawrence ruled there was not probable cause for seizing 13 dogs. Twelve dogs were returned to owner Sharon Ward, and one was returned to owner Lousinda Ward.<\/p>\n

Lawrence found probable cause for a dog owned by Sharon Ward to be seized and impounded. The dog recovered from a collar injury, Nowlin said, and has been adopted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to improve the living conditions for the animals,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope they listen to us and do the things they need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alcohol abuse an issue<\/div>\n

Creating a detox center in Montezuma County remains a long-term goal for Nowlin, but finding funding and a location has been a challenge.<\/p>\n

A four- to five-room room detox center with three to four staff would free up jail space and help address alcohol and drug abuse, he said.<\/p>\n

A detox center would focus on arrestees with minor and misdemeanor offenses relating to intoxication. Counselors would be on hand to help inmates with mental health and addictions.<\/p>\n

\"Creating
Creating a detox center in Montezuma County remains a long-term goal for Sheriff Steve Nowlin, but finding funding and a location has been a challenge.<\/span>Jim Mimiaga<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cThe community sees this need too, Now it is time to come together and make it a reality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The jail was not meant to be a detox center, Nowlin said.<\/p>\n

Jail policy calls for intoxicated inmates to be taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital for evaluation. If cleared by medical staff, they must be admitted to the jail and monitored. Nowlin wants to research a system in which they stay under hospital care until their alcohol levels fall.<\/p>\n

In July 2021, Kelory Newman, an inmate at the Montezuma County Detention Center, was found unresponsive at the jail, and later died<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Newman, 30, had been arrested at Veterans Park on a bench warrant, said Cortez Police Chief Vern Knuckles.<\/p>\n

Newman\u2019s BAC test at the jail registered 0.421, Knuckles said. The level can be fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He was evaluated at Southwest Memorial Hospital and cleared for jail, Knuckles said.<\/p>\n

Nowlin said Newman was monitored in jail every half-hour through the night. But when lunch was brought to him, he was unresponsive. He was taken to Southwest Memorial, where he died.<\/p>\n

Deciding to seeking a third term as sheriff was easy for the veteran lawman, famously known for chasing down nuisance bears in Dolores with rubber bullets.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love helping people and enforcing the law in order to protect the innocent,\u201d he said. \u201cThe law enforcement code of ethics is something I read everyday. I love working with this agency and the community. Everything we do is to better serve the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

jmimiaga@the-journal.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Montezuma
Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin, listens to Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, speak in October during a opioid workshop at the Fort Lewis College Innovation Center in Durango.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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