Briefs: Gunnison County

By Katherine Nettles

Crime rate decrease?

In an update to Gunnison County commissioners this summer, sheriff Adam Murdie reported that his department is seeing a low rate of open criminal cases in 2025. “Usually, we have between 1,200 to 1,300 cases per year,” he said. Halfway through the year, there are a little over 300. Murdie noted that he could not account for the activity and case loads on the other three agencies in the valley, however.  

No “special services” for CBS

Commissioners discussed continual concerns from constituents around the county’s management of roads in CB South and requests for more law enforcement. Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels said traffic studies there have demonstrated that most drivers comply with speed limits, with rare exceptions, but that she is meeting with the CB South Met District about increased traffic calming and signage efforts. 

“We kind of need to change the mindset of CB South, in my opinion,” Murdie said. He described that a previous deputy based in CB South for many years set a precedent of expectation from CB South that has been difficult to overcome, and many residents now ask for services generally only available for incorporated communities. Murdie reported that the subdivision is patrolled more due to its relative size and concentration of people, with about 90% of the $180,000 the sheriff’s office pays the Mt. Crested Butte Police Department to patrol the North Valley directed toward CB South or its surroundings.

“We don’t put any money like that toward any other subdivisions in the county,” said Murdie. 

Murdie said he would prefer a substation near Riverland versus CB South if the opportunity arose.