JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — The Morrison Police Department will cease operations by the end of the year, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office assuming responsibility for law enforcement in the small town of 400 residents, 9News reported.
Morrison Mayor Chris Wolfe and Sheriff Reggie Marinelli announced the transition on Dec. 16, citing fiscal concerns as the primary reason for dissolving the department, according to the report.
“We did have to go through our budget, and we just said it was, fiscally, a better decision to move ahead with our sheriff here as a partner,” Wolfe said.
The JCSO has long collaborated with Morrison police, taking on responsibilities such as weekend patrols and covering graveyard shifts, according to the report. Marinelli said the transition will have minimal impact on her office.
“We’re not anticipating a whole lot of trouble with taking that extra duty on,” she said, adding that the sheriff’s office already responds to incidents at Red Rocks Amphitheater, a popular concert venue.
While the decision was largely financial, it comes in the wake of Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli being placed on administrative leave in November, according to the report. Wolfe acknowledged the timing but stressed that budgetary concerns were the driving factor.
“We’ve had some concerns, and I can’t say any more about that, but just wanted to let you know that he was let go,” Wolfe said. “Everybody should know that there’s something there, but we can’t talk any more about that…The decision as a board was made purely fiscally for this, but there are some implications or something that could be tied to it, but it was primarily just a fiscal decision.”
Budget documents show the police department exceeded its approved $1.57 million budget for 2024, spending nearly $1.73 million, according to the report. Revenue from speed cameras, which had been expected to offset costs, fell short of projections, further straining the budget.
As part of the transition, Morrison police officers will receive severance packages, according to the report. The JCSO will not absorb the officers directly but will offer opportunities for them to apply for positions.
Wolfe expressed confidence in the sheriff’s office, calling the move a natural fit.
“They’ve been a great partner over the years,” he said. “It’s just an old friend that we’re getting together with again—this time for a longer period of time.”
The transition will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
