Seventeen Colorado sheriffs, led by the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, have sent a letter to Governor Jared Polis demanding action to resolve the growing backlog of state prison inmate transfers and to address underfunding that’s straining local jail operations.
In the July 10 letter, the sheriffs said the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) has failed to take timely custody of sentenced inmates, forcing county jails to hold state prisoners longer than intended. They also cited delays in mental health evaluations and transfers to state hospitals, which are contributing to overcrowding and overwhelming local resources.
“County jails were never intended — nor funded — to house state inmates for prolonged periods,” the sheriffs wrote. “Yet, across Colorado, counties are being forced to expand housing capacity and increase staffing simply to keep up with the rising number of inmates who should already be in state custody.”
The Weld County Sheriff’s Office shared figures showing it costs about $185.51 per day to house one inmate. Yet, the state only reimburses $77.16 for each inmate stuck in the DOC backlog—covering just 41% of the actual cost.
In their letter, the sheriffs asked Governor Polis to:
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Speed up DOC transfers using emergency beds or contracted facilities
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Increase the per diem reimbursement rate to match county costs
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Expand mental health facility capacity to reduce delays
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Meet directly with sheriffs to develop joint solutions
“This has been a systemic issue that has only gotten worse under the Polis administration,” said Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams in a post on X. “At some point, this State must prioritize keeping the citizens safe by running an effective prison system.”
The letter was signed by sheriffs from the counties of El Paso, Teller, Pueblo, Douglas, Lake, Weld, Cheyenne, Montrose, Gilpin, Otero, Fremont, Grand, Archuleta, Kit Carson, Conejos, Garfield, and Costilla.
In response, the Governor’s Office issued a statement agreeing with the sheriffs’ concerns and promising to collaborate on solutions.
“Governor Polis agrees with the letter and looks forward to working with sheriffs to tackle the backlog,” the statement read. “The governor finds their suggestions helpful and consistent with his own thinking.”
The Governor’s Office acknowledged the challenges posed by a tight state budget and federal funding cuts, but emphasized its commitment to improving public safety and strengthening partnerships with local law enforcement.
The Colorado Department of Corrections also responded, saying it shares the sheriffs’ concerns and is actively working with state leadership to address the issue.
“Public safety across Colorado is our primary mission,” the DOC said. “We recognize the strain this backlog places on local facilities and continue to prioritize solutions that are both operationally effective and sustainable.”
The department noted that solving the problem will require thoughtful budgeting and policy decisions moving forward.
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