I was raised here in Montezuma County with an agricultural and outdoor skills background. I had opportunities through Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America involvement with family support, which instilled the importance of responsibility and leadership at an early age. After graduating from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1974 and attending Trinidad State Junior College, my professional career path chose me because of my strong desire to enforce the law to protect the innocent and serve the people in our communities that provided me all of those earlier opportunities in my life.

I have been a Colorado certified peace officer for 45 years and your Montezuma County sheriff since January 2015. The changes made and accomplishments that your Sheriff’s Office have achieved are many, and I could not be more proud of the men and women who serve our citizens and visitors. It began with rebuilding public trust through transparency, communication, relationships within our community, and adding our Mounted Patrol Unit.

Deputies are selected and hired by “character first.” All agency members are held to a high standard, both on and off the job. All are committed to provide professional, compassionate and respectful service.

I lead by example and have brought in all available resources, providing the best public service for everyone. I have and will continue to preserve the peace, protect lives and property, uphold and support the Constitutions, and enforce and obey the laws as I have sworn to by the oath of office before God, fairly and equally in a professional manner, without prejudice or personal opinion, with respect for all and with common sense. I have been and will always be responsible and accountable for my actions, and the actions of everyone in my charge.

I have and will continue to provide the resources needed for the proper type of training, skills, abilities and equipment that our law enforcement professionals need to succeed, and all with being fiscally responsible to taxpayers. Wasted tax dollars have been eliminated and new policies were prepared, updated semi-annually, and posted for all to see on the Sheriff's Office website. I will continue to bring to our law enforcement agency accountability, and the capabilities of developing good working and long-lasting partnerships at all levels within community services, schools, businesses and, most importantly, our citizens.

The words “trust,” “honor” and “duty to serve others” have more meaning today than ever before. The future of professional law enforcement will continue to be more challenging. Knowledge, experience and true leadership matters as your sheriff. I deeply appreciate your trust and continued support in re-electing me. Together we are making a difference.

Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin is running for a third, four-year term.