Garfield County law enforcement officials used official government email accounts to exchange derogatory comments about state representative Elizabeth Velasco of District 57 and to dismiss concerns from Voces Unidas, a West Slope Latino advocacy group. The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that a records request, submitted in November, 2025 by Glenwood Springs attorney Claire Noon, found more than one email between Garfield County Sheriff Lou Valerio and other local law enforcement leaders making jokes about Velasco and calling her a “POS”.In a June 19th, 2025 emails sent to federal,county and municipal law enforcement partners of the SPEAR Task Force. Vallario circulated a photo of Velasco taken at a “No Kings” protest in Glenwood Springs. Velasco holds a sign that reads “ICE is a domestic terror group”. In the same email, Vallario wrote, “Our District 57 state representative Elizabeth Velasco. Aren't you proud of her? POS...”
Administrative Sergeant Mike Tyler of the Rifle Police Department responded from a government email account writing, “She is GARBAGE!!!!!”. Parachute police Chief Samuel Stewart from a different account added,”Absolute lunacy!”.The emails also include an exchange between Voces Unidas president and CEO Alex Sánchez and Vallario. In a separate message to other county and municipal law enforcement officials - not including Sánchez - Vallario wrote, “Alex is running scared!” and suggested posting a sign at the Sheriff's office. “I have a great idea: I'm going to put a sign at the SO entrance that says, ‘Warning ICE’ and see how many people look down and how many look over their shoulders!”.
Velasco and Voces Unidas say the language undermines public trust in law enforcement and raises concerns about professionalism.
