The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) are set to vote on an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Durango at its next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, for Archuleta County to house municipal court offenders.
Durango’s city council unanimously approved the IGA during its regular meeting held on March 4.
Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux briefed the BoCC on the IGA during a work session held on Thursday, March 6, clarifying that Archuleta County has yet to approve and sign the IGA.
Le Roux explained that during his tenure with the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), “we’ve always had a fantastic relationship” with both La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and the Durango Police Department.
He noted that from 2017 to 2020, Archuleta County housed all of its inmates in the La Plata County jail.
“So, they looked out for us there,” he said, explaining that he wants to keep those relationships with both departments.
Le Roux described the IGA as a “standard jail housing contract,” noting that Archuleta County will only house sentenced municipal offenders and does not include warrant or failure to appear arrests.
He also noted in 2024 Durango had a total of 10 sentenced municipal offenders who served a total of 81 days.
Le Roux went on to clarify that the only way an inmate can arrive to Archuleta County’s detention center is in a Durango transportation vehicle, also noting that Durango inmates will not be released outside of the confines of the Archuleta County detention center other than to a Durango transportation vehicle.
Le Roux explained that Archuleta County will only provide routine medical care to the Durango inmates and only go back and forth to the Pagosa Springs Medical Center, with any additional health care services being billed to Durango.
According to the IGA, Archuleta County will charge a rate of $110 per day to house Durango inmates.
Le Roux mentioned that cost will cover basic routine medical care.
“So, almost everything falls back to the city of Durango,” he said.
Le Roux clarified again that Archuleta County will only house sentenced inmates.
“We’re not housing the homeless population of Durango,” he said.
He also mentioned that the agreement caps at six inmates “at any one time” and that Archuleta County has the right to return any inmate at any time for any reason.
County Manager Jack Harper mentioned that the county’s insurance coverage has been extended by six years to cover Archuleta County in the event that someone attempts to come back and sue.
Le Roux noted that the county has similar IGA’s with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Costilla County.
“It’s pretty standard operating procedure,” he said.
Commissioner Warren Brown expressed comments of understanding the desire to reciprocate “good will” with both La Plata County and Durango, acknowledging that anytime Archuleta County has asked for assistance in any matter, both La Plata County and Durango “have freely and without strings attached” provided manpower, tactical assistance and equipment, “for anything that we have asked.”
However, Brown also expressed concern over the potential medical costs that Archuleta County might take on, specifically inquiring about if Durango inmates would have access to the county’s telehealth program.
Le Roux explained that anything Archuleta County can do in-house will be covered under the daily rate of $110, and that if an inmate needs to be transported out of the county, those costs would be billed to Durango.
Brown also expressed concern about the daily rate, stating he was unsure what La Plata County was offering.
Commissioner Veronica Medina later noted that La Plata County offered a daily rate of $198.
Brown explained the reason for his concern is that by Archuleta County offering a lower rate for the same services, it may take away a “motivational factor” for La Plata County and Durango to come to an agreement.
Le Roux noted that the daily rate is “open to negotiation all day long,” explaining that this would be the highest contract the county has for housing other entities’ inmates.
He also mentioned that he is looking into hiring a consultant to come up with the “most accurate” cost for inmates per day.
Commissioner John Ranson noted that his concern is that the agreement may cost burden Archuleta County, but noted that “relationships are more important than the actual numbers here.”
Medina stated that she appreciates maintaining these relationships as well, but mentioned there may be additional costs for Durango associated with transportation time that was taken into account.
“There is a lot of other costs,” she said.
Medina also expressed concern over the possibility of an inmate having a “mental breakdown or something” and Archuleta County not having the resources needed, noting that it may take an hour or more for someone from Durango to show up.
“I worry about the liability,” she said, inquiring about who is paying for the additional cost to extend the insurance and how much that cost is.
“I don’t have a definitive answer for that,” Harper said.
Medina stated that she is “all about helping out our neighbors” while suggesting there has been a breakdown in communication between Durango and La Plata County.
Le Roux commented that at some point those two entities will likely come to an agreement, removing Archuleta County from the situation.
“Again, this is no different than what we just signed with Southern Ute,” he said.
Medina interjected, stating, “It is kind of different,” noting Durango has an option for housing inmates, unlike Southern Ute or Costilla County.
“They’re just choosing not to use it,” she added.
Le Roux explained that Archuleta County has enough resources to cover basic needs, noting that “no one has enough mental health resources.”
Le Roux also mentioned Durango is in “much better” position to respond to a unique event compared to other entities that are even farther away from Archuleta County.
County Attorney Todd Weaver mentioned that the cost of extending insurance is “typically” not a significant cost.
clayton@pagosasun.com
