Boulder County shows its love for Sheriff Joe Pelle

Hundreds of Boulder County residents, and some from beyond, gathered at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Jan. 10 to honor retiring Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.

The assembly featured so many speakers that the 2-hour event ran out of time. Newly elected Sheriff Curtis Johnson, known as "C.J." to many of the law enforcement officers in attendance, spoke about the culture of integrity created by his predecessor. New undersheriff Carey Weinheimer also appeared on stage, and both officers spoke of Pelle's focus on character among all employees of the Sheriff's Department.

The crowd heard a statement from Governor Jared Polis proclaiming Jan. 10, 2023, as Joe Pelle Day statewide. County Commissioners Marta Loachamin, Claire Levy and Matt Jones, whose term just ended earlier in the day, joined Johnson in speaking of their work with Pelle, and especially his calm demeanor in the face of multiple disasters during his years in office. "Other than locusts and frogs, he's handled it," Johnson said. The commissioners took turns reading from their own proclamation recognizing Pelle's service.

Many mentioned Pelle's hands-on approach, and the "three Joes" tour of the Marshall Fire burn area, as Pelle guided President Joe Biden and Congressman Joe Neguse through the destruction. Retiring commissioner Jones mentioned that Pelle once took then-Governor Bill Ritter into an active fire zone.

Congressman Neguse's office presented a flag which had flown over the Capitol to Pelle. Attorney General Phil Weiser spoke of the influence Pelle had statewide, and his commitment to Colorado's "red flag" law.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader, who also retired due to term limits, spoke of Pelle's legacy, and how he had been influential throughout the state of Colorado.

Speakers also mentioned Pelle's rise from a cadet at Fairview High School in 1974 where he told his now-wife Stephanie Pelle on their first date that he planned to become Boulder County Sheriff. Pelle obtained a bachelor's degree from Metro State while working for the Boulder County Sheriff's office, then moved to the City of Boulder police department in 1984, and continued to work while he obtained a master's degree from the University of Colorado before first being elected Sheriff in 2003.

Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke of the 20th Judicial District was joined by two former chief judges, Maria Berkenkotter and Roxanne Bailin, in speaking of their work with Pelle and his humanity in dealing with victims as well as defendants in the criminal justice system.

Bakke noted that Pelle was a horseman, and that although she didn't ride, she was wearing her "kick-ass boots" to the occasion. "He's a true leader," Bakke said. "Integrity, transparency, competence and humor" were mentioned as the characteristics she noticed in Pelle. A sign in Pelle's office, stating "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice" was one of the things noticed by many who worked with him.

In addition to the large contingent of notable speakers and law enforcement presence were many Niwot residents who had known Pelle and his wife Stephanie since they lived in town, and while Stephanie worked at the Niwot post office. Scott and Pam Tennant, Doug Miller, Pat Murphy, Shari Noterman, Kathy Koehler and Lori Lindemann are just a few of the many local friends who attended.