Garfield law enforcement leaders used degrading language about State Rep. Velasco and mocked Latino community concerns

Senior Garfield County law enforcement officials, acting in their official capacities and using government email accounts, circulated degrading comments about State Rep. Elizabeth Velasco and mocked Latino community members who sought clarification about reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Glenwood Springs, according to public records on the City of Glenwood Springs’ website.

On June 19, 2025, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario circulated a photo of Rep. Velasco to federal, county, and municipal law enforcement partners participating in the multi-jurisdictional SPEAR task force. In the message, Sheriff Vallario wrote, “Our District 57 State Representative, Elizabeth Velasco. Aren’t you proud of her? POS…..”

In the same thread, Administrative Sergeant Mike Tyler of the Rifle Police Department responded from his official government email account, writing, “She is GARBAGE!!!!!!” Chief Samuel Stewart of the Parachute Police Department added, “Absolute lunacy!”

In an earlier email exchange triggered by Voces Unidas’ request to verify reports of ICE activity at the Garfield County Courthouse — outreach in which CEO Alex Sánchez wrote that the organization did “not want to share anything with the community that is not true” — Sheriff Vallario commented, “Alex is running scared!” He further suggested posting a “Warning ICE” sign at the Sheriff’s Office to see “how many people look down and how many look over their shoulder.”

“The people of House District 57 elected me to legislate and represent their voices,” said Rep. Velasco. “Those entrusted with enforcing the law have a different role — to serve and protect all of us, impartially. Public safety depends on trust. I represent a diverse district in the Western Slope, and I understand we may not always agree on policy. That is part of a healthy democracy. But in a moment when political violence and intimidation are rising across our country, rhetoric like this has real consequences. We cannot allow disrespect and hostility to erode the trust that keeps our communities safe. Our residents deserve public servants who model the professionalism, integrity and respect that this moment demands.”

The language revealed in these records comes amid rising hostility toward Latino elected officials and immigrant-serving organizations. Voces Unidas has also received racist and threatening voicemails and written messages on a regular basis, including explicit racial slurs and language suggesting violence against staff and the community.

“We are deeply concerned by the language used in these emails,” said Alex Sánchez, president and CEO of Voces Unidas. “Referring to an elected Latina representative as ‘POS’ and ‘GARBAGE’ is unbecoming of anyone in public office. Dismissing legitimate community concerns with sarcasm and mockery sends a message about which group of residents are valued — and which are not. That is what concerns us.”

Voces Unidas reported one threat to the Glenwood Springs Police Department in late 2025. The most recent threat was reported to another jurisdiction where the organization maintains an office because it no longer has confidence that Garfield County law enforcement can handle such reports with the neutrality and professionalism they require.

Recent findings from the statewide Colorado Latino Agenda underscore the broader implications. In a 2022 statewide poll, 84% of Colorado Latino registered voters said law enforcement does not always treat Latinos with dignity and respect. More recent data show that one out of two Colorado Latino registered voters no longer trust that local police will refrain from collaborating or sharing data with federal immigration authorities. The tone reflected in these emails reinforces those concerns. And public safety will suffer because of it. Trust in law enforcement has never been this low in recent history.

Rep. Velasco and Voces Unidas believe the public should be alerted to this dangerously unprofessional behavior and are calling on local law enforcement leaders to publicly reaffirm their commitment to professionalism, impartial service, and respect for the communities they serve.