The Eagle County Fire Chief and his wife are facing a different kind of heat than the one they are normally used to fighting: criminal charges. According to the news report, the fire chief was previously employed in Sterling and he and his wife are accused of stealing from the city. Authorities were notified about some bookkeeping irregularities and missing equipment, which led to an investigation shortly after the man left his post as fire chief in Sterling to become fire chief in Eagle County. The man and his wife have been charged with Felony Theft and Forgery, among other crimes and are being held in the Eagle County Jail until they can be transferred to Logan County.
Larimer County Theft Lawyer: Why Was the Fire Chief Charged with Theft?
In Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County, Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – is when a person takes something of value from another, with the intention of never giving it back. Theft can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the value of the items taken:
Petty and Misdemeanor Theft Offenses:
| Class 1 Petty Theft Offense | Class 3 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 2 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 1 Misdemeanor Theft | |
| Item Price Range | Less than $50 | $50 to $299 | $300 to $749 | $750 to $1,999 |
| Maximum Penalty | *$500 fine
*6 months jail |
*$750 fine
*6 months jail |
*$1,000 fine
*12 months jail |
*$5,000
*18 months jail |
Felony Theft Offenses:
| Class 6 Felony Theft | Class 5 Felony Theft | Class 4 Felony Theft | Class 3 Felony Theft | Class 2 Felony Theft | |
| Item Price Range | $2,000 to $4,999 | $5,000 to $19,999 | $20,000 to $99,999 | $100,000 to $999,999 | $1,000,000 or more |
| Maximum Penalty | *$100,000 fine
*18 months prison |
*$100,000 fine
*3 years prison |
*$500,000 fine
*6 years prison |
$750,000 fine
*12 years prison |
*$1,000,000 fine
*24 years prison |
Based on the court paperwork, the pair is accused stealing over $120,000 worth of money and equipment. This means they are probably facing the class 3 felony Theft, which is punishable by 4 to 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Fort Collins Forgery Lawyer: What is the Definition of Forgery?
The Colorado law definition of Forgery – C.R.S. 18-5-102 – is:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government or government agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property; or
(c) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, promissory note, check, or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status; or
(d) A public record or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed or legally fileable in or with a public office or public servant; or
(e) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agency; or
(f) Part of an issue of tokens, transfers, certificates, or other articles manufactured and designed for use in transportation fees upon public conveyances, or as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services available to the public for compensation; or
(g) Part of an issue of lottery tickets or shares designed for use in the lottery held pursuant to part 2 of article 35 of title 24, C.R.S.; or
(h) A document-making implement that may be used or is used in the production of a false identification document or in the production of another document-making implement to produce false identification documents.
Because the former Logan County, Colorado fire chief and his wife are accused of manipulating the books to steal money from the city, they are both being charged with Forgery. In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Forgery is a class 5 felony, punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines.