Colorado Mounted Rangers
The Colorado Mounted Rangers (CMR), also historically known as the Colorado Rangers, are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and former statutory state law enforcement auxiliary that assisted law enforcement and other first responder agencies across Colorado. In July 2018, the Colorado Mounted Rangers ceased their operational activities, transitioning those roles to the newly formed Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve, a government agency. CMR rangers annually provided more than 50,000 volunteer hours to the State of Colorado supporting local police and sheriffs departments by providing additional peace officer resources in times of need. Rangers were unpaid and the Auxiliary was not funded by tax dollars. The Colorado Rangers are the oldest statewide law enforcement organization in Colorado, originally organized in 1861 by the Colorado Territory.
| Colorado Mounted Rangers | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder Patch | |
| Common name | Colorado Rangers |
| Abbreviation | CMR |
| Motto | Protecting and Serving Colorado Since 1861 |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1861 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Superseding agency | Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve |
| Volunteers | Yes |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Colorado, USA |
 | |
| Map of Colorado | |
| Size | 104,185 square miles (269,840 km2) |
| Population | 5,456,574 (2015 est.)[1] |
| Legal jurisdiction | As per operations jurisdiction |
| Operational structure | |
| Rangers | ~200 |
| Cadets | ~15 |
| Agency executive |
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| Notables | |
| Person |
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| Significant operation |
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History
The Rangers trace their roots to the Jefferson Rangers, keeping the peace in the unofficial Jefferson Territory during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.[2]
When the Colorado Territory was established in 1861, they were reorganized as the Colorado Rangers, continuing to serve as Colorado's only statewide law enforcement agency through the 1920s. The Colorado Rangers were fashioned after the well known Texas Rangers and served as both law enforcement and state militia.[2]
The Colorado Rangers often fought on horseback with repeating revolvers and were instrumental in the Battle of Glorieta Pass, helping to stop the Confederate advance towards the Colorado gold fields. This battle has become known as the "Gettysburg of the West" for its importance to the Union victory.[2]
After the Civil War, the Colorado Rangers returned to their law enforcement duties. From time to time the Rangers were also called upon by Colorado's governors to keep the peace during times of civil unrest, natural disasters, and during disputes such as the violent Labor Wars in Colorado's mining towns.[2] The Rangers were also present at the Columbine Mine massacre in 1927. The Rangers were accused of firing machine guns into the crowds of miners during the shooting, which was disputed by the Rangers.
Rangers were also utilized by Denver District Attorney Philip Van Cise to break up organized crime and corruption in Denver's City Hall in the early 1920s.[2]
In 1922 Van Cise set up an independent investigation of the Blonger gang, secretly funded by a group of wealthy Denver citizens. On August 24 of that year, Van Cise used a special force of Colorado Rangers to capture 33 suspects in a single day. Fearing that the Denver Police would tip off the gang once the first suspect was taken to jail, Van Cise detained the gang members in the basement of the First Universalist Church, where he was a member, until the sweep was complete. In Colorado's longest and most expensive trial to that time, 20 con men, including Lou Blonger, was convicted and sent to prison, effectively busting the "Million-Dollar Bunco Ring."[3]
As a result of a campaign promise to organized labor and other interests, Governor William E. Sweet signed an executive order on January 29, 1923, cutting off funding to the Rangers.[2] The Colorado Rangers were officially disbanded by the Colorado General Assembly on April 1, 1927.[4] This left Colorado without statewide police protection until 1935 when the Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol (later becoming the Colorado State Patrol) was formed. The Colorado State Patrol was formed to enforce traffic laws on state highways, not as a criminal law enforcement agency.[5]
Reorganization
1941 reorganization
Governor Teller Ammons re-organized the Colorado Rangers as the Colorado Mounted Rangers, an all volunteer law enforcement organization. On February 21, 1941, they were formally incorporated with a single Troop of 50 Rangers headquartered in Bailey.[2]
1955 reorganization
In 1955 with a growing role in civil defense and under the guidance of Teller County Sheriff Rufus Jones, the Colorado Mounted Rangers expanded the organization forming a squadron of Troops located throughout the state. Troops partnered with local Law Enforcement agencies in their area to provide them with additional peace officers when needed.[2]
2017 reorganization
In 2017, the Colorado Mounted Rangers began to transition their membership back into service as a governmental law enforcement agency.[6] A number of municipal law enforcement agencies from around Colorado's front range established the Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve (abbreviated as "CLER" and officially still known as the "Colorado Rangers") by intergovernmental agreement to provide reserve peace officers certified by Colorado P.O.S.T. to carry on the law enforcement support role of the Colorado Mounted Rangers.[7] As a result of this transition, the Colorado Mounted Rangers ceased their operational law enforcement auxiliary functions on July 15, 2018. The Colorado Mounted Rangers continue to exist as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.[8]
Law Enforcement Auxiliary per C.R.S § 24-33.5-822
In 2012, thanks to a non-partisan effort by the Colorado General Assembly, Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 12-072 (Link) into law, formally recognizing the Ranger's role as a Law Enforcement Auxiliary in the Colorado State Statutes.
"Therefore, the general assembly declares that the Colorado Mounted Rangers should be established as an all-volunteer, unpaid auxiliary unit for the purpose of lending assistance to...law enforcement agencies in the state." [9]
Section 24-32-2222 in Senate Bill 12-072 was then harmonized with House Bill 12-1283 and relocated to section 24-33.5-822 placing the Rangers under the Department of Public Safety in 24-33.5 C.R.S.
While the Rangers had been operating under formal memoranda of understanding (MOU's) with agencies across the State, this legislation formalized the Colorado Mounted Rangers' role as the State Law Enforcement Auxiliary and clarified it in the Colorado Revised Statutes.
At their peak, the Colorado Mounted Rangers had a memorandum of understanding with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management [10] and partnered with dozens of law enforcement and other government agencies including State, County and local agencies.
Supported Agencies
The Colorado Mounted Rangers had an operational Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each of the following Law Enforcement, OEM, Fire Agencies and Government entities:
STATE AGENCIES:
- Auraria Police (University of Denver / Metro State University / Community College of Denver)
- Community College of Aurora
SHERIFFS OFFICES:
- Adams County SO
- Archuleta County SO
- Crowley County SO
- Douglas County SO
- Eagle County SO
- Fremont County SO
- Gilpin County SO
- Kiowa County SO
- La Plata County SO
POLICE DEPARTMENTS:
- Aguilar Marshal
- Ault PD
- Commerce City PD
- Dacono PD
- Dillon PD
- Durango PD
- Elizabeth PD
- Empire PD
- Evans PD
- Fairplay PD
- Firestone PD
- Florence PD
- Fort Lupton PD
- Fowler PD
- Frederick PD
- Fountain PD
- Georgetown PD
- Glendale PD
- Greeley PD
- Haxtun PD
- Idaho Springs PD
- Johnstown PD
- Kiowa PD
- LaSalle PD
- Manitou Springs PD
- Milliken PD
- Nederland PD
- Oak Creek PD
- Rocky Ford PD
- Salida PD
- Vail PD
- Windsor PD
- Woodland Park PD
COUNTY GOVERNMENTS:
- Adams County OEM
- Teller County
TOWN / CITY GOVERNMENTS:
- Bayfield
- Dillon
- Elizabeth
- Green Mountain Falls
- Monument
- Ordway
- Palmer Lake
- Ramah
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS:
- Canon City Area FPD
Rangers regularly provided additional personnel to these agencies when requested and acted as peace officers under their memorandum of understanding agreements. Rangers acting under the MOU were under the direction and supervision of the Law Enforcement Agency they were supporting.[11]
Recognition
In 1999, fallen Ranger Edward P. Bell's name was enshrined on the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial which is located on the grounds of the Colorado State Patrol Academy in Golden, Colorado. Ranger Bell is the only Ranger in the over 150-year history of the Rangers to have been killed in the line of duty.[12][13]
In 2001, the Colorado General Assembly's House of Representatives passed House Resolution 01-1009 to recognize and honor the Colorado Mounted Rangers service to the Citizens of Colorado since the days of the Colorado Territory.
In 2002, the Colorado State Senate passed Senate Resolution 02-008 that recognized the long-standing tradition of honorable service that the Colorado Mounted Rangers have provided since 1861.
In 2004, Governor Bill Owens declared Feb. 21, 2004, "Colorado Mounted Ranger Day" honoring Rangers continuing contributions. Governor Owens also acknowledged the Rangers one time role as the "Governor's Guard".
In 2011, fallen Ranger Edward P. Bell's name was enshrined at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week. Rangers made the journey to Washington D.C. to participate in the ceremonies honoring fallen officers from across the United States.[14]
In 2011, United States Senator Michael Bennet recognized the Rangers 150 years of service to the citizens of Colorado. Senator Bennett thanked the Rangers for answering the call to public service.
See also
References
- 2007 Population Estimates
- McClure, Carleton E. (1982). History of the Colorado Mounted Rangers. Colorado Springs: Minute Man Press.
- "About Col. Philip S. Van Cise". Blonger Bros.
- "Colorado Rangers, Abolishment" (PDF). William A. Wise Law Library. 1 April 1927. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- "Highway Patrol, Created and Established" (PDF). William A. Wise Law Library. 10 April 1935. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- "Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Colorado Rangers Shared Reserve". City of Fort Lupton Colorado. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- "Local Government Filings". Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- "Summary". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- SB12-072 Archived 2013-06-24 at Archive.today
- Colorado Division Of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- C.R.S. 24-33.5-822
- Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial
- Officer Down Memorial Page
- "National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial". Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
- Van Cise, Philip S. Fighting the Underworld. (Cambridge, Mass.: The Riverside Press, 1936)
- McClure, Carleton E. History of the Colorado Mounted Rangers. (Minute Man Press, 1982)