The Colorado Mounted Rangers, also historically known as the Colorado Rangers, are a 501 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.
History
Reorganization
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 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." 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 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 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 with each of the following Law Enforcement, OEM, Fire Agencies and Government entities: STATE AGENCIES:
- 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.
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. 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. 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.
Other links
Denver Post, Oct. 1, 2000 - Rangers still serving State
Nov 2002 article in Police Magazine - Living Law Enforcement History
