Balancing Rights and Security: Bent County Considers Courthouse Entry Changes

"You're removing the rights of law abiding citizens, punishing them!"

A group of Bent County community members met at the regularly scheduled Bent County Commissioners meeting to address the board on an idea to implement a single-entry point to the courthouse.

It would mean a security officer would screen all courthouse visitors, those attending hearings, meeting with probation officers and those doing regular county business such as renewing vehicle registrations, obtaining land deeds and more.

Resident Alisha Hall attended by zoom and felt like screening all visitors would violate citizens' second amendment rights.

"Putting a single entry point in the courthouse on the first floor or main level is essentially disarming responsible, law-abiding citizens and its removing the possibility of the courthouse staff defending themselves if anything or somebody would come in intent on violence."

The discussion was on the agenda for the meeting because of an upcoming deadline to apply for a grant for "underfunded courthouses," the grant is due at the end of this month.

Sixteenth Judicial District Court Administrator CJ Montoya explained to the commissioners and attendees that the screening process would be similar to other courthouses. And the cost would be minimal to Bent County for just implementing the single point entrance.

"All of the courthouses qualify for courthouse security grant funding so every year the county submits a request, Chief Judge MacDonnell has to sign off on the request as well as the Sheriff and the commissioners. This year, Bent actually almost doubled the money, I don't know the exact amount but it was enough to dun two full time security officers."

Bent County Sheriff Jake Six spoke out that the single entry point on the main floor would be what he would like to see. The courtroom is on the third floor and there have been a lot of arrests there as well as fights where a person went over the railing.

"It's very hard for my deputies to fight, um, we have had those fights and right next to that railing, if they go over and kill and individual and get us sued or injure themselves falling down them stairs, which we had last year."

Bent County resident Pam Valdez mentioned that it seems like the problem is the third floor and it would be a good idea if it can be decided how to make that one entry. She mentioned the historical integrity of the stairway should be preserved.

"Part of the issue is it's an historical building so there are certain things we can and cannot do, " added Commissioner Jennifer Scofield.

Bent County Attorney Rose Pugliese told the board and the meeting attendees that she appreciated the conversation on the topic. She wants to sit down with commissioners and talk about how to find the balance between making sure the courts have protection required by state statute but also making sure that citizens can carry.

In 2024, Colorado Legislators passed a bill into law Senate Bill 24-131, titled Prohibiting Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces. This includes spaces such as government buildings and courthouses.

In July of 2024, Bent County Commissioners passed a resolution, 2024-15 allowing the legal carry of firearms in government buildings. (see the resolution posted below for reference)

Following the passage of that resolution, 16th Judicial District Chief Judge Mark MacDonnell issued an executive order that disallowed the carry of firearms. Colorado News Your Way covered that story and you can read more about it here.

Commissioner Jennifer Scofield exclaimed she's heard a lot of concern over that order.

"So that's a huge concern for me as commissioner, that the rest of our staff and our other elected officials read that order and they said 'I'm not allowed to carry to protect myself!'"

There was no action on the issue as it was only on the agenda for discussion.

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~Anne Boswell, anneboswell@coloradonewsyourway.com