Moffat County Sheriff's Office

06/23/2026

Moffat County Sheriff Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Beginning June 25, 2026 - Moffat County Sheriff Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Beginning June 25, 2026 Effective June 25, 2026 at 12:01 AM Due to elevated fire d...

Moffat County Sheriff Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Beginning June 25, 2026Effective June 25, 2026 at 12:01 AMDue to elevated fire danger and continued dry conditions throughout the region, Moffat County Sheriff Chip McIntyre, is enacting...

06/22/2026

🚨 Wildland Fire Response– “Bell Fire” 🚨

Today, Moffat County Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire, Craig Fire/Rescue, and U.S. Wildland Fire crews responded to a wildland fire on Moffat County Road 30, known as the “Bell Fire.”

Thanks to the quick response and coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the fire was contained to approximately 2 acres.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all firefighters and first responders who helped bring this incident under control and remind everyone to remain vigilant during these dry and windy conditions.

06/21/2026

⚠️ Smoke Advisory for Moffat County ⚠️

If you’ve noticed smoky conditions across Moffat County today, the smoke is primarily drifting into our area from active wildfires burning in Utah. Strong winds are carrying smoke north into northwest Colorado, resulting in reduced visibility and poor air quality in some locations.

Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, young children, and older adults, should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities if smoke becomes heavy in their area.

At this time, there are no wildfires burning in Moffat County causing the widespread smoke conditions. The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Please stay weather aware, use caution while driving in areas of reduced visibility, and remember that outdoor burning remains prohibited during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

06/18/2026

Highway 13 Closed at Moffat County Road 40 - Highway 13 is closed in both directions at Moffat County Road 40, for a motor vehicle crash. The Colorado State Patrol is investig...

Highway 13 is closed in both directions at Moffat County Road 40, for a motor vehicle crash. The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash, with assistance from the Moffat County Sheriff's Office. Please avoid travel in this area; we will

06/18/2026

The Moffat County Sheriff's Office extends our thoughts and prayers to the members of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, and the families involved.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1atpDnYiuP/

Larimer County, we’re heartbroken to share information about a sudden and tragic loss within our agency.

On June 16, an LCSO Deputy, Sergeant, and Sergeant’s family member were vacationing together on a motorcycle trip. The men were traveling on a North Idaho scenic highway when a pickup truck attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The truck crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with the motorcycles, killing all three riders.

The truck driver was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on three counts of vehicular manslaughter. Idaho State Police are investigating this crash.

Out of respect for their families’ strong desire for privacy, we aren’t identifying the deputies at this time.

There are no good words in a situation like this. Put simply, these were incredible people who dedicated their lives to making Larimer County better every single day. They trained hard, they served well, and they loved life. As we walk the long and winding path of grief alongside their families, our resolve is stronger than ever:

For them, we’ll bring light into dark places.
For them, we’ll stand for good and fight against evil.
For them, we’ll live each day with gratitude and carry their legacy forward.

Rest easy, brothers. We’ve got it from here. 💙

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We’ve gotten several inquiries about how people can help the affected families who lost loved ones. The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police is our only official donor partner and has set up a link for those who wish to support. 100% of proceeds will go to these families: https://givebutter.com/colorado-fop-family-support-fund-lodge4

Be wary of scams - never click links from unknown sources, and do not provide financial information to anyone soliciting it. We will never call, text, or email to ask for donations for this or any other cause.

06/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18qm1435Kr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

PRESS RELEASE: CRITICAL INCIDENT UPDATE 06082026

DATE: 06162026

As we continue to navigate through the aftermath of Monday, June 8th, 2026, I'd like to take a moment to thank our community and (most) of the press/media for their patience.

We are a small office, and an event like this truly takes all of us. We continuously strive to be as transparent and up to date as we can, but updates after an incident like this may be sporadic or infrequent based on prioritization of tasks. Our primary duty has been to ensure the wellbeing of our staff, our community, and our first responders as we continue to move forward.

Updates on Sergeant Burns' condition will be released at the discretion of the family, a condition which we should all be respectful of.

A Carbon County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in the shooting of the gunman. This investigation is being conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which is standard procedure for an OIS (Officer Involved Shooting.) As such, most details will not be released until this investigation is concluded.

Numerous agencies from Northwest Colorado responded to assist due to their proximity to the incident and the fact that rural law enforcement in western states is remote, difficult, and dangerous. Sometimes the closest backup is from another state. I am incredibly proud of and grateful to all of the partner agencies that responded during our time of need.

It has also come to our attention that a non-local media outlet has referred to the gunman who opened fire on our deputy as a "victim."

The victim in this incident is Sergeant Zachary Burns, a man we are proud to call a member of our team, who has served our local community with the Carbon County Sheriff's Office since 2015. A man who, thanks to his bravery, saved the lives of countless first responders and community members on June 8th, 2026, as the gunman had stockpiled hundreds of AR15 magazines in his apartment and, by all appearances, had been prepared to initiate a large-scale act of violence. A man who, at the time of this press release, remains in critical condition in a Level II Trauma Center after suffering numerous gunshot wounds at close range from a semi-automatic rifle in a truly disgusting and unprovoked act of incredible violence.

The criminal who instigated this act of violence, on the other hand, was shot dead. This arrangement was provided courtesy of the Carbon County Sheriff's Office thanks to the incredible bravery and excellent marksmanship of another member of our team.

From the residents of Baggs who rushed out to render aid to Sergeant Burns, to all of the community members who have come out in droves to support us, it all means far more than you will ever know.

Truly, thank you.

- Alex

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

An update from Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DeakDSUiL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

COMMUNITY UPDATE: ZACH STRONG

DATE: 06132026

As our small, close-knit community struggles to come to terms with the violent events that occurred on June 8th, 2026, it would be remiss to not recognize the bravery, the kindness, and the support that has accompanied this tragedy.

Our deputies and state troopers acted with incredible bravery, risking their own lives to neutralize the threat before anyone else was harmed. Our dispatchers coordinated a tremendous response in an extremely high-stress scenario, acting decisively to coordinate a multitude of resources. Several residents of Baggs, acting with complete disregard to their own safety, rushed out to render aid to Sergeant Burns after he was fired upon.

Law enforcement officers and first responders from across the region raced to our side, including personnel from the Rawlins Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Encampment Police Department, Saratoga Police Department, Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office, Routt County Sheriff's Office, Craig Police Department, Moffat County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Highway Patrol, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, FBI, Little Snake River Ambulance, Baggs Fire Department, Intermountain Air Ambulance, and many others.

The support we have received while in Colorado has been nothing short of amazing. Food, lodging, clothing, and companionship has been provided around the clock by the local community and surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Zach and his family remain in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to fight through his injuries.

It is difficult to truly put into words what all this support means to us.

Thank you.

- Alex

06/11/2026

Animal Neglect Case, Bison Seized - Case Update: Daniel Martin has been charged with eighty nine (89) counts of Cruelty to Animals - Neglect / Mistreatment of Bison, Colorad...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMoffat County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Animal Neglect Case; Approximately 90 Bison SeizedCRAIG, Colo.