The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office proudly honored its dedicated volunteers during a special recognition celebration held this week at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
The event brought together members of the Sheriff’s Office and community leaders to recognize the countless contributions made by Sheriff’s Office volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and experience in support of the agency and the community.
In 2025, 232 active volunteers contributed 46,337 hours of service, representing an estimated $1.79 million in value based on national volunteer rates.
Those hours reflect an extraordinary range of service, including search and rescue operations, jail-based education and recovery programs, administrative assistance, language services, community outreach, wildland firefighting, therapy K9 programs, and many other critical functions.
“You are an essential part of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal during his keynote remarks. “Every hour you give, every person you help, and every task you take on strengthens our ability to serve this community. Your service is a powerful example of what can happen when people choose to give back, and we are incredibly grateful for the difference you make every day.”
The Sheriff’s Office also welcomed 47 new volunteers in 2025, while its internship program continued to demonstrate its value as a pathway to public service. Of 6 interns who participated, one went on to join the agency as an employee. Four volunteers joined the team as paid employees, and a previous Posse member joined the ranks of Deputy.
The commitment to service extends beyond retirement and previous employment as well. Two former employees returned to the Sheriff’s Office in volunteer roles, continuing their connection to the agency and sharing their experience with the next generation of public servants.
Today, volunteers support a broad range of Sheriff’s Office operations and programs, including:
- El Paso County Search and Rescue
- Chaplain and Religious Services for Patrol and Detentions
- Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs within the jail
- Jail Library and Education Programs
- Wildland Fire Unit
- Victim Advocacy, MOCOM (Mobile Command)
- Administrative and Language Services
- Investigations, Internships, and Training Support
- Reserve Deputies
- Sheriff’s Office Posse
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to serving and protecting the residents of El Paso County through integrity, transparency, and strong community partnerships. Our volunteers embody those values through their willingness to serve, often behind the scenes, in ways that make a lasting difference.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal encourages community members interested in serving to explore volunteer opportunities with the Sheriff’s Office, including the Sheriff’s Posse and Chaplain Program.
Those interested in getting involved with any of our volunteer activities can contact Volunteer Coordinator Hayley Suppes at hayleysuppes2@elpasoco.com.
