Colorado State Patrol Cortez

Colorado State Patrol's Cortez post, based in Mancos in Montezuma County, is one of the offices District Five uses to cover southwest Colorado, alongside Durango Troop 5A, Alamosa Troop 5B, Montrose Troop 5C and posts in the San Luis Valley and Pagosa Springs. The district spans seventeen counties, from Alamosa and Archuleta to Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel. Lawmakers created the patrol in 1935, and its statute, C.R.S. 24-33.5-201, charges troopers with keeping Colorado roads safe, guarding lives and protecting the highways through firm, courteous enforcement of traffic law. What began as a courtesy patrol now also handles commercial motor vehicle enforcement, ports of entry, hazardous materials routing, aviation, investigations, dignitary protection and criminal interdiction. Specialized units include a canine team, the STAR Team, a vehicular crimes unit, an evidence unit, victim services and VIN inspections. Outreach programs cover child passenger safety, the PILLAR K-12 curriculum and a youth academy, and communities can ask for a trooper to speak at an event. Troop offices usually keep weekday business hours, so the patrol asks visitors to call ahead, and emergencies go to 911.