(The Center Square) – A small town in Colorado is disbanding its police force due to financial issues.
Morrison, which is 30 minutes outside of Denver, has an estimated $1.2 million deficit this year, according to town attorney Austin Flanagan, The Canyon Courier reported.
“Due to various financial concerns, the adopted budget results in a reduction in the Town’s Police Department,” a press release stated from the city said.
The town has nine members on its police force, according to CBS News.
In 2024, the town’s police funds took up an estimated 41% of its general fund, according to Morrison Board of Trustees documents. Furthermore, the proposed 2025 fiscal budget had the town of around 400 people spending the same percentage of its budget on police funds.
This year, Morrison projects to make $783,273 in revenue. In 2023, the town made $1,686,216. The estimated revenue the town would make in 2025 is $561,067.
Before this decision, Morrison’s police force had experienced some difficulties. In November, the town put its police chief, Bill Vinelli, on administrative leave, according to Denver7.
Vinelli became police chief in 2022 after former Police Chief Misty Siderfin left after just three months on the job.
Cmdr. Jon Manna replaced Vinelli as the acting chief of police.
Also, in October, authorities arrested Morrison Police Sgt. Richard Norton for allegedly “stalking, murder threats and abuse involving [his] first ex-wife, children and girlfriend,” The Canyon Courier reported.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Mark Techmeyer told Fox31 that the county will start patrolling Morrison after Jan. 1.
“It’s going to be a new contract, but really it’s an amendment to an existing contract because we’ve been doing overnight law enforcement services for the town of Morrison for the past four years,” he said.
In 2022, Nederland, Colorado, disbanded its police force and now relies on the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the town of around 1,500 people.
