Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office
"Working
Toward The Future"
Don Krueger, Sheriff
In November 1994, Don Krueger was elected Sheriff of Clear Creek County, Colorado. Born and raised here, Don truly knows "where he lives". He's a native of the county, with hometown values and a love for the rich history he's grown up with. Sheriff Krueger began his career in law enforcement with this very same Sheriff's Office in 1974 as a Reserve Deputy. His interest in law enforcement service to the community prompted him to accept a full time Deputy position in 1988. He attended the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy, to meet the state requirement for Peace Officer "Standards and Training". He graduated first in his class and went on to attend the Colorado Sheriff's Institute.
In
1998 Don Krueger was overwhelmingly re-elected Sheriff
of Clear Creek County. The following year he attended
the prestigious FBI National Academy, an eleven-week
management course structured for local law enforcement
officials. Sheriff Krueger graduated from the 197th
session of the FBI National Academy in June of 1999.
Since then, Sheriff Krueger has been re-elected
twice, in 2002 and 2006. Sheriff Krueger now enjoys
the distinction of being the longest continuous
serving Sheriff in Clear Creek County history.
Sheriff Krueger takes responsibilities of the Office of Sheriff more than seriously, he takes them personally. His is a hands–on approach, not only to law enforcement, but also to mountain search and rescue efforts, working closely with the nationally recognized Alpine Rescue Team. By statue he also fulfills duties of the fire warden in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Sheriff Krueger was instrumental in the creation of a Clear Creek County "Emergency Services District" which evolved into the Clear Creek Fire Authority. In 2002, Sheriff Krueger formed T.H.E. (The Higher Elevation) Marmots wild fire team through the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office to respond and assist with wildland fires in Clear Creek County and also assists surrounding communities in Colorado when called upon. In addition, Sheriff Krueger worked with the Clear Creek High School to implement a Fire Science class to allow the students to become Red Card certified so they could be a part of T.H.E. Marmots wild fire team.
Sheriff Krueger recently formed the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Team, to provide a high level response to the increasingly high risk calls that require more advanced law enforcement skills and training.
Sheriff Krueger and the Clear Creek School District implemented a School Resource Officer program in 2000. The program allows for a full-time Deputy Sheriff to be at the High School and provide security, teach criminal law and be a mentor for the students.
Sheriff Krueger currently works with a staff of some 70 employees, both civilian and law enforcement. His responsibilities include: maintaining a jail facility that can house nearly 100 inmates, a dispatch center for all emergency service response and law enforcement agencies in the county, court security, civil process, investigations, and patrol functions as well as animal control and animal shelter operations.
Sheriff Krueger donates office space for the Clear Creek County Victim’s Advocates, providing a secure environment, which allows the victims to be at ease in their surroundings, while dealing with their crisis, as well as providing a safe place for the advocates to assist the victims. This enhances the relationships between the Victims Advocates and the Sheriff’s Deputies by building a closer rapport not only with the Advocates, but the Victims as well.
During the years as Sheriff, Sheriff Krueger formed a Chain Gang program through the Clear Creek County Jail. The Chain Gang is comprised of low risk inmates to perform community service to Clear Creek County. The Chain Gang has cleaned up cemeteries in the county, performed trash clean up on Interstate 70 and in the municipalities, and assisted with setting up for special functions throughout the county. Sheriff Krueger has implemented a crocheting program to allow inmates to make blankets for the elderly and families in need.
Sheriff Krueger was instrumental in the New Clear Creek County / Gilpin County Animal Shelter, also known as Charlie’s Place. Sheriff Krueger provided inmate workers to assist with building, construction and clean up of the construction site. Charlie’s Place is now a department within the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to his years in law enforcement, Sheriff Krueger has dedicated his adult life to the citizens of Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County. In 1974, he joined the Idaho Springs Volunteer Fire Department (ISFD) and, although he is currently retired, he still responds if needed. Of his 30+ years with the ISFD, he spent 15+ years as the Fire Chief and also co-founded the Swift Water Rescue Team.
Sheriff Krueger has brought the Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century by generating revenue through the Clear Creek County Jail, upgrading the Clear County Communications Center, implementing the Emergency Operation Center and actively pursuing grants to help fund projects which enable the county, his office and his deputies to be the best that they can be.
Sheriff Krueger is an active member of the following organizations:
- County Sheriff's of Colorado
- FBI National Academy Association
- Western States Sheriff’s Association
- Clear Creek Fire Authority
- Swift Water Rescue Team
- Mine Rescue Team
- Ice Rescue Team
- The Higher Elevation (T.H.E.) Marmots
- 5th Judicial District Dive Team
- Masonic Lodge #26
- OES #51
- Elks Lodge #607
- Clear Creek County Metal Miners Association
