SAGUACHE COUNTY — The Saguache County Jail Committee is recommending that the County Board of Commissioners fund construction of a new jail on land the county owns at the Saguache Municipal Airport.

The Jail Committee is comprised of eight local law enforcement leaders and community members — Center Police Department Chief Dale Meek, Saguache County Sheriff Dan Warwick, Saguache County Jail Commander Ken Wilson, Dave Mehaffee, Ed Powszukicwicz, Elvie  Conley, Benjamin Byer and Joe Buckley.

The Committee issued a press release Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 7, that outlined the committee's mission, provided background on why a new jail is needed, looked at locations and funding, and its overall recommendations.

“In conclusion, the Committee agrees that the Saguache County Board of County Commissioners should allocate appropriate funds and use the current property at the Airport for the new Sheriff's Office/Jail facility,” the Committee stated.

Background

The Saguache County Sheriff's Office, that is currently housing inmates, was built in 1957 and was constructed as a residence at 530 5^th St. In Saguache. Although there have been some remodels to the facility, they are not sufficient to keep up with the needs of the communities.

The current Saguache Jail is still out of compliance in regard to state and federal laws causing distinct liability to the County due to the uncertain safety of deputies, prisoners and the community, the Committee stated.

“Additional remodeling and upgrades to the current facility would not bring it into compliance; therefore, a new facility is absolutely required,” the Committee stated.

The location of the current facility is in the heart of the Town of Saguache and directly adjacent to a public school. That school encompasses grades K-12. The students from that school spend recesses and breaks outside and are in direct line of sight with the current facility.

Due to the inadequate construction of the current jail, inmates are being walked for recreation around the block and students are in proximity to mandated inmate recreational activity. There are ongoing and regular complaints from the community concerning this form of inmate exercise.

Unfortunately, due to the current location and limited space of the facility, no other options are available in this facility.

There have been several instances where inmates have escaped the current jail due to the facility not having adequate perimeter fencing and proper locking mechanisms. When those escapes have happened, inmates are directly in the community with the intent to flee at any cost.

This danger of escape into a populated area creates even more liability for the County and its citizens. Inmates were able to overcome being caught in a timely manner because they were able to easily hide in the populace, the residential homes, vehicles and businesses of Saguache.

“Due to this, we realize a new facility must be built outside of the populated areas of the County to deny opportunities for flight or other high-risk occurrences in the community,” the Committee stated.

Location Analysis

Multiple location sites have been considered during this process and two distinct locations are the most feasible for this project. Those two locations are at the current Saguache Municipal Airport, 810 Gunnison Ave., which the county currently owns and is located a few miles west of Town.

The other is at the end of Denver Avenue, on the western edge of Town. The Denver Avenue location is owned by someone other than the County of Saguache and would need to be purchased.

The Denver Avenue would provide a water tap and sewer resources, but is also still on the edge of Town and within a populated area. That location would additionally put an added burden on the infrastructure of the Town of Saguache.

The current jail is already overburdening the water and sewer infrastructure. A new facility, which would hold a significantly higher jail population, and would cause more costs to the Town by necessitating the immediate upgrade to existing sewer and water utilities to prevent a catastrophic failure, the Committee stated.

The location at the Airport would need a commercial well and septic system. This would not burden any current infrastructure and could add a layer of protection when or if infrastructure goes down at other locations of the community, i.e., water. This location is outside any populated areas and would add an extra layer of security to the community in case of any potential escapes. The Airport location also allows for any added growth for Saguache County infrastructure, according to the Committee.

Funding Analysis

In the last two years construction costs have gone up at least 25%. The longer the wait to begin planning and construction the higher the cost will be. Incoming revenue sources are not keeping up with the rising costs of construction.

“We believe that there are numerous grant opportunities that will help fund this type of building which additionally coincides with potential funds from the new Congressional Infrastructure Bill. However, we cannot apply for those funds without having matching funds available or obligating them to the project,” the Committee stated.

The Committee concluded the press release stating it was ready to assist throughout the process.

“The Committee also appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the process and would enjoy continued participation on the layout of the new facility once funding is approved. Once funding is approved, the Committee is ready to move forward with any assistance on layout and design. The Committee also understands there is a design in place but this design may need some minor to moderate revisions. Without Commissioners' approval of funding there is no way to apply for funds through any grant opportunities or other state and federal funding,” the Committee stated.