TCSO says undocumented immigrants are committing crimes on U.S. Forest Land, provides no evidence

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - On Friday, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) held a press conference, where Sheriff Jason Mikesell claimed undocumented immigrants are committing crimes on U.S. Forest Service land. He also said his office has made no arrests or conducted any criminal investigations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding these claims.

Sheriff Mikesell says there has been a significant increase in criminal activity on U.S. Forest Service land, particularly during weekends when the area experiences a substantial population influx from recreational tourists. His office cited a rise in reckless activities and fire danger as reasons for increased enforcement efforts.

Sheriff Mikesell stated that the county's population swells each weekend, practically adding another city.

"We jump from a county of about 36 to 40,000 people, almost 100,000 people every weekend. And the impacts of that are mostly in our Forest Service areas," Mikesell said.

He says many illegal activities have been reported to the sheriff's office by citizens on U.S. Forest Service land.

"There are just so many issues with illegal shooting, and look, I'm a big shooting enthusiast, but when I find out from citizens that they see people in UTVs that are doing donuts in their driveways, shooting the AR-15s off into the air, and then threatening people on the roads. That's a big issue," Mikesell said.

The sheriff specifically alleged that undocumented immigrants are committing crimes in the forest.

"Do we know from information we received from the Forest Service and others that we do have some that are here from foreign nationals that are committing crimes up there? Yes. Right. So we know that it's not something we need to turn our back on and just not try to see because of the state laws," Mikesell said.

He said that some people think that federal land operates without laws, and he wants to make sure they know that is not the case.

"And I think that's the important piece we're trying to get out, is that we're not turning a blind eye just because you come from somewhere else, because that was the belief that they had, that they can come here because nobody's going to be there, right? And that's not the case," Mikesell said.

While local resident Derek Johnson noted an uptick in tourists, he expressed uncertainty about attributing crime to a specific group.

"Cripple Creek is kind of a melting pot of a bunch of people, so it's hard for me to say," said Johnson.

Despite the Sheriff's claims, the Teller County Sheriff's Office confirmed it has made no arrests of undocumented immigrants in relation to crimes on U.S. Forest Service land. The Sheriff's Office also reported no involvement in criminal investigations with ICE concerning these matters. When asked for confirmation on the Sheriff's claims, ICE directed KRDO13 to the U.S. Forest Service.

The U.S. Forest Service said it could not confirm or deny this claim by our deadline. This article will be updated if or when we receive a response.

Deputies will also be visible on U.S. Forest Service land this weekend to address fire danger and reckless activities, with plans to educate people and issue summonses or make arrests for illegal actions.

TCSO says it will maintain this Forest Service Zero Tolerance Enforcement 2026 Operation through the Memorial Day weekend with support from additional agencies. The operation is scheduled to continue at least to the end of summer, according to the agency.

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