Derek Irvine
Republican Party
How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?
I have spent the last 30 years serving the people of Fremont County in law enforcement, working my way through the ranks from patrol deputy to Detective Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, and Undersheriff. Throughout my career, I have investigated some of the most serious crimes our community faces, including homicides, crimes against children, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and internet crimes against children. For 13 years, I specialized in investigations, always focused on giving victims a voice and holding offenders accountable.
As a supervisor and command-level leader, I have managed personnel, budgets, policies, and major incidents. Even before I became an administrator in 2019, I had commanded or helped manage nearly every major critical incident in Fremont County, including SWAT operations, officer-involved shootings, jail escapes, and large-scale emergencies. These experiences have taught me how to make difficult decisions under pressure while keeping public safety as the top priority.
I also hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, combining formal education with decades of real-world experience. Just as importantly, I have lived in Fremont County since 1983. Fremont County is my home. My wife and I raised our family here, and I understand the values, concerns, and expectations of the people I hope to serve. I never tested with other agencies after being hired within Fremont County, regardless of pay.
Representation begins with listening. Once elected Sheriff, I will remain accessible, transparent, and accountable to the citizens of Fremont County. My experience has prepared me not only to lead the Sheriff's Office but to be a strong advocate for victims, a defender of constitutional rights, and a trusted steward of the public's resources.
What are your top policy priorities?
First, I will place victims first. Victims of crime deserve to be heard, treated with dignity, and supported throughout the criminal justice process. Whether crime involves violence, child abuse, domestic violence, or property crime, my focus will be on seeking justice for those who have been harmed.
Second, I will target violent and repeat offenders. Law enforcement resources are limited, and they should be focused on those individuals who pose the greatest threat to our community. I believe in holding offenders accountable and working with our criminal justice partners to improve public safety.
Third, I will strengthen community trust and engagement. Public safety is most effective when law enforcement and the community work together. I will maintain open communication, encourage transparency, and ensure the Sheriff's Office remains accessible and responsive to the people we serve.
Fourth, I will continue to support professional, modern policing. This includes investing in training, technology, leadership development, and evidence-based policing practices that help deputies do their jobs safely and effectively while maintaining the public's trust.
Fifth, I will work to improve the recruitment and retention of quality deputies and detention staff. The Sheriff's Office must remain competitive in attracting and keeping qualified employees. Supporting our personnel through strong leadership, training opportunities, and a positive work environment is essential to maintaining high-quality public safety services.
Finally, I will protect constitutional rights while enforcing the law fairly and impartially. Public safety and individual liberty are not competing interests. The Sheriff's Office must uphold the Constitution, respect the rights of all citizens, and enforce the law impartially, free from political influence.
My goal is straightforward: a safer Fremont County where victims are supported, offenders are held accountable, deputies are equipped to succeed, and citizens can have confidence in their Sheriff's Office.
What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it?
One often-overlooked issue is the long-term impact of state legislation and unfunded mandates on rural law enforcement agencies like the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.
Over the last several years, Colorado has passed numerous laws that have increased reporting requirements, training mandates, data collection requirements, transparency regulations, and administrative responsibilities for law enforcement agencies. While many of these laws were created with good intentions, they often come without the funding necessary to implement them. The result is that deputies spend more time completing paperwork and compliance requirements and less time serving the public.
For a rural county with limited resources, this creates a significant challenge. Every dollar spent complying with unfunded mandates is a dollar that cannot be spent on additional deputies, detention staff, equipment, training, or enhanced public safety services.
As Sheriff, I will work with other sheriffs across Colorado, county leaders, and legislators to advocate for practical solutions that recognize the realities rural communities face. I will ensure the Sheriff's Office complies with the law while also fighting to protect local resources and maintain a strong focus on our core mission: serving victims, protecting constitutional rights, and keeping our communities safe.
The people of Fremont County deserve a Sheriff's Office that is focused on public safety, not overwhelmed by bureaucracy. My goal will be to balance compliance with state requirements while ensuring our deputies remain visible, responsive, and focused on the citizens they serve.
I am the only candidate with this kind of experience, and the Office of Sheriff is so important to our community. Please vote for a candidate who is ready to perform this obligation on day one.
