Maketa Recall Effort Over

Organizers pushing to get signatures to recall Sheriff Terry Maketa say they are not confident they have enough valid signatures to move forward.

While the group says have more than 48,000 signatures, they don’t have enough to cover the 10% buffer to ensure the recall effort will move forward.

The group needs 44.387 valid signatures.

The organizers also say it would cost taxpayers about $20,000 to start the signature verification process, and since they are not confident they have enough valid signatures, they are not moving forward.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa recently became involved in a Sheriffs office scandal, after he allegedly had affairs with three co-workers and reportedly gave them preferential treatment in the Sheriff’s office.

In May, the El Paso County Board of Commissioners voted no confidence in the sheriff, and asked Maketa to resign.

Sheriff Maketa denies the allegations, and says he intends to remain in office until his term is over in January.

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder put out a press release today saying in part:

“Recall organizers had until 1:00 PM today to turn in at least 44,387 signatures to warrant further action.

The Colorado Constitution bans any further attempts to recall Sheriff Maketa as he will be within six months of the end of his term after today. “