Clear Creek County to start mental health crisis co-responder program

Silver Plume on June 10-11, 2022. e case recently led to a $19-million legal settlement between the family and four agencies, the largest of its kind known in Colorado history.

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Calling the killing of Christian Glass a “reprehensible act” that should never happen again, the Clear Creek County commissioners announced a mental health crisis co-responder program. e pilot program will be implemented this summer.

In addition, the commissioners said in a statement read at their meeting on June 6 that: “ e board does not believe that the sheri has adequately accepted responsibility for his central role in this tragedy or the need to swiftly correct all of the gaps in training and protocols that existed at the time of Christian’s death.”

Glass, 22, was facing a mental health crisis when he was shot to death by a Clear Creek deputy in

Sally and Simon Glass, Christian’s parents, applauded the commissioners in a statement and expressed hope “the senseless and preventable use of force” that resulted in Christian’s death never happens again.

In addition, their statement, provided by the Rathod-Mohamedbhai law rm in Denver, called for county Sheri Rick Albers’ resignation:

“Sheri Albers’ refusal to accept any personal responsibility for this unjusti able loss of life demonstrates a lack of leadership and a disregard for the trust placed in him by the community. Sally and Simon Glass join the board in condemning Sheri Albers’ conduct and call for his resignation.” e statement continued: “By resigning, Sheri Albers can begin to acknowledge and take responsibility for the failures that occurred under his watch. Only then can we begin to rebuild the shattered trust between law enforcement and the community they are sworn to protect.”

Independence

Alberts declined to comment to the Clear Creek Courant.

Albers has been with the department since 1980 and was rst elected sheri in 2014. He most recently ran unopposed in November 2022 and is set to serve until 2026.

Christian Glass was stranded in his car and called 911 for help, saying he was trapped. O cers asked Christian to leave his car, but he refused in what turned into a stando that ended when o cers broke the car

Publication Date: July 6, 2023

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County board’s statement “ e Clear Creek County Board of

County Commissioners completely supports the Glass family’s e orts to ensure that events such as the killing of Christian will never be repeated,” the county board’s statement said.

“ e board has always supported law enforcement and greatly appreciates the commitment of Clear Creek County Sheri ’s O ce deputies and sta .” e statement continues that the county board will do all it can within its authority to accomplish reforms that enable Albers to better focus on public safety and justice. e county will pay for the mental health crisis co-responder program with grant funds. e county also is pursuing a partnership with another organization that already has extensive experience with co-responder programs, training and protocols, so law enforcement can di erentiate between mental-health crises and public-safety concerns.

“We understand that no amount of money can bring Christian back or ease his family’s pain,” the statement said.

Background

On May 24, Gov. Jared Polis apologized to Simon and Sally Glass, then declared May 24 Christian Glass Day and displayed Glass’ artwork that is being hung in the Capitol.

“What happened to Christian should not have happened,” Polis told Christian’s parents in a livestreamed statement. “We are going to do the best we can to avoid any parents going through what you have gone through.”

Polis’ announcement came a day after four involved agencies reached the multi-million-dollar settlement with the family. Under the settlement, Clear Creek County will pay $10 million; $5 million will come from Georgetown; $3 million from the state of Colorado; and $1 million from Idaho Springs. It is the largest known single payout for police violence in the state’s history.

More about Christian

Christian was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His mother, Sally Glass, is of British decent, and his father, Simon Glass, is from New Zealand. e Glass family relocated to California when Christian was 10 and eventually moved to Boulder, Colorado.

“Christian had an array of specialties and interests,” a statement from family attorneys said. “He was an avid tennis fan and player, a trained chef who loved to cook, and also a self-taught artist with an innate gift. Christian used many mediums to make his art, but the majority of his pieces involved oil painting and oil pencil.”

More about the settlement e Clear Creek Sheri ’s O ce has agreed to train and certify all its patrol o cers in crisis intervention. e Colorado State Patrol is expected to develop a virtual reality training based on Christian’s death, with “a focus on de-escalation in a high-stress situation.”

And, Clear Creek County has agreed to dedicate a public park to Glass, which will be selected in consultation with his parents.

While Albers did not comment on the statement from county commissioners on May 23, a statement from him acknowledged “that his o cers failed to meet expectations in their response to Christian Glass when he called for assistance,” calling events on the night of Glass’ death “disturbing.”

“ e sheri has undertaken measures intended to prevent a future failure,” a statement in the wake of the settlement announcement read. “He has been working with partners to establish a program of countywide crisis response. “

Albers also acknowledged that the initial press release describing events surrounding Glass’ death “did not give an accurate description of what occurred.”

“Rather, as stated in the conclusion of the investigative report subsequently issued by the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce after an independent review requested by Sheri Albers, the deputy who killed Christian Glass used lethal force that ‘was not consistent with that of a reasonable o cer,’” the statement read. Georgetown said its o cers have been attending courses in intensive crisis intervention responses and are participating in a “countywide co-responder program that allows for the presence of a mental health professional and paramedic tandem to assist law enforcement in future settings.”

Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon has said that city “leadership remains committed to the constant self-evaluation and betterment of the (Idaho Springs Police Department) in all ways.”

Idaho Springs also “continues to work collaboratively with the Je erson Center for Mental Health, which has a licensed clinician ride with an o cer/deputy each week for community outreach.”

Idaho Springs police are also continuing to develop a mental health co-responder program within Clear Creek County.

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Bailey. Dispose of documents that contain sensitive information. e event is free, though donations to the Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity are accepted. Habitat’s delivery truck will be on site to accept select reusable/resalable furniture and housewares.

Evergreen rodeo and parade: e 57th annual Evergreen Rodeo Parade and Rodeo will be Father’s Day weekend with a theme “She’s Back in the Saddle, Again.” e rodeo parade starts at 10 a.m. June 17 in downtown Evergreen. e rodeo will be at 5 p.m. June 17 and 2 p.m. June 18 at the Evergreen Rodeo grounds. Cowboy church will be at 7:30 a.m. June 18.

Barbed wire removal: Wild Aware is sponsoring volunteer barbed wire removal days at DeDisse Park from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on June 17, July 22 and Aug. 19. For more information, visit wildaware.org.

Cars and Co ee: Cars and Coffee, a show for car enthusiasts, will be from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays until Aug. 26 in front of Olde’s Garage on Evergreen Parkway. ere’s no registration fee. Bring your classic car or stop in to check out the vehicles. Free co ee and doughnuts. Dona- tions bene t Mount Evans Hospice.

TUESDAY oyduro.

Evergreen chamber mixer: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer will start at 6 p.m. June 20 at Blue Quill Angler. For more information and to register, visit evergreenchamber.org.

UPCOMING

Bailey Day: Bailey Day will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 24 in downtown Bailey. Bands, food, vendor booths, kids activities and more highlight the street festival.

Trace. Register at www.eventbrite. com/e/good-things-come-to-thosewho-hike-tickets-634920021877.

WEDNESDAY

Summer Memorial: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice will host a Summer Memorial on the evening of the Summer Solstice so people can gather in remembrance of those they have lost as leaders read their names and honor their lives. e event will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, in the Mount Evans large conference room, 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen.

Enduro Mountain Bike Event: Team Evergreen will host an Enduro Mountain Bike event on June 21 and 28, and July 5 at Floyd Hill Open Space. For more information, visit www.teamevergreen.org/

Spring Clean Recycle Day: Evergreen Sustainability Alliance’s Spring Clean Recycle Day will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 24 at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 Highway 73. It is collecting all types of electronics and small appliances, block Styrofoam, paint, glass, batteries, old pens/markers, toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes, Christmas tins, TV dishes with cables and clothes. Recommended donation for a collection of recyclables is $20. If you have a carload, ESA would appreciate a larger donation to cover its costs. TVs are an additional $25 fee each that will be collected at time of drop-o .

Good ings Come to ose Who Hike: Merrell is hosting Good ings Come to ose Who Hike from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Echo Mountain in Idaho Springs. Take hikes and participate in other outdoor activities such as trail run time trials, yoga, forest bathing, outdoor painting classes, classes on packing/prep for hikes, wilderness survival and bird watching. e event will cost $10, which will go to the nonpro t sponsor Leave No

Celebration of Marilyn Rhodes: Neighbors and friends are invited to celebrate Marilyn Rhodes at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 25, at the Genesee Mountain Shelter in Genesee Mountain Park when a bird walk in the park with Sheridan Samano will begin. Eulogies and recollections will start at 11 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch at noon. A music and storytelling session at 1 p.m. is planned. Organizers ask that friends bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share plus tableware and beverages. It’s advised to bring your own picnic chair. No glass or hard liquor is allowed in the park. To reach the shelter, take Exit 254 o Interstate 70. Turn right at the south end of the bridge and follow the paved road to the end. Carpooling is advised. For more information, contact Linda at ljrock_will@msn.com.

“Spirited Flight”: Shadow Mountain Gallery in downtown Evergreen next to Java Groove will host “Spirited Flight” with ight-related art from June 25to Aug. 12. e show features birds, insects and other ying creatures. e gallery is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit www.shadowmountaingallery.com.

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