Former Adams County sheriff Mike McIntosh and former Adams County Jail division chief Gene Claps will go head-to-head this fall in the race to become the county’s next top cop.
Democrat Rick Reigenborn defeated McIntosh and secured the sheriff’s post in 2018 by a margin of about 5%. But Reigenborn’s tenure got off to a controversial start with the ouster of a number of senior officers — including Claps — during his second day in office over perceived loyalty to McIntosh.
The office has also since faced a criminal investigation by state police into record-keeping discrepancies in the training division, among other controversies. In June, Claps usurped his former boss during their party’s primary election.
Claps’ priorities if elected include restoring the office’s partnership with Community Reach and other mental health care resources in Adams County, engaging in proactive enforcement around high-crime areas and improving relationships with other agencies.
“I plan to continue to address and work with other Adams County stakeholders in reducing recidivism and other public issues like homelessness and drug abuse which are normally linked to some type of mental health concerns,” Claps wrote in his Sentinel survey.
“While working with mental health professionals and providing programs, education, and training to our inmate population, we will assist them in job searches, housing, transportation and other life skills for their success so they can provide for themself and their families.”
To help attract deputies to the office, Claps said he would work with commissioners and other county leaders to make sure pay and incentives are comparable with other Front Range agencies.
McIntosh said that he plans to encourage leadership within the ranks of the sheriff’s office and improve transparency with the creation of community groups that will be able to share their concerns with deputies.
“Over the last four years, the leadership failures of the administration have greatly tarnished the reputation and ‘brand’ of the sheriff’s office,” he said. “This must change in order to make Adams County a safer, more enjoyable place for our residents to live.”
McIntosh said he would combat attrition by restoring a “strong, quality leadership team” and said the office achieved a single-digit attrition rate during his tenure as sheriff.
He also said he hopes to restart mental health programs at the county’s jail that had been discontinued by Reigenborn that had also helped inmates reintegrate into the community.
Meet Gene Clapps
Gene Claps
The former division chief over the Adams County Jail and a veteran of the sheriff’s office for about two decades, Gene Claps, is running for sheriff this fall. Claps defeated incumbent Democrat sheriff Rick Reigenborn in their party’s primary election earlier this year, taking about 56.3% of the vote. Claps was among a group of senior officers that Reigenborn removed upon taking office in 2019. He attended Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree through Colorado State University Global Campus’ criminal justice program. Claps currently serves as a Colorado Ranger.
Gene Clapps Q&A
What is your plan to enhance transparency between the department and the public?
As your elected sheriff, I will develop and support the interaction between law enforcement and community members, which starts with open communication between both entities to develop a conducive partnership for a proactive relationship to receive relevant information and inform the public accurately. To provide the transparency that reflects true and accurate reporting, budgeting, staffing and capital improvements within the sheriff’s office.
Police agencies around the Denver metroplex and across the country are experiencing problems hiring and retaining officers. What makes this department an attractive employer?
Adams County brings many advantages to the career process for employees in the certified and non-certified fields. These advantages would include direct hiring for our FlatRock Training Facility for certifying new officers within our agency while providing state-of-the-art training for continued in-service training.
Once elected sheriff, I will continue to build relationships with the board of county commissioners and other Adams County leaders to bring the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in line with other competing cities and counties in the Front Range for pay and incentives. This would include working with employees and other elected officials to establish collective bargaining for the sheriff’s office, which has already been adopted by other county organizations.
Jails and prisons are seen as some of the biggest providers of mental health treatment. What resources does the Arapahoe County jail need to better help inmates that require such resources?
I can say for Adams County, I was a division chief for our jail division where I worked with our mental health care professionals to provide a facility that was responsive to the mental health treatment and stability of our community within the detention facility. I was responsible for the completion of the dedicated mental health unit within the detention facility, providing training for the staff and deputies to understand and work with inmates who suffered from mental health illnesses while providing an environment for inmates to become stable and or successful in their rehabilitation efforts.
I also started one of the state’s first Vivitrol programs to reduce and combat our county’s opioid abuse. In 2017-2018, I identified the issues concerning opioid use and recidivism in our jail population. I and several other stakeholders started the first Vivitrol program in Adams County at no additional cost to taxpayers. The program focused on inmates that were being released and had an opioid addiction. Inmates who volunteered for the program received medication before leaving the facility and had appointments for follow-up physical and mental health care to ensure their success.
As the next elected sheriff, I plan to continue to address and work with other Adams County stakeholders in reducing recidivism and other public issues like homelessness and drug abuse which are normally linked to some type of mental health concerns. While working with mental health professionals and providing programs, education, and training to our inmate population, we will assist them in job searches, housing, transportation and other life skills for their success so they can provide for themself and their families.
If the state were to pass gun control measures such as a ban on assault-style rifles or prohibitions against public display of weapons, would you enforce it?
My job and duty as the sheriff and law enforcement officer is to uphold all federal, state, and local laws, including our state and United States Constitution, any amendments, and bill of rights without biases equally.
Is releasing low-level jail inmates due to overcrowding or pandemic issues a problem for public safety?
There is always a chance of offenders re-offending, including individuals that have even completed their sentences. However, during a crisis, overcrowding, or a pandemic, the sheriff and leadership need to use their due diligence in processing the individuals that qualify and that have a low risk to society.
If you could persuade the Legislature and governor to do one thing to decrease crime, what would it be?
I would caution them and encourage them to use evidence-based information before decriminalizing or lowering statutory charges which can then fuel and promote criminal activity because of the lowered statutory accountability levels.
How should the sheriff’s department respond to the increase in aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving on all kinds of public roads and highways?
Sheriff’s offices and other agencies need to quit being reactive and start becoming proactive to increase public safety. Traffic safety is just as important as the other roles of the sheriff’s office. As someone who supervised and ran our traffic unit for over five years, I understand the importance of traffic safety and how it can affect our communities. Therefore staffing our traffic unit to effectively reduce DUIs and DUIDs, and reckless, careless and aggressive driving should be one of the top priorities in crime reduction while making our streets and roadways safer for our community members.
Do you believe expanding the use of personal recognizance bonds has made Coloradans more or less safe?
I have not seen any academic or evidence-based information that would support personal recognizance bonds making Colorado more or less safe. I have seen that personal recognizance bonds have afforded more equality for individuals who are less likely to post bond because of their income, sex, race or nationality. However, if offenders re-offend while on bond or violate the bond conditions, the accountability factor should then increase, and personal recognizance bonds should be less likely to be approved through the judicial system.
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes to both questions. Colorado is a leader in fair and accurate election processes.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
Every election has a minimum amount of election issues concerning fraud, but yes I believe the
2020 election was fairly won.
As your elected sheriff, I will develop and support the interaction between law enforcement and community members, which starts with open communication between both entities to develop a conducive partnership for a proactive relationship to receive relevant information and inform the public accurately. To provide the transparency that reflects true and accurate reporting, budgeting, staffing and capital improvements within the sheriff’s office.
Police agencies around the Denver metroplex and across the country are experiencing problems hiring and retaining officers. What makes this department an attractive employer?
Adams County brings many advantages to the career process for employees in the certified and non-certified fields. These advantages would include direct hiring for our FlatRock Training Facility for certifying new officers within our agency while providing state-of-the-art training for continued in-service training.
Once elected sheriff, I will continue to build relationships with the board of county commissioners and other Adams County leaders to bring the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in line with other competing cities and counties in the Front Range for pay and incentives. This would include working with employees and other elected officials to establish collective bargaining for the sheriff’s office, which has already been adopted by other county organizations.
Jails and prisons are seen as some of the biggest providers of mental health treatment. What resources does the Arapahoe County jail need to better help inmates that require such resources?
I can say for Adams County, I was a division chief for our jail division where I worked with our mental health care professionals to provide a facility that was responsive to the mental health treatment and stability of our community within the detention facility. I was responsible for the completion of the dedicated mental health unit within the detention facility, providing training for the staff and deputies to understand and work with inmates who suffered from mental health illnesses while providing an environment for inmates to become stable and or successful in their rehabilitation efforts.
I also started one of the state’s first Vivitrol programs to reduce and combat our county’s opioid abuse. In 2017-2018, I identified the issues concerning opioid use and recidivism in our jail population. I and several other stakeholders started the first Vivitrol program in Adams County at no additional cost to taxpayers. The program focused on inmates that were being released and had an opioid addiction. Inmates who volunteered for the program received medication before leaving the facility and had appointments for follow-up physical and mental health care to ensure their success.
As the next elected sheriff, I plan to continue to address and work with other Adams County stakeholders in reducing recidivism and other public issues like homelessness and drug abuse which are normally linked to some type of mental health concerns. While working with mental health professionals and providing programs, education, and training to our inmate population, we will assist them in job searches, housing, transportation and other life skills for their success so they can provide for themself and their families.
If the state were to pass gun control measures such as a ban on assault-style rifles or prohibitions against public display of weapons, would you enforce it?
My job and duty as the sheriff and law enforcement officer is to uphold all federal, state, and local laws, including our state and United States Constitution, any amendments, and bill of rights without biases equally.
Is releasing low-level jail inmates due to overcrowding or pandemic issues a problem for public safety?
There is always a chance of offenders re-offending, including individuals that have even completed their sentences. However, during a crisis, overcrowding, or a pandemic, the sheriff and leadership need to use their due diligence in processing the individuals that qualify and that have a low risk to society.
If you could persuade the Legislature and governor to do one thing to decrease crime, what would it be?
I would caution them and encourage them to use evidence-based information before decriminalizing or lowering statutory charges which can then fuel and promote criminal activity because of the lowered statutory accountability levels.
How should the sheriff’s department respond to the increase in aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving on all kinds of public roads and highways?
Sheriff’s offices and other agencies need to quit being reactive and start becoming proactive to increase public safety. Traffic safety is just as important as the other roles of the sheriff’s office. As someone who supervised and ran our traffic unit for over five years, I understand the importance of traffic safety and how it can affect our communities. Therefore staffing our traffic unit to effectively reduce DUIs and DUIDs, and reckless, careless and aggressive driving should be one of the top priorities in crime reduction while making our streets and roadways safer for our community members.
Do you believe expanding the use of personal recognizance bonds has made Coloradans more or less safe?
I have not seen any academic or evidence-based information that would support personal recognizance bonds making Colorado more or less safe. I have seen that personal recognizance bonds have afforded more equality for individuals who are less likely to post bond because of their income, sex, race or nationality. However, if offenders re-offend while on bond or violate the bond conditions, the accountability factor should then increase, and personal recognizance bonds should be less likely to be approved through the judicial system.
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes to both questions. Colorado is a leader in fair and accurate election processes.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
Every election has a minimum amount of election issues concerning fraud, but yes I believe the
2020 election was fairly won.
Get to know Gene Clapps
What’s the most Colorado thing you’ve done recently?
Fishing in Grand County along the Colorado River.
What is the last concert you attended?
None.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Santago’s,
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
None.
What was the last book you read?
Garland, N. (2020) Criminal evidence. McGraw-Hill Education. Eighth edition.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Dusting.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
News media channel to keep informed.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
None.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
To be able to interact with friends and family.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
Along with raising cattle, pigs, and chickens, I have around 40 beehives, where we get 62 to 65 gallons of honey per year.
Fishing in Grand County along the Colorado River.
What is the last concert you attended?
None.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Santago’s,
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
None.
What was the last book you read?
Garland, N. (2020) Criminal evidence. McGraw-Hill Education. Eighth edition.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Dusting.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
News media channel to keep informed.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
None.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
To be able to interact with friends and family.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
Along with raising cattle, pigs, and chickens, I have around 40 beehives, where we get 62 to 65 gallons of honey per year.
Meet Mike McIntosh
Mike McIntosh
Mike McIntosh is running as a Republican to retake the Adams County Sheriff’s Office this fall, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in the office, including four years as sheriff. The U.S. Navy veteran is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. McIntosh’s last tenure as sheriff ended in 2019, and he has worked for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office since 2021. McIntosh has been married to his wife, Cathy, for 35 years, and the two have children.
MIke McIntosh Q&A
What is your plan to enhance transparency between the department and the public?
As the elected Sheriff in Adams County from 2015-2019, our team executed a planned approach to develop transparency between the sheriff’s office and the community. It took time to achieve, but we worked to develop trust and rapport with the public from every division within the sheriff’s office. My plan to bring transparency back to the ACSO is:
Police agencies around the Denver metroplex and across the country are experiencing problems hiring and retaining officers. What makes this department an attractive employer?
Currently, I do not believe that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is an attractive employer. Over the last four years, the leadership failures of the administration have greatly tarnished the reputation and “brand” of the sheriff’s office. The agency has experienced unprecedented attrition and bringing in high quality candidates has proven to be very difficult. Hiring and retention are at an all-time low.
This must change in order to make Adams County a safer, more enjoyable place for our residents to live.
Becoming an “attractive employer” is achieved through quality leadership, a reputation for excellence, and a strong brand. As the next sheriff of Adams County, I will restore a strong, quality leadership team and re-establish the reputation of the agency within the state of Colorado and across the nation. Together, our team will brand the ACSO as a collaborative agency that has the support of its community and always pursues excellence.
My track record with hiring and retaining officers is proven. When I was Sheriff of Adams County from 2015-2019, our team achieved single-digit attrition. At present, I am the Chief Deputy for the hiring team in the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Over the last year, our DCSO team has reduced our attrition rate and is currently down just one deputy in our patrol division and two deputies in our jail.
It will take some time, but we will once again build the Adams County Sheriff’s Office into an employer of choice.
Jails and prisons are seen as some of the biggest providers of mental health treatment. What resources does the Arapahoe County jail need to better help inmates that require such resources?
As the Adams County Sheriff from 2015-2019 we were successful in working with the Board of County Commissioners and the Community Reach Center to design and build a mental health facility inside the Adams County Jail. This incredible partnership provided mental health resources and treatment inside the jail. This partnership provided a continuity of care for those struggling with mental health outside the jail. Their treatment could continue inside the jail and upon release as an inmate was reintegrated back into the community.
Upon my retirement, the current sheriff discontinued many of the mental health programs we had initiated. The community has suffered greatly for it. We will once again help inmates (and support victims) by reinstating programs where we saw great success.
If the state were to pass gun control measures such as a ban on assault-style rifles or prohibitions against public display of weapons, would you enforce it?
Colorado has strong gun laws in place, but they are not supported by tough sentencing parameters. When legislators recently passed bills in favor of criminal justice reform, they lessened the impact of holding criminals accountable.
For example, SB-271 greatly reduces the list of prior offenses and felony convictions that make it illegal for someone to possess a firearm. This cuts the effectiveness of background checks.
Providing the means to hold criminals accountable for violations will be much more effective than adding new, stricter gun laws. When we enforce the laws we already have and apply strict punishment to offenders, we will begin to see a curb in gun violence. I am a strong proponent of the Constitution and will strongly oppose any legislation that would go against the Second Amendment.
However, as the sheriff, it is my role to enforce laws that are adopted within my jurisdiction, and I would do so.
Is releasing low-level jail inmates due to overcrowding or pandemic issues a problem for public safety?
Yes, it does add to the problem. Most first-time, low-level offenders should not be in jail during the pre-trial process. The problem is that over the course of the last 2-4 years, the Colorado legislators have reduced some of our property crimes as well as a large portion of our drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
This now means that crimes that would have been considered “higher-level” have moved to lower level and we are putting criminals back into the community to continue to prey on our neighborhoods. Our communities are no longer safe and when law enforcement make an arrest on a “low-level” offender they are either not accepted at the jail or if they are accepted are then quickly released only to go back into our neighborhoods and continue their criminal behavior.
When I was the sheriff, I had a jail population manager to ensure that the people that needed to be in jail stayed in jail and those that could be released on a PR bond or a bail bond were given the opportunity to do so. When elected I will bring the jail population manager position back into the Sheriff’s Office Jail Division.
If you could persuade the Legislature and governor to do one thing to decrease crime, what would it be?
It is so hard to pick just one thing, but the first priority is to have very aggressive, accountable legislation around fentanyl. This one drug has a profound impact on the safety and well-being of our entire community.
How should the sheriff’s department respond to the increase in aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving on all kinds of public roads and highways?
Commit the staff to a traffic unit focused on a specific traffic plan designed specifically to identify the areas with a high volume of aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving. When I was the sheriff in 2015-2019, the ACSO had a traffic unit that was effectively doing just that.
Do you believe expanding the use of personal recognizance bonds has made Coloradans more or less safe?
Less safe (as noted above).
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
Yes.
As the elected Sheriff in Adams County from 2015-2019, our team executed a planned approach to develop transparency between the sheriff’s office and the community. It took time to achieve, but we worked to develop trust and rapport with the public from every division within the sheriff’s office. My plan to bring transparency back to the ACSO is:
- Elect a proven leader who has a demonstrated ability to bridge the gap between law enforcement, residents, and business owners of the county.
- Develop a common vision for the sheriff’s office that resonates within the agency and extends out to the community. This vision must be clear, concise, and communicated in a way that is easily understood by all.
- Continue to build trust through teams where volunteers throughout the community pair with ACSO staff members to confront concerns specific to our Adams County areas. I have already started to assemble and will immediately implement two such teams once elected: ACTION (Adams County Transparency In Our Neighborhoods) and PSAC (Public Safety Advisory Group).
Police agencies around the Denver metroplex and across the country are experiencing problems hiring and retaining officers. What makes this department an attractive employer?
Currently, I do not believe that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is an attractive employer. Over the last four years, the leadership failures of the administration have greatly tarnished the reputation and “brand” of the sheriff’s office. The agency has experienced unprecedented attrition and bringing in high quality candidates has proven to be very difficult. Hiring and retention are at an all-time low.
This must change in order to make Adams County a safer, more enjoyable place for our residents to live.
Becoming an “attractive employer” is achieved through quality leadership, a reputation for excellence, and a strong brand. As the next sheriff of Adams County, I will restore a strong, quality leadership team and re-establish the reputation of the agency within the state of Colorado and across the nation. Together, our team will brand the ACSO as a collaborative agency that has the support of its community and always pursues excellence.
My track record with hiring and retaining officers is proven. When I was Sheriff of Adams County from 2015-2019, our team achieved single-digit attrition. At present, I am the Chief Deputy for the hiring team in the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Over the last year, our DCSO team has reduced our attrition rate and is currently down just one deputy in our patrol division and two deputies in our jail.
It will take some time, but we will once again build the Adams County Sheriff’s Office into an employer of choice.
Jails and prisons are seen as some of the biggest providers of mental health treatment. What resources does the Arapahoe County jail need to better help inmates that require such resources?
As the Adams County Sheriff from 2015-2019 we were successful in working with the Board of County Commissioners and the Community Reach Center to design and build a mental health facility inside the Adams County Jail. This incredible partnership provided mental health resources and treatment inside the jail. This partnership provided a continuity of care for those struggling with mental health outside the jail. Their treatment could continue inside the jail and upon release as an inmate was reintegrated back into the community.
Upon my retirement, the current sheriff discontinued many of the mental health programs we had initiated. The community has suffered greatly for it. We will once again help inmates (and support victims) by reinstating programs where we saw great success.
If the state were to pass gun control measures such as a ban on assault-style rifles or prohibitions against public display of weapons, would you enforce it?
Colorado has strong gun laws in place, but they are not supported by tough sentencing parameters. When legislators recently passed bills in favor of criminal justice reform, they lessened the impact of holding criminals accountable.
For example, SB-271 greatly reduces the list of prior offenses and felony convictions that make it illegal for someone to possess a firearm. This cuts the effectiveness of background checks.
Providing the means to hold criminals accountable for violations will be much more effective than adding new, stricter gun laws. When we enforce the laws we already have and apply strict punishment to offenders, we will begin to see a curb in gun violence. I am a strong proponent of the Constitution and will strongly oppose any legislation that would go against the Second Amendment.
However, as the sheriff, it is my role to enforce laws that are adopted within my jurisdiction, and I would do so.
Is releasing low-level jail inmates due to overcrowding or pandemic issues a problem for public safety?
Yes, it does add to the problem. Most first-time, low-level offenders should not be in jail during the pre-trial process. The problem is that over the course of the last 2-4 years, the Colorado legislators have reduced some of our property crimes as well as a large portion of our drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
This now means that crimes that would have been considered “higher-level” have moved to lower level and we are putting criminals back into the community to continue to prey on our neighborhoods. Our communities are no longer safe and when law enforcement make an arrest on a “low-level” offender they are either not accepted at the jail or if they are accepted are then quickly released only to go back into our neighborhoods and continue their criminal behavior.
When I was the sheriff, I had a jail population manager to ensure that the people that needed to be in jail stayed in jail and those that could be released on a PR bond or a bail bond were given the opportunity to do so. When elected I will bring the jail population manager position back into the Sheriff’s Office Jail Division.
If you could persuade the Legislature and governor to do one thing to decrease crime, what would it be?
It is so hard to pick just one thing, but the first priority is to have very aggressive, accountable legislation around fentanyl. This one drug has a profound impact on the safety and well-being of our entire community.
How should the sheriff’s department respond to the increase in aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving on all kinds of public roads and highways?
Commit the staff to a traffic unit focused on a specific traffic plan designed specifically to identify the areas with a high volume of aggressive speeding, weaving and reckless driving. When I was the sheriff in 2015-2019, the ACSO had a traffic unit that was effectively doing just that.
Do you believe expanding the use of personal recognizance bonds has made Coloradans more or less safe?
Less safe (as noted above).
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
Yes.
Get to know Mike McIntosh
What’s the most Colorado thing you’ve done recently?
As a season ticket holder to the Denver Broncos, I have had the opportunity to attend the first two home games. We also went to the mountains to see the leaves on the aspens changing to a magnificent gold!
What is the last concert you attended?
Styx at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Old Chicago.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Alliance.
What was the last book you read?
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Mopping.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
Seinfeld.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
To focus more on personal wellness.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
Travel to see family.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
I like to have Bugs Bunny on while I’m doing paperwork.
As a season ticket holder to the Denver Broncos, I have had the opportunity to attend the first two home games. We also went to the mountains to see the leaves on the aspens changing to a magnificent gold!
What is the last concert you attended?
Styx at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Old Chicago.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Alliance.
What was the last book you read?
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Mopping.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
Seinfeld.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
To focus more on personal wellness.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
Travel to see family.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
I like to have Bugs Bunny on while I’m doing paperwork.