Las Animas County Government Contacts, Services, and Emergency Numbers Guide

Save or print this guide. Tape it to your fridge, screenshot it, share it with a neighbor. When smoke is rolling down the Purgatoire valley or a county road washes out at 2 a.m., you will not want to be hunting for a phone number. Every contact below is verified and specific to Las Animas County.

When to call 911 vs. non-emergency vs. county offices

The single most useful thing you can know: 911 is for active, life-threatening emergencies only — a fire spreading toward structures, a serious crash with injuries, a crime in progress. For everything else involving law enforcement (a suspicious vehicle parked overnight, a noise complaint, a question about a prior incident), use the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 719-846-4441, which is staffed around the clock even though the front counter at the Garcia Justice Center operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For county services such as road damage, permits, or benefits questions, go directly to the relevant department office during business hours rather than tying up either emergency channel.

Wildfire smoke and evacuation orders

The Las Animas County Office of Emergency Management, located at 200 East 1st Street, Room 104 in Trinidad, is the county's center for all-hazard emergency preparation, prevention, response, and recovery. When a wildfire threatens or air quality becomes hazardous, the office coordinates the public messaging and evacuation guidance. Reach the emergency manager directly at 719-845-2566 or email d.kolakowski@lasanimascounty.org.

The Trinidad Communications Center has transitioned from the CodeRED alert system to RAVE/Smart911, a free mass alert system that covers all of Las Animas County and sends information and emergency alerts via phone call, email, and text message. Sign up for free at the county website. If your number was in the old CodeRED system, confirm it transferred correctly. Registration takes less than two minutes and it is the fastest way to receive an evacuation order before local cell towers become overwhelmed.

For statewide wildfire road closures and smoke advisories, Colorado Department of Transportation's alert line supplements county notifications.

Road closures and damaged county roads

Building and land-use permits, including any work requiring a county right-of-way agreement, must be coordinated with the Las Animas County Road and Bridge Department prior to construction. That same department is your first call when a county road floods, washes out, or becomes impassable. The county contacts page at lasanimascounty.colorado.gov lists the current Road and Bridge supervisor's direct extension. The county's main administrative line, 719-845-2562 (County Administrator Phil Dorenkamp), can route you to the right department if you are unsure who handles a specific road segment.

For state highway closures (U.S. 160, U.S. 350, I-25 through Raton Pass), contact CDOT directly, as those are not under county jurisdiction.

Suspicious activity and non-emergency law enforcement

Sheriff Derek Navarette leads the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, located at the Garcia Justice Center, 2309 E. Main Street, Trinidad, CO 81082. The office is the primary law enforcement authority for unincorporated parts of the county.

• Emergency: 911
• Non-emergency (24/7): 719-846-4441
• Main office line: 719-846-2211
• Anonymous tip line: 719-845-8477
• Email: navarette@lasosheriff.org
• Counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Use the anonymous tip line to report drug activity, illegal dumping, or other concerns where you prefer not to identify yourself. The non-emergency line handles after-hours calls when the counter is closed.

Power outages

Power outages in Las Animas County fall under the jurisdiction of your utility provider, not county government. Trinidad Electric Department serves the city; Las Animas County's rural areas are typically served by Xcel Energy or Sangre de Cristo Electric Association. Report outages directly to your provider. However, if an outage creates a public-safety hazard (downed lines near a road, a traffic signal out on a major intersection), contact the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 719-846-4441 so deputies can respond and manage traffic or public access.

The Office of Emergency Management at 719-845-2566 coordinates with utility companies during large-scale outages that require shelter or warming center resources.

Water and environmental concerns

Water quality and supply issues in unincorporated Las Animas County typically involve the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rather than county government, but the county's Human Services department can connect residents with emergency assistance if a water emergency affects a household's basic needs. Reach Human Services Director Michael G. Aragon at 719-846-2276 x7109. For concerns about illegal dumping affecting waterways, use the Sheriff's anonymous tip line at 719-845-8477.

Primary county offices at a glance

All administrative offices are anchored at 200 E. 1st Street, Trinidad, Colorado 81082 unless otherwise noted below.

The county contacts page lists Karrie L. Apple as County Clerk and Recorder, reachable at 719-846-3314 ext. 2003, with office hours beginning at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. The Clerk's office handles elections, marriage licensing, motor vehicle titling, and public records requests.

The three County Commissioners represent distinct geographic districts across Las Animas County:

• District 1 (Felix M. Lopez): 719-845-2593
• District 2 (Robert A. Lucero): 719-845-2595
• District 3 (Tony C. Hass): 719-845-2592

Sarah A. Martinez serves as Treasurer and Public Trustee, reachable at 719-846-2981. The Treasurer's office handles property tax payments and delinquency questions.

County Administrator Phil Dorenkamp can be reached at 719-845-2562 (office) or 719-859-1600 (cell), with email at phil.dorenkamp@lasanimascounty.org.

Building permits and land use

Building permit and planning questions go to Sean Rogan in the Building Department, reachable at 719-845-2577 or Sean.Rogan@lasanimascounty.org. Required permits include new construction, demolition (a state requirement), and any work in a county right-of-way. The county's land-use regulations cover setbacks, fence heights, and address issuance for new parcels. Submit permit applications through the county's online portal; the building department will calculate fees before you finalize the submission.

Health, human services, and veterans

The Department of Human Services provides county residents with benefits access and crisis assistance, with Director Michael G. Aragon reachable at 719-846-2276 x7109, located at 2309 E. Main St., Trinidad. Veteran Services operates under the same county umbrella and connects eligible veterans and their families with state and federal benefit programs. The county website provides direct intake instructions for both departments.

Records requests, agendas, and public documents

The county Clerk's office processes public-records requests. For Board of County Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, the county website archives all public documents and provides direct filing instructions. If you need a document not easily found online, call the Clerk at 719-846-3314 ext. 2003 before submitting a formal request, since many routine documents can be emailed the same day.

The county's bids, jobs, and forms page at lasanimascounty.colorado.gov centralizes department links, bid invitations, and forms for the airport, land-use office, and other departments. When in doubt about which office handles your matter, the County Administrator's line at 719-845-2562 can route your call directly.