Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor is a Pueblo County native and Rye High School Graduate class of 1982. He began his service in 1983 with the United States Navy, stationed with the 2nd Marine Division in Camp LeJuene, North Carolina and was honorably discharged in 1989. Taylor’s first role in civilian law enforcement began as a police officer with the Alamosa (CO) Police Department in August 1987 where he served as a patrolman, a narcotics detective and an acting supervisor until August of 1992.

In the fall of 1994, Sheriff Taylor went to work for the Tenth Judicial District Attorney’s Office as an Investigator. While working at the District Attorney’s Office, he attended the University of Colorado where he completed his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Colorado School of Law. During his tenure with the District Attorney’s Office, Kirk was also appointed as a special investigator in the 15th Judicial District as well as the 12th Judicial District.

Sheriff Taylor was elected to his first term in November 2006 and took office January 2007. Kirk was appointed to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board by Governor first in 2009 and served three terms. He is currently the Chairman of the legislative committee for the County Sheriffs of Colorado.

A graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Session 237, Sheriff Taylor is also an executive board member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Sheriff Taylor is currently serving an appointment to the Colorado JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) Board by Governor John Hickenlooper since 2013 and a former board member for the state’s Cold Case Task Force.

Sheriff Taylor works tirelessly to promote modern bail and bonding practices, reduce recidivism and introduce help for those dangerously addicted to opiates. The detention facility has accomplished American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation three times and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) even though his jail is the most overcrowded jail in the state of Colorado.

Accreditation is a cornerstone of the sheriff’s office due to the leadership of Sheriff Taylor. He has achieved the coveted Triple Crown Accreditation from the National Sheriff’s Association, one of only four Sheriff Offices to achieve this award. To have his patrol, jail, communications and healthcare services all accredited is taken in stride and he never accepts he has anything to do with it, but rather he will be the first to tell you his deputies achieved through their dedication and hard work.

Sheriff Taylor strives to make sure his agency enforces the law regarding illicit drugs. He has assigned task force detectives to the DEA and has feverishly talked about the harmful effects of drugs to any audience who will listen. The medical and recreational legalization of marijuana has profoundly affected the city and county of Pueblo, Colorado. Sheriff Taylor has spoken to local, state, and federal audiences for the National Sheriff’s Association and Western State Sheriff’s Association. He has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, United Kingdom and Australian television programs.