On the morning of Aug. 25, an ordinary day in Teller County changed in an instant. Two Colorado State Patrol troopers were shot while simply doing the work they had sworn to do, and in the hours that followed, our community watched with fear, prayed for good news and witnessed an extraordinary response from men and women willing to place themselves between danger and the people they serve. Today, our hearts remain first and foremost with those two troopers, their families, their fellow officers and everyone who loves them. We are profoundly grateful that both are expected to recover, while recognizing that healing from a day like t extends far beyond the physical wounds.

To Sheriff Jason Mikesell and the men and women of the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, to the Colorado State Patrol, our dispatchers, emergency medical professionals, our local hospital personnel and every local, county, state and federal agency that answered the call – thank you. Those two words seem painfully inadequate. Aug. 25 we saw what courage, training and partnership actually look like when there is no time for rehearsal and no margin for error. While many of us were being told to seek safety, you were moving toward the danger. Behind every badge, uniform, radio and emergency vehicle was a human being — a husband or wife, a parent, a son or daughter, a friend — who went where our community needed them to go. We will not take that for granted.

We also want to acknowledge the people of our community. To the residents who sheltered in place, the businesses and organizations that adjusted without hesitation, those who shared accurate information rather than rumor and especially the citizen whose awareness and willingness to speak up helped law enforcement locate the suspect — thank you. Aug. 25 was a powerful reminder that public safety is built not only through the professionals who protect us, but through trust, communication and neighbors who pay attention to one another. In a frightening and uncertain few hours, Teller County demonstrated the strength of a community that knows how to come together when it matters most. Teller Strong!

Long after the emergency vehicles are gone and that day disappears from the headlines, we hope our gratitude does not disappear with them. There are men and women who will carry the memories of Aug. 25, 2026 far longer than the rest of us will, and there are families who yesterday received the kind of phone call every law enforcement family fears. May we remember them — not only after a frightening morning, but on the ordinary mornings too. On behalf of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce and the business community we are privileged to represent, we offer our deepest gratitude, our continued prayers for healing and our heartfelt respect to every person who helped protect Teller County that day. We saw you. We are grateful for you. And we will not forget.