By Ron Goodman 

Joe Pelle (43), a Colorado native and a one time resident of Niwot, hopes to fill the large shoes of Sheriff George Epp.  Epp must retire next year due to term limits. 

Pelle was born in Burlington, Colo. and grew up in Boulder, graduating from Fairview High School.  He has a Masters of Criminal Justice from CU and a Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice and Public Administration degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Pelle has also studied at the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston.

He is Matthew Zavala Carries Olympic Flamea 22-year veteran of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department and the Boulder Police Department.  Since 1998 he has been the Commander of the Detective Section of the Boulder Police Department.  “At 15 I became a cadet in the Sheriff’s Department,” Pelle says, “and it has been my passion ever since.”

Pelle and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 22 years.  Daughter Shanna (20) attends college and son Jeff (16) goes to Longmont High School.  Stephanie works in the Niwot Post Office where she is the familiar smiling face behind the counter.  In their spare time the Pelles like to hike and fly-fish. They are active horse people and leaders in the 4H Cloverleaf Riders.

“This entire process is new to me,” Pelle explained. “I hope to be running on the Democratic ticket.  First, there is the caucus in April, the county assembly in May and finally the Democratic primary in August.  I should have a campaign manager selected very soon.” 

Pelle felt that there are no major campaign issues.  “George Epp did a great job.  Electing a sheriff is a leftover from the old west.  It should be a professional position, not political.”  Pelle concluded by saying, “I will be directly responsible to the voters, every four years.”

 Editors note: We hope to do a profile of the only other announced candidate, Wanda Sterner, next month.