Billboard in Colorado reads ‘Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is STILL ILLEGAL’

DENVER (KKTV) – A billboard aimed at recruiting for a Wyoming sheriff’s office was posted in Denver and is generating both support and opposition.

“Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is STILL ILLEGAL & cops are funded!” The billboard reads in part.

The billboard was put in place by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, which is located on the south side of Wyoming and borders Colorado.

“SHERIFF KOZAK SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE TO DENVER LAW ENFORCEMENT: JFK established May 12-18th as National Police Week to honor those cops who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to thank those who serve their communities,” a social media post about the billboard from the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office reads. “National media reported the City of Denver, on the other hand, decided to defund the police $8 million to fund immigrant shelters and restrict the ability for cops to enforce traffic laws, such as expired plates or safety equipment violations. During Police Week, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) unveiled a billboard in downtown Denver to let those frustrated officers know they can “Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is still illegal and cops are funded!” Sheriff Kozak thanks his community for supporting law enforcement and welcomes those who have a desire to do their job to join LCSOwy.org”

The following statement was sent to KKTV 11 News from a spokesperson from the Media Relations Unit for the Denver Police Department:

“Denver Police salary and benefit information is detailed here, but a primary advantage for working for Denver Police versus the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office is that the top pay for the officer rank is $24,575 more annually than the top pay for a LCSO deputy sheriff, and the pay gap increases at higher ranks,” the statement reads. “Beyond base salary DPD officers have numerous opportunities to earn even more through uniformed secondary employment work (working Nuggets, Broncos and Avalanche games, and more).”

The following salary table comparing the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) to the Denver Police Department was shared by Denver Police:

The Denver Police Department also pointed out that the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office praises Denver in its own recruiting materials. On the sheriff’s office website, it reads in part, “Adventure awaits you in the Rocky Mountains or the bustling City of Denver, each within an hour’s drive.”

The Denver Police Department also cited a recent study by WalletHub that identifies Colorado as the 4th best state to be a police officer, compared to Wyoming which ranks 24th.

According to Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, the recruiting strategy of “Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is STILL ILLEGAL” has been part of a digital campaign in the Denver area for about a year. Sheriff Kozak credits the hiring of 72 people in about a year to that campaign. As of Tuesday, his sheriff’s office had 25 open positions, 17 in the jail and eight for patrol.

Sheriff Kozak says the billboard in Denver cost about $2,500 and the contract is for 30 days, but he believes donations may result in that billboard not costing the taxpayers anything. They may extend that time, but he added it was money well spent as they are receiving about 20 to 40 applications per day compared to about five or ten a month before the campaign started.

The Denver Mayor also responded to the billboard.

“The City of Denver’s adjustment to the Denver Police Department’s budget was carefully crafted with safety leaders and Mayor Johnston to ensure there would be no impact to the department’s public services,” a statement from Mayor Mike Johnston reads. “To say that Denver is ‘defunding the police’ is a willful mischaracterization of the budget reductions, which actually just delays the purchase of new furniture and shifts the funding source for one cadet class. In fact, Mayor Johnston has invested millions to add 167 new police recruits to our force in 2024, and will continue to invest in public safety to ensure every Denverite is safe in their city.”

Click here to apply to the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office.

Click here to apply to the Denver Police Department.

Watch a raw interview with Sheriff Kozak below on the topic:

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