STORIES OF THE YEAR: NO. 1

The turmoil involving the two top law enforcement officers at the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office is the Plaindealer’s No. 1 story of 2019.

Sheriff Lance Fitz-Gerald was sworn in a year ago, in January, after narrowly winning the election over his opponent, B.B. Burk, who worked for the sheriff’s department. FitzGerald, who previously worked for the Ridgway Marshal’s Office, won by 11 votes.

Shortly after taking office, FitzGerald chose the longest-tenured deput...