Videos Login Subscribe E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
News
By News Staff on July 21, 2023
Gottorff found guilty of felonies
Jury convicts Ridgway man of threats, stalking

A Ouray County jury on Thursday evening found a Ridgway man guilty on multiple felony charges stemming from a case in which he threatened three local law enforcement officers and employees and stalked one of them.

David Gottorff, 47, was convicted of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and single counts of menacing and stalking. The jury deliberated about three hours before returning guilty verdicts following a three-day trial.

Gottorff alternately hung his head and shook it as 7th Judicial District Judge D. Cory Jackson read the verdicts aloud. He was taken into custody after the hearing and booked at the Montrose County Jail, where he will be held without bond until his Sept. 7 sentencing.

Seventh Judicial District Attorney Seth Ryan announced in a news release Gottorff could be sentenced to up to 18 years in prison.

David Gottorff arrested in March 2022.

Ridgway resident David Gottorff was arrested March 17, 2022 for allegedly violating a protection order granted by the court.
Plaindealer file photo

Ryan told the Plaindealer he was “extremely satisfied” with the verdict and proud of the hard work his team put into the case. He specifically commended the work of Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup, who led the investigation.

With the guilty verdict, “the community is definitely in a safer position,” Ryan said.

The Plaindealer left a message with defense attorney Nick Kreider seeking comment but had not received a reply as of Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors alleged during the trial that over the course of nearly five months late last year and early this year, Gottorff posted a series of messages on social media and made phone calls threatening several law enforcement officers. Specifically, Gottorff targeted Ridgway Marshal Shane Schmalz, Ouray County sheriff’s investigator Bernie Chism and sheriff’s employee Shelly Kuhlman. In one call, prosecutors said, Gottorff threatened to kill Kuhlman.

In some online posts, Gottorff claimed he had the legal authority to “take human life” while performing a “citizen’s arrest” of Schmalz. He also posted photos of himself posing with an assault rifle. In one post, Gottorff claimed if an officer contacted him it would be the “end of watch,” a term used to mark the date a police officer is killed in the line of duty.

Schmalz testified during the trial Gottorff followed him on one occasion, and that, coupled with Gottorff’s social media posts, left him fearful Gottorff would ambush him.

During closing arguments, Kreider argued Gottorff’s social media posts constituted legal and protected speech. He said Gottorff was subjected to online harassment after he was acquitted last fall in a stalking and criminal mischief case involving his neighbors, and that he was trying to raise public awareness about his frustration with local law enforcement and his belief police weren’t taking his harassment complaints seriously.

Kreider claimed Gottorff felt ostracized by the community, and that he has to “watch his back” in Ridgway.

Ryan, however, claimed those arguments were a distraction. He said the case wasn’t about Gottorff’s neighbors but about Gottorff’s behavior that put law enforcement officers in fear, which affected their personal lives and how they went about their jobs.

Ryan told the jury there are many ways Gottorff could have expressed his frustration toward law enforcement in a non-threatening way.

“He did it in a threatening way,” Ryan said.

In arguing for Gottorff to remain free on bond pending sentencing, Kreider noted the threats were largely contained to social media, and that Gottorff was concerned about taking care of personal business before sentencing, including his job and pets.

Ryan, though, said he was concerned about the safety of law enforcement and the community based on Gottorff’s behavior prior to and after he was arrested and charged. He asked that Gottorff be taken into custody and held without bond prior to sentencing.

Jackson ultimately sided with Ryan, saying the case involved “substantial threatening behavior.”

Gottorff was taken directly from the courtroom to the Montrose County Jail.

He was previously convicted of misdemeanor harassment in 2021, in a case involving his former employer, and has had ongoing legal battles involving his disparagement of Colorado Boy restaurants in Ouray and Ridgway.

A: Main, News...
Neighborhood won’t be tested for toxic metals
By Daniel Schmidt daniel@ouraynews.com 
September 27, 2023
Experts: Lead, arsenic at elevated levels but pose limited risk Ouray County officials have decided against testing soils in the Panoramic Heights neighborhood for possible arsenic and lead exposure, ...
this is a test
News
City eyes potential $5M fix for pool heat
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 27, 2023
Councilor: Heat pump, boiler system 'most adaptable and scalable' option Ouray city leaders are leaning toward spending nearly $5 million to design, build and install a mechanical system to artificial...
this is a test
SITTING PRETTY
A: Main, News...
SITTING PRETTY
September 27, 2023
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Sale leaves creditors out millions
By Gabrielle Porter / Special to the Plaindealer 
September 27, 2023
Former Revenue-Virginius owners owed more than $60M, but mine sold for only $1.8M The recent $1.8 million sale of a historic silver mine above Ouray will leave its creditors — who collectively are owe...
this is a test
Feature
CALENDAR & EVENTS
September 27, 2023
CALENDAR & EVENTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28IGNITE SHERBINO: Presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a total of just five minutes ...
this is a test
LOOKING BACK
Feature
LOOKING BACK
September 27, 2023
From the Ouray County Herald, Ouray County Plaindealer and the Ridgway SunSeptember 27, 1973 - Plaindealer readers who have followed the situation involving the trails around Ouray will be interested ...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Monsoon was MIA this year. What’s in store next?
Columns, Opinion...
Monsoon was MIA this year. What’s in store next?
By Karen Risch 
September 27, 2023
This year's minimal monsoon made a couple of short appearances this month, but overall just 0.97 inches of rain fell, 48% of the new normal, 2.04 inches. These recent storms sparked dry lightning and ...
this is a test
Letters
Find creative solution for bookshop lease
September 27, 2023
Dear Editor: I live in Montrose now but having been a full-time Ouray resident for several years, I read the weekly Plaindealer in one sitting, enjoying much of what that small town has to offer. I kn...
this is a test
Letters
Yes to deputies, no to bureaucrats
September 27, 2023
Dear Editor: It was reported in last week’s Plaindealer that Ouray County government had grown 70% from 50 employees in 2003 to 85 in 2023. Simple research indicates that our population grew from 3,88...
this is a test
Letters
Gottorff coverage appreciated
September 27, 2023
Dear Editor: Many thanks to you all for the coverage of David Gottorff and his effect on the community. Your coverage was complete, detailing his family responses and his own. Much appreciated.Ilene B...
this is a test
Letters
Kudos, firefighters, for response
September 27, 2023
Dear Editor: I would like to extend a tremendous “thank you” to the Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department for their rapid response to my home on Sept. 19 at 3 a.m.Station 2 Capt. Paul Oppenheim and Justi...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

1075 Sherman St., #200
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy