All photos courtesy Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

 

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office hosted the 2022 Spring K-9 Challenge. It was for the High Desert Police K-9 Association, with handlers from all over Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The K-9 competition was at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle on Saturday.

Here’s more from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Date: April 16, 2022 — Time: 4:05 PM

High Desert Police K-9 Challenge Comes to Rifle

 

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office sponsored the 2022 Spring K-9 Challenge for the High Desert Police K-9 Association (HDPK9A). The challenge began shortly after 9:00 AM at the outdoor arena of the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, CO. K9’s came with their handlers from all over western Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

 

The competition started out with an obedience course followed by an agility competition through a variety of obstacles. The teams then competed in a timed running event, a muzzled attack competition and concluded with a full force hit and bite attack competition. Between competitions, there was a scent detection demonstration for the audience.

 

Teams were divided into two categories for the competition including K-9’s from 2-5 years old and those over five. The competition concluded with an awards ceremony. Investigator Korthals from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) won second place with his K-9 partner Aren in the bite competition for K-9’s age two to five.

 

Admission was free with various raffle items, silent auction items, food and beverages at a nominal cost. Funds raised by the Association are used to assist handlers and their families with the ongoing costs of maintaining and caring for their K-9 partners once they retire. K-9’s typically train their first two years and are then “paired” with a handler. They work closely with their handler for the next 7-8 years depending on the dog’s ability and health. They then retire, often to the families of their handlers. At this point all costs associated with maintaining and caring for the K-9 in its final years are borne by the Handler and their family.

 

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone who supported this program by attending or through donations and sponsorship.