Former Monte Vista Chief of Police Tyler Harford’s court case is being set over one more time before he makes a plea to the charge of third degree assault and disorderly conduct he faces from an incident that occurred in October 2025 in the town of Saguache.
He is expected to enter a plea at the next court hearing on March 5.
Harford’s attorney, Kodie Clinton, said she had gone through almost all of the discovery in the case and wanted another continuance to give the District Attorney’s Office time enough to draft an offer to Harford.
She said that she was “still negotiating” with the DA’s office and requested another continuance in order not to “bind” them, as well.
Saguache County Court Judge Craig Schuenemann said it looked like the “case is on track” and setting the next date in March was “more than sufficient.”
Harford was placed on administrative leave in October in light of the charges. Then on Nov. 28, Harford resigned while under investigation. His resignation was posted to the Colorado POST database and found by the Citizen after publishing this article detailing his arraignment on Dec. 11.
City Manager Gigi Dennis confirmed the resignation in a Jan. 14 press release.
In the press release, Dennis said that Harford wrote in his resignation letter, “It has been an honor to serve the community of Monte Vista as an officer and Chief of Police. I will look back at my time with the department fondly and I wish the Monte Vista community nothing but the best in the future.”
Monte Vista’s interim chief of police, Charles Schoepflin, started on Jan. 6. Schoepflin retired as commander with the Commerce City Police Department in January 2024 and before being hired in Monte Vista. He also served as senior criminal investigator for the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
