For the first 66 years after its founding in 1861, the Colorado Rangers were a cornerstone of law enforcement in Colorado serving and protecting communities with paid officers.  When Colorado became a state in 1876, the Colorado Rangers were the first and only statewide law enforcement agency.

 From 1941 our officers began serving without a paycheck as a way of giving back to the communities.  In 1955, the name was changed to the Colorado Mounted Rangers with continuous duty until 2018. 

Reformed in 2017 under its original identiy, the Colorado Rangers began again as a Colorado government entity. 

While all of our officers are POST certified, they continue in this proud tradition serving as reserve officers without regular pay to uphold public safety through dedicated service alongside the men and women who have chosen law enforcement as a career in over 30 partner agencies.

It’s not a job.  It’s an honor to serve!