Opinion ID: 2609362
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: application of the reenacted training statute

Text: Employing Referendum C's grant of authority, the General Assembly repealed and reenacted the predecessor training statute, with minor modifications not relevant to this case, effective May 21, 1997. See §§ 30-10-501.5 to -501.7, 9 C.R.S (1998). The State argues that even if the reenacted training statute only applies prospectively, the statute's training and certification requirements apply to Sheriff Jackson because he held office on the date the statute took effect. Application of our analysis in Reale persuades us to reject this argument. We hold that the new legislative qualification, that sheriffs must possess basic peace officer certification, may not be imposed on Sheriff Jackson as of May 21, 1997, because the voters of Morgan County elected Sheriff Jackson to serve for a term of four years under the constitutional qualifications then in effect. See Colo. Const. art. XIV, § 8. New requirements for holding a constitutionally created office may not be enforced against an incumbent during a term of office that began before the effective date of the new requirements. Hence, the training and certification requirements of the reenacted training statute cannot be imposed upon Sheriff Jackson during his current term of office. After his election, Sheriff Jackson holds the office of sheriff for the duration of his four-year term under the constitutional qualifications in effect at the time of his election. See generally State ex rel. Hall v. Vaughn, 483 S.W.2d 396, 400 (Mo.1972) (holding that newly enacted mandatory retirement provisions do not apply to elected circuit court judge during his current term of office). Because of our determination that the reenacted training statute does not apply to Sheriff Jackson, we do not address the issue of the validity of the new statute's salary suspension provision.