Denver Behind Bars

Denver Behind Bars, The History of The Denver SHERIFF Department & Denver's Jail System 1858-1956 by Lenny Ortiz.

Denver Behind Bars details the many adventures of the frontier sheriffs of Arapahoe (Denver) county and stories from the county jail. The publication also features history on the Denver Police jails and the opening of the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City.

Many of the notable figures are: James Denver, Ned Wynkoop, David Cook, Richard Sopris, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and gunslinger/dentist Doc Holliday, who spent time in the county jail just days after the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone.

DBB lists the many escapes, breakouts, trials and gives detailed events when the Denver jail was used as a Confederate stockade. It offers in great detail the last public execution in Colorado, which caused a huge political storm, further executions were conducted at the penitentiary in Canon City.

DBB reviews the transition of government from Arapahoe County to the City & County of Denver in 1902 and why Denver chose to become the first Home Rule government under the Rush Amendment. Listed are first hand accounts from deputies, guards and wardens and a detailed scandal involving the sheriff’s office in the early 1920's.

The time line is from 1858 until 1956 with the opening of the new county jail. DBB is the most comprehensive history of the history of the Denver Sheriff Department.

Lenny Ortiz is a retired captain and historian who spent over ten years researching DBB.

ISBN 1-59330-232-0