Week of January 5, 2023
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 7
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office deputy passes away Kraig Conger suffered a major heart attack while on duty BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
the virus swept through the metro area. “I’m sorry the dynamics of the politicization of the pandemic put us in a place where we had to make choices, specifically referring to the mask mandate, that were going to create acrimony with Douglas County,” Douglas said.
An Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office deputy died from a major heart attack while on duty on Dec. 28. On Dec. 29. At 11:27 a.m., the sheriff ’s office posted a Tweet announcing the passing of Deputy Kraig Conger. According to the tweet, Conger was 51 years old and was passionate about his job. In addition to working as a law enforcement officer, he mentored youth in the community and coached football, basketball and baseball. “There is no doubt he had a significant impact in this community and in his profession,” the sheriff ’s office wrote in a statement on Facebook. “We are proud to have been his colleague and friend.” Conger worked for the sheriff ’s office for 22 years, spending his first 13 years of his service in the Arapahoe County Detention Facility, according to the sheriff ’s office. After that, he worked in the Detention Services Bureau ADMIT program. ADMIT, which stands for “Arapahoe Diverts the Mentally Ill for Treatment,” is a specialized sentencing option for offenders to receive mental health and substance abuse treatment as part of their sentence, according to the sheriff office’s website.
SEE TRI-COUNTY, P2
SEE DEPUTY, P8
Tri-County Health ceased to exist on Jan. 1.
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Counties navigate future after Tri-County Health breakup Former system expired Dec. 30 BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The mask mandates implemented during the pandemic left a legacy in the region’s health care. They
fueled the breakup of Tri-County Health, the state’s largest local public health agency, serving Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties together for more than five decades. Douglas County officials took issue with mask mandates put in place by the health agency. Looking back, Tri-County Health Director John Douglas, a doctor, said masks were meant to protect the public as
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15
SOCK IT TO ’EM Charity offering hosiery to homeless
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