(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is implementing a new pay structure that will bring the salaries of communication officers, patrol and detention deputies closer to market level.

According to PCSO, the Board of County Commissioners approved the new pay structure. Sheriff David J. Lucero has been working on a new pay structure specifically focused on public safety. Sheriff’s employees had previously been tied to the pay schedule of all Pueblo County employees, which PCSO said led to sheriff’s office employees being underpaid compared to other law enforcement agencies.

“This has been a priority of mine since I was elected Sheriff, and I’m pleased to finally see it come to fruition,” said Sheriff David J. Lucero. “For so many years, our employees have been underpaid, and this new pay plan is a step in the right direction and one that should help us with our recruiting and retention.”

PCSO said the new pay structure became effective June 20. The plan will bring detention deputies and communication officers closer to market value for their positions and bring patrol deputies significantly closer to market value.

Also, a monthly retention incentive will be distributed to all full-time employees starting in August and going through December 2025.

“This plan does not address our civilian employees, who are a very valued part of our agency, but I’m not done. I plan to continue to work to ensure that our employees are paid comparable to what others locally and in the state are being paid for the same work,” Lucero said.