Colorado police chief’s traffic confrontations prompted 911 calls
Colorado Mental Health Hospital Police Chief Reinstated After Road Rage-Like Confrontations
The police chief for the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo, Chief Richard McMorran, was reinstated to his position on August 15th after a 10-month investigation into his off-duty confrontations with speeding drivers on Interstate 25. The internal investigation found that McMorran used aggressive tactics, including tailgating, racing, and swerving into other drivers’ lanes, to confront motorists he believed were speeding. This behavior led to multiple 911 calls from concerned drivers between January and September 2024.
During these confrontations, McMorran was off-duty, outside of his jurisdiction, and in an unmarked state vehicle. While the investigation did not determine whether the vehicle was equipped with police lights and sirens, it did find that two incidents resulted in actual traffic stops. The Chief was also sometimes wearing plain clothes during these encounters.
Following the investigation, McMorran was given a 5% pay cut and is still under consideration for potential criminal charges by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The 10th Judicial District Attorney, Kala Beauvais, stated that her office is nearing a decision on whether to pursue charges against the Chief.
In an Aug. 13 disciplinary letter, Chris Frenz, deputy director of operations and legal affairs at the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, criticized McMorran’s behavior as inappropriate, unprofessional, and lacking in judgment. Frenz noted that the confrontations caused fear among drivers and reflected poorly on the department.
As part of his disciplinary measures, McMorran is prohibited from driving his state vehicle outside of the hospital’s campus for the next year, conducting traffic stops unless there is an immediate health or safety concern, and using his state vehicle for personal reasons. These restrictions aim to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
McMorran, who has been the Chief of the hospital’s police department since 2018, is a POST-certified police officer. Despite his authority to make traffic stops, Frenz emphasized that it was the manner in which McMorran conducted these stops that led to the disciplinary actions.
The state mental health hospital’s police department handles criminal matters at the 516-bed campus in Pueblo and includes a mix of certified police officers and security guards. McMorran’s reinstatement comes after the sudden removal of his predecessor in 2018, further highlighting the changes in leadership within the department.
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Published on August 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM MDT
