Monument Police Chief Jacob Shirk will officially announce his campaign for El Paso County sheriff at 11 a.m. Friday at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.

Shirk decided to run two weeks ago after Sheriff Terry Maketa announced he would not run for a third term. On Monday, Maketa changed his mind and said he will seek the seat for another four years.

“Voters, especially in the current political climate, need a forum to be heard. I feel my ideas and proposals address their interests. Therefore, I intend to continue the campaign process, if only to insure that these issues are given a voice,” Shirk said in a release.

Before going to Monument as police chief in 2005, Shirk retired from the Aurora Police Department as a 29-year veteran.

Photo by