Judge orders Jeffco to return sheriff's money

Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins had an opportunity to settle with Sheriff Mike Hale and refused.

So a judge sided with Hall and ordered today the commission to return $5.1 million taken from the sheriff's budget in a midnight raid.

Circuit Judge Joseph Boohaker also ordered the two sides to negotiate in good faith to come up with cuts to allow business to go on as usual.

—Tribune staff report