A Keenesburg police officer is now facing criminal charges after what state troopers describe as an off-duty road rage incident on Interstate 25 that ended with another driver's car flipped on its roof. Officer Jack Ross remains listed as an active member of the Keenesburg force and has a court date set for March 11, 2026. The case has pushed long-simmering concerns about staffing pressures at small Colorado police departments right back into the spotlight.
State Patrol: Troopers Say Officer Was ‘Actively Roadraging’ On I-25
The Colorado State Patrol says troopers arrested Ross after an Aug. 16, 2025, crash on I-25 in Larimer County that investigators described as the officer "actively roadraging." According to that account, the collision caused an uninvolved motorist's vehicle to roll over before Ross left the scene. He was booked on reckless driving and failure to report charges, and his next court hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2026, according to CBS Colorado. The state patrol's report remains the primary public description of what allegedly happened that day and of the charges now filed against Ross.
Officer’s Record And POST Entries
Records from Colorado's peace officer standards and training system show Ross previously resigned from the Ault Police Department in May 2023 while an internal investigation was still open, and that he had earlier served with the Mead Police Department. The statewide POST registry tracks certifications, resignations and agency actions. Local chiefs consult those entries when they weigh hiring decisions and discipline, and the Colorado POST office maintains those public records.
Chief Jensen Defends Bringing Ross To Keenesburg
Keenesburg Police Chief Jim Jensen told reporters that he hired Ross last August because Ross "was a viable candidate and the best fit for our town," and said he is waiting for the outcome of the criminal case before making a final decision about the officer's future, according to CBS Colorado. Jensen has framed the hire as part of a broader strategy to staff a small department that operates with a tight budget and a limited applicant pool.
Smaller Agencies Say Pay Forces Tough Hiring Choices
Smaller town chiefs interviewed in coverage of the Ross case say low budgets and a thin pipeline of applicants often push them toward hiring officers with blemished records rather than leaving positions empty. That pressure is not unique to Keenesburg. Recent reporting has shown that some officers fired from larger agencies have later been rehired by smaller towns, a pattern that has drawn scrutiny in the region. For one local example of rehired officers and the hiring tradeoffs involved, see reporting from the Denver Gazette.
Legal And Certification Questions
Ross's charges are still pending and could carry penalties under Colorado traffic and criminal statutes. The outcome of the criminal case will also factor into any administrative action the department or POST might take regarding his certification. Colorado POST rules outline how agencies must report terminations, open investigations, and credibility concerns to the statewide registry, a process that can shape whether an officer is eligible to be hired elsewhere. Agency leaders say they plan to wait for the court process to unfold before proceeding with internal discipline or any termination decisions.
What to watch next are the March 11 court date, any new filings from the Larimer County prosecutor and whether the Keenesburg chief changes course as the criminal case moves ahead. For now, Ross remains on the roster while the town and nearby agencies weigh public trust concerns against the basic need to staff patrol shifts.
The unfolding case is a reminder that staffing shortages in smaller jurisdictions can quickly spill into broader public safety debates far beyond a single town, especially when criminal allegations focus on an officer's conduct while off duty.
