Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include Deputy Elizondo’s thoughts about the program’s future.
JACKSON, Wyo. — The Teton County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) has organized a DUI task force that officially kicked off Aug. 1.
The task force was the brainchild of Deputy Erik Elizondo, after he learned that 80% of crimes committed in Teton County involve alcohol in some way. Elizondo applied for two grants that would help TCSO fund a three-pronged effort to curb driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in Jackson.
TCSO received a $21,000 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) through the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). That money was used to pay for a new fleet of breathalyzers, or preliminary breath tests (PBT), and training for all patrol deputies.
“The old ones still worked,” Elizondo told Buckrail, “but these are the new, greatest 2025 version of everything.”
Besides new equipment, the two other parts of the task force include community outreach and high-visibility enforcement. Community outreach includes school resource officers working with local public schools on education, creating social media videos promoting sober driving around holidays, and setting up informational and interactive booths at local events like Snow King concerts and the rodeo.
Another grant awarded to TCSO through WYDOT is specifically for high-visibility enforcement. The two parties have not yet signed the “memorandum of understanding,” so the grant amount is still not determined, but Elizondo said it is moving forward.
“With high-visibility enforcement, the grant money pays a deputy to work overtime and their only purpose is to arrest somebody for DUI,” said Elizondo. “They are doing traffic stops and it’s their only goal.”
According to Elizondo, the forthcoming grant money from WYDOT comes down from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and will pay for deputies to work overtime on DUI-specific patrols.
“NHTSA has done national studies and found that the PSAs and community outreach are great,” Elizondo said, “but really the way to stop it is just more cops on the road doing more enforcement.”
Elizondo is a certified drug recognition expert (DRE) and assists with traffic stops when drugs are thought to be involved in a DUI. He also teaches classes for DRE certification and field sobriety test training to other law enforcement officers. Elizondo will be joined by Deputy Tia Stanton at a booth at the five remaining Snow King concerts and one rodeo to answer questions, provide information and even allow people to try out a new PBT.
“I’m the DUI guy,” Elizondo said. “I’m passionate about it.”
Elizondo told Buckrail that TCSO is looking to grow the task force next year, by possibly involving more agencies and working with local bars, and by looking into rideshare programs. He said there is room for expansion but for now, the new equipment is just the kickoff.
