FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2024

SHERIFF’S OFFICE WELCOMES K9 APOLLO 

GRAND COUNTY, CO – The Grand County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the newest addition of K9 Apollo to our K9 Unit. K9 Apollo has been partnered with his handler, Sergeant Nate Opsahl. K9 Apollo is a one-year-old German Shepherd, born in Poland, speaks Dutch, and enjoys working hard to play with his favorite ball on a rope toy. He is dual purpose and certified in Patrol and Narcotics detection. Sergeant Opsahl and K9 Apollo recently returned to Grand County after spending 7 weeks training together through The Next Level Canine Institute in Lapoint, Utah. 

The purchase and training of K9 Apollo was made possible by funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance U.S. Department of Justice. The JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. 

A Colorado native, Sergeant Nate Opsahl has worked in law enforcement since 2005. He has been a K9 Handler for the past sixteen years and K9 Apollo will be his third police dog to be partnered with. Recently retired in February, ten-year-old K9 Danny, has eased into retirement mode and appreciates the extra cuddles at home. 

Sheriff Brett Schroetlin stated, “The addition of K9 Apollo further strengthens and increases our ability to provide support and resources for our law enforcement community. K9 Apollo is a tool that we will use to help keep our community safe as we combat illegal behavior and narcotics in Grand County.”

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