GOLDEN, Colo. (Jan. 7, 2025) – Robert Joel Gordanier has pleaded guilty to two charges for the crimes he committed between July 2019 and November 2023, while Gordanier served as Mayor, Police Chief, and Fire Chief of the Town of Lakeside. For details on the Grand Jury Indictment see previous release.
Today, Gordanier pled guilty to the following charges:
Count 1: EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY – Section 18-8-407, C.R.S. (F5), and
Count 7: FIRST DEGREE OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT – Section 18-8-404, C.R.S. (M1)
Counts two, three, five, eight and nine were dismissed as a result of the plea. On count one, parties stipulated to a Deferred Sentence for a period of four-years supervised probation, and Gordanier must pay restitution to the Town of Lakeside in the amount of $26,088. On count seven, Gordanier was sentenced to four-years probation to be served concurrently, however this conviction will remain a permanent conviction.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Darren Kafka emphasized that Gordanier’s actions represented “a significant breach of public trust, undermining confidence in both our government institutions and law enforcement everywhere.”
Gordanier did not speak at the hearing.
A condition of probation is that Gordanier cannot hold any office, elected or otherwise, or engage in any employment of public trust, including mayor, councilmember, or peace officer while serving probation.
Daughter and co-defendant, Brenda Hamilton, faces ten counts and has pleaded not guilty. The next hearing, and disposition cut-off date, is set for Jan. 29, 2025, at 8:00am.