Undersheriff Colbert announces bid for Lewis and Clark County Commission

Lewis and Clark County Undersheriff Brent Colbert is looking to hang up his badge in exchange for a seat as a Lewis and Clark County commissioner.

Colbert will be running for the seat currently held by Commissioner Tom Rolfe, who was elected to a six-year term in 2020. Rolfe confirmed Friday he plans to run for re-election to his seat.

“There needs to be a little bit of change,” Colbert said. “We need stronger leadership in county administration. I want to continue to serve the county, in just a different capacity.”

Colbert unofficially made the announcement during last week’s Hometown Helena meeting at Helena College but plans to announce his run publicly this week.

This has been a decision two years in the making, Colbert said.

He plans to focus his campaign on improving county infrastructure and preparedness.

“We have miles of roads and many bridges that need maintenance,” Colbert said. “I think we can stretch the tax dollars a bit further with a more robust maintenance system.”

On the issue of preparedness, he points to his career as a first responder as giving him credentials to help prepare the county in the event of disasters.

“I want to be proactive, not reactive,” Colbert said. “I don't think we are prepared for everything that can happen and will happen.”

For some, including Sheriff Leo Dutton, Colbert was seen as a future candidate for county sheriff.

“I hate to lose him,” Dutton said. “He has been a great undersheriff and he has worked to understand the many facets of county politics. Greatest of all, he is a servant of the people and he never forgets that.”

Dutton plans to endorse Colbert in the race.

“He’s done this job for 30 years and he wants to do something different,” Dutton said. “He thinks he can make a positive impact on the commission, and I think he can too.”

Colbert is from Helena and graduated from Capital High School in 1987. Upon graduating from North Idaho College with an associate’s degree in law enforcement he enlisted in the United States Army, becoming a paratrooper for the XVIII Airborne Corps. He is a veteran of the Gulf War and spent some time with the 1st Armored Division.

After discharging from the Army in 1995, Colbert was hired to work in the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center, where he was eventually promoted to Detention Sergeant. In 2003, Brent was sworn in as a deputy for the sheriff’s office.

In his 30-year career with the sheriff’s department, Colbert spent time stationed in Lincoln and Wolf Creek. During this time, Colbert was a Field Training Officer, Taser Instructor, member of the Civil Disobedience Team and was also the Reserve Coordinator. In 2013, he was named the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year and in 2017 was named American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

“Brent is a member of the American Legion Post 2, an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys time in his wood shop,” a biography on the county’s website reads. “He is dedicated to his family, to the Sheriff’s Office, and to the citizens of Lewis and Clark County.”

Candidate filing opens Feb. 17, with general election scheduled for Nov. 3.