City employee arrested on charges of Driving Under the Influence

BOULDER, Colo. - The Boulder County Sheriff's Office arrested a city employee Thursday, July 11, on charges of Driving Under the Influence. Joseph Fernandes, age 25, was performing his duties as a temporary crew member for the city's Open Space Mountain Parks (OSMP) department when a fellow employee noticed behavior that seemed a cause for concern. The OSMP Rangers provided a wellness check and assessment of Fernandes, at which time deputies from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office arrived. The deputies arrested him on two charges of (1) driving under the influence and (2) driving under the influence per se (pursuant to statute 42-4-1301). Fernandes was then transported to the Boulder County Jail for booking and was later released.

Fernandes had been driving a city vehicle while performing his crew duties prior to his arrest. No damage to property or injuries occurred.

Fernandes began working for the City of Boulder in May. His employment with the City of Boulder was terminated on Thursday, July 11, 2024, following the arrest.

"This allegation is extremely troubling," said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. "As city employees it is our job to bolster community safety and not act in a manner that threatens it. We took immediate action upon learning of the incident, and the individual is no longer employed by the city."

As in every criminal case, these charges are an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.