CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. — Bill Canda, a sitting Custer County commissioner, has been arrested and charged with tax evasion following an investigation by state authorities.
According to officials, a warrant for Canda’s arrest was issued on April 10. He turned himself in to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office later that same day. Canda faces one count of tax evasion, classified as a Class 6 felony under Colorado law. After posting a $1,250 bond, he was released and is awaiting further court proceedings.
The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at the request of the sheriff’s office. Upon completion, the case was referred to the 12th Judicial District for a prosecutorial decision.
Authorities have not released additional details about the case, and both the sheriff’s office and district attorney have declined further comment at this time.
However, reporting from Wet Mountain Tribune indicates that Canda has also been under scrutiny by the Colorado Ethics Commission. The investigation centers on allegations that he may have improperly used the county’s tax-exempt status for personal gain.
Specifically, former Custer County Planning and Zoning Director Dorothy Carsten requested the ethics probe, citing at least six instances in which Canda allegedly used the county’s tax-exempt certificate to purchase hardware and supplies for his privately owned septic business.
The case remains ongoing, with additional developments expected as it moves through the judicial process.
