The Armstrongs at a Law Enforcement Academy Graduation in Littleton, Colorado, December 2025.

Photo Courtesy of Kevin and Kersten Armstrong

GILPIN COUNTY — When he’s not enforcing the laws of the land, Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong is making sure the laws of the heart are upheld at home.

Behind the badge is a love story, decades in the making...one that began long before Armstrong became sheriff.

Kersten and Kevin at the 2026 County Sheriffs of Colorado Winter Conference.

Photo Courtesy of Kevin and Kersten Armstrong

Kevin and his wife, Kersten, have been together for more than thirty years, balancing careers, community service, and family life with a steady commitment to one another.

A meeting at City Hall

The story begins in 1990 in the City of Wheat Ridge, where Armstrong had already built a reputation as a dedicated police officer. His law enforcement career started there, in 1980, launching what would become an extensive role in public safety.

When Kersten started her job as court administrator, her coworkers wasted no time playing matchmaker, insisting she “needed to go out with him,” Kevin recalled.

Their first date was lunch at a Mexican restaurant near West 38th Avenue and Reed Street. Kevin made the first move, asking her to join him. “The rest is history,” he quipped.

The pair began dating and were married in June 1994 on what Kevin recalls as the hottest day on record. (I’m sure it was, Kevin!)

Building a life together

Shortly after their wedding, the couple purchased property in Gilpin County. Years later, they designed—and helped build—their dream home, settling into mountain life in February 2004.

One of the most meaningful milestones in their relationship was the birth of their daughter Katelyn, a moment Kevin says brought immense joy and lasting happiness to their lives.

Their connection to the community grew. Kersten became deeply involved in education, serving on the Gilpin County School District Accountability Committee in 2008. She later filled a vacancy on the Gilpin County school board in 2011, serving until 2019.

Kevin followed a similar path of community engagement beyond his professional duties. He joined the Gilpin County Little League when Katelyn started T-ball in 2006. He soon became its president. 

That same year, he began serving on the Gilpin County Education Foundation, a role he still holds today. Later, he also became president of the Alan Green Memorial Foundation.

“We both know how important being involved in the success of our community can be when you volunteer your time to make things better for all,” he said.

A career of service

Kevin was sworn in as Gilpin County Sheriff in January 2019, bringing with him more than 38 years of law enforcement experience.

Known locally for his steady presence and community-first approach, he has also served on regional efforts, including the Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council, showing his broader commitment to public health and safety issues facing mountain communities.

But at home, Kersten says it’s not the badge that defines him. “Kevin has a fun, gentle spirit and continual optimism,” she said. (Anyone who knows Armstrong can attest to the warmth of his smile and his kind nature.)

Family at the center

Family is at the core of their relationship. Together they raised their daughter, who attended Gilpin County Schools K-12, and is now preparing to graduate as a doctor in May.

Kevin also has two older daughters from a previous marriage, and the couple opened their home to Kersten’s nephew after her sister's death, raising him as their own. Today, they are proud grandparents to five grandchildren!

Though their last dog has crossed the rainbow bridge, the Armstrong household remains full of life, memories, and plans for future adventures.

Weathering life together

Like any couple, they have experienced challenges. The difference, they say, lies in how they face them.

“The keys to any relationship are communication, trust, perseverance, and forgiveness,” Kevin said. “We never give up on each other regardless of the challenges we have faced.”

They make time for date nights when they can, set goals for the future, and plan vacations together. Travel has become a shared passion, with fun trips to Disney World and to exotic destinations such as Ireland, Scotland, Alaska, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. Iceland is next on their list.

The Armstrongs believe in bringing “the word of God into your relationship sooner than later,” to help through the good times and weather the difficult times. “Faith in any relationship is paramount,” they say.

Love in the everyday moments

The Armstrongs do date nights as often as possible. They set goals for the future. Kersten retired last year, and they plan to travel the continental United States. Armstrong will soon retire as well.

The Armstrongs at a Law Enforcement Academy Graduation in Littleton, Colorado, December 2025.

Photo Courtesy of Kevin and Kersten Armstrong

When asked what still makes him smile after all these years, Kevin said, “Kersten’s dedication to family.”

What makes her smile? His optimism.

Their advice to younger couples is simple and heartfelt: never give up on each other, learn to forgive, and remember that time together is more valuable than anything else.

Kevin proclaimed: “Forgive often and never go to bed angry without a kiss and an ‘I love you’ to each other.”

Valentine’s traditions

The Armstrongs celebrate Valentine’s Day in hallmark fashion with “a special dinner, cards, and flowers, of course.”

After more than three decades, their love story isn’t defined by grand gestures but steady commitment. It is built on shared service, shared faith, and the understanding that relationships, like communities, grow stronger when nurtured.

And while the sheriff may spend his days keeping the peace across Gilpin County, it is clear that at home, he and Kersten have built a peace just as meaningful. Their advice to other couples: "Tomorrow is never promised, so make the best of the time you have together."