Dolores County Sheriff Jerry Martin is warning area residents that they should not send money if they are contacted by telephone and told that a fund-raising effort is under way to help his family.

Martin said Wednesday that local people have been asked to contribute to a fund to help pay for his daughter Krista’s medical expenses.

"I have not, and would never, endorse an operation like this," Martin said.

The Denver Post ran a story March 18 about his daughter, who has a serious and unidentified illness, and her huge medical bills. Apparently, some unscrupulous con artist recognized the opportunity to make easy money.

Martin said this isn’t the first time such an operation has zeroed in on a tragedy in the area. Following Cortez police officer Dale Claxton’s death, a similar scam was undertaken, The scam artists generally rent a post office box in a fairly large town like Colorado Springs and urge people to send their contributions there.

Martin urged anyone who received such a call to contact the Dolores County Sheriff’s Office at 677-2257.