48th Judge Conrad L. Ball Award honors Fort Collins Police Services Deputy Chief of Police Kristy Volesky
Fort Collins Police Services Deputy Chief of Police Kristy Volesky is the recipient of the 48th Judge Conrad L. Ball Award, recognizing her 32-year legacy of humanizing the justice system in Larimer County.
The annual award is named after the late Honorable 8th Judicial District Judge Conrad L. Ball, who made significant advancements in the criminal justice system. In his honor, an individual is honored for their significant contributions to the criminal justice system.
Volesky is a pioneer in victim advocacy, specifically for children, and a strong leader within Fort Collins Police Services. Kristy consistently demonstrates a commitment to justice, integrity, and community healing that perfectly embodies the spirit of this award. Whether through her early work with at-risk youth or her compassionate approach to complex investigations, she balances rigorous accountability with deep support for victims' families.
Beginning with her first college-level work with high-risk youth at Boys Town in Omaha, Volesky demonstrated a commitment to helping vulnerable children and victims long before she entered law enforcement. This early commitment to helping others became the foundation of her career, where she became a relentless advocate for victims and a regional leader in child forensic interviewing.
Long before it became standard practice, she pioneered trauma-informed approaches that created safe environments for young victims to be heard and supported, leaving a lasting impact on how children and families are served in our community.
Kristy handles complex investigations with a balanced approach, focused on accountability while showing deep compassion for victims’ families. Her ability to combine professional excellence with human empathy ensured that justice is served while restoring trust and helping survivors begin their difficult healing process.
Rising to the highest-ranking female officer in the history of Fort Collins Police Services, Kristy has consistently elevated her profession through ethical leadership and mentorship. As deputy chief, she fostered vital partnerships that have strengthened public safety across Larimer County, clearing a route for future generations of law enforcement. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to doing what is right, uniting professional expertise with humility and integrity, inspiring everyone around her.
Volesky has given back to our community with decades of community service and advocacy through leadership roles in organizations such as the Crawford Child Advocacy Center, Realities for Children, and the Santa Cops program.
Her extensive work has also ensured that vulnerable children facing trauma receive essential resources and a powerful voice in the justice system. Ultimately, Kristy’s legacy is defined by an unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable in our community and improving the lives of families throughout Larimer County.
The numerous awards Volesky has received represent only a fraction of her impact; her true legacy is measured by the victims who found a voice, the children who felt safe, the families she supported through loss, and the colleagues she mentored over three decades. She deeply embodies Judge Conrad L. Ball’s principles of justice, service, and community. Kristy has tirelessly advocated for victims, strengthened the criminal justice system, and made an indelible difference in the lives of Larimer County residents. This award honors Kristy for her integrity, compassionate leadership, and lifelong commitment to our community.
The other nominees for the 2026 Conrad Ball Award were Lynette Dunn, Attorney Matthew Haltzman, Attorney Troy Krenning, Perrie McMillen, Lieutenant Heather Moore, and Fort Collins Police Services Strategic Operations Group.
This year’s award banquet will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 25 at the Fort Collins Country Club, 1920 Country Club Road, Fort Collins, Colorado. More information about this event can be found here: https://www.larimer.gov/cja/comcor/conrad-ball-award.
