The Wild West town of Ward, 20 mi. West of Boulder, is soon to be without a certified marshal. So far no one has stepped up to take over his role. The 100 or so residents don't take kindly to outside police, so they are hesitant of the sheriff coming in.

From the article:

"One resident describes Ward as "Mayberry in the mountains," and the tiny mountain hamlet's police force has a similar feel.

Instead of dialing 911, the "Wardos" make direct calls to their town marshals — Robert "Fuzzy Bob" Spratford, Peter "Skinny Pete" Lawrence and Norm "Tiny" Bowers. The trio have patrolled the mostly dirt roads for decades, keeping the peace for the 150 or so people who call the town home.

Problem is: Only Spratford is state certified to be an officer, and in November he posted his resignation letter — written on a piece of paper from a yellow legal notepad — outside the town's post office, which is also the town office and library."