Think of law enforcement and what comes to mind is police officers dressed in blue, firefighters with yellow coats and sheriff’s deputies clad in tan and brown.

But a less obvious — and less visible — form of law enforcement comes from the federal government. Several agencies operate in Colorado: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Postal Inspection Service; and Secret Service. And agents often work wearing street clothes and drive unmarked vehicles.

The agencies have their own cases to investigate, concentrating on crimes for which their agencies were often established to investigate. For instance, the Postal Inspection Service goes after cases of mail theft, fraud and bombs sent through the postal system.

The Secret Service, in addition to providing security for the president, vice president, other heads of state and their families, enforces laws relating to counterfeiting.

The FBI’s Denver office is currently working on about 300 violations in Colorado and Wyoming with a staff of about 150, said FBI spokeswoman Rene Vonder Haar.

“We are working on everything from robberies to terrorism,” she said. “The FBI’s mission is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States.”

Aside from their own cases, the federal agencies say they work with law enforcement at the state and local level, often forming task forces to solve specific crimes. Vonder Haar says several organizations, including the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Springs Police Department, have officers, deputies and prosecutors devoted to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. The task force shares information and intelligence on possible terrorist threats.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, which has an office in Colorado Springs, has the Southern Colorado Drug Task Force, a partnership involving law enforcement agencies in the southern part of the state to investigate drug trafficking, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Special Agent Paul Roach said the task force is important to the DEA because of Colorado Springs’ location. Its proximity to the southern U.S. border and the major highways that run through the city make it an ideal staging point for drug dealers.

“Colorado Springs has become, over the years, a hub for national drug distribution,” he said. “The drugs are stashed in Colorado Springs and sent to places like Chicago, St. Louis and sometimes New York. It’s an easy route to the East.”

Roach said the partnership with local law enforcement led to the dismantling of a Mexican drug cartel in 2004. The 30-month probe yielded 5,100 pounds of cocaine, 521 pounds of marijuana, $10.4 million in cash and at least 60 arrests. It was the largest investigation ever in El Paso County.

Federal agencies also offer their assistance to local and state authorities.

For instance, ATF agents were asked by Colorado Springs authorities to investigate the fire that tore through the Castle West Apartments in January, killing two people. Trevor Velinor, resident-in-charge of the Colorado Springs ATF office, said agents helped determine the cause of the fire.

“Our national response team, made up of specialists and fire investigators, came into the area and provided expertise,” he said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4813 or kim.nguyen@gazette.com

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN COLORADO

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

- Enforces federal criminal laws and regulates the firearms and explosives industries. Identifies, investigates and recommends prosecution of violators of federal firearms, explosives and arson laws. Also investigates tobacco and alcohol-diversion violators.

- What Does it Serve? U.S. Department of Justice.

- Colorado Presence: About 37 agents; nine in Colorado Springs.

- Notable Work in Colorado: Agents helped Colorado Springs authorities investigate the Castle West fire that killed two people in January.

Drug Enforcement Administration

- Enforces federal controlled substance laws and regulations. Investigates organizations and individuals involved in growing, manufacturing or distributing controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the U.S.

- What Does it Serve? U.S. Department of Justice.

- Colorado Presence: 40 to 50 agents; seven in Colorado Springs.

- Notable Work in Colorado: Agents were part of a drug investigation in 2004, considered the largest in El Paso County, in which authorities seized 5,100 pounds of cocaine, 521 pounds of marijuana and $10.4 million. At least 60 people were arrested in the case.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

- Investigates terrorist and foreign intelligence threats against the U.S. Enforces federal criminal laws. Also provides leadership and criminal-justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

- What Does it Serve? U.S. Department of Justice.

- Colorado Presence: About 150 members serving Colorado and Wyoming.

- Notable Work in Colorado: FBI agents, including trained negotiators, helped authorities during Platte Canyon High School shooting in Bailey in September 2006.

Marshals Service

- Locates, arrests, transports and houses federal fugitives. Ensures the safety of witnesses who testify for the government in cases involving organized crime and other significant crime activity. Manages and disposes of seized and forfeited properties acquired by criminals through illegal activities.

- What Does it Serve? U.S. Department of Justice

- Colorado Presence: Unknown.

- Notable Work in Colorado: Marshals caught Raul Gomez-Garcia in Mexico in June 2005 and brought him back to Denver, where he was convicted of fatally shooting a Denver police officer and wounding a second officer as they were working security at a private party in May 2005.

Postal Inspection Service

- Enforces federal laws relating to U.S. mail, the postal system or postal employees. Investigates crimes that misuse, defraud, endanger or threaten the postal system. c What Does it Serve? U.S. Postal Service.

- Colorado Presence: About 35 inspectors; a few in Colorado Springs.

- Notable Work in Colorado: Postal inspectors worked with FBI agents investigating former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio, who was convicted this year of 19 counts of illegal insider trading.

Secret Service

- Protects and investigates threats against the president and vice president, their families, heads of state and other designated individuals. Also protects the White House, the vice president’s residence, foreign missions and other buildings in Washington, D.C. Investigates violations of federal counterfeiting laws, financial crimes and computer-based attacks.

- Who Does it Serve? U.S. Department of Treasury.

- Colorado Presence: Fewer than 50 agents.

- Notable Work in Colorado: Agents are working with law enforcement in Denver to plan security for the Democratic National Convention, in August 2008.