Tantrum Costs Ex-Councilman $13K and 13-Mile Bike Rides With Urine Samples

Update: Back in July, we told you about the epic tantrum thrown by Snowmass Village town councilman Chris Jacobson after he was busted for driving under the influence — a rubber-wall ripping, bolted-chair damaging frenzy, all of which was captured on video. See it below as part of previous coverage incorporated here.

A lot's happened in Jacobson's life since then, and much of it hasn't been good.

In October, as noted by the Aspen Times, he lost Snowmass Village's first-ever recall election by the staggering margin of 623 to 59.

And now, he's pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and drunken driving — and a judge has refused to rid him of the responsibility of riding his bike thirteen miles to deliver urine samples.

As we previously reported, an AspenJournalism.org profile of Jacobson published last year lets us see how the councilman looks on most days. Here's a screen capture:


As the headline announces, Jacobson is "unbowed by sacred cows" — and apparently, by oncoming traffic.

The Times reported that Jacobson was pulled over during the early morning hours of June 26 after allegedly weaving and swerving on Brush Creek Road.

From that location, he was transported to Pitkin County jail, where the video picks up.

At first, Jacobson is argumentative but not notably disruptive.

But before long, he can be seen slamming his head against a wall....


...punching the door....


....kicking the door....


....pounding on the door....


....hurling his mattress against the door....


...slapping a wall....


...which escalates into the equivalent of a drum solo.


He also urinates on the floor — although the video cuts away right before he whips anything out.


After that, Jacobson is taken out of the isolation cell and strapped to a restraining chair.....


...but the metal clasps holding it down are no match for his rockin' powers.


The damage to the facility chair, rubber wall covering, lights and more was ultimately calculated at $13,248.30.

The former councilman submitted a check for that amount, but he'll have to pony up about $450 more to cover the interest, the Times reveals.

That's not Jacobson's only punishment. While he won't learn about his sentence until a hearing in January, he knows he'll have to serve at least ten days in jail for the DUI (his second, with the previous one taking place in 1985). However, he could wind up behind bars for as long as eighteen months, in addition to serving 48 hours of community service and two years on probation.

In the meantime, Jacobson is required to take part in regular urine testing to prove that he's staying off the sauce — and because he isn't allowed to drive, he has to ride his bike thirteen miles from his current home in Paonia to Hotchkiss to submit his sample. According to the Times, Jacobson asked the judge for a break from this chore during the winter. The judge wouldn't go for that, but he did direct Jacobson's case manager "to be flexible in ordering the tests depending on the weather."

That's the closest thing to a break Jacobson is likely to get. Look below to see Jacobson's memorable mug shot, followed by the video of his fit-throwing.


Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.