Probably because the marshal's office would have directed him to call the sheriff's office, since it was out of their (marshal's) jurisdiction. Possibly because [1]by the time he did contact the SO, he was told that ER had already called them and given them an initial report.
[2]Even if an LE agency's office doors are closed, there is always a way to contact them by phone. A dispatcher will direct those calls to the appropriate agency or to any patrolman who is nearby.
The point is, the marshal's office would not have taken the report, he would have been advised to contact the SO, and that is why there is no missing person's report at the Bayfield office. But I bet there is a record there of him contacting them, whether it was by phone or in person.
BBM
1.) I am unaware of MR, or anyone else ever stating that he contacted the Sheriff's Office, or even attempted to contact them.
2.) It has been established that the 24-hour-dispatch line listed for the BMO on their website connects a person directly with the La Plata County Sheriff's Office in Durango. The BMO does not have a 24-hour-dispatch within the office itself.
Just attempting to clarify what has been discovered. Not trying to invalidate any of your opinions, or possibility statements.
[Please refer to the BMO website under hours and phone numbers to see the 24-hour-dispatch phone number. A reverse lookup on that phone number established that it connects directly to the County Sheriff's Office in La Plata. Please note that the BMO is open 9-3 Monday - Friday, and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.]