47th Judge Conrad L. Ball Award honors former Community Corrections Director Tim Hand
Former Community Corrections Director Tim Hand has been selected as the recipient of the 47th Judge Conrad L. Ball award. With a career spanning almost 40 years, Tim’s leadership in law enforcement and community corrections has not only shaped local practices but has also influenced statewide standards for justice, accountability, and rehabilitation.
Tim Hand exemplifies the spirit of this award through his unwavering dedication to client-centered practices, his visionary leadership, and his commitment to the continual improvement of the criminal justice system. Beginning his career in Larimer County, Tim went on to serve in multiple leadership roles at the Colorado Department of Corrections, including Director of Adult Parole. He returned to Larimer County in 2013 to serve as the Director of Community Corrections, bringing a depth of experience, a reputation for integrity, and a clear vision for reform.
What distinguishes Tim is not only his technical expertise, but his deep humanity. Tim is known for getting to know the clients he serves and making time to talk with them. His approach is grounded in dignity and belief in human potential. He has always challenged his staff and his program to do more for the people they serve and the community. Under Tim’s leadership, Larimer County Community Corrections continued to thrive, receiving international recognition. He has continuously supported innovative treatment approaches, evidence-based programming, and system improvements that better serve justice-involved individuals and reduce recidivism.
Tim is also a collaborative leader who has strengthened community partnerships and supported others in their development. His work on numerous boards and committees, including the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Community Corrections Coalition, and the Larimer County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, has advanced key initiatives and informed public policy. As a board member, he has mentored others to take on leadership roles, empowering them to become part of a broader change process. One colleague shared that it was Tim’s encouragement that led them to serve on the executive board of the Colorado Association of Community Corrections Boards.
Tim Hand’s contributions to the field have been both transformative and lasting. His career reflects the very ideals this award was created to honor: a commitment to justice, to community, and to the belief that people can grow and change when given the opportunity. His leadership has left an indelible mark on Larimer County and the broader criminal justice landscape in Colorado.
The other nominees for the 2025 Conrad Ball Award were Magistrate Cara Boxberger, the District Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit, Laurie Klith, Matt Landers, and Fort Collins Police Services Victim Services Team.
This year’s award banquet will be held at the Fort Collins Country Club at 1920 Country Club Road, Fort Collins, CO, on September 26th from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. More information about this event is here: https://www.larimer.gov/cja/comcor/conrad-ball-award
