8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Citizens Academy Applications Now Open

The 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin is pleased to announce the fourth annual Citizens Academy dates.

This free, four-week academy will be held on consecutive Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., September 30th to October 23rd, 2025 at the Justice Center in Fort Collins, CO. If you have ever been curious about how the justice system works in our community, or if you are interested in how our office approaches things like substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, and more, then this is the class for you.

The Citizens Academy promotes transparency and public understanding of what happens from the time someone is arrested through trial and conviction. Each of the eight classes explores the roles of various departments within the office, culminating in a mock trial in the final session.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how charging decisions are made, the teamwork required to build and prosecute cases, the considerations involved in plea negotiations, the support and services provided to crime victims, the Critical Incident Response Team process, and alternatives to incarceration programs, such as diversion and restorative justice initiatives.

"This program is incredibly important to engage with our communities to not only highlight the work of our office, but to build trust with those we serve," said DA Gordon McLaughlin. "I always value getting to share our work and feature some of the incredible public servants who work in this office."

Limited spaces are available. Preference will be given to applicants who live in the 8th Judicial District (Larimer and Jackson Counties) and are first-time attendees. Participants must be at least 18 years old or under 18, provided they have obtained parental consent. Participants must complete an application and undergo a criminal background check to be considered for acceptance.

Applications are due by Friday, August 29th. Applications may be completed online at https://bit.ly/45R52XK or delivered or mailed to the following address:

8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office 201 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Attn: Kylie Massman

To learn more about the program, visit: larimer.gov/da/community-relations

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to massmakj@co.larimer.co.us