DA's Citizens Academy Applications Open!

The 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin is pleased to announce the fifth 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., October 6th to October 29th, 2026 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 has proven to be a critical part of our ability to engage and build trust with members of our community to share more about the work we do in the DA's Office," said District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin. "The criminal justice system can be difficult to understand, and this course gives our attendees the chance to ask questions and hear directly from some of the incredible public servants who work for Larimer and Jackson counties every day."

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, September 4th. Applications may be completed online at https://bit.ly/4zpsOXv 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