Criminal Justice Planning

The Criminal Justice Planning unit looks at the entire public safety system to ensure that justice is fair and that resources are used wisely.

Strategies to reduce individuals from committing new crimes and having a lower jail population:

  • Working with community organizations: Collaboration with local groups to provide treatment and alternative programs
  • Advisory Committee: Set priorities and drive policy change
  • Auditing and Research: Study programs and develop new ideas
  • Improvements: Analyze business practices and data to guide change
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  • Ongoing Research: Continuously look for evidence based practices to supervise and treat people sentenced by the courts
  • New Program Recommendations: Suggest new programs for Larimer County to minimize the use of jail beds
  • Internal Audits: Study programs to ensure they meet standards and make policy recommendations
  • Gather Feedback: Listen to employees and stakeholders to find ways to improve processes
  • Legislation Awareness: Identify laws that impact the community justice system, both positively and negatively
  • Grant Opportunities: Find funding that can improve the community justice environment in Larimer County

 

LC Jail ADP 2005-2021

In 2015, 2016, and 2017, the Jail's average daily population (ADP) increased substantially.  While there is no silver bullet answer for this increase, main contributors are thought to include increases in new drug felony arrests and increases in homeless/transient inmates, coupled with a significant pre-existing population with mental health and substance issues.  Decreases in ADP occurred in 2018 and 2019.  Larimer County is working to bring focus on behavioral health related services (such as the Co-Responder Program). With these efforts, there is hope the trend of a declining jail population will continue.

In 2020, the ADP saw a notable decrease, potentially linked to the global pandemic's effects on law enforcement practices, improved mental health services, and the reclassification of certain felony drug offenses to misdemeanors.  In 2021, the Jail's ADP began an upward trend.  Criminal Justice Planning partners continue to collect data from multiple sources for these timeframes to study the factors that contribute to the ADP.

Criminal Justice Planning is committed to monitoring the criminal justice system, implementing new treatment programs, collaborating on competency-related initiatives, advocating for relevant legislation, and partnering with community organizations to develop effective solutions.

In 2007, the Board of County Commissioners recognized the Larimer County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC).  The Committee is an advisory and policy level board consisting of County elected officials and other principal justice system decision makers.  Learn more about CJAC.


Contact Community Justice Alternatives
Phone:  (970) 980-2600
Fax: (970) 980-2610
 
Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Larimer County will provide a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with a disability who need assistance, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship to the County or fundamentally alter services.  Services can be arranged with at least seven (7) business days’ notice.  Please email cjsd_business_operations@larimer.org or call (970) 980-2679 or Relay Colorado 711.  “Walk-in” requests for auxiliary aids and services will be honored to the extent possible but may be unavailable if advance notice is not provided.