Community Corrections is defined in Colorado Revised Statutes 17-27-102 (1) as follows: “Community Corrections program means a community-based or community-oriented program that provides supervision of offenders pursuant to this article: which is operated either by a unit of government, the Department of Corrections, or any individual, corporation, or association; which may provide residential or non-residential services for offenders; which monitors activities or offenders; which oversees victim restitution and community service, and which provides programs and services programs and services to aid offenders in obtaining and holding regular employment, in enrolling in and maintaining academic courses, in participating in vocation training programs, in utilizing the resources of the community in meeting their personal and family needs and providing treatment, in participating in whatever specialized programs exist within the community, and such other services as may be appropriate to aid in offender rehabilitation and public safety."
This program provides oversight for the operation of community corrections within the City and County of Denver. According to Colorado law, units of local government may enter into a contract with the State of Colorado to administer a community corrections program within their jurisdiction. As part of administering a program, the local government may create a community corrections board that is responsible for the placement decision of offenders in any community correctional facility operating within that jurisdiction. Denver's twenty-one (21) member board is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council.
Community corrections funding is provided through the Colorado Department of Public Safety -Division of Criminal Justice and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Under the current contract with the State, each judicial district is authorized for a reimbursement of administrative costs associated with operating community corrections within that district.
As mentioned earlier the operation of community corrections involves the State of Colorado contracting with the City and County of Denver, which in turn sub-contracts with local providers for the delivery of residential and non-residential services. Community Corrections providers in Denver are comprised of both public (University of Colorado Health Sciences-Peer I and The Haven Programs, Denver Sheriff Department Phase I) and private (RRK Enterprises, Correctional Management Inc., Community Education Centers) entities.