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Since 2005, Arapahoe County has been working to determine how best to meet both the short- and long-term space needs of the courts and jails. Faced with the addition of four new judges in 2008, a shortage of courtrooms and a crowded jail, the Board of County Commissioners appointed the Judicial Facilities Review Committee – a 30-member group that spent two years researching the short- and long-term needs for both the courts and jails.

The committee included professionals knowledgeable in court and detention operations, as well as representatives from the entire criminal justice community. To assist the committee, Arapahoe County hired DLR Architects, supported by Dan L. Wiley & Associates and Daniel C. Smith and Associates, to provide information, a conceptual framework, strategic planning, cost estimates and implementation strategies and recommendations.

On July 19, 2007, the Judicial Facilities Review Committee completed its work and presented its findings to the Board of County Commissioners. The Committee presented the Board with three proposals:

• Establish a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee

• Implement short-term solutions that would include the development of detailed project lists with timelines, plans and construction schedules; funding for initial phases of projects and development of stopgap measures for jail crowding.

• Establish the next steps for long-term solutions that include more data gathering and analysis of policy changes and other alternatives recommended by the Judicial Facilities Review Committee; development of site plans and conceptual drawings along with more detailed cost estimates; and development and evaluation of various funding options, as well as timelines.

The Board of County Commissioners accepted the Committee’s findings and directed staff to develop a short-term needs committee to further refine the more immediate recommendations to free up court space and jail space until longer-term solutions can be achieved.

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