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In January 1978, overcrowding in the County Jail was a severe problem due to the incarceration of persons sentenced to serve only weekend sentences.  As a result, the Alternative Services Program was proposed and accepted by the Criminal Justice Task Force and Detention Oversight Committee. In 1982, the Useful Public Service Program was incorporated into the preexisting Alternative Service Program for efficiency and expediency.  At that time, the new Drunk Driving Bill provided that all persons convicted of DUI and DWAI perform useful public service as a part of their sentence.

Goals and Objectives Alternative Services is a sentencing option which enables certain offenders to complete a specified number of community service hours as a condition of probation or in lieu of a jail sentence. Useful Public Service is part of the Alternative Services program, except that UPS is specifically for persons convicted of DUI or DWAI as mandated by the drunk driving bill of July 1982.

To provide a meaningful and positive work experience. To provide a constructive use of skills and manpower (i.e., the toy project and special creative placements). To meet the need of public service agencies for volunteer skills and manpower. To institute a form of reparative restitution to the community (i.e., the Alternatives Inc. Face to Face Program providing victim restitution). Arapahoe County Alternative Services is a member of the Colorado Alternative Sentencing Programs (CASP).