How is your agency structured?

The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) serves as the vital bridge between public safety and community well-being in Colorado. Through its work in grants, research and policy development, DCJ supports state and local nonprofits, law enforcement agencies, and organizations dedicated to advancing criminal justice programs and improving the safety for everyone who calls Colorado home.

Established by the Colorado legislature to "...improve all areas of the administration of criminal justice in Colorado, both immediately and in the long term, regardless of whether the direct responsibility for action lies at the state level or with the many units of local government" (24-33.5-501 C.R.S. 1973 as amended).

DCJ has a long history of providing assistance to state and local agencies in the criminal justice system through policy work, conducting criminal justice research, supporting victims, improving services for those who are justice-involved and administering federal and state grants. Its broad range of statutory responsibilities includes technical assistance, grant management, data collection, victim support, and the development of standards for community corrections, sex offender management and domestic violence offender management.

The Division operates through six specialized offices, each focused on critical areas such as juvenile justice, community corrections, crime victim programs, human trafficking, offender rehabilitation and addressing the pressing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Through these offices, DCJ implements data-driven strategies to tackle recidivism, racial disparities, and violence prevention.

In addition to its internal six offices, DCJ also works closely with 13 boards and commissions to develop standards, guidelines and implement legislation aimed at improving the quality of life in Colorado communities. 

Please list the federal and state grants your agency administers:

Federal Grants 

• Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

• Byrne Justice Assistance Grant/Prison Rape Elimination ACT Grant (JAG PREA)

• Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant (SCIP)

• OJJDP Title II (Formula)

• Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant (PSN)

• Paul Coverdell Forensics Sciences Improvement Grant (Coverdell)

• National Crime History Improvement Program (NCHIP)

• Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program Grant (RSAT)

• John R. Justice Program (JRJ)Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance

• Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Compensation

• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

• Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP)

• Anti-Terrorism Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) - Currently for Boulder King Soopers and Club Q mass incidents

• BJA Connect and Protect: Alternate responder directory; 911 operator training; 911-988 integration

• BJA Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI): Jail data sharing

• BJA Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Fund (CESF): Jail data sharing

• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Jail data sharing

State Grants

• Juvenile Diversion

• Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program (LEAGP)

• Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention Grant (CPCI)

• Law Enforcement Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Tuition Reimbursement Grant 

• States Mission for Assisting in Recruitment and Training Grant (SMART) 

• Crime Prevention through Safer Streets

• Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Program Grant (CTIP)

• State Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement (VALE) Program

• Crime Victim Service Fund (these are any general fund dollars received in lieu of our federal funds but part of the same funding cycle)

Please list your top three current priorities or focus areas.

1) Funding for Community-Based Prevention and Intervention Programs: The Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention Grant Program is a funding initiative aimed at fostering community-driven responses to crime and crisis in Colorado. Designed for local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based programs, this grant aims to create long-lasting impact by facilitating the development of well-rounded crime prevention strategies and comprehensive crisis intervention frameworks. By uniting professionals from various sectors—such as law enforcement, mental health, and social services—it seeks to create collaborative, prevention-based strategies. This program provides the financial resources needed to develop innovative and evidence-informed crime prevention measures and crisis intervention responses tailored to the specific needs of communities, ultimately enhancing public safety and well-being.

The grant empowers local programs that prioritize mental health support, community policing, and intervention services, encouraging a proactive stance toward both prevention and immediate crisis management. Programs eligible for this grant could include initiatives that focus on improving mental health outreach, crisis de-escalation training, and coordination between emergency services and social support organizations.

2) Improving information sharing to improve outcomes of people transitioning between jail and prison systems: The Colorado Trusted Interoperability Platform (CTIP) enables secure information sharing between jails and criminal justice partners in Colorado. It aims to improve health and safety outcomes for justice-involved individuals by streamlining data exchange on physical and mental health, reducing manual processes, and ensuring continuity of care. The platform connects county jails with the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS) and automates reporting and data transfers. Current pilot sites include Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, and Moffat counties and we are excited to launch more broadly across the state in the coming year. Future expansion is supported through federal and state grants. Colorado is the first in the nation to launch a platform designed to exchange this vital data and information between county jails about persons in custody. 

3) Funding through the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board, closing the gap between funding opportunities and agencies and communities is a priority for this board. Through the board, the grant application process is consolidated to ensure funding reaches Colorado victim services agencies, system based and non-profit organizations. Through educational information, communication is often and widely distributed to agencies and communities about available funding and how to apply for grants. The communication efforts aim to break down barriers that are preventing communities-in-need from receiving this information, which is defined as Communities Impacted by Inequity: These communities include those who may face barriers in accessing and using victim services due to: Language, Ethnicity and/or Race (American Indian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, Black, Latinx), Culture, Disability, Age, Sexual orientation, Religion, Gender identity, and Immigration status. 

As an extension to increasing grant opportunities to these communities and agencies, DCJ is also improving and streamlining its grant application process, reducing its essay requirements and questions and replacing it with an application showcasing an applicant’s need and project purpose. 

What is the main thing you would like other NCJA members to know about your agency?

At its core, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) is dedicated to providing and fostering community resilience across Colorado. People should know that DCJ provides vital resources, including funding, training, and research to create and support more effective and equitable criminal justice programs and resources.

As the Division continues to evolve and expand its programs and services to meet the needs of its communities, its team is focused on administering and providing grants and services that continue to empower local communities to curb violence or improve access to care for victims and support for those who are justice-involved. 

Follow DCJ’s contributions to the community and connect with us on LinkedIn.