What Are Colorado Specialty Courts?

Colorado problem-solving courts provide a non-traditional approach to integrating treatment provision and criminal justice case processing. These courts work in close alliance with multidisciplinary teams such as members of the judicial treatment communities to offer accountability and treatment and services to offenders in order to reduce substance abuse and recidivism. Other goals of the Colorado Specialty courts include:

• To minimize jail and prison crowding issues;
• To reduce crime;
• To increase the effective management of mental illness among the substance abusing and dependent participants of its programs;
• To advance the effective integration of resources from the courts, justice system personnel, and community agencies and to expand collaboration among all agencies;
• To assist participants in achieving long-term sobriety, maintain recovery, improve their lives and their families’ lives, and become useful members of their communities.

There are over 75 problem-solving courts in the 22 judicial districts in Colorado. Programs offered by Colorado problem-solving courts include:

• Adult Drug Courts;
• Juvenile Drug Courts;
• DUI Courts
• Adult and Juvenile Mental Health Courts;
• Family and Dependency/Neglect Courts
• Veteran’s Treatment Courts

Also referred to as specialty, treatment, collaborative, or accountability courts, problem-solving courts address specific needs and problems of offenders that, for one reason or another, could or were not satisfactorily addressed in traditional courts. Some of such matters include addiction issues, mental illness, and domestic violence. These courts aim to promote outcomes that will benefit all concerned parties; the offender, the victim, and society. Colorado problem-solving courts work toward striking a balance between several points of tension:

• Victim needs vs. offender rights;
• Therapeutic vs. retributive goals of justice;
• The desire to rehabilitate offenders vs. the need to protect members of the public

Colorado problem-solving courts share common traits such as:

• Evidence-based practices - Specialty courts adopt practices that have been tested in real-life scenarios and proven by broad research to be effective.
• Focus on outcomes - These courts are designed to provide positive case outcomes for offenders, victims, and society.
• Collaboration - Specialty court develop partnerships with external parties to achieve set goals
• Non-traditional roles - Courts and court personnel assume roles or processes not common in traditional courts. For instance, some specialty courts are less adversarial than standard criminal justice processing.
• Screening and Assessment - Identification of appropriate individuals for special court programs are based on screening and assessment tools.

Colorado specialty courts operate an integrated, team-based structure that holds participants accountable and helps in their recovery, unlike what obtains from the regular supervision and treatment. These problem-solving courts are special court dockets. Participants in a specialty court program participate voluntarily and agree to follow the laid-down rules of the specific programs. To achieve the goals of the specialty court programs:

• Probation officers or case managers closely supervise participants;
• Participates are tested for drugs or alcohol randomly and frequently;
• Participants are subjected to frequent home and probation officer/case manager visits;
• Participants are engaged in enhanced or intensive drug treatment, and other treatments deemed necessary;
• Participants are assisted in their compliance with efforts to achieve stability; and
• Participants must visit the court at least twice a week (However, this may vary depending on the participant’s progress in the court program)

Before a problem-solving court docket, the court team meets to discuss those appearing on the docket. This team generally includes:

• The judicial officer
• Probation officer
• Deputy district attorney or deputy public defender
• Substance abuse and mental health treatment provider
• Case manager
• The court coordinator
• Any other persons essential to the operation of the court (e.g., Guardian ad Litem, Child Support Enforcement Agency, Department of Human Services, Military Installations.)

During the meeting, and even before, the members exchange information concerning each person on the docket and discuss the participant’s compliance, successes, challenges, and other life circumstances that affect the participant’s progress. The team collaborates to adapt a joint response to the participant’s compliance or non-compliant behavior. In the course of the court session, participants receive incentives or sanctions based on their behaviors and conduct during the past fortnight or month.

A specialty court’s effectiveness is directly connected to the quantity and quality of information shared by the court team, the quality of treatment, the commitment and devotion of the team, the frequent contact with a compassionate yet resolute judicial officer, the random and frequent use of drug and alcohol testing, and the effective use incentives and sanctions. Positive outcomes are also engendered by collaboration between the city and the community in which the program occurs. Such collaborative activities include ancillary services such as housing, employment training and assistance, and financial aid. Specialty court programs may take up to two years or more to complete.

The contact information for the problem-solving courts are listed below:

ADULT DRUG COURTS
District: 1
Location: Golden
County: Jefferson
Coordinator: Tara Reinow
E-mail: tara.reinow@judicial.state.co.us

District: 2
Location: Denver
County: Denver
Coordinator: Jessica Currat
E-mail: jessica.currat@judicial.state.co.us

District: 3
Location: Trinidad
County: Las Animas
Coordinator: Josephine Harriman
E-mail: josephone.harriman@judicial.state.co.us

District: 3
Location: Walsenburg
County: Huerfano
Coordinator: Josephine Harriman
E-mail: josephone.harriman@judicial.state.co.us

District: 4
Location: Colorado Springs
County: El Paso/Teller
Coordinator: Andrea Sivanich
E-mail: andrea.sivanich@judicial.state.co.us

District: 5
Location: Breckenridge
County: Summit
Coordinator: Lisa Morton
E-mail: lisa.morton@judicial.state.co.us

District: 5
Location: Eagle
County: Eagle
Coordinator: Lisa Morton
E-mail: lisa.morton@judicial.state.co.us

District: 6
Location: Durango
County: La Plata
Coordinator: Lisa Roberts
E-mail: lisa.roberts@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Delta
County: Delta
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
E-mail: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Gunnison
County: Gunnison
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
E-mail: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Montrose
County: Montrose
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
E-mail: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Telluride
County: San Miguel
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
E-mail: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

District: 8
Location: Ft. Collins
County: Larimer
Coordinator: Alison Newcomer
E-mail: alison.newcomer@judicial.state.co.us

District: 9
Location: Glenwood Springs
County: Garfield
Coordinator: Valerie MacDonald
E-mail: valerie.macDonald@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Salida
County: Chaffee
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
E-mail: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Canon City
County: Fremont
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
E-mail: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 12
Location: Alamosa
County: Alamosa
Coordinator: Shereen Gonzales
E-mail: shereen.gonzales@judicial.state.co.us

District: 12
Location: Ft. Morgan
County: Morgan
Coordinator: Tamara Alexander
E-mail: tamara.alexander@judicial.state.co.us

District: 13
Location: Sterling
County: Logan
Coordinator: Dawn Gerk
E-mail: dawn.gerk@judicial.state.co.us

District: 14
Location: Craig
County: Moffat
Coordinator: Stephanie Montgomery
E-mail: stephanie.montgomery@judicail.state.co.us

District: 14
Location: Steamboat
County: Rout
Coordinator: Stephanie Montgomery
E-mail: stephanie.montgomery@judicial.state.co.us

District: 16
Location: La Junta
County: Otero
Coordinator: Desiree Hermocillo
E-mail: desiree.hermocillo@judicial.state.co.us

District: 17
Location: Brighton
County: Adams
Coordinator: Tasha Buettenback
E-mail: tasha.buettenback@judicial.state.co.us

District: 17
Location: Brighton
County: Adams
Coordinator: Jesse Cain
E-mail: jesse.cain@judicial.state.co.us

District: 18
Location: Centennial
County: Arapahoe/Douglas/Lincoln/Elbert
Coordinator: Mike Hernandez
E-mail: michael.hernandez@judicial.state.co.us

District: 19
Location: Greeley
County: Weld
Coordinator: Heather Allen
E-mail: heather.allen2@judicial.state.co.us

District: 20
Location: Boulder
County: Boulder
Coordinator: Christina Orlowski
E-mail: christina.orlowski@judicial.state.co.us

District: 22
Location: Cortez
County: Montezuma
Coordinator: Kacie Henderson
E-mail: kacie.henderson@judicial.state.co.us

JUVENILE DRUG COURTS
District: 2
Location: Denver
County: Denver
Coordinator: Kylee Schroeder
Contact: kylee.schroeder@judicial.state.co.us

District: 3
Location: Trinidad
County: Las Animas
Coordinator: C. J Montoya
Contact: curtis.montoya@judicial.state.co.us

District: 8
Location: F.T Collins
County: Larimer
Coordinator: Mathew Jackson
Contact: matthew.jackson@judicial.state.co.us

DUI COURTS
District: 2
Location: Denver
County: City and County of Denver
Coordinator: Lynn Unger
Contact: lynn.unger@denvercountycourt.org

District: 2
Location: Denver
County: Denver District Court
Coordinator: Sarah Paliwoda
Contact: sarah.paliwoda@judicial.state.co.us

District: 3
Location: Trinidad
County: Las Animas
Coordinator: Josephine Harriman
Contact: josephine.harriman@judicial.state.co.us

District: 3
Location: Walsenburg
County: Huerfano
Coordinator: Josephine Harriman
Contact: josephine.harriman@judicial.state.co.us

District: 4
Location: Colorado Spring
County: El Paso/Teller
Coordinator: Erin Walker
Contact: erin.walker@judicial.state.co.us

District: 5
Location: Leadville
County: Lake
Coordinator: Lisa Morton
Contact: Lisa.morton@judicial.state.co.us

District: 5
Location: Eagle
County: Eagle
Coordinator: Lisa Morton
Contact: lisa.morton@judicial.state.co.us

District: 8
Location: Ft. Collins
County: Larimer
Coordinator: Harry McCrystal
Contact: harry.mccrystal@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Salida
County: Chaffee
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
Contact: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Canon City
County: Fremont
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
Contact: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 12
Location: Alamosa
County: Alamosa
Coordinator: Shereen Gonzales
Contact: shereen.gonzales@judicial.state.co.us

District: 13
Location: Ft. Morgan
County: Morgan
Coordinator: Tamara Alexander
Contact: tamara.alexander@judicial.state.co.us

District: 18
Location: Centennial
County: Arapahoe/Douglas/Elbert/Lincoln
Coordinator: Jon Gordon
Contact: jonathan.gordon@judicial.state.co.us

District: 19
Location: Greeley
County: Weld
Coordinator: Kristin Owens
Contact: Kristin.owen@judicial.state.co.us

District: 22
Location: Cortez
County: Montezuma
Coordinator: Kacie Henderson
Contact: kacie.henderson@judicial.state.co.us

Additionally, there are hybrid court programs that serve both drug and DUI offenders - in the following locations:

District: 9
Location: Aspen
County: Pitkin
Coordinator: Valerie MacDonald
Contact: valerie.macdonald@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Telluride
County: San Miguel
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
Contact: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

MENTAL HEALTH COURTS
District: 1
Location: Golden
County: Jefferson/Gilpin
Coordinator: Kasha Swiatkowski
Contact: kasha.swiatkowski@judicial.state.co.us

District: 2
Location: Denver
County: Denver
Coordinator: Kassie Snoblen
Contact: Kassie.snoblen@judicial.state.co.us

District: 6
Location: Durango
County: La Plata
Coordinator: Catherine Gervais
Contact: catherine.gervais@judicial.state.co.us

District: 8
Location: Ft. Collins
County: Larimer
Coordinator: Mathew Jackson
Contact: matthew.jackson@judicial.state.co.us

District: 10
Location: Pueblo
County: pueblo
Coordinator: William Varley
Contact: william.varley@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Canon City
County: Fremont/Park
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
Contact: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 18
Location: Centennial
County: Arapahoe/Douglas/Elbert/LIncoln
Coordinator: Melanie Pitkin
Contact: melanie.pitkin@judicial.state.co.us

Juvenile mental health courts locations:
District: 1
Location: Golden
County: Jefferson
Coordinator: Nicholas Lurz
Contact: nicholas.lurz@judicial.state.co.us

District: 17
Location: Brighton
County: Adams
Coordinator: Emily Housworth
Contact: emily.housworth@judicial.state.co.us

FAMILY/DEPENDENCE AND NEGLECT DRUG COURT
District: 1
Location: Golden
County: Jefferson
Coordination: Kelli Sutton
Contact: kelli.sutton@judicial.state.co.us

District: 4
Location: Colorado Springs
County: El Paso
Coordinator: Ophelia Battista
Contact: ophelia.battista@judicial.state.co.us

District: 7
Location: Delta
County: Delta
Coordinator: Doug Hanshaw
Contact: doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.co.us

District: 8
Location: Ft. Collins
County: Larimer
Coordinator: Harry McCrystal
Contact: harry.mccrystal@judicial.state.co.us

District: 11
Location: Fremont
County: Canon City
Coordinator: Jodi Agnes
Contact: jodi.agnes@judicial.state.co.us

District: 12
Location: Alamosa
County: Alamosa
Coordinator: Shereen Gonzales
Contact: shereen.gonzales@judicial.state.co.us

District: 13
Location: Sterling
County: Logan
Coordinator: Dawn Gerk
Contact: dawngerk@judicial.state.co.us

District: 13
Location: Ft. Morgan
County: Morgan
Coordinator: Tamara Alexander
Contact: tamara.alexander@judicial.state.co.us

District: 16
Location: La Junta
County: Otero
Coordinator: Desiree Hermocillo
Contact: desiree.hermocillo@judicial.state.co.us

District: 17
Location: Brighton
County: Adams
Coordinator: Emily Housworth
Contact: emily.housworth@judicial.co.us

District: 19
Location: Greely
County: Weld
Coordinator: Heather Allem
Contact: heather.allen2@judicial.co.us

District: 20
Location: Boulder
County: Boulder
Coordinator: Christina Orlowski
Contact: christina.orlowski@judicial.state.co.us

VETERANS COURT
District: 1
Location: Golden
County: Jefferson/Gilpin
Coordinator: Tara Rienow
Contact: tara.rienow@judicial.state.co.us

District: 2
Location: Denver
County: Denver
Coordinator: Kassie Snoblen
Contact: kassie.snoblen@judicial.state.co.us

District: 4
Location: Colorado Springs
County: El Paso/Teller
Coordinator: Kisten Born
Contact: kisten.born@judicial.state.co.us

District: 10
Location: Pueblo
County: Pueblo
Coordinator: William Varley
Contact: william.varley@judicial.state.co.us

District: 17
Location: Brighton
County: Adams
Coordinator: Tasha Buettenback
Contact: tasha.buettenback@judicial.state.co.us

District: 18
Location: Centennial
County: Arapahoe/Douglas/Elbert/Lincoln
Coordinator: Jon Gordon
Contact: jonathon.gordon@judicial.state.co.us