Fentanyl Analysis Plan Development
This health project aimed to lay a strong foundation for the independent study called for in House Bill 22-1326 (Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention). The Colorado Lab conducted background research and engaged diverse stakeholders in order to develop a robust study analysis plan.
Examining the Outcomes of Individuals Booked into Jail in Denver County
The project worked with key system stakeholders, as well as community groups, to systematically examine the outcomes of individuals arrested and booked into Denver County jail. The Colorado Lab provided technical advising, study validation, and coaching to Department of Public Safety staff.
Racial Disparities in Prosecutorial Outcomes
The purpose of this follow-on project was to dig deeper into two points of prosecutorial discretion—dismissals of filed cases and deferred judgments for defendants—to examine whether the characteristics of defendants or the reasons for the dismissal or deferred judgment differed by defendant race/ethnicity.
Colorado Prosecutorial Dashboards
This project supported prosecutors’ offices across Colorado in using data to take proactive, engaged responses to community problems that de-emphasize the use of incarceration, reduce racial and ethnic disparities in justice outcomes, build greater trust through community engagement, and increase prosecutorial transparency and accountability.
Crossover Youth
Crossover youth are the young people with two types of court cases: (1) dependency and neglect and (2) juvenile justice. This project connected child welfare and court system records to help meet federal reporting requirements and inform state policies and practices aimed at serving crossover youth.
Office of the Respondent Parents’ Counsel: Using Rigorous Evaluations to Inform Strategic Planning
The Colorado Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel (ORPC) provides legal advocacy services to indigent parents involved in child welfare proceedings. The project is evaluating the effectiveness of interdisciplinary teams. This project is also building the internal capacity of ORPC to routinely evaluate the effectiveness of representation models and use evaluation findings to inform strategic planning.
Reentry Systems Mapping
This project is an extension of the Reentry Systems Mapping project. Building on data and results from the first phase, Phase II examines ways to target reentry services to maximize program efficacy and reduce recidivism.
Reducing Recidivism for Justice-Involved Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI, a serious public health issue, often reduces executive function and impulse control which can increase criminal behavior and make it more difficult to successfully complete probation or parole. Approximately 50% of incarcerated individuals have TBI. This project examined the impact of a screening program that offers training and support for probationers identified with a TBI-related cognitive impairment and the probation officers who supervise them.
Rapid Response for Youth Who Run Away from Home, A Pay for Success Project
Youth who run away from home are likely to be involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems within one year. This Pay for Success project examined the impact of “rapid responders” on connecting youth and families to evidence-based services that ultimately prevent deeper juvenile justice or child welfare involvement.
