Mission

The First Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) will promote public safety by holding justice-involved veterans accountable for their behavior while providing treatment and support through a team-based approach and frequent judicial monitoring.  We will recognize every VTC participant as an individual who should be treated with respect and dignity to promote positive and productive life changes.  We will strive to identify and treat the underlying substance abuse and/or mental health issues that have contributed to criminal justice involvement by coordinating and collaborating with veterans’ service delivery systems, community-based services, victim advocacy groups, and criminal justice agencies.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About VTC

Veterans Treatment Court is a highly rigid and structured post plea sentencing option, operating as collaborative problem-solving court. The court is staffed by the presiding magistrate, stakeholders from community treatment providers, the offices of the district attorney, public defender, probation and the Department for Veterans Affairs. The court staff works together to address the factors and behaviors that lead to criminality, while simultaneously initiating recovery. In order to be successful, participants need to be able to be honest and willing to working with the team and outside treatment providers. This requires attendances at all scheduled court dates, probation meetings and treatment appointments, along with full compliance with any and all court orders. Goals of the program include:

• Increasing public safety by reducing criminal recidivism.
• Facilitating participant recovery.
• Increase compliance with treatment and other court-ordered conditions.
• Improve access to VA benefits and services.
• Increase social stability in the areas of housing, education, and employment.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why Veterans?

For many of our military veterans and their families, making the return to civilian life can be challenging. Whether it be starting a new career, PTSD or simply a lack of structure, these members of our community face distinctive challenges that require a unique approach. By having a veteran only docket, the court can connect vets to resources they have earned through their service, build comradery between its participants and surround them with a team that is highly familiar with veteran specific issues.

Quick Facts:

• 9.4% of adults in Colorado are veterans
• 21.6% (82,890) of Colorado’s Veterans have service-related disability
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that there are approximately 1,078 homeless veterans in Colorado
• It is estimated that there are roughly 1,400 veterans incarcerated in Colorado