The Colorado Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Council is appointed by the Governor as the State Advisory Group pursuant to the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and is charged under the Act to advise and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on juvenile justice issues. The Council reviews and approves applications for federal grant funding through the JJDP Act, monitors and evaluates projects funded, and oversees compliance with the core requirements of the JJDP Act.
JJDP Council Mission
The Colorado Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council provides statewide leadership and advocacy to improve the juvenile justice system, prevent delinquency, ensure equal justice and accountability for all youth while maximizing community safety.
Meetings & Reports
All meetings of the Council are held at the Division of Criminal Justice. If you need more information, copies of agenda, or copies of minutes from meetings not listed here, please contact Kelly Abbott at the Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance. Meetings are held quarterly and begin at 9 a.m. All meetings are virtual until the public health crisis ceases.
Meetings
February 19, 2021
Agenda | Minutes
May 21, 2021
Agenda | Minutes
August 20, 2021
Agenda | Minutes
November 19, 2021
Agenda | Minutes
Printable 2021 Meeting Schedule
About the Juvenile Justice and Prevention Act of 2002
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act aims to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system, by insuring appropriate sanctions and services, due process, proper treatment and safe confinement for juveniles who are involved in the juvenile justice system. The core requirements of the Act are:
Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders:Juveniles charged with or who have committed offenses that would not be criminal if committed by an adult, or such non-offenders as dependent and neglected children, shall not be placed in secure detention facilities or secure correctional facilities. These offenders include, but are not limited to, truants, runaways, or minors in possession of alcohol. Violations occur when accused status offenders are held in secure juvenile detention centers for more than 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and when adjudicated status offenders are held for any length of time either in these facilities or any adult jail or municipal lockup.
Sight and Sound Separation of Juvenile and Adult Offenders (Separation) During the temporary period that a juvenile may be held in an adult jail or lockup, no sight or sound contact between the juvenile and adult inmates or trustees is permitted.
Removal of Juveniles from Adult Jails and Lockups (Jail Removal) Juveniles accused of committing a delinquent act may be held in temporary custody, not to exceed 6 hours, at an adult jail or lockup for the purpose of processing. Reports from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention show that juveniles held with adults for any period of time can easily be victimized, may be easily overwhelmed by a lock-up and may commit suicide, adult facilities have neither the staff, programs nor training to best manage juveniles, and jail or secure lockup does not provide a deterrent.
Addressing the Over Representation of Minorities in the Juvenile Justice System States are required to put forth efforts to reduce the proportion of youth of color who are detained or confined in secure facilities, or who have contact at any decision point of the system.
Juvenile Justice Reauthorization Act of 2018
In December 2018, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018 was signed into law, reauthorizing and substantially amending the JJDP Act. The amendments made by the JJRA become effective in FY 2020 (October 1, 2019).