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Recidivism Definition Working Group

 

Mandates

Pursuant to 24-33.5-536, C.R.S. (established in Senate Bill 2024-030), the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) shall convene a working group to develop a definition of recidivism to be used by each state entity, including each department, division, agency, office, or commission that collects data or reports on recidivism, in any report issued by the entity. 

The recidivism event is defined in 24-33.5-536(2)(4)(c), C.R.S., as “a new deferred agreement or an adjudication or conviction for a felony offense or misdemeanor offense, including all ‘Victim Rights Act’ crimes as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).”

Except as otherwise required by state or federal law, beginning July 1, 2025, each state entity described in 24-33.5-536(1)(b), C.R.S., shall use the definition of recidivism developed by the working group pursuant to statute in the entity’s recidivism data collection. 

Any document or report that includes recidivism data collected by the state entity on or after July 1, 2025, must report the data consistent with the definition of recidivism developed by the working group. This does not prohibit a state entity from reporting, in addition to data about recidivism as defined by the working group, any other metrics the state entity deems necessary or relevant to its mission, or to meet the needs of the entity. 

Tasks

The working group shall:

  • Be appointed no later than September 15, 2024.
  • Develop a definition of recidivism no later than January 15, 2025.
  • Provide a definition of recidivism to each state entity identified by DCJ and the working group pursuant to 24-33.5-536(1)(b) CRS no later than January 31, 2025.
  • Conclude its meetings by January 31, 2025

The working group is required to develop a definition of recidivism consistent with statute that includes:

  1. A clearly defined measurement point to begin tracking the recidivism event defined in 24-33.5-536(2)(4)(c).
  2. A clear description of the cohort to be tracked.
  3. A clearly defined time period during which an event is considered a recidivism event that is consistent with best practices for measuring recidivism.

In order to promote the use of consistent definitions by various state entities, the working group may develop definitions or data points related to recidivism or the desistance from crime that state entities may use as applicable.

Meetings & Calendar

All Recidivism Definition Working Group meetings were held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual options. Guests and members of the general public were welcome to attend the meetings and were given an opportunity to provide public comment. The Division of Criminal Justice was responsible for staffing the working group. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Erin Crites.

Meetings

NO FURTHER MEETINGS

Final Meeting was September 19, 2024 @ 1-3PM

The mandated tasks assigned to this working group are complete and a final report is in preparation. See all meeting materials in PREVIOUS MEETINGS below.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Meetings are listed in reverse chronological order (most recent meeting is listed first). Note that audio files are only available for 180 days following the meeting date; expiration dates ("exp.") are included below.

September 19, 2024
Agenda (9/19/24; pdf) | Minutes (9/19/24; pdf)
Audio (9/19/24; Mp3; exp. 3/19/2025) & Transcript (9/19/24; pdf)

September 5, 2024 - CANCELED
No materials

August 15, 2024
Agenda (8/15/24; pdf)Minutes (8/15/24; pdf)
Audio (8/15/24; Mp3; exp. 2/12/2025) & Transcript (8/15/24; pdf)

August 1, 2024 - CANCELED
No materials

July 18, 2024
Agenda (7/18/24; pdf)Minutes (7/18/24; pdf)
Audio (7/18/24; Mp3; exp. 1/15/2025) & Transcript (7/18/24; pdf)

June 20, 2024
Agenda (6/20/24; pdf)Minutes (6/20/24; pdf)
Audio (6/20/24; Mp3; exp. 12/18/2024) & Transcript (6/20/24; pdf)

June 6, 2024
Agenda (6/6/24; pdf) | Minutes (6/6/24; pdf)
Audio (6/6/24; Mp3; exp. 12/4/2024) & Transcript (6/6/24; pdf)

May 23, 2024
Agenda (5/23/24; pdf) | Minutes (5/23/24; pdf)
Audio (5/23/24; expired) & Transcript (5/23/24; pdf)

May 6, 2024
Agenda (5/6/24; pdf) | Minutes (5/6/24; pdf)
Audio (5/6/24; expired) & Transcript (5/6/24; pdf)

Calendar entries appear below as: "Recid. Def. WG"

Members

Pursuant to 24-33.5-536 (2) (a), C.R.S., the working group comprised the following members:

(i) A representative of the Judicial Department, appointed by the State Court Administrator
Aaron Stewart, Colorado State Judicial Branch

(ii) a representative of the Department of Corrections (DOC), appointed by the Executive Director of the DOC
Dave Wolfsgruber, CDOC

(iii) a representative of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) in the Department of Human Services (DHS), appointed by the Executive Director of the DHS
Kelli Burmeister, DYS/DHS

(iv) a representative of the state board of parole, appointed by the Chair of the Colorado State Board of Parole
Greg Saiz, Parole Board

(v) a representative of the department of public safety with expertise in community corrections, appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Katie Ruske, Division of Criminal Justice/DPS

(vi) a member from an institution of higher education with expertise in the criminal legal system who has conducted relevant research regarding recidivism, appointed by the Executive Director of the DPS
Michael Campbell, University of Denver

(vii) a representative of a community-based organization that works for criminal legal reform and supports consistent data collection, appointed by the Executive Director of the DPS
Jeff Wise, Remerg

 

WORKING GROUP STAFF

Erin Crites, Division of Criminal Justice/DPS      
Linda Harrison, Division of Criminal Justice/DPS
Jack Reed, Division of Criminal Justice/DPS