Recidivism Definition Working Group

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. 

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.

NOTE: For information on related work on recidivism and other criminal justice outcome metrics, see the Alternative Metrics Working Group.