Colorado youth residential treatment centers and juvenile detention centers are riddled with safety concerns. The following articles describe ongoing issues in these facilities including riots, physical and sexual abuse by youth and staff, drug use, drug overdose resulting in death, and runaways resulting in death. While the state has passed laws to improve the safety and treatment of youth in its care, some argue that the new legislation has led to the inability of staff to retain control of the facilities, making them even more unsafe. Many of these facilities have been shut down, including one to which my daughter was committed at the time. She was then moved to another facility where she filed an excessive use of force complaint, and a youth later died of a fentanyl overdose.

2024

Staffer at Greeley Youth Detention Center Suspended Amid Investigation into Teen’s Death
Canon City Daily Record | December 13, 2024

16-Year-old Inmate Dies After Being Found Unconscious at Greeley Facility
9News Denver | November 8, 2024

Colorado’s Youth Corrections Staff Could Soon Wear Tiny, Belt-loop Cameras to Collect Audio, Video
Colorado Sun | July 31, 2024

‘So disturbing’: New Report Finds Guards at Colorado Juvenile Detention Facilities Increasingly Rely on Use of Force
CPR News | July 30, 2024

Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman Calls for Better Surveillance in Colorado Secure Youth Centers to Protect Young People from Use of Force Injuries
Child Protection Ombudsman of Colorado | July 30, 2024

Lawsuit Accuses Guard of Choking Inmate, Throwing Him Against Wall at Youth Services Center
9News Denver | January 25, 2024

2023

Youth Center Staff Often Helpless to Prevent Kids from Running Away Due to Colorado Law, Study Finds
Colorado Sun | April 4, 2023

2022

Fallout from Latest Riot at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center
Westword | August 16, 2022

Colorado Governor’s Plan for Homeless Recovery Campus in Watkins Gets Initial Approval After Fiery Debate
Colorado Sun | April 26, 2022

2021

Colorado Shuts Down Youth Center in Watkins After Allegations of Drugs, Fights and Improper Restraints of Kids
Colorado Sun | June 18, 2021

Colorado May Toughen Probes into Institutional Child Abuse Claims Following Colorado Sun/9NEWS Investigation
9News Denver | June 7, 2021

The Deadly Consequences When Kids Run Away from Colorado Residential Treatment Centers
Colorado Sun | May 17, 2021

Former Teacher at Juvenile Detention Center Sentenced for Sexual Relationship with Teen
9News Denver | May 11, 2021

Denver’s Tennyson Center to Close Its Residential Program After Runaways, Overdoses and Child’s Death
Colorado Sun | March 23, 2021

2020

Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Program for Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth
RAND | January 30, 2020

2019

Lookout Mountain Youth Center Employee Let Inmate Live with Her After Helping Him Escape, Affidavit Says
9News Denver | September 24, 2019

Ridge View Youth Services Corrections Guard, Girlfriend Charged with Aiding Escape of Inmate
FOX31 News Denver | August 9, 2019

2018

Colorado Shuts Down DeNier Youth Detention Center Days After Contact7 Investigation
Denver7 News | Aug 23, 2018

Child Safety Concerns Found at Colorado Youth Detention Centers
Denver7 News | August 21, 2018

Colorado Launches Trauma-Responsive Pilot in Juvenile Justice System
The Imprint | August 21, 2018

Staff Allegedly Lose Control of Girls at Youth Detention Center; State Suspends License
9News Denver | July 19, 2018

Sexual Touching Investigated as Youth Went Out of Control on Roof at State Detention Facility
Denver7 News | July 18, 2018

Guard at Girl’s Youth Detention Center Accused of Sexually Assaulting an Inmate
9News Denver | July 18, 2018

Denver Police Incident Involving my Daughter

It’s not only detention center staff involved in excessive use of force incidents with at risk youth. Police officers who are not equipped to handle runaways with mental health disorders can also find themselves facing excessive use of force investigations as well. I have included articles related to one such incident involving my daughter which lead to the firing of a Denver police officer.

Firing of Former Denver Police Officer Over ‘Deception’ Upheld
Denver7 News | September 27, 2016

Denver Cop Fired for Lying, ‘Not Fit to Be a Police Officer’
CBS4 Denver | June 24, 2016

DPD Officer Fired for Lying About Confrontation with Teenage Girl
9News Denver | June 24, 2016

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– Anne Lamott