Gov. Jared Polis recently appointed Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons to the Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
Polis created the working group with an executive order that followed the legislator’s decision to dissolve the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. The Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice was established in 2007 to engage in evidence-based data analysis on sentencing policies and practices, the effectiveness of alternatives to incarceration, recidivism reduction measures and cost-effective crime prevention programming.
The Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice was allowed to sunset on May 7. The working group will help determine the best path forward in ensuring “thoughtful, evidence-based decisions related to criminal justice policies, practices and future legislation,” the executive order states.
FitzSimons had previously served on the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
The working group will initially focus on recommending the next entity or entities that will replace the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, according to the executive order. The working group consists of 17 members.
“Gov. Jared Polis’ Executive Order creating the Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice is a crucial step towards reforming our justice system,” FitzSimons said in a statement. “This initiative demonstrates his commitment to addressing systemic issues and promoting fairness and equity. By bringing together experts and stakeholders to collaboratively find innovative solutions, we can pave the way for a more just and compassionate criminal and juvenile justice system in our state.”