JBC advances community corrections budgeting bill, debates alternative to shift oversight
April 21, 2026 | 2026 Legislature CO, Colorado
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Justin Brackie, Joint Budget Committee staff, presented a bill (LLS 206‑107) that would require the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) and Department of Public Safety to take a larger role in community corrections budgeting. The draft defines terms such as distribution of offender populations, program availability (beds and financial viability), and projected need and would make DCJ submit annual budget requests with caseload and per‑diem information to inform legislative appropriations.
Brackie said the proposal aims to reduce reliance on long‑bill footnotes and RFIs by placing strategic responsibility with the division and by requiring specific data in budget requests. The committee questioned whether the division could perform the work within existing resources and whether the proposal might create unfunded duties; staff and members debated the proper level of analytic detail and timeline for submissions.
Members then considered a major alternative pitched by staff: strike the community corrections boards and move regulation to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), have DOC and Judicial contract directly with providers, and reallocate approximately $3.6 million by eliminating board funding and some OOC staff. Supporters said the model could simplify procurement and allow direct contracting for placements; opponents warned of transition costs and the need to understand provider capacity.
To evaluate that option, members asked for an RFI to inventory existing providers who accept placements (residential and nonresidential), their rates, and capacity, and recommended the RFI be multi‑agency (DOC, DHS, Judicial and possibly DPS). The committee moved to introduce the bill and add the RFI; the motion passed 6–0.
Staff will draft the introduction and the RFI language for committee review; members signaled willingness to consider alternative restructuring only after getting provider counts, cost comparisons, and analysis of contracting feasibility.
Brackie said the proposal aims to reduce reliance on long‑bill footnotes and RFIs by placing strategic responsibility with the division and by requiring specific data in budget requests. The committee questioned whether the division could perform the work within existing resources and whether the proposal might create unfunded duties; staff and members debated the proper level of analytic detail and timeline for submissions.
Members then considered a major alternative pitched by staff: strike the community corrections boards and move regulation to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), have DOC and Judicial contract directly with providers, and reallocate approximately $3.6 million by eliminating board funding and some OOC staff. Supporters said the model could simplify procurement and allow direct contracting for placements; opponents warned of transition costs and the need to understand provider capacity.
To evaluate that option, members asked for an RFI to inventory existing providers who accept placements (residential and nonresidential), their rates, and capacity, and recommended the RFI be multi‑agency (DOC, DHS, Judicial and possibly DPS). The committee moved to introduce the bill and add the RFI; the motion passed 6–0.
Staff will draft the introduction and the RFI language for committee review; members signaled willingness to consider alternative restructuring only after getting provider counts, cost comparisons, and analysis of contracting feasibility.
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