NEWS RELEASE
Contacts:
Denver County Court
Carolyn Tyler
Carolyn.Tyler@DenverCountyCourt.org
Denver County Court Opens New Recovery Court
DENVER – Denver County Court today announced the opening of Recovery Court; a new specialty treatment court designed to provide structure, comprehensive treatment and wrap-around support services. Recovery Court specifically serves individuals whose substance misuse has led to or is correlated with their involvement in the criminal justice system — and for many, that addiction is further complicated by underlying conditions such as a brain injury or psychological trauma. Recovery Court is designed to meet individuals where they are — removing barriers to access, closing gaps in services, and expanding treatment options to better serve this complex and often underserved population.
“Recovery Court is the result of an extensive, collaborative effort among Denver County Court and its stakeholder partners to design a treatment court that truly meets the needs of a complex, high-risk population,” said Denver County Court Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi. “It reflects more than a year of dedicated work to create a program built on evidence-based practices and grounded in a commitment to comprehensive care. Recovery Court represents a meaningful step forward in how the court serves justice-involved individuals struggling with substance misuse. My hope is that we can help this high-risk population as well as improve public safety. We are grateful to Mayor Johnston for his support and partnership in making Recovery Court a reality.”
The Honorable Judge Kelly Cherry presides over Recovery Court and will run a courtroom of dedicated staff, attorneys, and treatment providers. Recovery Court can accept drug and drug-adjacent cases such as quality-of-life crimes like trespassing and petty theft. The HEM Court is now closed, and those cases are being heard in the new Recovery Court.
“Too many Denverites are trapped in a loop that prioritizes short-term punishment over long-term stability,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Recovery Court will provide individuals access to comprehensive care that can transform lives, deliver meaningful change, and promote public safety. I’m grateful to the court for taking this next step and believe this can be a model for our country in addressing quality-of-life crimes with both compassion and fairness.”
Success will be measured by whether Recovery Court participants engage with the resources and treatment offered. The ultimate measure of success, however, is whether Recovery Court can help lower overdose, recidivism and incarceration rates, and be replicated on a broader scale.
“The Brain Injury Association of Colorado is so excited for the opening of the Recovery Court Docket at Denver County Courts,” said Director of Reentry Services at BIAC. “This docket was designed with brain injury in mind from the beginning and is a long-time dream coming to fruition. We are excited to be part of implementing new approaches and strategies that we have learned from our work on other Denver dockets over the years.”
The following organizations are Recovery Court participant organizations: Spanish Clinic, Mile High Behavioral Health, Brain Injury Association of Colorado, Colorado Brain Injury Therapy, The Serenity Program at Stout Street, Community Medical Services, Life-Line Colorado, Don’t Look Back Center Inc., Harm Reduction Action Center, Bicycle Health, Denver Human Services Veterans Services, and Back on Track Coaching and Counseling.