Children committing crime is a burden on every community in the country. The goal of the Juvenile Justice system in Colorado is to reform a youth and turn a troubled juvenile into a productive and law abiding member of the community. The start of the Juvenile Justice system is the local law enforcement agency solving a crime and filing criminal charges with the Office of the District Attorney which prosecutes juvenile crime. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office works closely with the DA’s Office, as well as the Probation Department, the Juvenile Court Judge, the Division of Youth Corrections, and local non-profit agencies to provide the best outcomes for juvenile’s charged with crimes.
The following are resources that are available to assist youth who are charged with a crime or who are engaging in high risk behavior:
Youth Zone
YouthZone provides voluntary and court ordered assistance for troubled youth in need of services. YouthZone has a highly acclaimed juvenile assessment tool that can go beneath the surface of the youth’s behaviors and determine what remedies will best serve the individual child. YouthZone also supervises a Juvenile Useful Public Service program for the local Juvenile and traffic Courts. In addition, YouthZone’s Diversion Program offers low level, first time offenders the opportunity to receive services and make restitution to a victim as an alternative to sustaining a conviction in the Juvenile Court.
YouthZone provides services throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, with offices in Aspen at the Health and Human Services Building, Carbondale at the Third Street Center, and Glenwood Springs.
Contact Information
Aspen Youth Zone
Website: www.YouthZone.com
Phone number: (970) 920-5702
Aspen Counseling Center
The Aspen Counseling Center provides traditional counseling services to youth and adults. Fees are charged on a sliding scale. State certified drug and alcohol addiction specialists are available for evaluation and treatment.
Contact Information
Aspen Counseling Center
405 Castle Creek Road, 2nd floor
Aspen, CO 81611
phone: (970)920-5555
The Right Door
The Right Door is a locally based drug and alcohol assistance and referral agency that provides information and counseling services for all kinds of alcohol and substance abuse. The Right Door can refer to in-patient and out-patient treatment services as well as providing intensive case management services. Their fees are assessed on a sliding scale.
Contact Information
The Right Door
Website: www.therightdoor.org
phone: (970)925-2662