The Challenge
Adams County is the second-fastest growing county in the Denver region with more than 520,000 residents. Unfortunately, the County’s resources to provide essential services have not kept up with demand. One area where this pressure exists is with the county’s detention center, a facility that is over 40 years old, is well past its intended lifecycle, and has significant deficiencies due to the years in service, changing operations and judicial requirements, as well as numerous expansions to address the growing population of Adams County.
Despite a long record of responsible budget management and good fiscal stewardship, current revenues and fiscal demands – coupled with anticipated continued demand on the existing facility – will make it challenging for the county to continue meeting the needs at this site.
Main Concerns
Safety and Health
The condition of the Adams County’s detention center is deteriorating rapidly, and this could pose serious health and safety issues for staff and inmates, as well as costly civil rights violations and/or civil liability damages. The current facility is 40 years old, has significant structural issues, and the ongoing costs to maintain and repair are substantial.
Structural Issues
Some of the structural issues include mold and water contamination; water pooling on the roof resulting in leaks into inmates’ cells and other parts of the building; and corrosion and deterioration of the sewer and water pipes infrastructure has resulted in a main water line break and flooding. Also, in 2022, a drainage and facility condition assessment determined that the detention center’s location has caused the facility to have ongoing "water pond" issues throughout the site, including underground utility leakage, a high-water table, and poor drainage.
Changing Standards
The current Adams County detention center was built to the building performance standards of 1982, but since then, many things have changed. With the implementation of environmental and criminal justice system standards and the addition of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, it’s clear that the current facility entrances and other parts of the structure are not in compliance. These changes in standards have further perpetuated the need for a new or rehabilitated detention center.
Environmental Considerations
Adams County is determined to reduce its carbon footprint, and a new facility will help the county achieve that goal. The current detention center generates emissions equal to 870 gas vehicles over one year. As a comparison, the new facility would generate emissions equal to 413 gas vehicles driven for one year.
Also, new state laws require improvements to the indoor air quality of detention facilities, and to meet these requirements, additional repairs are necessary to the existing facility’s roof, security, and structure.
Rehabilitation and Community Impact
Rehabilitation programs and resources for inmates to reduce recidivism rates and support successful reintegration into society are key to improving the safety of Adams County communities. Incorporating a “stepdown/re-entry unit” in detention facilities will help reduce the number of inmates becoming re-offenders. The current facility’s Behavioral Health Unit is overcrowded and needs to be expanded to provide this benefit to the community.
In addition, the Adams County Sheriff has prioritized programs including education, substance abuse treatment, counseling, and religious services to reduce the likelihood of inmates committing another offense after their release and returning to jail. For these programs to meet their full potential, the limited space in the current facility needs to be expanded.
Financial Impacts
The cost of ongoing maintenance and repairs to the outdated facility is in the tens of millions of dollars. At a time when county resources are already limited, without enhancements or a new facility, these costs will continue and/or increase. In the interest of maintaining the county’s track record of being fiscally responsible, investing in a new facility would be more cost-effective compared to continuing to repair and maintain the existing structure.
Potential Solution
The county is researching, evaluating and considering a variety of funding mechanisms, including different debt instruments and potential partnerships, that will effectively meet the financial needs of a new facility.
While a decision has not yet been made on a funding mechanism, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) may consider referring a funding measure to the voters this year to help fund the construction of a new county detention facility.
One funding solution may include a 2.383-mill property tax increase, which would generate $500 million to support this effort. A 2.383-mill property tax increase would cost a homeowner about $86 annually, or $7 a month for a home valued at $500,000. And should the BoCC elect to refer this funding measure to the voters, it will be the first time the county has asked voters to approve a property tax to address the needs of the detention center.
As the county works toward a decision on this approach, it will be collaborating with local municipalities to determine the best location for a new detention facility. The sites may be in the county seat of Brighton, but the county is also considering other options. County residents’ safety concerns are a priority and any determination of site selection for a new facility would be made with sensitivities toward proximity to residential areas, schools or youth facilities.
Next Steps
The county will be reviewing options and listening to community and stakeholder input over the next few months to help inform a decision on a potential referred measure. To better inform a path forward and ensure all voices are heard, commissioners will continue to engage in public meetings and host town hall meetings and other events prior to making their decision. They will also work closely with all elected officials in the county, as a successful vision for Adams County’s judicial infrastructure needs will be best informed by the vision and priorities of the entire county – from Westminster to Leader and everywhere in between.
Your voices are critical to guide future decisions by the county. We welcome your input and encourage you to look for future Town Hall Meetings, follow us on social media, or subscribe to the Absolutely Adams Digital Newsletter to stay informed and get involved.
