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Volunteer Opportunities

The Judicial Department is committed to ensuring equal access to justice and promoting public safety across Colorado. By volunteering with our Veterans Treatment Court Mentor Program or Deputy Probation Officer Program, you can make a meaningful impact on individuals' lives and contribute to stronger, healthier communities.

In the Veterans Treatment Court Mentor Program, you’ll support veterans navigating the court system, offering guidance and encouragement as they work through challenges like PTSD and substance abuse. This program helps veterans regain stability and rebuild their lives, with mentors playing a crucial role in their journey toward recovery.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Probation Officer Program offers hands-on experience in the criminal justice system by working directly with probationers. Volunteers assist with case management, assessments, and helping clients access necessary services, all while supporting individuals in their path to rehabilitation.

Whether you’re passionate about supporting veterans or interested in gaining experience in the criminal justice field, both programs provide valuable opportunities to help others and grow personally and professionally. Learn more about each program below. 
 

Deputy Probation Officer Program

The Deputy Probation Officers (DPO) Program allows interns and volunteers to work one-on-one with adult and juvenile offenders in a variety of probation services. These volunteer positions offer an excellent opportunity for citizens that are interested in exploring a career in the Criminal Justice System and/or those wanting to make a difference in their community.

DPO’s may supervise an adult or juvenile caseload of individuals who have been granted probation supervision to ensure court ordered compliance.

Specific duties may include but are not limited to: meet with adult defendants and juveniles,  learn a variety of case management practices, staff cases, assist Probation Officers in writing Pre-Sentencing Investigations (PSI's), alcohol evaluations, warrants, summons, terminations, extensions and special reports to the court.  Volunteers and interns receive assessment training, so they are able to complete Level of Service Inventories (LSI's), case plans, and make referrals to treatment agencies.  Additional duties may include data entry, filing, case documentation, participation in unit meetings and trainings, and any other duties as assigned.  Probation Officers receive training relating to the application of Evidenced–Based Principles.  Deputy Probation Officers are expected to apply these principles when supervising clients, just as a Probation Officer would.

All volunteers must pass a Criminal History Check.

Opportunities Available:

1st Judicial District (Jefferson & Gilpin Counties)
  • DPO positions are available in the Remington Building located at 11011 W 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO.  Please watch the Career Opportunity Section for postings.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact Jeffco DPO Program – jeffcodpoprogram@judicial.state.co.us.
2nd Judicial District (Denver County, Denver Juvenile)
  • DPO positions are available in the Denver Adult Probation Department located at 303 W. Colfax Ave., Denver CO 80204.  Being a volunteer or intern with our department will provide you a great opportunity to gain exposure to the criminal justice field.  If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Renee Schledwitz at 303-607-7037 or email at 02DAPDInternVolunteer@judicial.state.co.us for further information
  • Deputy Probation Officer Volunteer and Intern positions are available at the Denver Juvenile Probation Department located at 303 W. Colfax Ave., Denver CO 80204. Volunteers/Interns are accepted year-round. We ask for a minimum of four hours per week (all in one day) and a one-year commitment.  If you are interested in joining our team, please contact DJPDPO@judicial.state.co.us  for further information.
4th Judicial District (El Paso & Teller Counties)
  • DPO positions are available in the Colorado Springs Office at 270 South Tejon Street, Suite W200.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact: Karoline Borega at karoline.borega@judicial.state.co.us
8th Judicial District (Larimer & Jackson Counties)
  • DPO positions are available in all four of the Fort Collins and Loveland Probation offices.  Volunteers and Interns are accepted three times a year.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact: Paula Gates at 970-530-5104 paula.gates@judicial.state.co.us OR 
    Jordyn Book at 970-494-3971 Jordyn.Book@judicial.state.co.us
10th Judicial District (Pueblo County)
17th Judicial District (Adams County)
  • DPO positions are available with the 17th Judicial District. Volunteers are accepted year-round.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO in Westminster or want more information, please contact: Laurel Sunderman by e-mailing them at laurel.sunderman@judicial.state.co.us.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO in Commerce City, please contact: Brian Chiri by e-mailing them at brian.chiri@judicial.state.co.us.
18th Judicial District (Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties)
  • DPO positions are available with the 18th Judicial District in the Littleton office located at 1610 W. Littleton Blvd. Volunteers/Interns are accepted year-round. We ask for a minimum of four hours per week (all in one day) and a one-year commitment. You will receive hands on case management experience supervising probation clients and many training opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact Danette Hays 303-418-1409, danette.hays@judicial.state.co.us or Tracy Russell, tracy.russell@judicial.state.co.us
19th Judicial District (Weld County)
  • DPO positions are available in the Greeley Office at 934 9th Avenue and the Fort Lupton Office at 2950 9th Street.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact: Cori Buggeln at 970-475-2873 or e-mail at cori.buggeln@judicial.state.co.us
20th Judicial District (Boulder County)
  • DPO positions are available in the Boulder Office at 1777 6th Street. If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact: Maggie Raymor at 720-564-2581 or e-mail at maggie.raymor@judicial.state.co.us
21st Judicial District (Mesa County)
  • DPO positions are available in the Grand Junction Office at 125 N. Spruce.  If you are interested in becoming a DPO and want more information, please contact: Janelle Carsten, Phone: 970-257-8772or email at janelle.carsten@judicial.state.co.us

Volunteer Veteran Peer Mentor

Mission Statement

The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.

Veteran Treatment Court

Approximately 181,000 U.S. military veterans are currently incarcerated in jails and prisons across the country. A Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) offers an alternative to the traditional criminal legal system. In a VTC, a team of legal, treatment, and military professionals works collaboratively with each veteran participant to guide them toward achieving sobriety and stable mental health, addressing challenges such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or moral injury. This coordinated approach empowers the veteran to improve their well-being and helps reduce the likelihood of further involvement with the justice system.

The Veteran Mentor Program

VTC Mentors are volunteers who work one-on-one with adult service members or veterans who are currently involved in the court system (facing criminal charges). What makes the VTC Mentor unique is that they are also current or former members of the military themselves, giving them insight into the nuances of military culture. The goal of the mentor program is to engage, encourage, and empower veteran participants to strengthen their recovery and well-being as they adjust to civilian life. Mentors typically contribute about four hours of their time per month, and all required training is provided at no cost.

In this role, a mentor serves as a listener, guide, role model, problem solver, and advocate for the veteran participant they support. The ideal mentor:

  • Is empathetic and non-judgmental.
  • Is available, dependable, and reliable.
  • Is not currently under any legal supervision (i.e. probation or parole) and willing to submit to a background check
  • If a former service member, has an honorable discharge (preferred). Other discharge statuses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Can volunteer up to four hours per month.
  • Can commit to at least one year of service.

Please contact each district(s) of interest for more information below:

1st Judicial District (Jefferson & Gilpin Counties) 
Troy.lutman@judicial.state.co.us 720-772-2688

2nd Judicial District (Denver County) 
Derek.fader@judicial.state.co.us

4th Judicial District (El Paso & Teller Counties) 
Kisten.Born@judicial.state.co.us - 719-452-5039

8th Judicial District (Larimer & Jackson Counties) 
Matthew.Jackson@judicial.state.co.us -  970-494-3654

10th Judicial District (Pueblo County) 
Michelle.Martinez@judicial.state.co.us  - 719-404-8879

17th Judicial District (Adams County) 
Tabitha.Rangel@judicial.state.co.us  - 303-654-3298

18th Judicial District (Arapahoe County) 
Todd.Kramer@judicial.state.co.us  - 303-645-6852

23rd Judicial District (Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties)
Frank.Alston@judicial.state.co.us