The court may order a presentence investigation prior to imposing sentence on a criminal offense. The investigation is conducted by a probation officer to gather information regarding risk for re-offense; service needs; criminal, social, education, and substance abuse history; and impact of the offense on victim(s)

The information is used as recommendations to aid in determining sentencing decisions, conditions of probation, as well as supervision strategies. A formal report is prepared and delivered to the court, the district attorney, and the defendant or defense attorney at least three days before sentencing.

This team provides supervision to adults placed on regular probation by the court. Clients are assessed for risk and need and supervised accordingly. The probation officer makes referrals to outside agencies for any needed resources, such as for substance abuse evaluation and treatment, employment assistance, etc. The probation officer assists the offender in complying with any special conditions ordered by the court.

Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) is designed to deliver intensive case management that includes daily contact with the offender, increased levels of drug testing, curfews, electronic monitoring, home visits, and required employment or education/vocational efforts and attendance in treatment as deemed necessary.

Please visit the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision website.

Offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes are screened and assessed to determine the most appropriate level of supervision based on their assessed risk and needs. Supervision attempts to balance the victim and public safety with offender treatment needs. Probation officers supervising domestic violence offenders collaborate with law enforcement, victim services and treatment providers, and the greater community.

Probation officers provide case supervision and management for offenders who are determined to be eligible and who elect to participate in ATC (the Adult or Juvenile Drug Court) conducted in the district court. Probation officers serve on the multi-disciplinary team that works closely with the judicial officer to support sobriety and integrate substance abuse treatment with the criminal justice process.

Juveniles placed on probation supervision by the court are supervised by probation officers who work specifically with youth. Regular juvenile caseloads consist of juveniles who have committed varied offenses. The probation officer works together with DHS, school counselors, treatment providers, parents, foster homes, and various other resources to assist the juvenile in completing the court-ordered sentence.

JISP is a sentencing option for selected high-risk juvenile offenders and is designed to deliver intensive case management to include monitoring of school progress, referral for remedial educational assistance, home visits, electronic monitoring, drug testing, skill building, and treatment services, as required.

The Alcohol & Drug Driving Safety (ADDS) Program conducts alcohol/drug evaluations and makes treatment recommendations for offenders convicted of driving under the influence of, or impaired by, drugs or alcohol. The probation officer then provides monitoring to ensure the offender completes court-ordered education, treatment, community service, and any other conditions ordered by the court.

The Probation Department's Victim Assistance Coordinator provides services when an offender is placed on probation. Consistent with the Colorado Victim Rights Amendment, victims of specified crimes are notified of the defendant's sentence to probation and are invited to request notification of significant events during the period of probation. The Victim Assistance Coordinator provides referrals for victims, as well as general assistance.

The Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Probation Program (SOISP) provides the highest level of supervision to adult sex offenders who are placed on probation. In 2001, a statutory change required all felony sex offenders convicted on or after July 1, 2001, to be supervised by the SOISP program.

The State of Colorado has adopted a model of containment in the supervision and management of sex offenders. SOISP officers work closely with specialized treatment providers and law enforcement to manage supervision of the offender in the community. Depending on the offender, elements of containment may include severely restricted activities, daily contact with a probation officer, curfew checks, home visitation, employment visitation and monitoring, drug and alcohol screening, and/or sex offense specific treatment, including the use of polygraph testing.