2024 District Attorney RJ Voter Guide

As a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to create public access to high-quality restorative justice practices statewide, one of the ways CCRJP carries this out is by educating the public on restorative justice legislation and implementation. In 2020, CCRJP Board member Elizabeth Rooks led an effort to create the first CCRJP District Attorney (DA) Voter Guide to inform constituents of DA positions on restorative justice as well as educate on the voting process.

The District Attorney is an extraordinarily powerful person in the criminal justice system. In Colorado, DAs have the decision-making power to determine:

• Whether or not to file criminal charges
• Plea-bargaining
• Whether or not a diversion program is implemented
• Services, compensation, and funding for victims of crime
• Public policy recommendations at the state and local level

The upcoming Voter Guide will be a compilation of the responses received, organized by the voting district, and provided to you verbatim. To provide voters with more information about the restorative justice positions of the current DA candidates, CCRJP has

• issued a written questionnaire to candidates in all 23 districts
• There are currently 7 active races with 16 running unopposed
• We are encouraging all candidates, whether running unopposed or not, to share their positions and policies on restorative justice

We are very grateful to those who value restorative justice enough to provide a response. It is our sincere hope that this guide will serve to provide information that constituents find helpful in determining how to vote, and that it is used in the future to build or extend working relationships with elected District Attorneys, and provide a basis for accountability.

CCRJP voter education is conducted in a nonpartisan manner and does not consist of any prohibited political activity. We do not and will not express support or opposition for any particular candidate or party. We advocate for restorative justice practices which by nature is a multi-beneficial approach. A special thank you to Elizabeth for initiating this project which we are carrying forth today and into the future for the benefit of RJP statewide!

Our 2024 Colorado District Attorney Candidates Voter Guide