Program Contact
Robyn May - robyn.may@state.co.us (Send Email)

Financial Contact
Rebecca Lindhorst-Ballast - rebecca.lindhorst-ballast@state.co.us (Send Email)

Reporting Contact
Rebecca Lindhorst-Ballast - rebecca.lindhorst-ballast@state.co.us (Send Email)

General Requirements

The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals, and we are continually making changes to improve accessibility and usability of our services. As part of this commitment, DCJ is prepared to offer reasonable accommodations for those who have difficulty engaging with our content. As an example, documents can be produced in an alternative file format upon request. To request this and other accommodations, or to discuss your needs further, please contact Gillian Trickett at 720-582-4510 or DCJGMS@state.co.us.



Overview & Funding Details (specific to this program)

Overview

The  Law Enforcement Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Tuition Grant Program is a funding opportunity offered through the Office of Adult and Juvenile Assistance (OAJJA) for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

The goal for the Law Enforcement Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Tuition Grant Program as established by SB22-145 is to

1. Assist Law Enforcement Agencies in addressing workforce shortages
2. Improve the training given to P.O.S.T. - certified Peace Officers
3. Improve relationships between Law Enforcement and impacted communities.

Resource:  SB22-145 Resources To Increase Community Safety (on the website, this links to the bill)

Project Application DEADLINE: September 15, 2022

About the Funding Agency: 

The mission of the Division of Criminal Justice is to improve the public safety of the community, the quality of services to crime victims, and the effectiveness of services to offenders. We accomplish this by analyzing policy, conducting criminal justice research, managing programs, and administering grants.

Program Description

Purpose of the Funds

To assist Law Enforcement Agencies in addressing workforce shortages, improve the training given to P.O.S.T. - certified Peace Officers; and improve relationships between Law Enforcement and impacted communities

Resource: SB22-145

Eligible Activities

1. Recruit, pay the tuition for, and train individuals to work in P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement careers
2. Increase the number of persons receiving training as P.O.S.T.-certified and non-certified law enforcement personnel and improve the training provided to such persons;
3. Increase the number of persons receiving training as P.O.S.T.-certified and non-certified law enforcement personnel and improve the training provided to such persons;
4. Improve the training provided by entities approved for providing training by the peace officer standards and training board, referred to in this section as "approved P.O.S.T. Board trainers", by enhancing their curriculum to expand mental health, implicit bias, cultural competency, critical incident, de-escalation, and trauma recovery training and increasing the availability of workforce mobility; 
5. Provide continuing education opportunities for P.O.S.T.-certified and non-certified law peace officers; and increase activities intended to foster a more positive relationship between law enforcement and impacted communities.Recruit, pay the tuition for, and train individuals to work in P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement careers.Increase the number of persons receiving training as P.O.S.T.-certified and non-certified law enforcement personnel and improve the training provided to such persons;
6. Increase the number of persons receiving training as P.O.S.T. -certified and non-certified law enforcement personnel and improve the training provided to such persons;
7. Improve the training provided by entities approved for providing training by the peace officer standards and training board, referred to in this section as "approved P.O.S.T. Board trainers", by enhancing their curriculum to expand mental health, implicit bias, cultural competency, critical incident, de-escalation, and trauma recovery training and increasing the availability of workforce mobility; 
8. Provide continuing education opportunities for P.O.S.T.-certified and non-certified law peace officers; and increase activities intended to foster a more positive relationship between law enforcement and impacted communities.

For examples of best practice: President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice Report

Statutory Authority

C.R.S. 24-33.5-528. Law enforcement workforce recruitment, retention, and tuition grant program

Funding Details

Amount available

$7,262,000

Where 20% must go to Law Enforcement Agencies in rural counties and municipalities with a population of fewer than 50,000 persons, wholly located either east of Interstate 25 or west of the continental divide.

Award Period

January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024

Match

A match is not a requirement for this funding.

The Advisory Committee encourages applicants to show a commitment from either local governments or other funding committed by partner agencies for this project to support sustainability.

Exclusions and Limitations

A law enforcement agency shall use the grant money to supplement the costs of recruitment and training. A local government or law enforcement agency may not use the grant money to supplant these costs.

A law enforcement agency may not use the grant award to cover the costs of eligible law enforcement officer salaries and benefits if the eligible law enforcement officers would have been hired by the law enforcement agency even if the division had not awarded the law enforcement agency the grant.

Eligibility

• Colorado law enforcement agencies, including those serving rural municipalities and counties 
• Tribal law enforcement agencies that serve fewer than fifty thousand residents
• Third-party membership organizations on behalf of a law enforcement agency 
• Any state institution of higher education, as defined in section 23-18-102 (10), that operates a law enforcement academy.

Evaluation

The Advisory Committee will evaluate applications on the following criteria:

• How the grant would improve and support P.O.S.T-certified and non-certified peace officer recruitment and retention;
• Compliance of the applicant with all relevant state and local laws or a demonstration of how the applicant will come into such compliance;
• Sustainability of the project after the grant ends; and
• If the grant includes activities that are likely to foster a more positive relationship between law enforcement and the impacted community.

The Law Enforcement Workforce Advisory Committee will meet and make funding recommendations in Mid-late October. 

Applications which are denied funding may submit an appeal within 3 days of notification, however, appeals may only contain clarifying information specific to the reasons noted in the denial notification and can not contain new information. 

Additional Information

Grant Agreements

If awarded, grant agreements will be issued in accordance with Colorado State Controller policy and will be similar to the following templates:

Not for Profit

Tribe

Local and State Government, and Other

Post Award Reporting Requirements

The grantee will be required to submit financial and programmatic reports describing how the grant funds were utilized, including data and other relevant information on performance metrics. These reports will be required quarterly and on or before August 1, 2023, and August 1, 2024. Performance metrics will be outlined at the time of the award.

Please see the DCJ State Administrative Guide for Post Award report requirements.

Program Schedule

Announcement date: August 18, 2022

Application deadline: September 15, 2022

Funding decision announced: Mid-October

Reconsideration/appeals deadline: Approximately 3 days following Denial Notification

Grant Agreement Issuance: Mid-Late December

Award Period: January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024