Denver Launches ‘Roads to Recovery’ Program to Divert Individuals from Criminal Justice System
Denver today launched the “Roads to Recovery” program, a city-wide initiative designed to connect individuals with vital care and support services as an alternative to traditional criminal justice pathways.
The program, announced on 2025-10-16, is a collaborative effort involving multiple Denver city agencies, including the Denver Police Department, the Department of Public Health & Environment, the Department of Housing Stability, the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the Denver Sheriff Department, and Denver Parks and Recreation, as well as the court system. “Roads to Recovery” aims to provide pathways to healing and stability for individuals, addressing underlying issues that may contribute to involvement with the legal system.
This initiative represents a shift towards a more compassionate and preventative approach to public safety, recognizing that addressing social determinants of health can reduce recidivism. The program will focus on connecting individuals with resources such as mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance. For more information on Denver’s commitment to public health, visit the City and County of Denver Government website. Similar diversion programs have shown success in other cities, like the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, detailed here.
City officials stated that the program will be continuously evaluated to ensure its effectiveness and responsiveness to community needs, and further details on eligibility and access to services will be released in the coming weeks.
