Veterans Trauma Court

• The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) was the first district attorney’s office in Colorado to work towards creating a specialty court designed specifically for

 veterans struggling with service-related trauma.

• The DA’s Office serves as a gatekeeper for admission into the Veterans Trauma Court (VTC), effectively screening veterans and cases to most efficiently serve our community and reduce recidivism in veteran related cases.

• To be eligible for the program, a veteran or active-duty military member must show a service-related trauma (PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, etc.) that is connected to the crimes they are charged with.

• Once a Veteran is accepted into the program the VTC team provides intensive supervision and facilitates treatment.

• Veterans who fail to engage in treatment or counseling are held accountable by the VTC team and will be sanctioned by the Court.

• Sanction options available to the court range from requiring public service, increased treatment levels, in-patient treatment, and jail.
• Continued violations of their placement in VTC can result in termination from the program.

• The VTC specialty court is presided over by the Honorable Judge David Shakes. Judge Shakes has a unique and valuable perspective gained from his service as a former Judge Advocate with the U.S. Army.

Colorado Veterans Trauma Court

or further information or questions, please contact the VTC Coordinator:

Kisten Born

(719) 452-5039

kisten.born@judicial.state.co.us 

or

Veteran Mentor Coordinator

Laurie Clemons

(719) 452-5056

 laura.clemons@judicial.state.co.us