You may never have given much thought to how the Juvenile Justice System in Larimer County works, but this part of our judicial system affects many youth and their families in our community and it can sometimes seem a little complicated.

I’ll be honest, I never thought too much about the system, until I started working at the Matthews House. Then I started seeing how the system played a role in the lives of some of our youth, their families, their extended families and their friends. I started meeting individual people -  youth who’ve tangled with the system and the people in their lives helping them rebuild and change direction. I’ve met parole officers who care deeply about the youth they work with, and I’ve met youth who are trying to make good, but starting 20 steps behind because they are first having to dig themselves out of a deep hole dug by generational poverty and poor role modeling. It’s been interesting learning more about how we as a community and as individuals address the issues of justice as they pertain to youth.

Whether you’ve never thought much about it or you’ve been impacted by the system directly, you’re invited to come learn more.

On Monday, April 13th you have the chance to hear from and engage in discussion with two experts: Randall Lococo, a Fort Collins attorney who has had extensive experience defending juveniles in the Larimer County Juvenile Justice system and Robert Percifield, Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Division, 8th Judicial District.

When: Monday, April 13th from 7 – 9pm
Where: Coloradoan Community Meeting Room, 1500 Riverside Ave, Fort Collins

This opportunity to learn more about juvenile justice in our community is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Larimer County.