Colorado Juvenile Diversion Evaluation Report

The Juvenile Diversion Grant Program, funded by Colorado state statute and administered through the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), diverts youth who have committed offenses from further involvement in the juvenile justice system. Since 2010, DCJ has partnered with Omni to lead a comprehensive statewide evaluation of this initiative. Drawing on data from 20 programs and nearly 10,000 youth served by the program, Omni’s evaluation provides a detailed picture of who the program serves, what services are provided, and how those services impact outcomes. The findings show that 85% of youth successfully completed diversion, and over 83% did not recidivate within a year of participation—demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in creating meaningful alternatives to justice system involvement.

Through this multi-year evaluation, Omni documented how diversion programs evolved in response to youth needs, policy shifts, and funding opportunities. Universal behavioral health screenings, mental health and substance use treatment, and restorative justice services were all linked to increased success rates. Youth who received these services showed significant improvements in protective factors like community connection and self-esteem, while reducing risky behaviors. The evaluation also identified important equity gaps—particularly in access for youth of color—and spurred focused efforts to address underrepresentation in certain judicial districts.

As Colorado continues to expand diversion opportunities through juvenile justice reform (SB19-108), Omni’s work offers a roadmap for sustaining and scaling success. By grounding system design in rich data and lived experience, the state is well-positioned to offer more youth early, appropriate support that sets them on a path toward stability and growth while reducing the likelihood of future criminal justice involvement. This report not only validates the diversion model but reinforces the value of continuous learning, cross-agency collaboration, and youth-centered policy.