Denver's Roads to Recovery reports fewer jail bookings and increased service connections

Summary

Roads to Recovery, an 18‑month pilot in Denver, reported reduced jail bookings and days for participants, more time between bookings and over 400 service connections across 80-plus providers. City staff said the program has about 300 people involved, roughly 150 active on intensive case-management caseloads, and estimated jail-bed-day savings of

Denver’s Roads to Recovery initiative told the Community Planning and Housing Committee on Aug. 26 that participants in the 18‑month program have fewer jail bookings and more service contacts after enrollment, and staff cited early cost savings tied to reduced jail-bed days.

Why it matters: Committee members and staff said the program aims to break cycles of repeated arrests and emergency health care use by pairing street engagement with intensive case management and direct payment for needed services.

Program scope and model: Erin Atencio, director of Roads to Recovery in the mayor’s office, said the program works with people who have complex needs — physical and behavioral health, substance use and frequent justice-system contact — and seeks to move them out of the “doom loop” of repeated arrests and short jail stays. Roads teams include…

Denver's Roads to Recovery reports fewer jail bookings and increased service connections

Summary

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