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Justice Center remains Larimer County’s top capital priority; studies and voter outreach expected before design
Summary
County staff and consultants told commissioners the Justice Center expansion remains the county’s most significant outstanding facilities need. The presentation summarized prior judicial studies, underscored staffing and courtroom shortfalls, and outlined the steps and timeline the county would face if it pursues a voter‑funded project.
Larimer County commissioners heard Wednesday that expansion of the county Justice Center remains the largest unresolved capital need and that preparing a voter‑facing proposal would require additional study, pre‑design work and community engagement.
Ken Cooper, Larimer County facilities director, told commissioners that while many 2018 master‑plan recommendations have been completed, the Justice Center remains “job one” for the county. Cooper and CRB Group planners said the county did not focus on the Justice Center during this facilities update because the building’s scope and cost require a separate, detailed process.
County staff reviewed recent court‑related analyses. Presenters reminded the commissioners that a 2020 Court Usage and Optimization study and a 2022 Judicial Needs Study examined courtroom, judge and staff requirements; CRB said the 2022 study produced several options (CRB described it as “nine different versions”) for meeting future judicial needs. Presenters said the county’s courts, including the Eighth Judicial District, report being understaffed relative to their internal staffing targets, and that prior incremental expansions across the courthouse complex over 20 years had helped meet demand until now.
Commissioners asked whether the judicial projections from earlier studies still hold. Cooper said the county has not seen large staffing shifts that would dramatically change the prior needs assessments but noted that the courts’ requests for additional judicial positions were not approved for the 2025–26 fiscal year, which affects near‑term staffing growth. Cooper said the county needs accurate, up‑to‑date information before approaching voters: "If and when we decide to perhaps go before the voters, I think we want to have the most accurate information to try to make the most compelling case." (Ken Cooper)
CRB and county staff outlined the likely steps and timeline if the county decides to pursue a public funding measure: pre‑programming and pre‑design work, stakeholder engagement, and a full design process. Presenters estimated that the pre‑design and program phase alone would likely require about 18 months before a final design package and public outreach could be completed.
County staff identified the Cortina Building — owned by the county and adjacent to the courthouse complex — as a possible short‑term option to relocate some administrative functions if Justice Center construction or staging required temporary moves. Cooper and facilities staff said staff have discussed that option with the district attorney but have not moved any offices pending a larger decision on Justice Center timing and financing.
No formal decision was made at the Jan. 15 work session about seeking voter approval for a Justice Center project. Commissioners and staff said the county will continue to track judicial staffing and space needs and would return with more detailed programming and financial options if and when the board decides to advance a ballot proposal.
