First Judicial District Attorney reviews diversion and prosecution efforts; board approves DA salary increase

District Attorney King addressed the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 17 to summarize changes and initiatives in the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, including efforts to equalize pay, expand diversion and pre‑plea programs, strengthen conviction‑integrity review and coordinate metro‑wide "Fresh Start" events. After the presentation the board approved an increase to the district attorney’s salary by a 3–0 vote.

Why it matters: The DA’s remarks explain how expanded diversion‑and‑treatment options, prosecutorial staffing changes and interjurisdictional coordination shape case handling for Gilpin County residents and for the metro region served by the First Judicial District.

Key points from the DA’s presentation

- Pay equity and staffing: King said the office completed an equal‑pay correction after taking office in 2021 and has used an aggressive recruiting and mentoring approach to rebuild staffing after pandemic‑era turnover. King said the appellate unit grew from one attorney to three and the office hired seven recent law graduates in 2024, some recruited from out of state. - Conviction Integrity and appellate work: The office has a conviction integrity unit that reviews cases for inequities and supports post‑trial work in coordination with the appellate team. - Diversion and Pathways: King described a relaunch and expansion of pre‑plea diversion (Pathways) that now serves many more people than the prior program. He said Pathways aims to address repeat low‑level drug offenses and driver‑licensing issues by offering assessments and treatment referrals; staff also work to reduce cycles that keep people from obtaining insurance or driving legally. - Fresh Start events: The office participates in metro‑wide Fresh Start programs that allow eligible people to clear certain warrants or administrative matters (excluding victim crimes) in a low‑risk setting; the DA’s office and partnering agencies provide probation, DMV and health resources during events.

DA salary increase and funding

After the presentation the board adopted Resolution 24‑1‑80, approving an increase to the First Judicial District attorney salary (vote 3–0). Commissioners noted Jefferson County — a co‑participant in district funding — will cover its portion of any salary increase, per local intergovernmental arrangements.

Local impact and partnerships

Commissioners and staff praised recent additions of investigators and the Pathways work; they discussed locating Fresh Start events where people can access transportation and services (the courthouse and partner locations have been used). County staff and the DA’s office said coordination with Jefferson and other counties enables metro‑wide programs that serve Gilpin residents as part of a broader regional approach.

Quotes

"We were not equal pay compliant as an office when I entered in January of 2021… We accomplished that," District Attorney King said, summarizing early administrative priorities.

"The prior program served 370 people per year; our program now serves roughly 80 cases per month," King said when comparing prior diversion volumes to the current Pathways throughput (figure from transcript presented by the DA). He later clarified staffing and program figures during Q&A.

Implementation and follow up

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate on any interlocal billing required to reflect the salary change. The DA said the office will continue to develop data collection and cross‑agency services to expand diversion, treatment referrals and Fresh Start coverage across the metro area.