Awarded Grants

Note: Beginning in 2026, Alternatives to Jail has been renamed Care Over Incarceration to better reflect the program area’s goals and approach. Any references to Alternatives to Jail on this page reflect historical grant awards made prior to the name change. 

5280 High School

Recovery High School - Summit Program

$275,000 over 2 years for the Summit Program to serve students in recovery from addiction by providing a strong pro-social peer community, specialized recovery supports, and an engaging educational environment. This grant will expand this Denver, including those with engagement in the legal system. The initial outcomes for this recovery program show great success in providing the environment and support teenagers need to remain clean and sober, and progress towards high school graduation.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2020

5280 High School

Recovery High School Programming & Mental Health Supports

$366,168 over 3 years to continue and enhance this organization's ability to provide a strong pro-social peer community, specialized recovery supports, and an engaging educational environment to hundreds of Denver teens.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2022

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado

Comprehensive Support for Brain Injury Survivors Who Are Justice-Involved at Denver County Jail

$418,224 over 3 years to provide support to brain injury survivors who are incarcerated in Denver County Jail through screening, psychoeducation curriculum, accommodations, and re-entry support. This project will increase the well-being, resiliency, and independence of brain injury survivors who are justice-involved and ultimately reduce recidivism among repeat offenders. As the majority of individuals incarcerated are brain injury survivors, this organization is uniquely positioned to address their unique needs, filling gaps left by the criminal justice system.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2020

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado

Comprehensive Support for Brain Injury Survivors Who Are Involved in the Legal System through Denver Courts

$1,219,841 over 3 years to expand the partnership with Denver specialty courts to support brain injury survivors. This organization will provide brain injury screenings, psychoeducation courses, specialized addiction counseling, and re-entry support.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2023

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado

Denver Brain Injury Reentry Program

$1,232,442 over 3 years to expand the partnership with Denver specialty courts to support brain injury survivors, this organization will provide brain injury screenings, psychoeducation courses, specialized addiction counseling, and re-entry support.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2026

Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado Inc.

Circle of Hope - Recovery Community Groups

$194,380 over 2 years to serve formerly incarcerated or recovering individuals in the Denver area through direct support utilizing trained health professional(s), resource navigation, and combined informational workshops to further bridge the barriers within the re-entry/recovery community.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2023

Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado Inc.

Circle of Hope: Recovery Community Groups

$105,300 over 1 years to support formerly incarcerated or recovering individuals by providing workshops focused on substance misuse reduction and stabilization factors for those exiting the criminal legal system.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2025

Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado Inc.

Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use Support for Incarcerated and Returning Citizens

$320,658 over 2 years to provide a continuous pathway of mental health and substance use care from incarceration through re-entry. In-facility programming builds coping and recovery skills, while post-release support sustains treatment, reduces relapse and recidivism, and promotes long-term stability.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2026

Brink Literacy Project

Denver Incarceration Pipeline Prevention

$201,617 over 1 years for creative writing and storytelling workshops to address negative personal narratives and improve the mental health and substance misuse struggles faced by people at risk of, currently involved in, and exiting the jail system.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2023

Brink Literacy Project

Denver Prison Pipeline Prevention

$437,598 over 2 years for therapeutic storytelling programming with incarcerated and post-release youth and adults to increase mental health awareness, prevent substance misuse, and decrease recidivism.

City Council District:
Denver Citywide
Focus Area:
Alternatives to Jail
Year Approved:
2024