Alamosa

The City of Alamosa, Denver County, City of Longmont, and Pueblo County receive up to $575,000 per year-funded through the Long Bill from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund-to operate LEAD as a pilot program for a three-year term that began in 2017. These programs are evaluated for effectiveness in order to request additional funding. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program is a pre-booking diversion program that aims to improve public health and to end the cycle of recidivism. Instead of being charged and booked following an arrest, the arresting officer identifies the arrestee as a potential participant for the diversion program and subsequently connects them with a case manager. This case manager then provides a holistic approach to connecting the individual with resources such as housing and substance use treatment services or enrolling the participant in vocational training courses. The main principle of LEAD is collaborative partnerships between local law enforcement, district attorneys offices, sheriffs, treatment providers, and other community stakeholders.