BOCC Work Session 8/31/26, 1:30 p.m. - Community Infrastructure, Planning & Resources

This Larimer County Board of County Commissioners work session on August 31, 2026, focused on community infrastructure, planning, and resources with an emphasis on collaborative projects between Community Justice Alternatives (CJA) and Colorado State University (CSU). Key procurement-related discussions included the development of a smoking cessation program funded by a state grant of nearly $200,000 annually for three years, which will employ a dedicated tobacco interventionist and provide nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral counseling to CJA clients. Another significant initiative involved establishing a local toxicology laboratory at CSU to replace out-of-state substance testing services, aiming to improve turnaround times for drug test results critical to community and facility safety. This partnership is expected to maintain current costs while enhancing service quality and creating local workforce opportunities. The session also covered plans to expand Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training beyond law enforcement to community partners, leveraging CSU resources and expertise. Commissioners discussed budget implications, sustainability, and evaluation metrics for these programs, highlighting the strategic value of CSU collaborations in improving public health and criminal justice outcomes in Larimer County.