The Boulder County Jail, located at 3200 Airport Road, Boulder, Colorado, opened in 1988 with a bed capacity of 287. At that time, the county’s population was approximately 218,380. The facility spans 103,400 square feet and currently has a bed capacity of 543, offering a range of housing options from maximum-security single cells to minimum-security dormitories. The total cost of the jail, including land acquisition, was $14.95 million, with construction costs around $11 million.
In 2005, the jail expanded to accommodate a growing inmate population. After doubling the capacity of most existing cells, a courtyard was converted into a housing unit, adding 32 double-bunked cells and increasing capacity by 64 beds at a cost of $1.5 million. This expansion was funded by a voter-approved tax (Fund 024), and the county’s population at the time was approximately 282,763.
In the summer of 2025, the jail will open a new booking area and a 64-bed dormitory-style housing unit above it. This addition, located on the jail’s east side, was funded by a voter-approved tax extension in 2019. The new facility, measuring 30,560 square feet, cost over $28.1 million to construct. With this expansion, the jail’s capacity may increase to 607 beds. The county’s population in 2023, when the expansion was designed, was estimated at 326,663.
A new alternative housing facility, the Joe Pelle Center, will also be located on the jail campus. This facility will be operated by Community Justice Services, not the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
The jail provides a variety of programs and services to support inmates in their personal growth and rehabilitation. These programs also help staff manage the inmate population and assist with the transition back into the community. On-site courtroom facilities for arraignments and hearings reduce transportation costs and enhance security for inmates, staff, and the public.
The facility is designed for expansion, having increased in capacity eight times since its opening due to the growing inmate population. The criminal justice system also utilizes alternative sentencing options when appropriate to ensure secure jail beds are available for those who require them.
Sheriff Curtis Johnson oversees the facility, with Jail Administrator Division Chief Jeff Goetz managing a team of six commanders, 18 sergeants, and a total staff of 238. The jail provides 24-hour medical care, with registered nurses on duty at all times, and mental health staff available seven days a week, including 30 hours of psychiatric care weekly.
Mission Statement
In support of the communities we serve, we are committed to maintaining the trust placed in us by the public, inmates, their families and friends, professionals, and community partners. Our mission is to provide a safe and secure environment through high-quality, cost-effective services that positively impact both our community and those in our care. We strive to operate a secure, humane facility while ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone we serve.
