Boulder County, Colo. - The District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce that two of its initiatives, the Peer Support Program and the Harm Reduction Program, are receiving awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). These awards recognize innovative and impactful government programs across 18 categories. The District Attorney’s Office received recognition under the Criminal Justice and Public Safety category.

Peer Support Program

The staff of the District Attorney’s Office handles difficult and serious cases. As part of our Wellness Program, the District Attorney’s Office launched its Peer Support Program in September 2025 to strengthen employee wellness within a high‑stress public service environment. The program provides confidential, peer‑based support through trained Peer Advisors—employees selected through an application process who offer guidance, resources, and referrals to colleagues experiencing personal or professional challenges.

Peer Advisors complete a 30‑hour training that includes mental health awareness, crisis intervention, trauma, stress management, and referral practices. The program functions as a proactive extension of the office’s existing employee assistance resources and establishes a trusted first point of contact for staff in need of support.

Employees in the criminal justice system routinely encounter stressful and traumatic situations. Recognizing this need, Chief Investigator Kristin Weisbach and Deputy District Attorney Myra Gottl developed our Peer Support Program to build a strong, confidential, internal network of colleagues equipped to help others navigate challenges. By prioritizing staff well‑being, the office continues to strengthen our ability to serve the community effectively.

Harm Reduction Program

The Center for Prevention and Restorative Justice (CPRJ) within the District Attorney’s Office significantly expanded its harm reduction work in 2025 with the creation of a specialized Harm Reduction Diversion Coordinator position. This expansion enables CPRJ to provide targeted screenings, education, case management, resource navigation, and the distribution of harm reduction supplies to diversion participants, including individuals who use drugs, are at risk for use, or may be bystanders.

CPRJ diverts more than 500 youth and adult cases each year through restorative practices that emphasize accountability, risk reduction, and repair of harm. Successful completion of diversion results in case dismissal, reducing long‑term consequences often associated with criminal convictions.

Because substance use is a known risk factor linked to recidivism, CPRJ has long incorporated harm reduction principles into diversion. These evidence‑based practices focus on reducing negative health, social, and legal impacts of substance use through support. Despite the state’s de‑felonization of many drug possession offenses in 2020, CPRJ continued to see high demand for harm reduction services. To meet these needs, the agency secured Opioid Settlement Funds to establish a full‑time coordinator role dedicated to expanding harm reduction capacity.

Harm reduction policies within prosecutorial offices remain uncommon, but the District Attorney’s Office recognizes that substance use is a public health issue intertwined with public safety. The office remains committed to smart and effective justice reform rooted in community trust, harm reduction, and improved outcomes for defendants, victims, and the broader community.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “I want to congratulate and thank these outstanding teams. We are so fortunate to have these members on staff and to support the transformative work they do each and every day. This award reflects their unwavering commitment to our office, public safety and their dedication to serving our community.”