Boulder County, Colo. - Community members, partners, and the media are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the Joe Pelle Center, Boulder County’s new alternative sentencing facility. The event will take place Friday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the facility grounds.

“We’re proud to open the Joe Pelle Center,” said Monica Alix Rotner, Division Manager of Community Justice Services “This facility and its staff represents Boulder County’s commitment to compassionate, effective justice offering meaningful alternatives to incarceration that help people rebuild their lives and strengthen community safety by providing accountability and support to successful reentry.”

The Joe Pelle Center (JPC) is a community-based, minimum-security residential facility offering alternatives to incarceration. It provides residential and non-residential programs including mental health and substance-use treatment, trauma-informed and gender-responsive care, and support for education and employment opportunities designed to foster accountability, respect and public safety.

The construction of the facility was financed through a voter-approved sales and use tax. The facility was previously referred to as the Alternative Sentencing Facility (ASF).

Why the Name
The facility is named in honor of Joe Pelle, who served as Boulder County Sheriff from 2003 to 2022. Sheriff Pelle is widely recognized for his compassionate, community-centered approach to public safety. As sheriff, he championed programs that emphasized alternatives to incarceration, mental health support, and restorative justice—laying the foundation for facilities like this one. Naming the center after him honors his nearly two decades of service and his lasting impact on Boulder County’s justice system.

Community Commitment
The opening of the Joe Pelle Center represents the culmination of years of planning and collaboration, made possible by the 2018 ballot initiative overwhelmingly approved by Boulder County voters. That initiative provided the critical support needed to expand alternatives to incarceration and invest in facilities that promote accountability, treatment, and public safety.

Event Details
What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Joe Pelle Center

When: Friday, Oct. 24, from 1 - 3 p.m.

Where: Joe Pelle Center, 3260 Airport Rd., Boulder

County leaders will offer brief remarks on the center’s mission and potential impact. A ribbon-cutting photo opportunity will follow. Community members and media will have a chance to tour parts of the facility and speak with staff, subject to event guidelines.