Criminal justice issues online

Larimer County property owners considering the pros and cons of approving a 5-mill levy to finance solutions to criminal justice needs can calculate the impact it will have on their home's taxes by going to www.larimer.org/cjcrisis.

For example, the tax on a house valued at $250,000 would be $99.32 a year.

If approved by voters in November, the 5 mills will be a permanent addition to the county's taxing authority. In 2007, the levy would bring in about $18,675,000.

"For citizens to make informed choices, they need information," said Angela Erker, the county's criminal justice coordinator. Several people familiar with the issues will be available for public presentations.

Erker leads the criminal justice advisory committee, a group representing county agencies that have worked together for nearly three years developing solutions for a justice system that cannot keep up with population growth.

The proposals include treatment programs for mental health and substance abuse and alternatives to incarceration, hoping to provide appropriate treatment while saving tax dollars. County manager Frank Lancaster noted at a recent meeting that Colorado ranks 49th out of 50 states in funding for drug and alcohol treatment.

The proposals also include more jail beds to house criminals that pose more danger to the community. The committee's proposal recommends spending $1 million to help build a detox center in Larimer County.

The web site also links to radio and television interviews with Erker explaining the current criminal justice crisis. For further information, or to schedule a presentation about the issue and proposals, contact Erker at 498-7149 or aerker@larimer.org.