Competency Services

The mission of the 8th Judicial District Competency Docket is targeted at improving the historically ineffective processes in cases with competency issues.  The Competency Docket is a streamlined process focused on helping defendants obtain expedited access to the services and support they need. 

The Competency Docket works through the needs of both the defendant and criminal justice system, the goal is to identify the most just and fair course in a reasonable amount of time.  To manage these cases cooperatively, efficiently, and tactfully the Competency Docket team meets weekly to look at the competency processes, support, and available resources.

The Bridges Program was established by SB 18-251 and places 29  Court Liaisons across Colorado's 22 judicial districts to facilitate collaboration between the criminal justice and mental health systems.  Court Liaisons serve defendants (referred to as participants) in the criminal justice system with mental health needs, with a priority on serving individuals for whom a question of competency has been raised.  One of the primary intentions of the legislation was to mitigate the critical delay defendants experience in accessing competency services, which leads to significant decompensation of mental health in jail settings.  In addition, liaisons address more comprehensive needs of a defendant beyond competency (such as mental health, housing, and transportation), thereby supporting long-term stability and positive outcomes for the defendant, while simultaneously reducing the burden on the court system and jails as a repository for individuals struggling with mental health needs.

Court Liaisons 1) work directly with participants to identify needs and connect them to services, 2) report to judges and attorneys regarding available services in the community, and 3) facilitate communication and coordination of care with the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) competency programs.  The Bridges Program began serving participants in 2019, and the model has strong indicators of success.