Officials attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday that conveyed the completion of the Larimer County Jail Improvement Project.

With construction starting in July 2020, the 137,719 square-foot project lasted almost five years and was completed in August 2023 on time and under the planned $81 million budget. It was completed in three phases between those years. The expanded facility is currently open and operating.

Current Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said the new facility enhances safety, dignity, and respect for both inmates and those who work in the facility, and is the result of the hard work of many people who worked on the project before he was elected Sheriff. “It was from the many people that came before me --- I had this whole team behind me to make it work,” said Feyen. “I get to inherit this amazing building built on the vision of so many people before me.”

The new facility also includes an expanded and remodeled medical facility, and lobby that connects the jail and Sheriff’s Administration building which was part of the third and final construction phase. It also includes a new central utility plant that provides utilities for the jail, too.

The new facility adds 156 additional dormitory-style beds, focuses on restorative justice, accommodates transportation better, and is sized for the future, including a larger booking area, kitchen, and laundry.