§ 19-2.5-1403. Division of Youth Services – Community Boards

1. There is created in each region of the division of youth services a community board to:
   1. Promote transparency and community involvement in division of youth services’ facilities within the region;
   2. Provide opportunities for youth to build positive relationships with adult role models; and
   3. Promote youth involvement in the community.
2. 1. Each community board must include six members with a diverse array of experience and perspectives related to incarcerated youth. Each member of each board must be a resident of, or work within, the region in which the member serves.
   2. The governor or the governor’s designee shall appoint each member of each board to a term of three years, and each member may serve an unlimited number of terms. Members serve without compensation.
   3. A member of a community board may not be employed by the department of human services or the division of youth services.
   4. Each community board shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its members.
   5. Each community board shall meet at least once every three months. The chair of each community board may call such additional meetings as are necessary for the community board to accomplish its duties.
3. 1. Leadership and staff members of the department of human services and the division of youth services, as well as representatives of an organization in Colorado that exists for the purpose of dealing with the state as an employer concerning issues of mutual concern between employees and the state, are invited to attend community board meetings to provide their perspectives.
   2. A management-level employee of each facility in each region shall attend each meeting of their regional community board. At least once every three months, a representative of the division of youth services shall update the community board regarding new policies, practices, and programs affecting the region and any issues of concern in the region during the past quarter.
4. The division of youth services shall allow board members to have periodic access to enter facilities in their regions on at least a quarterly basis and speak with youth and staff, unless an emergency prevents such access.

Source: L. 2021: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 21-059), ch. 136, p. 676, § 2, effective October 1.

Editor’s note: This section is similar to former § 19-2-203.5 as it existed prior to 2021.