CDHS's Division of Youth Services (DYS) operates 12 secure youth centers that serve youth between the ages of 10-21 who are pre-adjudicated or committed. Visit the individual youth centers' pages for contact information.
Aspire Youth Services Center
Aspire Youth Services Center is a secure male committed center located on the Campus at Lookout Mountain.
Gilliam Youth Services Center
Gilliam Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed detention center located in Denver.
Golden Peak Youth Services Center
Golden Peak Youth Services Center is a secure male committed center located on the Campus at Lookout Mountain.
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed multi-purpose center located in Grand Junction.
Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center
Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed detention center located in Englewood.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Mount View Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed multi-purpose center located in Denver.
Platte Valley Youth Services Center
Platte Valley Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed multi-purpose center located in Greeley.
Prairie Vista Youth Services Center
Prairie Vista Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed detention center located in Brighton.
Pueblo Youth Services Center
Pueblo Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed detention center located in Pueblo.
Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Spring Creek Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed committed center located in Colorado Springs.
Summit Youth Services Center
Summit Youth Services Center is a secure male committed center located on the Campus at Lookout Mountain.
Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center
Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center is a secure co-ed detention center located in Colorado Springs.
- State-operated detention and multi-purpose youth centers
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DYS is responsible for state-operated secure detention. Five state-owned and operated youth centers serve only detention youth: Gilliam Youth Services Center in Denver, Prairie Vista Youth Services Center in Brighton, Pueblo Youth Services Center in Pueblo, Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center in Colorado Springs and Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Englewood. Three secure state-operated youth centers are multi-purpose, serving detained and committed youth. These three youth centers include Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley, Grand Mesa Youth Services Center in Grand Junction, and Mount View Youth Services Center in Denver.
- State-operated secure treatment programs
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Four of the DYS secure youth centers — Aspire Youth Services Center, Golden Peak Youth Services Center, Summit Youth Services Center and Spring Creek Youth Services Center — serve committed youth exclusively. These programs are designed to treat the highest-risk, highest-need committed males and females. DYS also operates three multi-purpose youth centers that, in addition to acting as juvenile detention centers, provide longer-term treatment to committed youth.
- State-owned privately operated youth centers
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Colorado contracts with a private provider to operate a state-owned youth center, the Ridge View Youth Services Center. Ridge View is a 500-bed open campus designed to operate with an academic/vocational focus.
- Private contract programs
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DYS contracts with a variety of private providers for community programs that range from staff-secure treatment programs to foster homes licensed through the state. Placement alternatives include residential child care facilities (RCCF), group homes and foster homes. The programs act both as initial treatment programs and as community transition placements for youth moving from more secure settings. In addition, these programs may also focus on specific populations or the provision of specific services, such as treating youth with high mental health needs, or youth transitioning to independent living.
Download a directory of private contract programs.