WHAT IS THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS (ORS). . .

THE MISSION OF THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS is to apply the highest level of scientific rigor and objectivity in the study of criminal justice policies, programs and practices, and to identify activities that improve the administration of justice. This includes educating policy makers, practitioners, fellow researchers, and the public through the timely dissemination of research findings.

The Office of Research and Statistics (ORS) exists to fulfill a number of DCJ's statutory mandates (see 24-33.5-501-503, C.R.S.). These legislative mandates include the following:

1. Analyzing state activities and challenges related to the administrations of justice; and
2. Developing comprehensive plans of action for improving the quality of criminal justice in Colorado, and for crime and delinquency control.
3. Analyzing the state's activities in the administration of criminal justice and the nature of the problems confronting it and to make recommendations for improvement;
4. Forecasting the juvenile and adult incarceration populations;
5. Administering a statistical analysis center (SAC) on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (U.S. Department of Justice) for the purposes of collecting and analyzing statewide criminal justice statistics;
6. Developing a sexually violent predator risk assessment instrument;
7. Developing and validating every five years a parole risk assessment instrument.

To this end, the ORS collects and disseminates information regarding criminal justice interventions, analyzes criminal justice policy, activities and problems, and conducts criminal justice program evaluations to assist the general assembly, the governor's office, and other state and local agencies and to enhance the quality of criminal justice at all levels of government in the state.

This website is partly funded through a grant from the from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and services or tools provided).

Please send any comments about the website to kerry.cataldo@cdps.state.co.us

ORS - 700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000 Denver, CO 80215