Colorado Revised Statutes Title 19. Children's Code § 19-2.5-301. Legislative declaration

The general assembly declares that the placement of children and juveniles in a detention facility exacts a negative impact on the mental and physical well-being of the child or juvenile, and such detention may make it more likely that the child or juvenile will reoffend. Children and juveniles who are detained are more likely to penetrate deeper into the juvenile justice system than similar children or juveniles who are not detained, and community-based alternatives to detention should be based on the principle of using the least-restrictive setting possible and returning a child or juvenile to his or her home, family, or other responsible adult whenever possible consistent with public safety. It is the intent of the general assembly in adopting section 19-2.5-304 and amending sections 19-2.5-303, 19-2.5-305, and 19-2.5-1404 to limit the use of detention to only those children and juveniles who pose a substantial risk of serious harm to others or that are a flight risk from prosecution.