A Petition by The Transparency Project – Colorado

I have had a relationship with the Colorado Department of Corrections since I was an infant. My father has been incarcerated for 16 years in CDOC, and for 34 years I have witnessed firsthand how this system operates. Over that time, I’ve seen how the taxpayers of Colorado continue to lose money while seeing no measurable return on the billions spent. What should be an investment in accountability and safety has instead become a cycle of waste, secrecy, and disappointment.

The Colorado Department of Corrections now operates on a budget of approximately $1.17 billion for FY 2024-25 and has requested over $1.21 billion for FY 2025-26.

Despite these massive taxpayer investments, CDOC has failed to deliver transparent financial reporting or measurable outcomes that justify such costs. Taxpayers continue to fund an agency that refuses to provide clarity, consistency, or results.

Where Is the Money Going?

A state audit revealed that CDOC mishandled approximately $29 million in taxpayer funds through inaccurate and inconsistent budgeting. Despite this finding, there has been no open investigation into how this money was spent, who approved it, or whether any of it has been recovered. Taxpayers deserve full disclosure—not silence.

Other states have proven that transparency works. Nebraska publicly releases annual correctional spending, staffing, and recidivism reports through its Legislature’s Office of the Inspector General, allowing taxpayers to track every dollar and outcome. Massachusetts provides a public online portal showing DOC budgets, line-item spending, and historical comparisons accessible to everyone. Colorado’s taxpayers deserve the same openness and accountability as other states.

The Hidden Cost of Failure

Colorado is one of the three worst states in the nation for recidivism, with nearly half of those released from CDOC custody returning to prison within three years. Independent reviews by Rocky Mountain PBS, The Colorado Trust, and a national recidivism study by Suzuki Law Offices consistently place Colorado near the bottom for successful re-entry. Yet CDOC continues to report inconsistent numbers, offering taxpayers no clear explanation or standard definition of what counts as “recidivism.” Tax payers are giving Colorado department of corrections money make the community safer.

 

We Demand Transparency and Accountability

1.             Immediate disclosure of all CDOC contracts, vendor payments, and staffing invoices between 2020–2025.

2.             Independent investigation into the $29 million in unbudgeted expenses, with public reporting of findings.

3.             Reform of budget practices to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds and ensure accurate, public accounting.

4.             Transparent recidivism reporting that clearly defines how rates are measured, who is counted, and how success is evaluated.

5.             Public dashboards showing quarterly financial data, spending trends, and measurable outcomes.

6.             Citizen oversight board with taxpayer, fiscal, and community representation to monitor audits, contracts, and progress.

Every wasted dollar represents more than poor accounting—it represents broken trust. Colorado’s taxpayers fund this system with the expectation of transparency, safety, and efficiency. Instead, we are left with missing money, inflated budgets, and outcomes that cannot be verified.

It’s time for truth and accountability. We call on state leaders to investigate the missing $29 million, enforce transparency, and ensure that every taxpayer dollar serves the people of Colorado—not a system that refuses to answer to them.

■ Sign the petition: https://c.org/ZDr6kxXTfq

■ Contact: transparencyprojectcolorado@gmail.com

The Transparency Project – Colorado