Got a low-level arrest warrant in Jefferson, Gilpin or Boulder County?

Then the Fresh Start warrant forgiveness program is your chance to clear up matters without the fear of arrest.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, both the 1st Judicial District (Jefferson and Gilpin Counties) and the 20th Judicial District (Boulder County) will be hosting simultaneous warrant forgiveness events aimed at helping individuals resolve cases and move forward in a “first-of-its-kind” collaboration on warrant forgiveness between jurisdictions.

“An individual may appear in-person in Boulder to resolve their warrant and then appear virtually in Jefferson County to resolve a warrant they may have in that jurisdiction, or vice versa, appear in-person at Jefferson County and then virtually in Boulder,” Colorado Judicial Branch spokesperson Suzanne Karrer said.

According to Karrer, there are thousands of open warrants in the 1st Judicial District.

“Many of these warrants are for failing to appear in court on lower-level offenses, notably traffic offenses,” she said. “This event gives individuals the ability to go before a judge to be held accountable for their case and get reconnected with the Courts and Probation. Also, it removes any barriers associated with having an active warrant, including challenges associated with housing, employment, etc.”

Eligible offenses for warrant clearance include low-level, non-violent misdemeanors and traffic offenses, as well as some class 5 and class 6 felony property offenses and Class 4 drug felonies.

Those ineligible for Fresh Start are most felony offenses, any weapons offense, escape, arson, tampering, or introduction of contraband, Victim’s Rights Act cases such as assault, child abuse, unlawful sexual contact or domestic violence.

Those with a second or more DUI/DWAI charges or warrants are not eligible.

Since the program’s inception in 2021, Karrer said approximately 340 warrants have been addressed without arrest.

Eligible participants will have a chance to speak with a public defender and appear before a judge to address their outstanding warrant case.

Those on probation will be able to meet with probation officials and arrange to complete their sentence. Some defendants are able to resolve their case at Fresh Start, while others receive a new court date.