Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory will use the FY09 Congressionally Selected Awards funding to improve all areas of forensic services provided in northern Colorado and the creation of a full service regional forensic laboratory. This is a collaborative effort between the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, Adams County Sheriff's Office, Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Weld County Sheriff's Office, Loveland Police Department, Greeley Police Department, and Fort Collins Police Services. The goal of the group is to combine efforts toward improving all areas of forensic services provided in northern Colorado and the creation of a full service regional forensic laboratory. This new facility would allow for a regional lab focused on both standard and more complex procedures, such as DNA testing. In an effort to implement the project goals and objectives of pre-project approval/pre-construction, an Owner's Representative will be hired, as will a Project Consulting Architect, to refine the Facilities Program and to develop the schematic design/design development. Deliverables from this project exercise include: 1) preliminary space plan, 2) concept sketches/renderings of the facility (2 drawings), and 3) preliminary LEED/high performance build study. This will allow for a responsible business case and facility overview to not only further define the proposed project, but establish a baseline and program for the proposed future development. This will also enable the current operation to have a programmatic foundation to meet its goals and objectives.

NCA/NCF