On May 29, 2025, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal called upon Governor Polis and the Colorado Legislature to address the growing backlog of waitlisted State Hospital transfers and sentenced inmates (post-trial) awaiting transfer to the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC).
As of June 17, 2025, there are 164 individuals awaiting transfer to a CDOC facility, 50 individuals pending transfer to the State Hospital for treatment, and 26 individuals waiting for a court-mandated competency evaluation from the State Hospital.
Since January of 2025, backlog numbers have steadily increased, requiring the opening of two additional (large) wards (staffed by a minimum of 2 deputies around the clock- 12 deputies in total) within our facility.
As previously stated, billing to CDOC utilizes a legislatively mandated rate of $77.16 per inmate per day. However, the actual daily cost to house each inmate is $143.18, resulting in a daily shortfall of $66.02 per person.
Despite bringing this deficit to the attention of Governor Polis and the Colorado Legislature, Sheriff Roybal has yet to receive a response from elected officials. The set reimbursement rate remains significantly below the actual cost, continuing to place a financial burden on our office’s budget and hard-working taxpayers in El Paso County.
For May 2025, the projected invoice totaled $182,483.40, while the actual cost reached $338,647.36, resulting in a difference of $156,163.96 for one month. This imbalance continues to burden our operations, requiring additional staffing, medical support, medication, and meals to sustain those in custody.
Thus far, in 2025 (January through May), due to the increased backlog and rate discrepancy, there has been a shortfall of $572,913.00 (not paid by the state of Colorado).
El Paso County processes an average of 20 to 25 sentenced individuals each week. When combined with inmates awaiting transfer to the State Hospital for mental health treatment, more than 200 individuals remain in our jail system despite being under the jurisdiction of CDOC and the State of Colorado.
The financial responsibility and liability for these incarcerated individuals currently fall on taxpayers in the Pikes Peak region. Sheriff Roybal is actively tracking the discrepancies and forwarding the actual cost of incarceration to the State of Colorado.
“I am proud of the commitment my deputies and Detention staff have demonstrated to ensure the safety and well-being of those in our custody, despite the demand on resources the backlog has caused,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “I will continue to bring awareness to this issue to the taxpayers and demand action from the State of Colorado. Adding 100 more beds in July will barely scratch the surface of the problem, as El Paso County is one of numerous counties facing challenges due to the CDOC backlog. This is not sustainable for local jails. Colorado officials must implement a long-term solution.”