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Index: Crime & Safety / Subcategory: Crime

Detention Center Population & Capacity

Date posted: 06/22/2009

Chart Directory:

Larimer County Detention Center

Inmate Demographics

The Larimer County Detention Center (LCDC) is operated by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The Detention Center holds prisoners for all law enforcement agencies in Larimer County. In addition to the Sheriff's Office, these agencies include the Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Berthoud Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Colorado State University Police Department.

Since opening in 1983, the LCDC has experienced tremendous growth in inmate population. The average daily inmate population in 1983 was 105, but by 1995 the daily average had increased 134% to 246 inmates. Recognizing the need for larger facilities, Larimer County voters approved a sales tax increase in 1997 to fund an expansion of the LCDC. This expansion, along with the use of cell double-bunking has allowed the facility's total capacity to reach its current level of 557 beds.

The average daily population (ADP) was slightly lower in 2008 (472 versus 489 in 2007). The facility reached its highest ADP of 513 in 2005. While the stated current total capacity of 557 beds for adult inmates might indicate that the LCDC is below capacity, use of a lower total capacity figure is more accurate when considering available capacity.

After allowing for an adjustment to address for both "peaking" and "classification" factors, an average daily population capacity of 80% of the 557 beds, or 446 would be a more accurate reflection of the LCDC capacity. "Peaking" and "classification" factors address the facility's need to leave a specific percentage of beds available for peak times (i.e. spikes in population with a one day record of 577 in 2005) and for classification purposes (i.e., separate housing locations for special needs inmates, high risk inmates, juvenile inmates and males/ females). Comparing the average daily population to the adjusted capacity would indicate that the facility has been over capacity every year starting in 2003. Opportunities to further increase the capacity of the current facility via additional double-bunking are limited.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Detention Center was capped at 460 because of inadequate funding. This reduction is not reflected in the graph below.

What this chart shows: Annual Average Population & Capacity - Larimer County Detention Center, 2000-2008

Annual Average Population & Capacity - Larimer County Detention Center, 2000-2008

Data Source: Larimer County Sheriff's Office

See data table

What these data tell us:

In March 2001, the Larimer County Detention Center expanded from 309 beds to its current capacity of 557 beds. Early in 2002, the inmate population filled over 80% of the Detention Center's newly expanded capacity. With each succeeding month, inmate population increased to capacity and has remained consistently full since January 2003.

Due to the management and/or segregation of various inmate classifications (i.e., mental health diagnosis, juvenile inmates, males/ females), occupancy rates nearing 500 inmates actually meant that the detention center was full. The 2009 Detention Center cap will affect the Detention Center's flexibility in accommodating different classifications of inmates.

See the Larimer County Detention Center population categorized by Jail Status, Age, Ethnicity and/ or Gender.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Industry Standards or Targets:

Larimer County Detention Center conforms to the American Correctional Association and National Commission of Correctional Health Care standards.

Data Table:

Annual Average Population & Capacity - Larimer County Detention Center

Average Population

Capacity

2000

287

309

2001

337

528

2002

418

534

2003

480

549

2004

494

549

2005

513

549

2006

489

557

2007

489

557

2008

472

557

See chart