URGENT UPDATE: All youth have been evacuated from the Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center in Golden, Colorado, as of August 28, 2023, due to alarming safety concerns reported by advocates. The Colorado Division of Youth Services (DYS) confirmed that all 36 young residents were temporarily relocated to other state-run facilities amid claims of deteriorating conditions.
DYS interim director Dave Lee communicated this drastic measure in a memo to juvenile justice stakeholders, stating that the action allows DYS to allocate resources better to support the youth. However, the exact reasons for this sudden evacuation remain unclear, raising questions about the safety climate within the facility.
DYS spokesperson Alex Urbach echoed Lee’s sentiments, asserting that the transfer was executed to enhance support for the complex needs of Lookout Mountain’s youth population. “This move is part of our commitment to providing a supportive environment,” Urbach stated in an email.
The decision follows a wave of alarming reports concerning conditions at Lookout Mountain, including allegations of brutality and discrimination. Dana Walters Flores, campaign coordinator at the National Center for Youth Law, revealed that her organization received numerous distressing calls from parents and advocates earlier this month, indicating that the facility was “in real trouble.”
The situation intensified with staff expressing concerns about rising risks, prompting one insider to urge a youth to report dangerous rumors to the state child abuse hotline. Flores escalated these urgent concerns to DYS leadership and the Office of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman.
In a notable response, DYS has promised to return to normal operations “at some point this calendar year.” However, the timeline remains uncertain, and community advocates are closely monitoring the situation.
The Lookout Mountain facility has a troubled history, marred by incidents of violence and unsafe conditions. Earlier this year, five staff members were injured during violent episodes, raising further alarm about youth safety.
Critics are calling for immediate reforms and transparency regarding the ongoing issues within Colorado’s juvenile detention system. As one advocate noted, the decision to evacuate all youth from Lookout Mountain reflects a commendable effort to prevent further injury or potential loss of life.
Authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the measures being enacted to address the safety issues at Lookout Mountain, but the community awaits further developments with bated breath. With the safety of vulnerable youth at stake, the urgency to address these systemic problems cannot be overstated.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and share to raise awareness about the urgent issues facing youth detention facilities in Colorado.
