Colorado Department of Corrections

🚨 CDOC VISITATION UPDATE 🚨
The Colorado Department of Corrections is currently responding to an ongoing investigation at an isolated facility. To ensure we can continue meeting the needs of both staff and the inmate population while dedicating the necessary resources to that effort, all statewide visitation has been temporarily suspended effective today, Sunday, June 7, 2026.

This is a precautionary decision intended to support department operations and maintain the safety and security of our facilities. There are no known threats to the surrounding communities at this time.

We understand this is disappointing for families and loved ones. While in-person visitation is temporarily suspended, individuals may continue to communicate through approved phone and video visitation services, with the exception of the facility where the incident occurred.

In-person visitation will resume on a facility-by-facility basis as soon as conditions allow. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE: DEPARTMENT-WIDE VISITATION CANCELED 🚨

Please be advised that visitation at ALL Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) facilities has been canceled effective immediately, today, June 7, 2026.

We understand that visitation is incredibly important to families and individuals, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please do not travel to any facility for scheduled visits. We will post updates here and on our official website as soon as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Temporary Visitation Cancellation at Limon Correctional Facility 🚨

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) has announced that Close Custody visits at the Limon Correctional Facility (LCF) have been canceled for this upcoming weekend, June 5–7.

Affected Dates: Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7, 2026

Close Custody Visits: CANCELED

Next Steps: Please contact the facility directly or check the official CDOC website before planning future visits.

Please check the CDOC website for updates.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as the facility works to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

NOW HIRING: 50+ Correctional Officers starting this July! 🏔️💼

Looking for a high-paying career with outstanding state benefits and long-term stability? Skip the long wait and get on the fast track to a powerful new career.

Join our Virtual Application Processing Blitz this coming Tuesday. Apply and interview completely online—you could walk away with an on-the-spot conditional job offer!

🗓️ Event Details:

What: Virtual Application Processing Blitz (APB)

When: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM MST

Where: 100% Virtual! Attend online from anywhere.

Positions: 50+ Correctional Officer I openings (Facilities located in Cañon City)

💰 What We Offer:
- Competitive starting pay

- Robust, high-tier state pension & retirement plans

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

- Paid training and clear pathways for rapid leadership advancement

📲 How to Attend:

Don't let this massive hiring wave pass you by. You must apply and pre-register online before the event to secure your virtual interview slot.

👉 Go to CDOC.Jobs to lock in your career now!

This Memorial Day, the CDOC team pauses to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are incredibly grateful for the freedoms they gave everything to protect, and our thoughts are with the families and teammates they left behind.

In case you missed it: CBS took a closer look at how CDOC is using cutting-edge VR training to keep our Community Parole Officers and the public safe.
This trailblazing program helps our officers practice critical thinking and de-escalation in realistic scenarios, all at zero cost to taxpayers, thanks to a federal grant.

Check out the CBS coverage:

Colorado Department of Corrections institutes high tech training for de-escalation The Colorado Department of Corrections says it's now the first and only department in the country to use virtual reality to train its patrol officers.

Virtual reality is changing the game for Community Parole Officers.

At the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), we believe that true strength lies in connection, empathy, and effective communication. We are incredibly proud to announce that CDOC has partnered with UCCS to roll out this innovative new program. Using a specialized $800,000 federal grant, this partnership brings advanced Virtual Reality (VR) headsets to officer training, giving our field personnel and Parole Officers immersive, hands-on experience for critical jobs without ever leaving the office. Our friends at KOAA 5 recently covered this story, highlighting how the technology is transforming law enforcement training in our communities.

By practicing in a safe, controlled environment, both rookie and veteran officers can hone their skills and learn new ways to handle difficult situations in real time. The training reinforces that an officer's most powerful tool is their voice. Instead of interrupting the action, the VR scenarios flow smoothly, allowing officers to practice real-time communication and de-escalation tactics before a situation ever turns dangerous.

How Virtual Reality Is Training the Next Generation of Corrections Officers From rookies to veterans, corrections officers are now using virtual reality to hone their skills. The new training program, paid for by a federal grant, all...

On May 14, 2025, the Colorado Department of Corrections gathered at the Territorial Correctional Facility—the historic heart of our agency—to reflect on the legacies of those who gave everything in the line of duty.

These individuals were more than colleagues; they were protectors, mentors, and friends. As we stood before the memorial, we reaffirmed our promise to never forget their names or the families they left behind.

Honoring Our Fallen:

Guard Thomas Tobin | EOW: January 1, 1899

Night Captain William C. Rooney | EOW: January 22, 1900

Captain John B. Russell | EOW: June 19, 1913

Guard Charles G. Shepherd | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard C. Walter Rinker | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard Raymond Brown | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard Elmer G. Erwin | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard J. W. McClelland | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard Robert A. Wiggins | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard John J. Eeles | EOW: October 3, 1929

Guard Myron H. Goodwin | EOW: October 10, 1929

Correctional Officer Victor Bryan McMillin | EOW: December 21, 1961

Sergeant Marc A. P***e | EOW: August 15, 1994

Correctional Sergeant Eric Jason Autobee | EOW: October 18, 2002

Sergeant Mary Katherine Ricard | EOW: September 24, 2012

Executive Director Thomas Lynn Clements | EOW: March 19, 2013

Sergeant Joshua Eli Voth | EOW: December 4, 2019

Community Parole Officer Christine Guerin-Sandoval | EOW: September 28, 2023

"Their service remains our foundation. Their sacrifice remains our standard."

New VR Training Launched for Colorado Parole! 🚔

The Colorado Department of Corrections is proud to partner with UCCS to launch a first-of-its-kind Virtual Reality (VR) training initiative for our Community Parole Officers.

By using immersive 360-degree environments, our officers can practice de-escalation strategies and navigate complex human interactions in a safe, virtual space.

This $800,000 BJA grant-funded program is all about enhancing the safety of our staff, the individuals under our supervision, and the communities we serve.

Special thanks to UCCS for their research partnership in evaluating the real-world impact of this technology on officer decision-making.

🔗 Read the full press release here:

05/14/2026

Colorado Department of Corrections and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Announce First-of-Its-Kind Partnership to Improve Parole Supervision with Virtual Reality Training

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) launched the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Virtual Reality (VR) Training Initiative, which utilizes VR technology to improve training for Adult Parole and Community Supervision. This partnership will better equip officers to protect public safety and the individuals in the state’s care.

"Our priority is the safety of our staff and the communities we serve," said Andre Stancil, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections. "By focusing this VR grant on Parole, we are ensuring our officers can practice navigating complex human interactions and challenging situations in a safe, virtual space. This technology allows our staff to refine their professional judgment in a way that protects both the officer and those under supervision, and the public."

This initiative, supported by an $800,000 grant from the BJA, provides Community Parole Officers (CPOs) with safe 360-degree training environments that prepare CPOs to deal with challenging community supervision situations. The UCCS research team is conducting an in-depth field evaluation to measure the training’s real-world impact on officer safety and decision-making. By analyzing officer feedback and case management data, the team will help CDOC refine these tools to ensure they provide the highest level of preparation for field-based interactions.
This initiative builds on a 20-year partnership with UCCS, which is leading a comprehensive evaluation to assess the impact of the VR program on officer safety, community safety, and decision-making. Together, the partnership ensures Community Parole Officers (CPOs) are equipped with de-escalation strategies practiced in immersive VR environments and grounded in academic research as they navigate complex, real-world situations.

“This partnership between UCCS and CDOC demonstrates the power of combining cutting-edge research with real-world practice to strengthen officer preparedness and enhance safety. By leveraging immersive virtual reality training and rigorous field evaluation, we are helping ensure officers are equipped with effective de-escalation strategies while advancing our shared mission to improve outcomes in the field. The results of this collaborative, applied research will benefit CDOC and other states.” Dr. William Wells, Dean of the College of Public Service at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

About the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC)
The Colorado Department of Corrections is one of the state’s largest Executive Branch agencies, overseeing the management of 19 state-operated facilities and the supervision of more than 15,000 individuals in state custody and over 9,000 individuals on parole. With a workforce of over 5,000 dedicated professionals, CDOC is a core component of Colorado’s public safety and law enforcement system. The Department is committed to its mission of protecting the public, its staff, and those in its care by utilizing evidence-based practices, innovative technology, and comprehensive reentry strategies. Through transparency and accountability, CDOC strives to be a national leader in correctional excellence and successful community reintegration.

About the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier comprehensive undergraduate and graduate institution. As a member of the University of Colorado system, UCCS serves more than 11,000 students annually across 55 undergraduate, 24 graduate, and eight doctoral programs. The UCCS College of Public Service is a leader in criminal justice research and public safety education, dedicated to bridging the gap between academic theory and field-based practice. Through rigorous evaluation and innovative partnerships, UCCS provides the evidence-based data needed to enhance professional standards, improve community safety, and inform public policy across Colorado.

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GG-02628-BWCX awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of S*x Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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PRESS CONTACT:
Alondra Gonzalez
Director of Communications
Colorado Department of Corrections
Cell- 719-487-5040
Email: [email protected]

This National Police Week, the Colorado Department of Corrections proudly stands in solidarity with our law enforcement partners across the state and the nation.

Every day, our team at CDOC works hand in hand with local, state, and federal police agencies to uphold public safety and protect our communities. We see firsthand the dedication and immense courage it takes to wear the badge.

To our partners across Colorado: Thank you for your dedicated service and partnership.
Today and always, we also pause to honor and remember the brave heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their legacy of service will never be forgotten.