Incumbent Michael Dougherty announced that he will seek reelection for a second term as the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District.
Dougherty was elected into the District Attorney seat in 2018. Over the last year he has worked an array of policies to enhance public safety to include expanding the Mental Health Diversion Program, working with the state legislature to pass sensible gun reforms and address the fentanyl crisis and secured indictments and convictions on murders, sex crimes and major crime rings.
“Michael Dougherty has devoted his career to improving the jusBce system, protecting victims, and promoting public safety in our communities. District Attorneys throughout Colorado and I count on Michael's deep expertise and sound judgment as a criminal prosecutor so we can continue working towards a fairer and more just law enforcement system that protects all Coloradans,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser.
If elected Dougherty wants to continue working to reduce gun violence through vigorous prosecution of fun offenses, the distribution of gun safes and locks and advocating for sensible gun laws.
"It is a priority for our office and we will continue to work on this issue," he said.
In July, Boulder County broke ground on a new Alternative Sentencing Facility to provide more behavioral health treatment in the county. Dougherty sees the new facility as a way to improve community safety and reduce re-offense.
"The Alternative Sentencing Facility is an important and positive step in that direction because it will provide more space and treatment for those in custody. But someone should not have to be in a cell to get the treatment they need. So, I will continue to focus on it. That’s one of the reasons we expanded our Restorative Justice & Diversion Program," Dougherty said.
Additionally, Dougherty proposes creating a Family Justice Center that would house all the resources needed by domestic violence victims. He also hopes to continue to make progress on the backlog of serious cases caused by the pandemic. In a typical year, the DA's office works on an four to five cases, however, it currently has over 20 cases.
“It is my great honor to serve our community as District Attorney. Over my first term, our community experienced some significant challenges. Throughout each one, the District Attorney’s Office has responded with strength and leadership for our community. During the pandemic, the DA’s Office remained open and engaged in maintaining the justice system. Since then, there has been a tremendous effort to address the pandemic’s ripple effects. We have accomplished a great deal, but there is more work to be done. I am excited to seek another term as District A2orney and I am honored to have the strong support of many great leaders in our community,” Dougherty said.
