Work Release Information

The La Plata County Work Release Program was re-opened on Friday, July 1, 2022.

An application to participate in the Work Release Program MUST be received at least three (3) weeks prior to the court ordered "report to jail" date on your Court Sentencing Order.

The purpose of the Work Release Program is to allow non-violent misdemeanor and low-level felony offenders to serve their jail time in a manner that is productive for the offender and the community.  In this program, offenders are allowed to leave the jail to go to work and maintain current employment.  All work schedules must be pre-approved and verified with the employer as part of the application process.

Your fees for participating in the Work Release program are based on a fee schedule approved by the La Plata County Board of County Commissioner’s.  Sentences of less than 30 days will require full payment at the time of acceptance.  The minimum sentence accepted for work release is 10 days.  A payment schedule can be set up at the time of acceptance into the program and sentences greater than 30 days will be require a payment schedule. These fees help to reduce the expense of housing offenders, and ultimately reduce the burden on the taxpayers.

Please read the information below carefully regarding the criteria for qualifying for the Work Release program.  The sentencing judge on your case must specify the length of your sentence to be served “with work release, if approved” on the Court Sentencing Order.  You will not automatically be accepted into the program because your sentencing order states “with work release, if approved”.  The Sheriff's Office reserves the right to determine eligibility to participate in the program.  Below are some criteria for eligibility in the Work Release program. 

1. NO holds or outstanding warrants that are extraditable;
2. NO applicants with domestic violence charges will be eligible (automatic denial to the program);
3. NO Active restraining orders, however, restraining orders will be evaluated and taken into consideration when determining eligibility for the program;
4. NO misdemeanor or felony sex offense convictions, (automatic denial to the program);
5. NO pending felony charges or current felony sentences, (reviewed on a case by case basis);
6. Employment MUST be within the 6th Judicial District, (Archuleta County, La Plata County, San Juan County, Colorado);
7. Failure to Appear in court charges, Revocation(s) of Bonds, Revocation(s) of Probation, and Revocation(s) of Parole within the last five (5) years will be taken into consideration when determining eligibility.
8. Each application and applicant’s criminal history will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Applicant's eligibility for the Work Release program will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The list above is not to be construed as all-inclusive.  Other factors not listed may disqualify an applicant from participating in the work release program.

If a complete Work Release application (with the required attachments) is not submitted at least (three) 3 weeks prior to the court ordered “report to jail date” on your sentencing order, you will not be considered for the Work Release program.

La Plata County Sheriff's Office Work Release Rules & Regulations

On-line Work Release application.

Questions about the work release program??  Email the Work Release Coordinator.