Jefferson and Gilpin County residents with active, eligible warrants have a chance to deal with them this weekend without risking a trip to jail. The First Judicial District is hosting a Fresh Start event on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility in Golden. Judges, public defenders and court staff will be on site to help people resolve cases, set new court dates, or connect with community services.
According to the county’s Fresh Start details, the event will be held at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden and is open to people with eligible warrants in Jefferson and Gilpin counties. The county has also promoted the event in a short promo reel. For qualifying cases, attendees will not be arrested and can receive legal assistance on the spot.
Who Can Participate
Low-level, non-violent misdemeanors and traffic offenses are eligible, along with select low-level felonies that have been reclassified as misdemeanors. Some class 5 and class 6 property offenses and certain class 4 drug felonies may also qualify. Offenses under the Victim Rights Act, weapons offenses, arson, tampering, and repeated DUI/DWAI cases do not qualify, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch.
How Fresh Start Works
Participants can meet with public defenders and appear in front of judges to address their cases. If a warrant is eligible, it may be quashed, the case may be resolved, or a new court date may be set so people can re-engage with the court process without being arrested first. The program also offers virtual cross-jurisdiction appearances so people can resolve warrants from participating counties on the same day, and community partners will be on site to connect attendees with housing, treatment, and other services.
The First Judicial District reports that Fresh Start uses behavioral-science-informed steps, such as text reminders and clearer summons, to help increase court appearance rates.
Results So Far
Fresh Start events have cleared hundreds of warrants since 2021 and generated hundreds of referrals to community resources. At the First Judicial District’s June 7, 2025 event in Jefferson County, organizers said 99 warrants were addressed, 61 cases were closed, and dozens of participants were connected to services, according to the county’s event recap. Organizers say the approach saves taxpayer money by cutting down on costly jail bookings while helping people return to the justice system on a more stable footing.
How To Prepare
People who think they might be eligible are encouraged to show up early and bring a photo ID along with any paperwork showing they have followed through on requirements, such as proof of insurance or completion certificates. The Colorado Judicial Branch notes that questions about probation-revocation warrants can be sent to [email protected], and other eligibility questions can go to [email protected]. The branch also recommends contacting public defenders ahead of the event to confirm whether a case qualifies.
