Looper Applauds Success of Veterans Court

DENVER—State Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, praised the first graduates of El Paso County’s Veterans Treatment Court following a ceremony that took place Thursday afternoon.

Looper sponsored House Bill 1104 in 2010, which allowed the expansion of veterans courts across Colorado. The special court system sends veterans convicted with misdemeanors and certain felonies to treatment centers for drug and mental health problems instead of serving jail time.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder and drug abuse are often the result of a soldier’s sacrifice while fighting abroad. It is more important and beneficial that we help our servicemen and women, rather than sending them to jail,” said Looper. “I couldn’t be more proud of these graduates.”

Colorado Springs, home to Fort Carson, has seen a rise in veteran-related crimes since the Iraq War began in 2003. The U.S. Army deploys approximately 10,000 soldiers from Fort Carson overseas at any given time.

Six servicemen graduated from the treatment program, with another sixty veterans currently receiving treatment from the El Paso County Treatment Court in attendance.

“This celebration shows that Coloradans haven’t forgotten the sacrifice each soldier makes when they’re called to duty,” added Looper. “In just a year, this program has already proven its worth.”

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