Delivered in four phases, the Larimer County Jail Improvement Project required careful coordination to maintain operations and safety across the occupied and operational campus. From new construction to interior renovation, JE Dunn successfully navigated complex security requirements to ensure the well-being of jail staff, incarcerated individuals, and the surrounding community.
To maximize communication between the Larimer County Jail staff and JE Dunn, the team created the SCORE (Security, Construction, Operations, Review, Evaluation) Team comprised of deputies, and corporals to serve as a liaison for the project’s multiple stakeholders, facilitator for the ongoing activities on the campus, and advocate for the incarcerated people occupying the existing facility.
This project is a multi-phase, 137,719-square-foot restorative justice project consisting of an expansion and renovation to the existing jail and accompanying facilities, all taking place within an occupied and operational correctional campus. Included is a new kitchen, laundry room, loading dock, central utility plant, 3-story dormitory-style housing tower, 2-story booking facility, officer training rooms, break room, and locker rooms. The modifications also provided much needed upgrades to campus technology and security systems. Additionally, the new housing tower features centralized medical resources and promotes the intentional use of natural light to all three floors. The housing tower hosts various dwelling styles for the occupants including those with needs surrounding mental health or substance misuse. The new booking facility features a grand staircase that has been connected to the existing Sheriff’s Office building, providing the multidisciplinary campus a physical and metaphorical bridge between the Larimer County Sheriff’s Administration Office and the Larimer County Jail.
From day one, JE Dunn approached the Larimer County Jail Improvement Project with a commitment to putting the client first. The team built strong, collaborative relationships with the Jail, Sheriff’s Office, and County staff—earning repeated praise for their proactive communication and conflict resolution. Todd Karnik, Senior Superintendent, was recognized by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with the Sheriff’s Star, the only non-department recognition that the Sheriff bestows and is reserved for individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the safety of the community. Larimer County Sheriff, Justin Smith, recognized “Through Mr. Karnik’s efforts, members of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office can rest assured that all elements of the construction project were done under the oversight of an extremely conscientious and detail oriented individual. This provides a level of trust and confidence in our facilities that is important for any Public Safety professional.”
