Getting a sentence that includes work release feels like a lifeline, honestly. It’s that middle ground between total incarceration and keeping your life from falling apart. But if you’re looking at work release Fort Collins, there is a lot of noise and frankly, some bad information out there about how it actually works.
It’s not just "jail with a day job."
In Larimer County, this program is run through the Alternative Sentencing Department (ASD). You aren’t sitting in the main jail on Midpoint Drive with everyone else; you’re usually across the way at the specific Work Release facility. It’s a residential setup. You live there, you sleep there, but you get to leave for your shift.
The Reality of Eligibility
Most people think if the judge says "work release," it’s a done deal. Nope.
The court authorizes it, but the Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives (CJA) staff actually approves it. They look at your history. If you have certain violent priors or if your current charge is particularly sensitive, they can say no. You also have to be "employable."
Basically, you need a job that has a stable, verifiable location. No "under the table" cash gigs. If you’re self-employed, it’s a massive uphill battle. They want to see tax ID numbers, workers' comp insurance, and a supervisor who isn't your cousin.
What the Daily Grind Looks Like
Let’s talk about the facility. It's located at 2307 Midpoint Drive in Fort Collins.
You’re in a dorm. It’s communal living. You get a bunk and a locker.
One of the biggest shocks for people is the property limit. You can't just bring your whole life in a duffel bag. We’re talking:
- Two weeks of clothes.
- A battery-operated alarm clock (the old-school kind, no radio/phone features).
- Toiletries (no alcohol-based mouthwash).
- A standard pillow.
You’ve got to be incredibly disciplined with your timing. If your shift starts at 8:00 AM, and you have a 20-minute commute, they give you exactly enough time to get there. No stopping for a Starbucks. No "swinging by the house" to grab a jacket. If you aren't where you’re supposed to be, it’s considered an escape. That’s a felony.
The Cost of "Freedom"
Work release isn't free. In fact, it's kinda expensive.
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Larimer County uses a sliding scale. Depending on what you earn, you’ll pay anywhere from $20 to $50 per day.
Think about that. If you’re on the high end, that’s $1,500 a month just for the bed. On top of that, you’re paying for your own transportation and usually a fee for every Urinalysis (UA) test, which is about $15.
If you can’t pay, they don’t kick you out immediately, but they will put you on a payment plan or eventually send you to collections. It’s a lot of financial pressure when you’re already trying to keep your head above water.
Rules That Trip People Up
It’s the small stuff that gets people sent back to the main jail.
Phones: You can have a cell phone, but there are strict rules on when and where you use it.
Food: You get three meals a day at the facility. If you’re working, you might get permission to grab fast food, but you can’t bring a bunch of groceries back to the dorm. No snacks under the bunk.
Tobacco: As of 2026, many of these facilities have very specific zones or flat-out bans on certain types of products. In Larimer, they generally allow tobacco but not vapes or e-cigarettes.
And let's be real—the drug testing is constant. Larimer County doesn't play around with sobriety. Even if you have a medical marijuana card, it usually won't fly in a residential work release setting because of federal funding and "safety" regulations.
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How to Get Started
If you’ve just been sentenced, don’t wait. You have to register within two weeks.
- The Application: Do it online via the Larimer County website. If you don't have internet, you have to call them at (970) 980-2640.
- The Start Date: They give you a date. You can’t change it. If you have a wedding or a job interview that day, too bad. The court is the only one who can move that date.
- The Employer Hookup: Your boss has to sign off. They will be called. They will be asked to verify your hours. If your boss is "shady" about your paperwork, you won't get out of the building.
Actionable Steps for Success
If you or someone you know is heading into work release Fort Collins, here is how to actually survive it without catching a new charge:
- Get your paperwork in early. Don't wait until the day before your "report to jail" date. The approval process takes time.
- Save $500 before you go in. You’ll need it for the initial fees, UAs, and bus passes or gas money.
- Be honest with your boss. They are going to find out. The facility will call them. It’s better to explain the situation upfront than to have a deputy call your office out of the blue.
- Keep a paper trail. Keep every pay stub and every schedule change in a folder. If there’s a discrepancy in your hours, the burden of proof is on you.
- Buy a plain, battery-operated alarm clock today. It sounds stupid until you're staring at the intake officer and they take your phone away, leaving you with no way to wake up for your 5 AM shift.
Work release is a grind, but it keeps your job secure and your family supported. Treat it like a very strict business trip, and you’ll get through it.