State Suspends License For Durango Youth Detention Center
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — State officials have shut down a Durango youth detention center after investigations found that staffers had improperly restrained two or more children in recent weeks.
The Robert E. DeNier Youth Services Center was abruptly closed Thursday after its license was suspended on suspicion of inappropriate treatment of youth detainees, including possible child abuse.
The Colorado Department of Human Services has previously found issues with Rite of Passage, the contractor that runs the Durango detention center and two other facilities in the state.
The state shut down the Betty K. Marler facility in Lakewood in July.
State records say staff there lost control of teen girls.
Rite of Passage's Regional Director Kent Moe said this month that the facilities are well-run. He disagrees with the state's assessment that there are continued problems.
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