Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

The Grand Mesa Youth Services Center (GMYSC), located in Grand Junction, CO, is a 70-bed, co-ed correctional facility (also sometimes called “juvenile hall.”) This secured detention center houses youth aged 10 to 20, including those who are awaiting a court date or serving a short-term sentence for a Colorado juvenile offense. Offenders 12 to 20 years of age may be committed to GMYSC for long-term stays. This is one of 10 residential juvenile detention centers run by the state of Colorado, part of an overall “reform” movement for juvenile incarceration. GMYSC has previously been nationally recognized as a top three juvenile facility for sexual safety, however, there has been recent controversy. In 2017, a guard was arrested for sexually assaulting two girls. The address and phone number of Grand Mesa Youth Services Center is: 360 28 Road Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 242-1521 For the benefit of parents or guardians with a child now held in GMYSC, our team of Grand Junction criminal defense lawyers provides detailed information on the following topics:

• 1. Intake and Adjudication
• 2. Contacting a Juvenile Detainee
• 3. Visitation Policies
• 4. GMYSC Program Information
• 5. Criminal Defense Help 

1. GMYSC Intake

If your child or teenager has been taken into custody at this facility, the first step to anticipate will be a detention hearing before a juvenile court judge. This will ideally take place within 48 hours of intake, but weekends and holidays can postpone the waiting period. Depending upon the type of offense and criminal history, if any, your loved one may be quickly released or may face ongoing detention. If the crime is a serious felony, it is possible there will be a transfer to adult court.

2. Contact Policies for Family

At the outset, your child or teen will be allowed to make two initial phone calls, to a parent/guardian and to a lawyer. If an extended stay at GMYSC is the eventual outcome, family phone calls are allowed on a scheduled basis. Parents, guardians, and custodians can call in and youth are permitted to make outgoing local calls. You can also send mail to the facility, and Grand Mesa Youth Services Center residents are provided with postage to send out two letters a week. Mail is not routinely read by staff, but may be inspected if a security issue is suspected.

3. Detention Center Visitation

Incarcerated youth at Grand Mesa Juvenile Hall are allowed to have an approved family member visit a minimum of once a month. Visits must be scheduled ahead of time. You can request and schedule a visit through the Grand Mesa Control Center at (970) 242-1521, extension 110. General visiting hours at this juvenile detention center are Monday through Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. On weekends, detained youth can receive visitors on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Those who have a long-term commitment in the facility can receive weekend visits Sunday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. or 2:30-3:30 p.m. Note that visitation access depends on the availability of staff and space, and may be temporary limited, if necessary.

4. Life at the Facility

Those juveniles who are ultimately committed to GMYSC undergo a 30-day assessment to determine their risks, housing and treatment needs. For incarcerated residents, GMYSC provides a variety of services. These include:

• Educational services provided by staff at Mesa County District 51 schools
• Vocational instruction
• Cognitive behavioral programming
• Mental health assessments and crisis counseling
• Psycho-educational groups
• Restorative Justice (accountability) training
• Daily recreation and structured leisure time

Clinical services are provided based on need, including medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment. There are medical staff on site and doctors available on call. Daily meals and snacks are provided, with special dietary needs accommodated when possible. The facility should be notified within 24 hours of intake regarding food allergies, medical conditions requiring dietary adjustments, and other issues related to food.

5. Legal Defense for Criminal Charges

If your child or teen has been arrested for a juvenile crime or any charge, talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Our team of criminal defense attorneys assist Colorado families facing legal trouble, and can help protect and provide for the best interests of your loved one. In addition to fighting the charges, we help juveniles avoid the consequences of a criminal record or deal with an existing history: (See expunging a juvenile record in Colorado.) For a free consultation, please contact our Colorado juvenile crimes defense lawyers today.