Accompanied by mutual thanks and shared recognition for the value their communities place on public safety, leaders from Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, the City of Aurora and the 18th Judicial District assembled on May 23 for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Unified Metropolitan Forensic Crime Lab which will serve Douglas and Arapahoe Counties and the City of Aurora.
The 26,500 square foot forensic crime lab, located in Douglas County, will better enable Arapahoe County, Douglas County and the City of Aurora to provide timely, expert and professional evidentiary support which will aid in criminal investigations.
“This is precisely what the people of Douglas County expect from their leaders – collaboration in an effort to better serve our communities effectively and efficiently without raising taxes, said Tony Spurlock, Sheriff, Douglas County. “Public Safety is our number one goal,” Spurlock said.”
“We know that citizens and business owners in Douglas County place a premium on public safety and this new forensic lab will enhance our collective ability to expedite the investigation, prosecution and or exclusion of criminal offenses in our communities,” said Roger Partridge, Douglas County Commissioners Board Chair.
The state-of-the-art facility will house a DNA/biology lab, firearms lab with bullet recovery tank, among other leading edge scientific equipment.
Project Partners began the collaborative effort more than two years ago, concluding with an agreement to combine their resources to build, finance, staff, and equip the facility.
The $13.5 million project is scheduled for completion in September 2018.