Celebrating Community Power at CCJRC’s 16th Annual Voices for Justice
We proudly honored the recipients of the 2026 Rupert–Tate Gamechanger Award: Legislation Inside (facilitated by Jeanne Segil and Jamie Ray of the Korey Wise Innocence Project) and the Friends & Family of the “Save Skyline and Beacon” Campaign.
DENVER, CO — On September 10, 2025, nearly 300 supporters gathered at Mile High Station in Denver for the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition’s 16th Annual Voices for Justice celebration. The evening brought together advocates, community leaders, and partners from across Colorado for a night of connection and fundraising to support CCJRC’s work to end the overuse of the criminal legal system and advance community health and safety.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of CCJRC’s Rupert–Tate Gamechanger Awards, which honor the legacy of Senator Dorothy Rupert and Representative Penfield Tate. In 1999, Rupert and Tate challenged the status quo by introducing legislation to halt prison expansion and establish a task force on sentencing reform — a bold vision that helped launch Colorado’s modern movement for criminal legal system reform.
The 2026 Rupert- Tate Gamechanger Award Winners
🏆 Legislation Inside, with facilitators Jamie Ray & Jeanne SegilA powerful collaboration giving voice to incarcerated individuals shaping real legislative change.
Legislation Inside is a groundbreaking initiative that empowers incarcerated individuals to actively participate in shaping criminal legal system and prison reform. Comprised of elected representatives from prisons across Colorado, the group meets virtually to write legislation, testify on bills, and engage directly with lawmakers. This project was born from the vision, and determination of facilitators Jeanne Segil and Jamie Ray of the Korey Wise Innocence Project. Together, the members of Legislation Inside are proving that when passion meets purpose, real change is not only possible — it’s inevitable.
🏆 Friends & Family of the “Save Skyline & Beacon” CampaignA community-led success that preserved a vital prison program through relentless advocacy.
For two consecutive years, the Colorado Department of Corrections proposed closing Skyline Correctional Center and relocating the Beacon Honors program. In response, incarcerated participants and their loved ones mobilized an advocacy campaign to protect the program. Their unwavering advocacy succeeded, demonstrating the profound impact of collective community action.
One theme surfaced again and again throughout the evening: how meaningful it was to gather together in this moment. In a difficult political climate, spaces like Voices for Justice remind us that we draw strength from one another. Being in community — sharing stories, celebrating progress, and recommitting to the work ahead — offers both refuge and renewed energy for the long effort to transform the criminal legal system.
The evening would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors.
Platinum Sponsor Rocky Mountain Health Plans – United Health Care
Game Changer Sponsors ($5,000) Latino Coalition for Community Leadership Colorado Access Signal Behavioral Health
Supporting Sponsors ($2,500) Johnson & Klein Law The Noble Law Firm, LLC The Reentry Initiative
Contributing Sponsors ($1,000) Unbreakable Ministries Built to Recover A Perfect Delivery Maxted Law, LLC Capitol Success Group Second Chance Center Steadman Group Hazelbrook Sober Living CaseMGR Solutions Denver Elections Lord Law, LLC
Advocate Sponsors ($750) Peer Assistance Services Harm Reduction Action Center
Freedom Fighter Sponsors ($500) Norm Mueller and Christine Murphy Whole Body Harmony Killmer & Lane Elizabeth and Evan Anderman Jim Laurie and Jane Vennard
Rupert–Tate Sponsors ($375) Phil Cherner and Laurie Schoder Korey Wise Innocence Project Stephen Raher
Justice Sponsors ($250) End Slavery Colorado Hope Homes Common Cause The Circles Project Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation Hans Meyer Law Firm, LLC Empowerment Beacon Collaborative Stand For Children Unbound Authors Becca Butler-Dines Spero Justice Center Pete and Lynn Lee Stephen and Gwennan Holloway It Takes a Village Enduring Connections Evinco Strategies Lucienne Ohanian Rustin Tonn JFM Consulting Kristen Baker Life-Line
We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the 16th Annual Voices for Justice a success. Together, we continue building a future where safety is rooted in health, dignity, and opportunity — not incarceration.