$660k Verdict in Civil Rights Case Against Denver C.A.R.E.S for Violation of Fourteenth Amendment Rights

Midgett Et Al V. Denver C.A.R.E.S. Et Al

Case Background

On July 03, 2019, a civil rights lawsuit was filed against Denver C.A.R.E.S for violating Fourteenth Amendment rights. The case was heard before the United States District Court, Colorado (Denver). The case was assigned to Judge Daniel D. Domenico and referred to Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter. [Case number: 1:19cv1941]

Cause

Denver C.A.R.E.S. (Denver CARES) operated as a detention center while pretending to be a community behavioral health facility. Managed by the Denver Health and Hospital Authority (DHHA), it ran a community detoxification program claiming to offer "non-medical, clinically managed detoxification from alcohol and drugs in a clean and safe environment." In practice, Denver CARES used this program to unlawfully detain individuals who were intoxicated without their consent. The facility aimed to profit from its detox program by using these detentions. Under Colorado's Emergency Commitment Statute, Sec. 27-81-111, C.R.S., only "protective custody" holds for intoxicated individuals who are a clear danger to themselves or others are lawful. However, Denver CARES detained individuals such as Leigh Ann Midgett, Matthew Loeslein, Kellie Koedel, Andrea Seith, and Benjamin Stecker solely for intoxication, lacking any evidence of dangerousness. Denver CARES’ detox admission policy allowed detention of anyone over 18 with a blood alcohol level (BAL) of "0.00 or greater, or wi