Founded in 2010, Colorado Juvenile Defender Center (CJDC) focused on ensuring excellence in juvenile defense. Over the years, it expanded its scope to include nonpartisan research, policy analysis, and robust defense for youth prosecuted as adults.

In 2023, thanks to the leadership and vision of Elie Zwiebel, Barbara Garza and Erin Pier, CJDC blossomed into Transformative Justice Project; the same team with a brand new vision for the future.

The change from CJDC to Transformative Justice Project (TJP) reflects a deeper commitment to confronting systemic oppression within legal systems and an evolution of traditional defense strategies. The team’s commitment to equity and justice for young people is evident at every level; even the organization’s name change was driven by a desire to shift away from language that perpetuates negative stereotypes associated with the term “juvenile.”

This rebrand aligns with our ongoing efforts to challenge white supremacy, colonialism, and patriarchy, all while advocating for transformation and true justice. Our programs provide young people with representation in the fight against the school-to-prison pipeline, while our expanded services now offer more comprehensive support to system-impacted youth.

TJP regularly endorses candidates for judicial appointment that demonstrate a commitment to dismantling the school to prison pipeline and the colonized aspects of our legal systems. The candidate’s values must align with TJP’s vision and mission. If you are interested in receiving TJP’s endorsement, please direct your contact to Legal Director Elie Zwiebel and Board Chair Tierra Brown.

We appreciate the continued support of our community and partners. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families, advocating for a just and equitable world.