Ending recidivism in Colorado, one resource at a time.
The mission of Remerg is to stop the revolving door of recidivism, one resource at a time. We believe that by enabling justice-involved populations to connect with housing, employment, and other community resources, we can empower those individuals to take ownership over their future, turn their lives around, and never return to incarceration
There are enough barriers to starting over–navigating resources shouldn’t have to be one of them. Our re-entry website, Remerg.com, provides verified resources updated on a regular basis. Remerg.com also identifies gatekeepers when appropriate, provides informational videos, and incorporates navigation and mobility tools.
In short, we connect people released from prison and jail to resources and information they need, when they need it. By doing so, Remerg.com fosters agency, supports success, and ultimately helps to reduce the rate of recidivism in Colorado.
The need to reduce recidivism is in the numbers.
Percentage of people released from Colorado’s prisons re-incarcerated within three years
Estimated cost of a single incidence of recidivism
Percentage of people incarcerated in our prisons released back to our communities
Meet the Remerg Team
Innovators, Collaborators & Change Agents
Follow us on our social media!
At the heart of Remerg is our team of innovators, collaborators and change agents. While we represent a variety of experiences and backgrounds, we are brought together by our shared passion for disrupting the cycle of recidivism and advancing redemptive opportunity through resource connection.
Carol Peeples
Founder & Executive Director
At one time a teacher in public and private schools, executive director and founder Carol Peeples became interested in mass incarceration after teaching in a prison and developing the first two editions of Getting On After Getting Out: A Reentry Guide for Colorado, the first written statewide re-entry guide for Colorado. Both experiences inspired the passion Carol has for the field of re-entry from jail and prison, specifically in fostering success and creating connections to the community. Carol serves on the CU College-in-Prison Advisory Board and is a commissioner on Denver's Crime Prevention and Control Commission.
Jeff Wise
Director of Grants and Operations
Prior to joining Remerg, Jeff spent the majority of his career working for established nonprofit organizations and serving in a consultant role for emerging NGOs through his own grant writing company. Jeff also has first-hand experience with addiction and navigating the criminal justice system as a result. He has seen the barriers formerly incarcerated populations face and understands the need for sweeping change in how we help those individuals return to the community. He is subsequently thrilled to be a part of the Remerg team and able to use his experience to further the organization’s impactful mission. Jeff studied Business Communications and Political Science at the University of Northern Colorado. He enjoys golfing, hiking with his dog, and spending time with friends and family.
Rachel Vickers
Program Manager
Rachel is the program manager for our HOUSE program, which Remerg is piloting in 2023 with the Colorado Department of Corrections. Rachel brings a wealth of experience in recovery, both as a peer coach, sober living house manager, and as someone who has overcome addiction herself. She is excited to use this experience to help clients utilize re-entry resources, especially treatment/recovery options, and ultimately guide them toward a better, healthier life. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hanging out with friends, exploring new things, and staying involved with The Other Side Academy.
Michael Clifton
Program Facilitator
After receiving a ninety-eight year sentence at the age of 19, Michael Clifton endured almost twenty-five years of incarceration before eventually having his sentence commuted by Gov. Jared Polis in 2023. During the latter years of his incarceration, Michael began to utilize his experience and the lessons he learned to develop programs specifically geared towards mentoring and supporting justice-impacted populations. He also found his passion in performance art, serving as the Associate Producer for the podcast With(in) through the University of Denver’s Prison Arts Initiative as well as stage manager for several theatrical productions. As Remerg’s Program Facilitator, Michael is excited to be able to use his expertise to deliver Remerg programs to support individuals returning to society. He is also passionate about advancing equity and advocating for those seeking justice.
Sophie Smith
Reintegration Care Specialist
Sophie is a senior at the University of Denver studying Criminology and Psychology. She has dedicated her academic journey to understanding the complexities of the criminal justice system and its impact on communities, and is now looking to move on to getting her masters in Forensic Psychology in the Professional Psychology program at the University of Denver. Through previous experience working with incarcerated populations and reintegration she has honed her skills in providing guidance and support to those seeking a fresh start. She has also collaborated in quantitative research studies on policing in societies and recent police reforms. Sophie is looking forward to continuing her journey toward making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by criminal justice systems. Outside of work and her studies, Sophie enjoys playing Mahjong, hanging with her cat, and spending time with her family.
Bryn Robertson
Capstone Researcher
Bryn Robertson is a graduate student in the Master of Criminal Justice program at the University of Colorado Denver. She is a research assistant for the University currently working on sexual assault prevention on the Pine Ridge Reservation and other projects. Bryn is also involved in researching the Remerg HOUSE program. She earned her B.A.s in Journalism and Studio Art from Humboldt State University while working the crime beat at a local newspaper. Following her journalism work, Bryn was employed as an associate investigator at a small private investigation firm. Bryn is also a visual artist and supports nurturing art making for youth as a crime prevention model and art programming for incarcerated populations as a form of self-development and healing.
Emma Tilton
Capstone Researcher
Emma Tilton is a graduate student in the dual Master of Criminal Justice and Public Administration program at the University of Colorado Denver. She assists on several research projects for the university and Remerg, focusing on corrections reentry and policy, pre-booking diversion, and the Remerg HOUSE program. She earned B.A.s in Criminology and Psychology from Penn State University, after which she worked in reentry services and gang violence prevention for Delaware Probation and Parole. Her experiences in academia and practice have given her a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by justice-involved individuals and in the administration of the criminal justice system. Emma is looking forward to helping Remerg with its mission to remove barriers to successful reentry and end the cycle of incarceration.
Board of Directors
ELIZABETH OJEDA
BOARD CHAIR
Liz has led efforts for a variety of workforce programs under the Denver Economic Development and Opportunity Workforce Services for more than thirteen years. She most recently administered the successful completion of the Technology Employment in Colorado-Partnership, a $6.18 million US Department of Labor HIB Ready to Work grant. Prior to her work with Denver, Liz was a business owner of several small local businesses and spent seventeen years with the Xerox Corporation. Liz has been a member/volunteer for Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council since 1999 and volunteer facilitator for local high school and intern programs over the past decade. Liz has a passion for connecting businesses and individuals to the resources and services they need to be economically successful--a perfect fit for the vision of Remerg!
MARGOT PLOTZ-RODRIGUEZ
BOARD SECRETARY
Margot is a Senior Director for Basis Policy Research, an independent research firm specializing in applied research in K-12 education, where she specializes in project management and business development. Margot wants to break the cycle of incarceration from the perspective of a parent and knows that successful parents have children with a better chance to succeed in the world.
BILL LENNON
BOARD TREASURER
Bill is a computer engineer with Revacomm, an IT firm based in Honolulu, currently supporting Medicare/Medicaid. While competing in a computer programming contest hosted by the state of Colorado, Bill researched the problems faced by those currently and formerly incarcerated, an eye-opening moment for Bill about this societal issue. Bill brings his tech skills to the remerg.com goal of providing re-entry information for free to tens of thousands of people whenever they need it.
DIANNE TRAMUTOLA-LAWSON
BOARD MEMBER
Dianne is the founder and chair of the Colorado chapter of Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CO-CURE) and the chair of National-CURE, headquartered in Washington, DC. Dianne serves as a citizen member on the Denver Sheriff Department Advisory Board. In addition, Dianne has been an active member of the American Correctional Association since 1999, serving on several committees. Because of her extensive experience, Dianne appreciates the need for a free online re-entry website and is one of the nonprofit’s most ardent supporters.
TAMMY BELLOFATTO
BOARD MEMBER
A staunch advocate of those who are disadvantaged, Tammy Bellofatto is the Executive Director of Bayaud Enterprises, a Denver-based nonprofit that provides hope, opportunity and choice to thousands of people through its employment programs. Prior to joining Bayaud, Tammy served as the Director of Vocational Services at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. She co-founded the Denver Homeless Taskforce and from 2014-2019 Tammy served as Chair of The Denver’s Road Home Employment Subcommittee. In addition, Tammy was a 10-year member of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Community Advisory Panel for Denver Health and sat on the Veteran's Administration's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans since 2018 - 2022.
CHRIS MEEKS
BOARD MEMBER
Chris Meeks is the President and Founder of Hope Homes, a real estate company that gives back a minimum of 10% to the community with every project. Appointed by Mayor Hancock in 2020 to be on the Denver Community Corrections Board as well as the newly appointed Secretary for the Colorado Association of Community Corrections Board, Chris is an advocate for criminal justice reform and regularly visits Colorado Prisons to provide hope and mentorship for others that are incarcerated, as he was once in their shoes. Chris’ inspiring story includes obtaining his civil engineering degree upon release from incarceration and going on to start his own company to provide affordable housing for people in need.
CORDELIA RANDALL
BOARD MEMBER
Cordelia Randall is an experienced relationship builder and workforce development expert with a proven track record of creating alliances and partnerships between social service providers and individuals. She leverages resources including grant funding, WIOA, TANF and other programs with career and education-development provisions to help provider organizations serve communities in need, approaches relationship-building opportunities with tact and compassion, and exemplifies out-of-the-box thinking to help achieve desired outcomes. Cordelia is trusted by prominent community leaders as an expert in workforce development and advocacy for career training. Her service on numerous boards and committees has included Project Life, Community College of Denver, business advisory, Academy of Charter Schools, and I-70/WorkNow. She is known as a noted diversity and inclusion advocate supporting educational and job programs for minority populations, the formerly incarcerated, and systemic poverty victims.
JAMES SCHULTZ
REMERG HONORARY BOARD
Jim retired as division vice-president of Performance Development for Walgreens Corporation and now specializes in human capital strategy development. He was President of the Illinois Occupational Skills Standards and Credentialing Committee and teaches graduate courses for the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois. Tikkun olam, a signature theme of Jewish tradition, refers to repair of the world. Jim served on the board of Remerg since its inception because the work struck him as “the perfect route to that end,” and in late 2022 moved from active status to the Remerg Honorary Board.
JHIL MARQUANTTE
REMERG HONORARY BOARD
Jhil is a property manager for SWAN Enterprises and Consulting and an active volunteer in the community. Jhil brings over 25 years of personal experience in Colorado’s state prisons, lending insight into what is needed for successful re-entry and bridging the distance between those who have been incarcerated and organizations like Remerg that want to reach and help justice-involved members of our society. Jhil’s experience since his release from prison is an inspiration to all who meet him. After serving several years as the co-chair of our board of directors, Jhil recently became the founding member of the Remerg Honorary Board.
In Memory of Tina Yankee
Reverend Tina Yankee brought passion and force to our board of directors. As the executive director of Turnabout for 14 years, she and her team connected 30,000 people to employment after incarceration. For many years, Tina was also a Community Pastor for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Denver and provided religious services at Denver County Jail. Most recently, she chaired the Criminal Justice Task Force for the Colorado Council of Churches. Just days before her death on October 6, 2018, Tina was developing a project to address the dual societal issues of recidivism and income inequality. We miss Tina’s fierce spirit and dedicate Remerg.com to her.
Join the Cause
Please support our effort to help people succeed with a one-time or recurring donation of any amount. Donations are easy to make through Paypal, or you may send a check payable to Remerg at PO Box 18463, Denver, Colorado 80218. Because Remerg is a 501(c)(3) organization, every donation is tax deductible. Our FEIN number is 82-1801077. You may read more about us on Candid (Guidestar). https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-1801077 You can also find us on ColoradoGives! https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Remerg
Make a DonationOur Supporters and Sponsors
I believe that people need a second chance, especially if they’ve paid their dues to society, but they need an opportunity to go forward and Remerg provides this for people who want a better future.
VICKI, a Remerg.com donor
Remerg is a one-of-a-kind resource helping to solve one of our nation’s biggest crises. There is no other online resource that provides current holistic resource information for returning citizens. It is essential that individuals are aware of all of the resources available to them, and Remerg makes it possible for returning citizens to educate themselves, reach out for support, and become contributing members of our communities as a result.
STACEY, a Remerg.com donor
Remerg provides support for people to remain in society and out of incarceration. When parents are in prison, they aren't able to provide this for their children. I support Remerg because by helping incarcerated parents connect to what they need to start over after release, it’s a catalyst for breaking the cycle of generational incarceration.
MARGOT, a Remerg.com donor
I support Remerg monthly because I believe in giving people the tools they need to get their lives back. I want Colorado to be a safe place to live, where my neighbors can find the resources they need.
ERIN, a Remerg.com donor
Press Coverage
How to Help Someone Coming Out of the Criminal Justice System by Casey Kuhn for PBS News Hour
Solitary Man: A Convict’s Journey From Lockdown to Standup by Westword
Removing A ‘Lifelong Scarlet Letter’ by Michael Booth for The Colorado Trust
Website to help people with criminal records by 9 News
Website Helps Former Offenders Navigate The Outside World by CPR News