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
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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.
Darren Smith
Executive Director
Darren Smith has over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. His commitment to reentry is both political and personal. A U.S. Army veteran and the son and brother of formerly incarcerated individuals, he understands that mass incarceration is not an abstract policy issue but a lived reality that demands community-based, dignity-centered solutions. At Remerg, Darren is focused on building infrastructure that supports liberation, strengthening partnerships across Colorado, and ensuring people impacted by the justice system are met with resources, not punishment. He believes reentry work is about restoring dignity, expanding possibility, and refusing to let harm define a person’s future. When he isn't working, he enjoys traveling with his partner and spending time playing ball with his puppy.
Jeff Wise
Director of Advancement
Prior to joining Remerg, Jeff spent much of his career working with established nonprofits and consulting with emerging organizations through his own grant writing company. Jeff also brings firsthand experience with addiction and navigating the criminal justice system. Through that experience, he has seen the barriers formerly incarcerated individuals face and understands the need for meaningful change in how we support people returning to the community. Jeff studied Business Communications and Political Science at the University of Northern Colorado. He previously served on Colorado’s Recidivism Definition Working Group Committee established by Senate Bill 24-030, and is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Leadership Denver program. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys hiking and spending as much time as possible on the golf course.
Allen Browning
Director of Programs
Allen Browning has spent his career in the nonprofit sector, with the past 15 years focused on program development, impact maximization and implementing trauma informed approach infrastructures. He has experience working in the arts, history, housing, health and human services and is excited to bring his diverse skills to Remerg. He has a passion for supporting people with dignity and care and building wraparound communities where individuals can be seen for who they are, not what they have done. Allen holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Management and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his husband and their friends and family, baking, singing and making music and volunteering.
Angelina Hogan
MSW Intern
Angelina Hogan has experience with behavioral health and holds a Bachelors in Psychology with a criminal justice minor. She is pursuing her Masters of Social Work while gaining real world experience by interning at Remerg. Her commitment to the field is rooted in a passion for social justice, individual healing, and systemic advocacy. She is excited to be a part of the team to continue to learn about dismantling systemic barriers while preserving dignity and providing an empathetic, humble approach where people are met with opportunity and not judgement. When she isn’t working or doing schoolwork, she enjoys going to concerts and listening to new music.
Gray Garrett
MSW Intern
Gray Garrett is a current MSW candidate at the University of Denver, with previous work experience working in a PRTF with adolescents. They have seen the barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals and understand the need for positive change. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Denver, and are dedicated to pursuing a career in social services. Gray approaches their work each day with empathy, sincerity, and a commitment to long-lasting and sustainable change. In their free time, they enjoy rock climbing, skiing, and spending time with friends.
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!
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.
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.
KEN ARELLANO
BOARD MEMBER
Ken Arellano is currently a Program Manager with Denver Careers Construction Program with Denver’s Economic Development & Opportunity. He has over 25 years’ experience in Workforce Development, working for non-profit, private, and government entities from Career Consulting to Outplacement Services to Contract Management. His passion is working with special populations (including justice involved) to ensure they are given Work Based learning opportunities in whatever stage they are seeking. He served as Chair and Co-chair to The Denver’s Road Home Employment Subcommittee from 2014 – 2022 and continues to be involved in community partnerships.
EMILY BERGER
BOARD MEMBER
Emily Berger is currently the Priority Populations Manager with Denver Economic Development and Opportunity, part of the City and County of Denver. In this role, Emily supports a team focused on working with New Americans, those who have been unhoused, justice involved individuals, veterans and people age 50 and older to obtain training and find employment. Emily received her master’s in social work from the University of Denver in 2016 and maintains a strong dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as working to support communities. She has a background in nonprofits and has been in workforce development working with both youth and adults for over 10 years.
CAROL PEEPLES
REMERG FOUNDER & HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
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 has served on the CU College-in-Prison Advisory Board and most recently served for five years as a commissioner on Denver's Crime Prevention and Control Commission. She is happy to pass the baton at Remerg to new leaders in the space.
MARGOT PLOTZ-RODRIGUEZ
REMERG HONORARY BOARD
Margot is a public policy and strategy leader with over 15 years of experience working across various organizations in education and most recently healthcare. Her work focuses on aligning evidence with policy and implementation. Margot has led multi-partner research and evaluation initiatives, managed federal, state, local, and philanthropic funding portfolios, and supported organizations in translating complex policy and data into actionable strategies that improve outcomes. 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.
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