10-04-2025
Man convicted of killing Denver officer denied access to youth parole program
DENVER (KDVR) — After a large pushback and outcry, the Colorado Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that a man convicted of killing a Denver officer will not be allowed into a program that would allow for an early release.
Raul Gomez-Garcia was 19 years old when he shot and killed Denver Police Detective Donnie Young while he was working an off-duty job in 2005. In March, Young's family received a letter saying Gomez-Garcia could qualify for the Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults Program.
The law requires that convicts attend a three-year program and serve at least 20 years of their sentence to qualify for the early parole program. The DOC said Gomez-Garcia's application did not meet the requirements.
'As a result, Mr. Gomez-Garcia is not under consideration for the program and is not eligible to reapply for a period of three years,' the DOC said.
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The department explained that the program was created and signed into law in 2021 and includes a 'structured, multi-step process designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and public safety.'
Many called on Gov. Jared Polis to join them in calling on the DOC to deny the petition to join the program, including Colorado Reps. Gabe Evans, the Denver Police Protective Association, Colorado GOP members and more.
Evans went further, calling on Polis to work with legislators to amend the law, preventing anyone who has been convicted of killing a peace officer or who is a foreign national from joining the program. The Governor's Office told FOX31 that even if someone is accepted into the program and is able to complete it and meet the criteria for an early release, the parole board could still deny the request.
Gomez-Garcia is currently eligible for parole in 2053 and has a mandatory release date in 2081, according to the governor's office.
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