State Review Leaves Two Rawlins Organizations with High Marks

MAY 30, 2025 |

Photo – Sheriff’s office badge – Bigfoot99 file photo

Both, the Carbon County Victim Witness Program and Citizens Organized to See Violence Ended received high marks in a recent state review.

During the May 20th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General Division of Victim Services recently reviewed the county’s Victim Witness Program.

Victim Witness Coordinator Loretta Hansen explained that her agency receives state and federal funding. As a result, the state Division of Victim Services conducts periodic reviews. A representative from the Attorney General’s Office recently awarded the county’s Victim Witness Program a top rating.

Additionally, Hansen said the Division of Victim Services also conducted a risk assessment on the Carbon County Victim Witness Program. The Coordinator said her agency reviewed a low-risk rating, meaning state and federal funding will likely continue.

Sheriff Alex Bakken said a low-risk score increases the Carbon County Victim Witness Program’s chances of securing future state and federal funding.

Sheriff Bakken added Citizens Organized to See Violence Ended, or COVE, underwent a review at the same time as the Victim Witness Program. Thanks to the efforts of Witness Victim Advocate Dawnette Spaulding, COVE also received a low-risk rating from the state Division of Victim Services, ensuring continued funding.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners congratulated both the Victim Witness Program and COVE for their positive reviews and thanked the dedicated employees and volunteers who contributed to the success of both agencies.