In May 2005, Denver voters authorized $378 million for the construction of a Courthouse, Detention Facility, Parking Garage and new housing units at the County Jail. The Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center is the second of the buildings to be completed.

The Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center is part of the Denver Justice Center Campus in the heart of Denver’s civic line. The Justice Center Campus includes the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Dale Tooley Plaza, Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse and US Post Office/parking garage. The Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, encased in Indiana limestone, complements the Denver Mint and the new Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse.

Operated by the Denver Sheriff Department, this facility holds up to 1,500 inmates awaiting trial. The Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center comes complete with a technologically advanced security system and inmate computer visitation. The building holds two courtrooms, a kitchen which will serve all the inmates at the Detention Center, and a laundry area in the basement, along with its own public art, a Terrazzo floor in the public area.

While the building has not received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to date, the construction and design is anticipated to achieve a Silver LEED Certification.