Eric Nelson Colorado: Restorative Justice Facilitator at The Conflict Center

Building Safer Communities Through Restorative Practices in Greater Denver

Eric Nelson Colorado serves as a Restorative Justice Facilitator at The Conflict Center, a leading nonprofit organization in Denver dedicated to preventing violence through relationship-building and practical conflict resolution skills. In this vital role, Eric Nelson combines his passion for social justice with hands-on community work, helping individuals and communities transform conflict into opportunities for healing and growth.

About The Conflict Center

Founded in 1987 by Liz Loescher in her basement, The Conflict Center has grown into a cornerstone institution in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood. Located at 4140 Tejon Street, this nonprofit has served over 200,000 people throughout Colorado, providing practical skills training in conflict resolution, anger management, and restorative practices.

The organization’s mission is to prevent physical, verbal, and emotional violence by partnering with individuals and communities to shift perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors through education and skill-building. The Conflict Center believes that conflict itself is not inherently negative—rather, it represents an opportunity to build deeper relationships and solve problems creatively when approached with the right tools and mindset.

Eric Nelson’s Role as Restorative Justice Facilitator

As a Restorative Justice Facilitator, Eric Nelson Colorado plays a crucial role in implementing restorative practices throughout the Greater Denver Area. His work focuses on creating pathways for accountability, healing, and community restoration rather than relying solely on punitive measures. This approach has proven particularly effective in reducing recidivism and strengthening community bonds.

Eric Nelson’s responsibilities include:

• Facilitating restorative justice circles and conferences that bring together individuals affected by harmful incidents
• Training community members, organizations, and institutions in restorative practices
• Mediating conflicts using relationship-centered approaches
• Supporting participants through the process of taking responsibility and making amends
• Building capacity within communities to address harm collaboratively

The restorative justice work that Eric Nelson Colorado engages in represents a paradigm shift in how communities address wrongdoing. Rather than asking “What rule was broken and what punishment is deserved?”, restorative justice asks “Who was harmed, what are their needs, and whose obligation is it to meet those needs?”

The Impact of Restorative Practices in Colorado

Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of restorative practices in creating positive outcomes. In settings where restorative approaches have been implemented, communities see decreased rates of repeat offenses, improved relationships, and enhanced feelings of safety and belonging. Through The Conflict Center’s Restorative Denver program, Eric Nelson and his colleagues have facilitated hundreds of successful restorative justice cases.

The Conflict Center offers multiple tiers of restorative interventions, from prevention-focused relationship-building to formal processes after harm has occurred. This comprehensive approach ensures that communities have tools to address conflict at every stage, from minor disagreements to serious incidents requiring intensive facilitation.

Eric Nelson Colorado’s Commitment to Community Transformation

Eric Nelson’s work at The Conflict Center reflects his deep commitment to creating a more just and compassionate Colorado. By equipping individuals with practical skills to navigate conflict, he helps build communities where people can address difficult situations without resorting to violence or abandoning relationships.

The restorative justice facilitation work that Eric Nelson Colorado performs aligns perfectly with his broader social justice advocacy. He understands that true community safety comes not from punishment and exclusion, but from building strong relationships, fostering accountability, and creating systems where everyone has the opportunity to make things right when harm occurs.

Training and Skill-Building Opportunities

The Conflict Center, where Eric Nelson serves, offers a wide range of training programs for community members interested in learning restorative practices:

• Circle Facilitator Training: Learn to lead restorative circles that build community and address conflict
• Conference Facilitator Training: Develop skills to facilitate formal restorative justice conferences
• Restorative Justice 101: Foundational awareness training for anyone interested in restorative approaches
• Restorative Parenting: Classes that teach parents to use restorative practices at home
• Anger Management: Practical skills for managing emotions and responding to conflict constructively

Through these programs, Eric Nelson Colorado and The Conflict Center team help hundreds of individuals each year develop the communication and problem-solving skills needed to create healthier relationships and stronger communities.

The Conflict Center’s Commitment to Accessibility

The Conflict Center is committed to ensuring that at least 50% of its services reach individuals from low-income backgrounds. This commitment reflects the organization’s belief—shared deeply by Eric Nelson—that people of all socioeconomic levels deserve access to skills that can reduce violence and improve their quality of life.

Many of The Conflict Center’s programs are offered on a sliding scale or free of charge, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent community members from accessing these transformative skills. This accessibility ensures that Eric Nelson Colorado’s work reaches those who may benefit most from restorative approaches.

Community Partnerships and Collaboration

Eric Nelson’s work at The Conflict Center involves collaboration with numerous community partners throughout Colorado. The organization works with individuals, families, organizations, and institutions across the Greater Denver Area and throughout the state. These partnerships amplify the impact of restorative practices, creating ripple effects that strengthen entire communities.

The Conflict Center has established strong relationships with various sectors, providing training and consultation to help other organizations implement restorative approaches in their own contexts. This collaborative model ensures that the principles Eric Nelson Colorado champions spread throughout the region, creating a broader culture of restoration and healing.

Why Restorative Justice Matters for Colorado

Colorado communities face many challenges that require innovative, community-centered solutions. Eric Nelson’s work in restorative justice offers a proven alternative to approaches that have often failed to create lasting safety or healing. By focusing on relationship-building, accountability, and repair, restorative justice addresses the root causes of conflict and harm rather than simply responding to symptoms.

The restorative approach recognizes that we are all interconnected—that harm affects not just individuals but entire communities, and that healing requires the participation of everyone involved. Eric Nelson Colorado brings this philosophy to life through his facilitation work, helping people see conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than an insurmountable problem.

Connect with Eric Nelson Colorado

For those interested in learning more about Eric Nelson’s work in restorative justice or The Conflict Center’s programs, the organization welcomes community members to explore training opportunities and get involved. Whether you’re an individual seeking skills to handle personal conflicts more effectively, or an organization interested in implementing restorative practices, The Conflict Center offers resources to support your journey.

Eric Nelson Colorado exemplifies the power of combining professional expertise with genuine compassion and commitment to community wellbeing. His work as a Restorative Justice Facilitator represents an investment in Colorado’s future—one conversation, one circle, and one restored relationship at a time.