JOSH ROSALES

I grew up in poverty, raised by a single mother in a home deeply impacted by addiction. From the age of 11 to 17, I spent nearly six years in juvenile hall, and by the time I was a young adult, I had already survived more trauma than many people experience in a lifetime. Between the ages of 17 and 21, I was shot in the stomach, stabbed in the back, hit in the head with a baseball bat, and struck by a car. At 21, I became involved in a drug situation that ended in tragedy. Although I was not the person who took a life, I was charged and convicted under Colorado’s felony murder law and sentenced to life without parole.

My first 10 years in prison were marked by pain, anger, and poor choices, and I was known for being a management problem. But over time, I began to change. I committed myself to education, self-reflection, accountability, and personal growth. Instead of allowing my circumstances to define me, I chose to rebuild my life from the inside out. Alongside a close friend, I spent four years advocating to change the law in Colorado, and through that work, the law was changed. After serving more than 19 years in prison, I was blessed with a second chance at freedom.

Today, I use both my lived experience and professional training to serve others as a peer recovery coach and mentor. I have completed more than 72 hours in Colorado Peer and Family Specialist training and hold certifications and training in ethics, professionalism, suicide prevention, cultural competency, trauma-informed care, medication for addiction treatment, de-escalation, mandatory reporting, HIPAA, infection prevention, stress injury mitigation, mental health first aid, and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. I am also certified in Love and Logic parenting education, and I hold COPA and QBHA certifications.

My life is a testament to the power of change, redemption, and second chances. I know what it means to struggle, to lose hope, and to fight to become better. Today, I am committed to giving back to my community, helping others heal, and proving that a person’s past does not have to determine their future.