A judge suspended a five-to-seven-year prison sentence for a Colorado teenager convicted of robbing an Alcova bar and evading police in a car chase.

However, Natrona County District Judge Scott Skavdahl insisted that James Gore complete an adult correctional program and intensive supervised probation.

Gore, 19, successfully finished his boot camp sentence in mid-July. He asked the state to give him probation to address charges in Colorado.

Gore was one of six men and boys involved in an armed robbery and shoot out with police in November 2006. Due to his age, Skavdahl recommended in September that he spend seven-to-nine months in the Newcastle boot camp.

Natrona County District Attorney Michael Blonigen said Gore was involved in the robbery but did not shoot at police officers.

"I am more proud of myself than I have ever been," Gore said Monday afternoon over speaker phone. "I like living like this and staying healthy."

Public Defender Kerri Johnson asked the judge to give Gore probation to allow him to face separate charges in Colorado.

Blonigen said due to the serious nature of the crime, Gore should serve time in prison. Blonigen, however, said the state would accept a sentence to a work-release program, such as Casper Re-entry Center.

But a prisoner cannot be sent to a re-entry center while facing charges in another state.

As a result, Skavdahl said he would suspend Gore's prison sentence if the state of Colorado agreed to place Gore in a work-release type program, followed by intensive supervised probation.

If Colorado does not require Gore to return to the state, then he will go to the Casper Re-entry Center.

Skavdahl said Gore needed the support given in a program like the Casper Re-entry Center to learn social and life skills and the ability to be more assertive. He also said Gore needs to go to counseling.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com