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Office for Victims Programs

Office for Victims Programs

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The Office for Victims Programs (OVP) houses a number of programs to support victims of crime. The programs include grant funding for victim service agencies, support for local victim compensation and Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement (VALE) programs, victim rights compliance, supporting statewide anti-human trafficking efforts, and supporting statewide responses to sexual assault.

For general inquiries, please call 303-239-5719.

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Crime Victim Services Expected to Lose Federal Funds

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Understanding VOCA Funding

The Office for Victims Programs (OVP) houses a number of programs to support victims of crime. The programs include grant funding for victim service agencies, support for local victim compensation and Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement (VALE) programs, victim rights compliance, supporting statewide anti-human trafficking efforts, and supporting statewide responses to sexual assault.

In 2023, OVP awarded approximately $96,000,000 for a two-year period to roughly 230 organizations supporting nearly 175,000 Colorado victims of crime, which included funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA is supported with federal criminal fines and penalties collected and later awarded to states through statutory-annual distribution.

In August of 2023, the Office for Victims of Crime announced the anticipation of another 45 percent cut in VOCA funds for the federal year 2024 awards, directly jeopardizing Colorado programs tailored to help victims rebuild their lives. In the past several years, VOCA funding steadily decreased from a high of $56.7 million in 2018 to a low of $18.2 million in 2021 due to a lack of deposits into the federal Crime Victim Fund. The fund barely had enough money in the fund to award states at the cap that was set by Congress for Federal FY23.

The staff at OVP and the Board have been working on potential solutions and funding plans for the next funding cycle to try to find ways to mitigate these cuts.  Working in partnership with the three statewide victim service coalitions, OVP was thankfully allocated general fund dollars and ARPA funds by the legislature in the past few legislative sessions to offset the decreasing VOCA funds and grantees were able to receive similar funding to the prior years for the CY23-24 funding cycle.  Grantees were awarded approximately $95.2 million over a two year period.   A 45% reduction would equate to $52.3 million over a two year period.   It has not yet been determined how the cuts will be decided by the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board.

In an effort to illustrate how these cuts might impact various programs and counties with the state, the OVP staff have created one page factsheets that provide data on the current programs funded by county, the number of victims served, the number of services provided, and the top three reported victimizations.  There is also an information sheet for those agencies that provide statewide services.   The information sheets can be found on the Division of Criminal Justice website and the Office for Victims programs website.  If you have any questions regarding these projected reductions or the information sheets you can contact OVP staff at cvsgrants@state.co.us.

Colorado and many other states are in the midst of a perfect storm for funding to support longstanding and new victim service programs.  With the current state of VOCA funds, ARPA funds ending and crime rates on the rise there is going to be insufficient funding to support victims of crime and we need to find a way to support programs.  This will include more state funding as well as a new solution to stabilize the VOCA fund.

View VOCA Funding Factsheets by County for additional information.

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Crime Victim Services Advisory Board is seeking applications

The Crime Victim Services Advisory Board is seeking applications for several openings.  New terms will begin on January 1, 2023.  We are looking for a diverse group of applicants and will also take into consideration geographical representation on the Board.  

The following positions are open: 

  • Judge
  • Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Member Representative
  • Southern Ute Tribal Member Representative

The Crime Victims Services Advisory Board terms are for three (3) years and are appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety.

All interested parties for the open positions should complete an application. Email Kelly Kissell with any questions about the Board responsibilities or the application.  

HB231108: Victim and Survivor Training for Judicial Personnel - Task Force Report is Here!

The Task Force created by HB23-1108 was appointed in July 2023 and concluded its work in January of 2024 to review current judicial education opportunities and best practices.  The Task Force report summarizes these findings and provides 23 recommendations for consideration for future judicial education.  Please visit the HB23-1108 Task Force page for more information about the Task Force's work and to view the final report.

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The  Colorado Mass Violence Toolkit for Crime Victim Advocates helps victim advocates and other emergency responders develop tools, templates and guidelines for their community to effectively respond to crime victims following a major criminal incident or mass crisis event. 

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The Colorado Human Trafficking Council brings together a statewide group of stakeholders who are dedicated to enhancing Colorado's response to human trafficking.

 2020 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report 

To receive monthly updates about the anti-trafficking field in Colorado, please subscribe to the Anti-Trafficking Insider. 

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Upcoming Community Presentations

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Do you need assistance? 

2-1-1 Colorado offers assistance in locating community services and programs.

Colorado Crisis Services offers support and counseling for yourself or a loved one.