OMMIR

Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives

Background

The Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR) is a newly created office established in 2022 through Senate Bill 22-150. 

SB22-150 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives established the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR) in the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

CRS § 24-33.5-2603 The office shall serve as a liaison on behalf of the indigenous community on issues related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives, support the advisory board created in subsection (4) of this section, and carry out any duties assigned by the executive director. In carrying out its duties, the office shall collaborate with any relevant entities, including the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, federally recognized tribes, indigenous-led organizations, tribal and local law enforcement agencies, the Colorado bureau of investigation, and the Colorado State Patrol.

What does OMMIR do?

The Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR)

  • Helps connect families with resources
  • Provides information to the families on how to report a missing or murdered loved one
  • Works to increase awareness regarding missing and murdered indigenous people
  • Develops and enhances partnerships with Tribal Law Enforcement and communities 
  • Collaborates with state and local partners to develop training

The Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR)

  • DOES NOT take police reports of any kind including missing or murdered persons
  • DOES NOT investigate missing or murdered persons reported
  • DOES NOT activate the Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) system
  • DOES NOT create or conduct search parties for missing persons

Contact Arron Julian, Director of the Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives within the Division of Criminal Justice by phone 720-607-0172 or e-mail: arron.julian@state.co.us with interest, questions, or concerns.

What to Do When Your Native Relative Goes Missing

Stay Calm

  • Verify whether the person is missing
  • Notice if anything is out of the ordinary
  • Reach out to friends and family of the missing person
  • Remember where they said they were going and what they were wearing

Contact Your Local Law Enforcement

Call your local law enforcement to make a report.

  • Report the person immediately; note: there is no waiting period to make a report
  • Inform the law enforcement agency that the person missing is Native American
  • Provide as much information about the missing person; include recent photos if available

After you have made a missing persons report, you can also request that the Law Enforcement agency activate a Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) through the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

Remain Available

  • Provide your current phone number and contact information to law enforcement
  • Make sure your phone is charged
  • Check emails and social media sites regularly

Look for Help

  • Lean on your network of family and friends to help cope with stress
  • Contact the Office of the Liaison of Missing Murdered Indigenous Relatives for additional assistance and resources

What to do when your loved one is missing?

Contact your local law enforcement agency or the agency that serves the area where your loved one was last seen.

Law enforcement will ask you for descriptive information about your loved one as well as the circumstances surrounding why you believe them to be missing.

Try to share as much information about your loved one's situation as you can. 

The more information you can share, the better!

The map includes some local law enforcement agencies.  If you need assistance locating the local agency, please contact Arron Julian.

Join the Community Volunteer Advisory Board

Apply Now to Serve on the Board

Colorado’s Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives is recruiting motivated individuals to apply for positions on the Community Volunteer Advisory Board (Board) created under Colorado Senate Bill 22-150. 

The Board will identify and advise the Office on areas of concern regarding missing or murdered indigenous relatives and issues relating to organizing or conducting search efforts, support groups, or other supportive efforts related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives. 

Meetings are expected to be quarterly and members will have the option to attend virtually. 

Apply for Community Volunteer Advisory Board   

Contact Arron Julian with interest, questions, or concerns.

Resources

National Resources

National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

US Department of Justice Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons includes quick links to report and identify missing persons, view Unsolved Indian Country Cases, learn more about Tribal Community Response Plan for Missing Person Cases, find information and resources, participate in listening sessions and tribal consultations, and explore data & research

U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Indigenous People - Learn more about the Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and how they may be available to assist or provide investigative services to Tribes under the Public Law (P.L.) 83-280

Non-Profit

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) serves the United States and Canada - Discover blogs, facts, help with projects, learn about their programs, and much more

Native Womens Wilderness Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, located in Boulder CO - Find links to policy initiatives and to resources in other states

Colorado Government Resources

Partners

State Partners

CBI - The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) supports and assists local, county, and state criminal justice agencies through the provision of professional investigative and forensic laboratory services, as well as the management and administration of criminal justice records and data sharing. CBI is primarily a "by request" agency responding to requests for investigative and forensic services from law enforcement, district attorneys, and other state agencies.

CSP - The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) provides services across the state by promoting safety, protecting human life, and preserving state highways. In addition to our expertise in traffic safety, CSP leads the state in areas such as commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials routing and rulemaking, specialized enforcement, aviation, homeland security, communications, immigration enforcement, investigative services, dignitary protection, infrastructure protection, criminal interdiction, research and development, legislative advisement, education, and more. 

Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs - The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs office serves as the official liaison between the State of Colorado and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The relationship between the State of Colorado and sovereign Tribal governments is founded on a strong government-to-government relationship. The Commission is committed to facilitating communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the other 46 Historic Tribes of Colorado, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) organizations, state agencies, and affiliated groups. The Commission ensures direct contact and meaningful engagement with the Tribes and with Colorado's urban Indian communities.

Community Volunteer Advisory Board

The Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR) supports the Community Volunteer Advisory Board (Board).  The Community Volunteer Advisory Board identifies and advises OMMIR on areas of concern regarding missing or murdered indigenous relatives and issues related to organizing or conducting search efforts, support groups, or other supportive efforts related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives.

The Board is tasked with identifying and advising the office on areas of concern and issues of collaborative efforts related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives.

The Board meetings are expected to be quarterly and members will have the option to attend virtually. If travel is required for any meeting, members will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Resource:  SB22-150 Missing And Murdered Indigenous Relatives

Interested in Joining the Committee? Contact Arron Julian with interest, questions, or concerns.

Community Volunteer Advisory Board Members

The legislation defines the representatives needed for the Community Volunteer Advisory Board.  Members include persons to represent the following interests:

  • An Indigenous-Led Organization That Provides Advocacy Or Counseling For Indigenous Victims Of Violence
  • An Indigenous-Led Organization That Provides Legal Services For Indigenous Victims Of Violence
  • An Indigenous-Led Organization That Provides Health Services To Indigenous Victims Of Violence
  • A Community-Based Organization That Provides Services To An Urban Indigenous Community
  • A Community-Based Organization That Provides Services To A Rural Indigenous Community
  • A Community-Based Victim Advocate Organization Serving Colorado'S Indigenous Population
  • A National Organization That Provides Education And Awareness Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Relatives
  • Indigenous People Who Have Been Victims Of Violence Or Are A Family Member Of An Indigenous Person Who Has Been A Victim Of Violence
  • The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
  • The Southern Ute Indian Tribe
  • The Ute Indian Tribe Of The Uintah And Ouray Reservation
  • Members Who Are Each An Enrolled Member Of A Tribe With Historical Ties To Colorado, As Identified On The Colorado Tribal Contacts List Developed By History Colorado In Partnership With The Colorado Commission Of Indian Affairs

Contact Us

Arron Julian, Director

Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ)
700 Kipling Street,
Lakewood, CO 80215

Work Cell: (720) 607-0172

E-mail: arron.julian@state.co.us

DA'ANZHO (Hello, Jicarilla Apache)

Arron Julian, Director of the Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives within the Division of Criminal Justice, is a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation and former police chief for two tribal nations in California, including serving as the Chief of Police for the Bishop Paiute Tribe. He was the Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator for the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation, where he helped develop policies and procedures for evidence collection and enhancing service delivery to reduce the impact on sexual assault victims when they presented at the hospital.