ORS: Documents-Research Briefs-Quarterly Crime Trends (2024-Quarter 2)

ORS: Documents-Research

Quarterly Crime Trends Report: 2024-Quarter 2 (2019-Q2 to 2024-Q2)

Mindy Duong, Statistical Analyst, Office of Research & Statistic (July 2024)

PDF Version: Quarterly Crime Trends Report: Quarter 2 (2019 Q2 - 2024 Q2)

INTRODUCTION

The quarterly crime trends report will be released on a regular basis and provide the latest data on serious violent and property crimes in Colorado. The data will cover the time period of the past five years to allow for an assessment of recent crime trends. 

Data & Methods: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provides information on crime, arrest, and victimization in Colorado every month (Colorado Crime Statistics). Public data provided through CBI has a 30-day lag after the previous full month, meaning June data will be available in August. CBI data is dynamic and subject to change as more information becomes available or crime classifications are redefined. This report provides statewide data for serious violent and property crimes from 2019 Quarter 2 (Q2) through 2024 Quarter 2 (Q2). Quarters are based on the calendar year (January-December). For reference purposes, Tables 2 & 3 in the Appendix at the end of this report display the totals of violent and property crimes, respectively, by year and quarter from 2019 to 2024. 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Violent and property crimes have been steadily decreasing in Colorado (see Table 1). There was a 2% decrease in violent crime from 2024 Q1 (115.6) to 2024 Q2 (113.4), and a 15% decrease from 2023 Q2 (133.5). There was a 6% decrease in property crime from 2024 Q1 (600.1) to 2024 Q2 (561.8), and a 26% decrease from 2023 Q2 (755.6). There was a 2% increase in aggravated assaults and 1% increase in arson from last quarter to this quarter, but all crimes saw a decrease from this quarter last year.

Table 1. Rates of violent and property crimes for the current quarter compared to last quarter and last year. 

Source: CBI, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Data points may appear the same due to rounding. 
 

Violent Crime Rates

Violent crimes include murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, non-consensual sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. There was a 2% decrease in the violent crime rate from 2024 Q1 (115.6) to 2024 Q2 (113.4), which marks the lowest violent crime rate in the last three years (see Figure 1). The average rate of violent crime in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 128.3, putting 2024 Q1 13% below the average. Historically, the third quarter has the highest rate of violent crime. Historically, the rates have started low in Q1 and then progressively increased until they peaked in Q3; however, this is the first time in five years where there was a decrease from Q1 to Q2. Please see Figure 1 for more details.

Figure 1. Rates of violent crime in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
(Colorado Crime Statistics website: coloradocrimestats.state.co.us/tops)

When examining the volume of violent crimes by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 10% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (SO) had the highest (22%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 217) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 265), while the Greeley Police Department (PD) had the highest (33%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 480) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 322). Please see Figure 2 and related totals below.

Figure 2. Annual percent change* in violent crime for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 2 with related violent crime totals.

Murder

There was a 31% decrease in the murder rate from 2024 Q1 (1.3) to 2024 Q2 (0.9), the lowest in the past five years and the first time below 1.0 since 2019 Q1 (see Figure 3). The average rate of murders in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 1.3, putting 2024 Q2 31% below the average. Historically, the second half of the year has had more murders than the first half. In 2021 and 2022, the highest rate of murders was in the fourth quarter. 

Figure 3. Rates of murder in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of murders by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 11% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Westminster PD had the highest (200%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 2) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 6), while the Denver PD had the highest (5%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 38) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 36). Please see Figure 4 and related totals below.

Figure 4. Annual percent change* in murder for the top 5 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.
NOTE: Many jurisdictions have zero murder, so a Top 10 list was not possible.

Data that accompanies Figure 4 with related murder totals.

Non-Consensual Sex Offenses

There was an 11% decrease in non-consensual sex offense rates from 2024 Q1 (23.2) to 2024 Q2 (20.8), which marks the lowest rate in the last five years (see Figure 5). The average rate of non-consensual sex offenses in the first quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 26.4, putting 2024 Q2 21% below the average. Historically, the third quarter has the highest rate of non-consensual sex offenses.

Figure 5. Rates of non-consensual sex offenses in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of non-consensual sex offenses by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 16% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Douglas County SO had the highest (41%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 46) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 65), while the Fort Collins PD had the highest (26%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 100) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 74). Please see Figure 6 and related totals below.

Figure 6. Annual percent change* in non-consensual sex offense for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

 Data that accompanies Figure 6 with related non-consensual sex offense totals.

Robbery

There was an 8% decrease in robbery rates between 2024 Q1 (14.7) to 2024 Q2 (13.6), which marks the lowest rate in the past five years (see Figure 7). The average rate of robberies in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 16.1, putting 2024 Q2 16% below the average. Historically, the third quarter has the highest rate of robberies.

Figure 7. Rates of robbery in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of robberies by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 11% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The El Paso SO had the highest (64%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 11) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 18), while the Thornton PD had the highest (17%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 46) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 38). Please see Figure 8 and related totals below.

Figure 8. Annual percent change* in robbery for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 8 with related robbery totals.

Aggravated Assault

There was a 2% increase in aggravated assault rates from 2024 Q1 (76.4) to 2024 Q2 (78.2) (see Figure 9). The average rate of aggravated assault in the first quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 84.5, putting 2024 Q2 7% below the average. Historically, the third quarter of the year has the highest rates of aggravated assault while the first quarter has the lowest rates.

Figure 9. Rates of aggravated assault in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of aggravated assault by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 8% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Jefferson County SO had the highest (21%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 139) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 168), while the Greeley PD had the highest (24%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 348) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 264). Please see Figure 10 and related totals below.

Figure 10. Annual percent change* in aggravated assault for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 10 with related aggravated assault totals.

Property Crime Rates

Property crime includes burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. There was a 6% decrease in the property crime rate from 2024 Q1 (600.1) to 2024 Q2 (561.8), which marks the lowest property crime rate in the last five years (see Figure 11). The average rate of property crimes in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 731.4, putting 2024 Q2 23% below the average. Property crime rates have not surpassed 850 since 2022 Q3 (854.2) which had the highest rate in the past five years. Since then, it has been on a steady decline.

Figure 11. Rates of property crime in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of property crimes by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 22% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. All top jurisdictions had a decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2, with Aurora PD having the highest decrease (-25%, N = 8,164 to 6,164). Please see Figure 12 and related totals below.

Figure 12. Annual percent change* in property crime for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 12 with related property crime totals.

Burglary

There was a 1% decrease in the burglary rate from 2024 Q1 (72.0) to 2024 Q2 (71.3), which marks the lowest robbery rate in the past five years (see Figure 13). The average rate of burglaries in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 92.1, putting 2024 Q2 23% below the average. Burglary rates have had relatively minor fluctuations in the past five years, with the highest rate in 2020 Q4 (106.7), but have been on a steady decline since 2023 Q2.

Figure 13. Rates of burglary in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of burglaries by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 21% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Westminster PD had the highest (25%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 156) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 195), while the Aurora PD had the highest (33%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 1,013) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 676). Please see Figure 14 and related totals below.

Figure 14. Annual percent change* in burglary for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 14 with related burglary totals.

Larceny

There was a 6% decrease in the larceny rate from 2024 Q1 (400.5) to 2024 Q2 (374.8), which marks the lowest larceny rate in the past five years (see Figure 15). The average rate of larcenies in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 478.0, putting 2024 Q2 22% below the average. Larceny rates have had minor fluctuations over the past two years but have been on a steady decline since 2023 Q3.

Figure 15. Rates of larceny in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of larcenies by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 20% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. All top jurisdictions had a decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2, with Denver PD having the highest decrease (-23%, N = 12,044 to 9,279). Please see Figure 16 and related totals below.

Figure 16. Annual percent change* in larceny for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 16 with related larceny totals.

Motor Vehicle Theft

There was a 10% decrease in the motor vehicle theft rate from 2024 Q1 (123.2) to 2024 Q2 (111.3), which marks the lowest motor vehicle theft rate in the last three years (see Figure 17). The average rate of motor vehicle thefts in the second quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 155.8, putting 2024 Q1 29% below the average. Motor vehicle theft rates trended upward from 2020 Q1 through 2022 Q1 but have been steadily declining ever since.

Figure 17. Rates of motor vehicle theft in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of motor vehicle thefts by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 31% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Colorado Springs PD had the highest (15%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 1,736) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 1,997), while the Aurora PD had the highest (36%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 2,886) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 1,859). Please see Figure 18 and related totals below.

Figure 18. Annual percent change* in motor vehicle theft for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 18 with related motor vehicle theft totals.

Arson

There was a 1% increase in the arson rate from 2024 Q1 (4.38) to 2024 Q2 (4.44) (see Figure 19). The average rate of arson in the first quarter for the past five years (2020 Q2-2024 Q2) is 4.4, putting 2024 Q2 right at the average. Arson rates have fluctuated quite a bit over the past five years but have not exceeded 6.0 since 2022 Q3. 

Figure 19. Rates of arson in Colorado per 100K residents, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

When examining the volume of arson by jurisdiction, Colorado had an overall 13% decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 to 2024 Q1-Q2. The Englewood PD had the highest (129%) increase from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 7) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 16), while the Colorado Springs PD had the highest (29%) decrease from 2023 Q1-Q2 (N = 101) to 2024 Q1-Q2 (N = 72). Please see Figure 20 and related totals below.

Figure 20. Annual percent change* in arson for the top 10 jurisdictions, ordered by 2024 crime totals.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
* Annual percent change based on current quarters (2024 Q1-Q2) compared to previous quarters (2023 Q1-Q2) for the same jurisdiction.

Data that accompanies Figure 20 with related arson totals.

Appendix

Violent Crime Totals

Table 2. Violent crime offenses, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

* Percent change is based on one quarter to the next. 
^ The five-year “AVG for Q2” does not include 2019.
Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.
 

Property Crime Totals

Table 3. Property crime offenses, 2019 Q2-2024 Q2.

* Percent change is based on one quarter to the next. 
^ The five-year “AVG for Q2” does not include 2019.
Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Crime Statistics, August 2024.

The State of Colorado is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans - View the Accessibility, Interpretation & Translation Support page.  To report digital accessibility barriers or request accommodations, complete the CDPS Issue Reporting, Accommodation and Translation Request Webform and/or email: cdps_dcj_pio@state.co.us.

If you have general questions, please visit the Office of Research & Statistics Request page.