LAKEWOOD — Today, Monday, December 30, 2024, Governor Polis and the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) launched its “Strength in Community: Stronger Together” initiative. This includes a series of compelling video stories demonstrating the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of DCJ-funded initiatives to encourage more communities to step up. The stories highlight steps to take toward fostering safer, healthier, and more connected communities across Colorado.
“We are committed to making Colorado one of the ten safest states and this builds on our work to reduce crime and make our communities safer by inspiring more action. Colorado has seen violent and property crime go down over the last two years, but we have to do a lot more. I look forward to building on this work with this new initiative, as well as our budget proposals that we call on the legislature to pass this year,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Today, the Governor met with the Arvada Police Department, one of the Safer Streets grant recipients, featured in the campaign. Governor Polis visited the Olde Town Arvada Square to learn how Arvada Police will use the Safer Streets Grant to improve public safety and met with officers and leadership to thank them for their work.
“At DCJ, we recognize that true community safety is built on inclusion, empowerment, collaboration, and support,” said Matt Lunn, director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The ‘Strength in Community: Stronger Together’ campaign is a series of video stories celebrating the inspiring work of our partnerships and our grant recipients, who bring a vision for safer, healthier, and more connected communities to life.”
DCJ kicks off its campaign with its FY23 recipient of its Crime Prevention through Safer Streets Grant. The first round of the Safer Streets Grant Program helped the City of
Trinidad improve safety around its Riverwalk, a 3.5 mile trail spanning from one side of the city to the other.
The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice’s 2024 awards are based on the State’s most recent appropriation for SB22-001 Crime Prevention through Safer Streets Utilizing Design Management Strategies, enacted through C.R.S. 24-33.5-117—Crime Prevention through Safer Streets grant program. The full list of 2024 grant recipients is listed below.
- Arvada Police Department awarded $56,574 for project "Olde Town Security Enhancements"
- City and County of Denver awarded $249,630 for project "DPD Lakewood Dry Gulch Trail Safety Project"
- City of Delta awarded $189,517 for project "Community Safety Center, City of Delta"
- City of Pueblo awarded $853,413 for project "Better LED and Solar Spaces"
- Colorado Springs Police Department awarded $147,028 for project "Improving Urban Trailheads to Prevent Crime"
- Commerce City Police Department awarded $100,000 for project "Core Commerce City Crime Prevention Lighting Study"
- Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure awarded $869,384 for "East Colfax Safer Streets Collaborative (ECSSC)"
- Greeley Police Department awarded $135,000 for project "9th/10th Street Alleyway Lighting"
- Hotchkiss Police Department awarded $46,437 for project "Town of Hotchkiss Safer Streets Initiative"
- Mesa County Sheriff's Office awarded $91,783 for project "Solar/Camera Trailers and Kimwood Park Lighting"
- Rio Grande County Public Health Department awarded $397,893 for project "Rio Grande County Public Health Comprehensive Crime Prevention Through Safer Streets (Safer Streets Crime Prevention)"
- Town of Akron awarded $126,700 for project "Making Downtown Akron Safer"
- Town of Milliken Police Department awarded $49,037 for project "Traffic & Crime Prevention through Proactive Detection and Monitoring to Increase Public Safety"
- West Colfax Business Improvement District (Denver, CO) awarded $284,940 for project "West Colfax Business Safety Project"
“I’m excited to see the Safer Streets Act in action with this new initiative,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “I proudly passed this new law in 2022 to aid local communities in implementing proven crime prevention and reduction strategies to create safer neighborhoods across our state. These grant awards are among the steps we’re taking to help further reduce crime and make our communities safer for all Coloradans.”
“All Coloradans deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Over the past few years, we have worked hard to implement evidence-based solutions to improve public safety, including the Safer Streets Grant Program. I am excited to see communities use this program to implement unique, tailored improvements to keep people safe.”
“The Safer Streets Grant Program helps local governments make critical upgrades to neighborhoods that prevent crime and create safer communities,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “The first grant awarded in Pueblo has already increased safety around the Ray Aguilera Park. We are thrilled to see these grant programs come to life and make a tangible impact in our communities, from Pueblo to Arvada and beyond.”
These investments in our communities demonstrate how collaborative, community-focused approaches can lead to safer neighborhoods, greater opportunities, and a stronger sense of belonging for all.
The community stories are scheduled to be published monthly on DCJ’s website and LinkedIn account.