LAKEWOOD, COLO.- The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), within the Colorado Department of Public Safety, announced today that the state of Colorado will serve as a lead in a lawsuit joined by multiple states to protect vital federal funding for victims of crime after unlawful attempts by the federal government to restrict these grants.
The lawsuit, filed October 1, reflects Colorado’s commitment to ensuring that victims of crime continue to have access to resources and services that are essential to healing, safety, and recovery.
“These funds support domestic violence shelters, sexual assault crisis centers, and victim compensation programs that serve Coloradans each year,”said DCJ Director Matthew Lunn. “We will continue to fight for the stability and strength of these programs, because they are the backbone of safety and support in our communities.”
In September, Governor Jared Polis and House Majority Leader Monica Duran called out the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to withhold federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds from states, including Colorado, unless they agree to participate in the administration’s incoherent immigration policies. At stake is more than $33 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2025. These grants directly support victim services in Colorado each year. These funds sustain approximately 220 community and system based agencies, including domestic violence shelters, sexual assault crisis centers, and local victim compensation programs that reach more than 115,000 victims annually.
“Every person who calls Colorado home deserves the ability to access victim services in their time of need,” said DCJ Director Matthew Lunn. “This effort is about standing up for victims, for their right to safety, and for the resources that help them rebuild their lives.”
In this effort, Colorado is representing a united front to safeguard the programs that victims and their families depend on. Together, these states are affirming that victims’ rights and safety remain a national priority.
The potential funding cuts would place critical services at risk, including a human trafficking 24/7 hotline, legal counseling, and victim crisis response teams. For many survivors, these programs are the first lifeline after trauma.
By leading this lawsuit, Colorado is reinforcing its commitment to building a safer, stronger state. Protecting victim services ensures that survivors have the tools to recover, that families and communities remain resilient, and that public safety efforts remain comprehensive and effective.
The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice works to improve community safety, support victims of crime, and enhance the effectiveness of services to offenders.
