Centennial State News

The Common Sense Institute (CSI) Colorado, a nonpartisan research organization, released a report Oct. 3 showing high levels of crime across the state.

According to the CSI report, crime remains above pre-pandemic levels. The report said that criminal justice reform advocates have succeeded in  attaining a number of measures that harm public safety and have  contributed to the high crime rates, such as decriminalization, reducing  punishments and decarceration.

"Colorado crime remains at an all-time high,” CSI said in a post on Twitter. “Since CSI's latest crime study, the number of crimes increased in seven major categories...Crime across CO is skyrocketing. The city of Pueblo alone ranks in the top 10 cities in the nation for highest rate of crime for all 10 categories: aggravated assault, violent crime, murder, rape, robbery, property crime, burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft & arson...In the first 5 months of 2022, CO law enforcement seized more fentanyl than it seized in ALL of 2021 - approximately 2 million dosage units...Colorado compared to all other states & the District of Columbia ranks 16th in total overdose deaths...up 7 spots from 2021."

The CSI report also noted Colorado paces the nation in auto thefts, with 48,000 vehicles likely to be stolen this year and is second for personal property thefts. The report noted Denver ranks 12th of 167 cities for its increase in homicides, up 23.3%, and 16th for its spike in aggravated assault, up 11.3%.

The report noted Aurora saw its homicide rate jump 35%, while Pueblo cracked the top 10 in several categories, including arson, assault, theft, rape, robbery, property crime, homicide and burglary. 

According to the report, by year’s end it is expected 2,000 state residents will  likely die from drug overdoses, many from fentanyl. The report noted last year, two to three Coloradans succumbed to opioids each day and that number is likely to increase to four or five people this year. 

The report asserted rising crime rates should be accompanied by an increase in criminal convictions and incarcerations "for the sake of public safety and justice for victims," but in Colorado, that is not the case. The population of Department of Corrections facilities has declined by 15.5%.