Historically, Colorado has been well known for crime statistics far below national averages. However, crimes of all types have increased over the last several years.
While many will cite the pandemic as a significant factor, criminal activity was on the increase well before the coronavirus created a nationwide crisis. In fact, Colorado was one of the first states to ease pandemic-driven restrictions.
Troubling trends
Over the past 14 months, crime in all categories increased. Violent crimes in all segments, from robberies to homicides, increased 17% from 2019 to 2021. Murder saw a 47% jump during that same time period.
The FBI conducted a one-year analysis that saw Colorado experiencing the fourth-highest increase in all types of crimes nationwide. The top three states were Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah.
More specific data revealed:
- Sitting at 29& in 2016, juvenile aggravated assaults with a firearm increased to 44% of all aggravated assaults last year
- Burglary arrests that saw a decrease from 2016 to 2019 climbed in 2020
- Identify theft doubled from 121 per 100,000 people in 2019 to a present level nearing 400.
Making a troubling situation that much worse is the Centers for disease control reporting a 400 percent increase in fentanyl and methamphetamine seizures in one year, with overdose deaths topping all states except Alaska. Many are comparing this crisis-level trend to the crack epidemic three decades ago.
Drug charges represent significant complexities. For many, arrests were the result of substance abuse problems. Retaining an experienced and compassionate attorney to attend to all details surrounding the criminal charge is vital to secure the best possible outcome.