Victim Compensation

If you are a victim of a violent crime, a dependent of a deceased victim, or a person authorized to act on behalf of a victim, you may be eligible to receive money to pay for expenses or damages.

To qualify, the crime must have been reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and must have occurred within Boulder County.

A victim or authorized representative may be compensated for:

  • Medical expenses and/or counseling
  • Loss of hearing
  • Burial expenses
  • Homemaker and home health services
  • Loss of support to dependents
  • Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other prosthetic appliances

Restitution

This site contains information about many of the specific rights afforded to victims of these crimes. It also includes resources and contacts available to the victims.

Crimes with Guaranteed Rights

The Constitution of the State of Colorado and the laws of this state guarantee rights to victims of the following crimes:

  • Murder: first and second degree
  • Manslaughter
  • Criminally negligent homicide and vehicular homicide
  • All assaults: first, second, and third degree; vehicular; and on the elderly or disabled
  • Menacing
  • Kidnapping: first and second degree
  • Sexual assault
  • Aggravated robbery, robbery of a controlled substance, and robbery of the elderly or disabled
  • Violation of a protection order in a sexual assault case
  • Incest and aggravated incest
  • Harassment/stalking
  • Ethnic intimidation
  • Careless driving resulting in death
  • Failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death
  • Any crime against an at-risk victim
  • Any crime involving an act of domestic violence
  • Witness or victim intimidation

Victim and Witness Reactions

The initial shock following a crime, sudden death, or other trauma is a hard and painful reality for everyone involved. Some normal reactions are:

  • Shock and disbelief, numbness
  • Having unwanted memories
  • Anxiety or panicky feelings
  • Feeling “lost” or “out of it”
  • Irritability (near tears or angry)
  • Blaming or doubting oneself, thoughts like “If only I had...”
  • Nightmares, sleep disturbances
  • Feeling responsible for what happened
  • Loss of appetite
  • Anger
  • Crying for “no apparent reason”
  • Re-living the trauma (flashbacks)
  • Problems concentrating
  • Depression and sadness
  • Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed
  • Disruption in family life
  • Unexplained headaches, nausea, or physical pain

For Victims

We are sorry to hear that you may have been a victim of crime. This experience may have created stress, fear, and confusion for you and we would like to offer our help with any problems you may be experiencing as a result of this crime. If you are a victim of one of the crimes listed above, your rights are guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution. This site is designed to inform you of your rights and to help you exercise those rights.

Please feel free to contact any member of the CU Police Department should you require any type of assistance. We will do our best to help you, or put you in contact with other appropriate resources.

Rights of Victims

Victims and witnesses of the listed crimes have the following rights:

  • To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse
  • To be informed about what steps can be taken for protection from intimidation and harm
  • To be kept informed about phases of the case, including the investigation and court proceedings
  • To be present and provide information and input (either personally or in writing) into the justice process, especially at key points such as plea bargaining, sentencing, and parole release hearing
  • Restitution as a condition of sentencing and/or other civil court remedies
  • At the discretion of the district attorney to view the probation pre-sentence report
  • The quick return of their property used for evidence when it is no longer needed for the case
  • Notification from officials about arrest and release of defendants, time, location, and continuance of court hearings, trials, sentencing, or parole considerations
  • To be informed about eligibility for victim compensation where applicable, and assistance applying, if needed
  • Employer intercession, if necessary, meaning a victim cannot be fired or disciplined for assisting in the prosecution of the case
  • Information about victim assistance and community resources
  • A quick and fair resolution of the case
  • To be informed of the result of any HIV testing that is ordered
  • To have a safe and secure waiting area during court proceedings

The Next Step Is...

After the initial report, a department supervisor will review your case to determine if there is enough evidence and/or leads to assign for further investigation. If your case is assigned to a detective, they will be in contact with you. If it is determined a crime was committed and a suspect is arrested and charged, your case will be referred to the district attorney, and the District Attorney’s Office will review the case and decide if prosecution of the suspect will occur. Keep in mind that it will not be your responsibility to decide if it will be filed. The District Attorney’s Office will make the decision about whether or not the case will be prosecuted.

For Your Protection

Intimidation, harassment, and stalking are all crimes. If you are being intimidated, harassed, or stalked, or you feel you are in danger at any time, please call 911. Also available are:

  • Restraining orders through the Boulder County Courts at 303-441-3775
  • Extra patrol
  • Crime prevention suggestions

Property Releases

If any of your property was taken by the police as evidence or recovered during an investigation, and it is not contraband, it can be returned to you as soon as it is no longer needed for evidentiary purposes. Before coming to pick up your property, we request that you call the evidence custodian to make an appointment for all property releases.

Arrest Information & Reports

To get a copy of your case report call CU Police Records at 303-492-5115.

Defendant’s Release from Jail

If an arrest was made and you would like to be informed of the suspect’s release from jail or juvenile detention, we must ask you to call the Boulder County Jail and inform them that you wish to be notified of their release. You must make sure that the jail has your current address and phone number and is made aware of any changes. If the suspect is being held in another jail you should contact the appropriate agency with this request.

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office will inform you of future court dates and legal proceedings.

Additional Resources

  • CU Police Dispatch 303-492-6666
  • Boulder Police Dispatch 303-441-3333
  • Boulder Sheriff Dispatch 303-441-4444
  • CU Victim Assistance 303-492-8855
  • CU Counseling Services 303-492-6766
  • Mental Health Crisis Line 303-447-1665
  • Boulder County Sheriff’s Victim Advocates 303-441-3656
  • Safehouse Progressive Alliance 303-449-8623
  • MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault) 303-443-7300
  • Boulder County Social Services 303-441-1000
  • Boulder County Hospice 303-449-7740
  • Alcohol Recovery Center (ARC) 303-441-1281
  • Emergency Family Assistance 303-442-3042
  • Boulder County Jail-Booking 303-441-4650
  • Boulder Juvenile Detention Center 303-441-3978
  • Boulder County District Attorney’s Office 303-441-3700
  • Boulder County Coroner’s Office 303-441-3535
  • Boulder Community Hospital 303-440-2273
  • TDD Numbers Available Upon Request

Questions Regarding Your Rights

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a victim, call the University of Colorado Office of Victim Assistance at 303-492-8855 or the District Attorney Victim/Witness director at 303-441-3700.

If all local efforts to obtain your rights have failed, you may request assistance from the Governor’s Victims’ Coordinating Committee. For additional information call the Office for Victims’ Programs at the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice in Denver at 303-239-4442.