Colorado Reps. Evans, Boebert and Crank Demand Polis Take Action on Colorado’s Crime Crisis

WASHINGTON - Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) was joined by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) and Congressman Jeff Crank (CO-05) today in demanding Governor Polis take immediate action to address public safety and much needed reform in Colorado.

"Coloradans know the truth - that despite the meager improvements in some crime rates from their record highs in 2022 - they still don't feel safe in our state. According to a recent survey, 54% of Coloradans reported not feeling safe - worse than the national average. The same survey found that 65% of Coloradans worry about violent crime on a daily basis, and that 65% of Coloradans also worry about property crime on a daily basis. Our constituents deserve better than incremental change, lip service, and broken promises when it comes to public safety - they deserve robust and common-sense approaches that prioritize the protection of our communities." - Representatives Gabe Evans, Lauren Boebert and Jeff Crank

The letter is in response to the recent imminent release of a potentially dangerous individual in Weld County - a move that made national headlines and received immense scrutiny. This, along with several years of public safety failures, are a direct result of bills like HB24-1034, which Congressman Evans voted against but Governor Polis signed into law.

Additionally, the letter demands Governor Polis call a second special legislative session, this time for the sole purpose of addressing crime in Colorado. The three congressmembers suggest repealing or reforming several of the bills that Polis has signed that:

• Undermine law enforcement's ability to keep communities safe SB21-131, SB25-276

• Eliminate cash bail for certain offenses HB19-1225

• Reduce penalties for crimes such as repeat retail theft and auto theft SB21-71

Read the full letter here.

Background:

• Colorado is currently ranked as the second most dangerous state in America according to U.S. News and World Report and Denver's violent crime rate is higher than Washington D.C.'s.

• More than half of Coloradans in a recent survey reported not feeling safe in our state, with 65% worrying about violent crime on a daily basis.

• This reality isn't due to a single policy, but rather a litany of soft-on-crime policies that Governor Polis has signed during his tenure.

• Despite Colorado's notable status as a dangerous place to live and the repeated concerns of citizens, Governor Polis chose not to address public safety in the recent special legislative session, choosing instead to hike taxes on small businesses and double down on spending taxpayer dollars for illegal immigrants.