Safe2Tell reports prompt threat assessment, substance use intervention in May

Safe2Tell reports prompt threat assessment, substance use intervention in May

June 9, 2026 (DENVER) - A Safe2Tell report about a student making gun-related gestures and identifying a person they intended to harm prompted a law enforcement welfare check, threat assessment, and referral to mental health resources. In another report, school staff intervened after receiving information that a student was distributing illegal substances to peers at school.

These are two examples of the 2,537 reports submitted to Colorado's Safe2Tell program in May 2026. During the 2025-26 school year, Safe2Tell received 28,039 reports from students, parents, school staff, and community members across Colorado.

Key findings from May 2026:

• The most frequently reported concerns were school safety (19.7%), mental health (16.8%), bullying (16.4%), and substance use (10.4%).
• Duplicate reports accounted for 8.8% of submissions, reflecting a healthy reporting culture in which multiple individuals raised the same concern.
• False reports remained historically low at 1.8%.

"May's reports demonstrate how anonymous reporting can help schools, families, and law enforcement respond quickly when students raise concerns about potential threats or harmful behavior," said Attorney General Phil Weiser. "These reports led to threat assessments, mental health referrals, substance use interventions, and collaboration with parents and schools to help keep students safe."

In one May report, a person reported that a student brought illegal substances to school and shared them with peers. School staff investigated and spoke with the student and their peers, who confirmed the student was distributing substances. Parents were notified, the student was placed on a safety and reinstatement plan, and school disciplinary action was taken.

In another report, a person reported that a student told peers not to attend school the next day, made gun-related gestures, and identified a person they intended to harm. Local law enforcement conducted a welfare check, spoke with the student and guardian, and completed a threat assessment. The student was referred to mental health resources. School disciplinary action was taken, including increased security and law enforcement presence the following day.

"School safety continues to be the top reporting category, and these examples show why it is so important for students and community members to speak up when something doesn't feel right," said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Scardino. "As students head into summer break, it's important to remember that Safe2Tell remains available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Concerns about a young person's safety or well-being can arise at any time, and we want Colorado students and families to know that help is always available."

A full breakdown of this month's data is available in the Safe2Tell May 2026 Monthly Report (PDF). Definitions for each reporting category can be found in the Safe2Tell Report Categorization Guide (PDF).

About Safe2Tell

Safe2Tell is Colorado's anonymous reporting system for concerns about the safety and well-being of students. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit or a mental health counseling provider. Instead, it serves as an information pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials, as required by state law.

How to submit a report

Reports can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-877-542-SAFE (7233), visiting Safe2Tell.org, texting S2TCO to 738477, or using the Safe2Tell mobile app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-219-1898 (cell)
[email protected]