Bennito L. Kelty
Audio By Carbonatix
In 2022, Governor Jared Polis laid out a plan to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country. According to Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman, Colorado crime rates have been on the decline ever since.
But that hasn’t stopped the negative rankings. Colorado was named the seventh-least safe state in America in a WalletHub report released on October 6; the only states deemed less safe than Colorado were Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Colorado was ranked the second-most dangerous state by U.S. News and World Report in May. World Population Review calls it the fourth most dangerous.
But different reports reach wildly different conclusions. An August study by personal injury lawyers Whitley Law Firm placed Colorado in the middle of the nation, rating thirtieth for safety. In their comments on the Westword Facebook page, readers take aim at the report of the latest ranking…and our story. Says Daniel:
Good job reporting this — that way we can get the National Guard here.
Replies Connor:
As someone who lives in Colorado…this is so wrong.
Adds Gena:
Am I scared to walk around outside like I was in the summer of 1993? No. I’m not. You all act like that didn’t exist.
Counters Mike:
The crime rate has gone up quite a bit in the 25 years I have lived here. Laws have become much more lenient, and there fewer consequences. And crime not being reported as a crime is also a very strong possibility. Wasn’t Denver just exposed for not recording many crimes, and tried to blame it on a software glitch? Just look at the kid who brought a firearm to school in Colorado Springs: State law makes it only a misdemeanor, not a felony. One charge looks better on paper and stats.
Responds Bryan:
I’ve lived in the city of Denver since 2000, feel very safe day and night. I had a bicycle stolen once that was locked but left for months, then bought another one. I ride a lot on the South Platte River trails, see some homeless camps, never had or saw an issue. Volunteer outreach to homeless: They are harmless, and unfortunately we have homeless like many cities.
Suggests James:
Ask a Denver bartender when they last called the police and if the police actually showed up to write the report.
Comments Patrick:
I was just saying this. I have lived in so many major cities like Boston and LA, andd I have never seen so much violence before. Been here for five years.
And Cameroone concludes:
A ton of what people are referring to is property crime damage to cars, thefts. These are all signs of unaffordable living and income inequality…all very solvable problems if we actually cared about that stuff. Violent crime in Colorado is not really that bad. It exists, but it is nowhere near as bad as St Louis or Kansas City.
What do you think about the crime rate in Denver? The state? Do you think Colorado is a dangerous place? Post a comment or share your thoughts on editorial@westword.com.
