If you feel your life or health is in immediate danger, call 911. This page contains information about reporting a hate crime and who to contact. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or have non-emergency questions, please email hello@goPfCA.com.
from ONE Colorado
What to do if you are the victim of a hate crime, or witness a hate crime, in Colorado:
If the threat is not immediate, report the hate crime to any of the following law enforcement agencies in your area as soon as possible so that evidence can be preserved and witnesses can be interviewed:
Your local police or sheriff’s department:
Click the following links for a list of police and sheriff’s departments.
Your local District Attorney’s Office:
For a map of districts and their contact information, see: http://www.cdacweb.com.
The local FBI office:
FBI Colorado Springs
111 S. Tejon Street Unit 600
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
https://tips.fbi.gov/
(719) 633-3852
FBI Denver
8000 East 36th Avenue
Denver, CO 80238
https://tips.fbi.gov/
(303) 629-7171
Once you have reported to law enforcement, or if you are uncomfortable or unable to report the hate crime to law enforcement, the Anti-Defamation League in Colorado and the Southern Poverty Law Center collect information on hate crimes. They have simple online forms you can fill out.
To report a hate crime to the Anti-Defamation League, you can do so at this link.
To report a hate crime to the Southern Poverty Law Center, you can do so at this link.
What is Hate Crime?
A hate crime is a threat or act of intimidation, harassment, or physical force that is motivated by bias against a person or group based on their actual or perceived: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical or mental disability.
What does Colorado law say?
There are both federal and state laws that protect victims of hate crime. Colorado law breaks hate crime into two categories, “Bias motivated harassment” and “Bias-motivated crime.”
About Hate Free Colorado
Hate Free Colorado believes that the best way to stand up to hate is with respect, learning, and understanding. Start a conversation. Find a connection with others who are different than you. Recognize that we all deserve to be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. We can all learn to value each other for who we are, not who we are not. We are all part of the same human family.
Reporting is also important. If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of bias, hatred, or bigotry, make sure and report it to your local police department. They can direct you to other resources like community organizations that can help.
Strengthening state hate crimes laws and enhanced training for law enforcement officers on how to identify and respond to hate crimes is also crucial. Better data collection and reporting by law enforcement agencies and increased public education would also be huge steps. We work with 18 coalition partners that are all here to help.
For more information visit Hate Free Colorado or contact the PfCA at hello@goPfCA.com.