DENVER ~ Denver, CO - In response to the Trump administration's recent decision to withhold federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds from states that do not comply with their immigration policies, Governor Jared Polis and House Majority Leader Monica Duran have spoken out against the move.

Governor Polis stated that politicizing support for crime victims is unacceptable and that withholding these funds is not only cruel but also makes communities less safe. He emphasized that the federal funding should be used to help survivors heal and start anew. The governor also made it clear that Colorado will stand up for survivors and fight to ensure that every victim has access to the necessary resources for recovery.

House Majority Leader Monica Duran, who is a domestic violence survivor herself, echoed Governor Polis' sentiments. She emphasized the importance of VOCA funds in providing life-saving services for Colorado families in crisis. These funds can provide victims with a safe place to sleep, access to counseling, and support in navigating the justice system. Leader Duran called out the use of survivors as pawns in a political fight over immigration and expressed her commitment to protecting Colorado families from the devastating impacts of this reckless federal action.

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The Victims of Crime Act was created in 1984 and provides billions of dollars nationwide each year for victim compensation programs and grants that support survivors of crime. This includes funding for emergency shelter, sexual assault forensic exams, funeral expenses, and trauma recovery services. In recent years alone, VOCA funds have supported over 175,000 victims of crime in Colorado, with $21 million awarded in 2024.

Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a coalition of more than 20 states in suing the Trump administration's actions as an unconstitutional overreach. The leaders of Colorado remain united in their fight to protect VOCA funds, which are essential in supporting nearly 9 million crime victims nationwide every year.

This decision by the Trump administration has sparked outrage among state leaders and advocates for victims of crime. As the legal battle continues, Colorado remains committed to standing up for survivors and ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to heal and recover.

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