Photo by Luke Shaffer on Unsplash
On Nov. 7, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston passed a final city budget including $3.1 million in funding for community violence intervention programs, which have been shown to substantially reduce crime. The funding will be used to support organizations in the Denver area that use non-punitive strategies such as street outreach, conflict mediation, counseling and mentorship, substance abuse treatments, and trauma-informed care.
“Until now, the programs that are most effective at reducing crime and saving lives were deeply underfunded in Denver,” said Richard Morales, President & CEO of the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership. “Community violence intervention workers as well as community members were often left without the crucial funding they need. But starting today, Denver has made the crucial step of dedicating funds to programs that include stopping the cycle of violence.”
Violence intervention programs nationwide have been gutted by Trump Administration cuts in 2025.