Domestic violence deaths on the rise in Colorado

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The Center Square) – Colorado saw a dramatic increase in fatalities from domestic violence incidents in 2024, according to a new state report.

Last year, there were 54 domestic violence fatality cases that resulted in 72 deaths. That is a 24% increase from 2023.

Of the 72 deaths, eight of those were “collateral victims," according to the report. All of those victims were children, between three months and seven years old.

Attorney General Phil Weiser chairs the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, which released the report. It found that firearms were used in 75% of all the domestic violence deaths in 2024, including every child’s death.

Because of that, Weiser called for more gun regulations to address the surge in violence, especially against the children affected.

“Every one of the eight collateral victims last year was a child. Domestic violence is not only a crisis between partners — it’s tearing families apart and claiming young lives,” said Weiser. “We must do more to protect children and survivors before tragedy strikes. That means stronger firearm safeguards, greater coordination across courts and law enforcement, and earlier intervention when warning signs appear.”

In 2024, domestic violence deaths made up 18% of all Colorado homicides. That was the highest share it’s made in the past five years.

Notably, the report found that rural counties have a disproportionately high rate of domestic violence fatalities. Many of the perpetrators also had a previous domestic violence arrest or conviction.

The board put forward a number of recommendations based on its findings. Those include:

• Requiring law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms at the scene of domestic violence arrests.

• Clarifying state law to ensure third-degree assault domestic violence convictions prohibit firearm possession.

• Providing resource material to both parties in domestic violence calls where no arrest is made.

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colorado, said federal funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed in July, is already exacerbating the issue in Colorado.

“Already, the Lake County community is being impacted by federal cuts — in fact, they're seeing an increase in domestic violence, but have nowhere to send victims since their only shelter was closed because of Republican cuts to the Violence Against Women Act,” Pettersen said on social media. “It's devastating being on the ground & seeing the catastrophic impacts on our rural communities.”

The Center Square reached out to Advocates of Lake County, which provides services to victims of domestic violence in Lake County, to confirm Pettersen’s statement about the shelter closure. No response had been received at the time of publication.