Gov. Polis announces $113 million public safety legislative package amid pressure to address rising crime

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Governor Jared Polis announced a $113 million legislative package Thursday amid pressure to address rising crime rates in our state.

Southern Colorado law enforcement leaders have repeatedly said recent laws signed by Polis have led to an increase in crime and their ability to hold criminals accountable.

Now, Polis says there are three upcoming public bills that he is backing that he believes will make Colorado safer.

"We want to put Colorado on the path to be one of the safest states in the next five years," Polis said.

The new public safety plan aims to tackle law enforcement officer resignations and shortages through grants to recruit, train and retain peace officers.

"This package also includes critical infrastructure programs such as the co-responder model, violence interrupter programs, trauma screening for children and importantly domestic violence prevention," 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason said.

The package seeks more funding for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which officials say will help state investigators crack more serious crimes and hold people accountable.

While some law enforcement officers were at Gov. Polis' press conference Thursday afternoon, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, and the County Sheriff's of Colorado associations declined an invitation to participate.

In a letter to the governor, the groups said in part:

"We believe that it is critical in the wake of past legislative changes and the anti‐law enforcement sentiment over the past few years that we hold elected officials accountable for their decisions affecting community safety."

However, those three groups did say they are willing to continue working with Polis and lawmakers to address public safety issues.

The three bills are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.