Setting the Record Straight on Denver’s Crime Debate – Denver Decides

During a debate with Congresswoman DeGette, we discussed Denver’s crime rates.

I asked if she believed local decisions, including defunding measures, had contributed to rising crime. DeGette countered by citing recent statistics showing decreases in crime and suggested that these issues are primarily local.

Her statistics present only part of the story.

Fact-Checking DeGette’s Crime Statistics

Diana DeGette pushed back against my statement that crime has gotten out of control in Denver by saying that homicides have decreased by 8%.

According to the City and County of Denver, she is correct. Homicides did decrease by 8%, falling from 90 cases in 2022-2023 to 82 cases in 2023-2024​.

She said there was a 14.5% decrease in violent gun crimes and, again, she was correct. The Colorado Department of Public Safety reports a 15% decrease in violent gun crimes.

Finally, she said property crimes are down by one-third. And, yes, once again, she was correct. Statistics show property crime fell by 22%, reducing motor vehicle thefts and burglaries​.

But as they say, there are lies, damn lies, and then there are statistics.

The figures she cited lack context because Denver had a 54% spike in homicides and a 42% increase in violent gun crimes from March 2020 to March 2021.

So, although crime rates have decreased over the last year, the current drop merely reflects a decline from historic highs, not an overall reduction.

DeGette’s failure to acknowledge this broader trend is concerning, especially as a local resident and powerful U.S. Congressional representative who can push for national solutions.

Revisiting the Shooting at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

In September 2023, a major shooting incident took place at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. After being denied entry for using a fake ID, a teenager returned and opened fire, injuring five people​. The incident, which unfolded in the heart of LoDo, marked a grim turning point for the area, intensifying public safety concerns and prompting a series of new security measures​.

Given this history, I chose to visit Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row during my pub crawl last Saturday.

Why?

Because I wanted to experience the late-night LoDo scene firsthand, observing how law enforcement manages large crowds and potential confrontations in real-time.

My visit wasn't just about gathering facts—it was about seeing how the environment has changed since the 2023 shooting and what risks still persist.

The Pub Crawl

While I was at Whiskey Row, I witnessed an altercation that escalated into a police response. People were assaulting the police, throwing projectiles at them. This altercation was unsafe for law enforcement and the community in the area.

It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn violent in this area, which has seen over 90 incidents of violence requiring police presence in the last 60 days alone​.

These situations emphasize the need for effective law enforcement and community-based solutions that address the root causes of crime.

LoDo’s Crime: A National Problem with Local Implications

The violence in LoDo isn’t just a Denver issue—it’s a symptom of broader national trends. The challenges—ranging from economic disparities to mental health issues and gun violence—are part of a nationwide pattern that demands a coordinated response.

Calling these issues merely "local" overlooks the fact that they are driven by complex social and economic factors that extend beyond city boundaries​.

My Plan for a National Solution

If elected, I will introduce a Federal Justice Reinvestment Initiative, blending Colorado’s Transforming Safety program with the First Step Act:

1. Federal Justice Reinvestment Act:

   • This act will reallocate savings from federal prison reforms toward economic development in high-crime communities, emphasizing locally driven strategies that let residents set funding priorities​.

     
     

2. Reinvestment Funds from the First Step Act:

   • According to the Brennan Center, this approach would redirect cost savings to local programs focused on job training, small business support, and youth engagement, tackling economic drivers of crime.

   
   

3. Federal-Local Partnerships:

   • Local planning teams will drive implementation, promoting community oversight while minimizing heavy-handed federal intervention​.

     
     

4. Performance-Based Metrics:

   • Clear metrics, like crime reduction and economic growth, will guide funding. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, focusing on measurable outcomes improves program efficiency​.

     
     

5. Leveraging Existing Federal Programs:

   • Expanding current programs like CDBG, SAMHSA, and the COPS Office will allow for streamlined fund distribution without creating new bureaucratic layers​.

     
     

My Plan Is Not Bureaucratic

The initiative’s design ensures that federal involvement is limited to funding, technical support, and performance evaluation, while local communities lead the way. By building on existing programs and emphasizing local control, it avoids the excessive red tape often associated with federal efforts.

Conclusion

DeGette’s response to Denver’s crime data was technically accurate but left out critical context.

Crime isn’t "down," it’s slightly lower than the historic spike of 2020-2021 and Denver deserves more than partial solutions and incremental improvements—it deserves transformative change.

To truly address crime in Denver and cities across America, we need a national approach rooted in community-led initiatives, economic development, and mental health support. That’s what my Federal Justice Reinvestment Initiative offers—a comprehensive strategy that starts with helping Denver but extends to every city struggling with similar challenges.

The Mile High City has a reputation for compassion, unity, and welcoming outsiders. We are made up of a society that still helps a lost traveler and where peace is celebrated over conflict.

Colorado is known as the state of peace, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll so let's prove our reputation is well-earned by leading a movement for national change. If we embrace this initiative, we can show America that Leveling Up Denver means Leveling Up America.

To my fellow Denver residents: Let's turn our values into action. We can vote for a future where our city isn’t just a model for Colorado but a model for the nation.

Let’s lead the way and show the rest of America what real transformation looks like.

Let’s Level Up Denver!