(COLORADO) — Despite seeing the lowest homicide rate in five years, Colorado domestic violence fatalities rose by 24% in 2024, according to a report from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (CDVFRB).
As per the report, there were 72 deaths as a result of domestic violence fatality cases in 2024. Out of those, 38 were people killed by a current or former intimate partner, and eight were collateral victims. All eight of these collateral victims were children between three months and seven years old. Five of these children were killed amidst custody battles between their parents.
“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 Colorado Attorney General Phil 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.”
The report also found that firearms were used in 75% of these domestic violence deaths, including every child fatality. Half of those committing these acts had a prior arrest or warrant for domestic violence. The State’s report also showed the challenges survivors face in accessing support, as rural counties showed disproportionately high rates of domestic violence fatalities per capita.
Anyone in need of resources or services regarding domestic violence can access all provided by the state at Violence Free Colorado‘s website.
CDVFRB’s 2024 report also included a four-year analysis of Colorado’s domestic violence fatality trends, covering data from 2021 to 2024. This analysis found that nine out of ten victims were women, and the same proportion of perpetrators were men. The board also discovered that over these four years, guns were involved in four out of five domestic violence deaths, with children making up more than half of all collateral fatalities.
CDFRB made these recommendations for stronger domestic violence prevention and intervention:
Requiring law enforcement to remove firearms at the scene of domestic violence arrests temporarily.
Clarify state law to ensure third-degree assault domestic violence convictions prohibit firearm possession.
Encourage law enforcement to consider a protocol that provides resource materials to both parties at domestic violence calls where no arrest is made.
Expand local fatality review team protocols to include interviews with family members and perpetrators to better identify missed warning signs.
