Press Release

Colorado Announces Launch of Missing Indigenous Person Alert

(December 27, 2022)—Recent legislation (SB 22-150) expands the investigation of missing and murdered Indigenous relative cases, including the creation of a new Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 

Following stakeholder meetings and a comprehensive rulemaking process, the new alert that focuses on reported missing Indigenous persons goes live on Dec. 30, 2022. 

The requirements of the new MIPA are as follows: 

Chris Schaefer Selected as Next CBI Director

(December 19, 2022) Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) Executive Director Stan Hilkey has selected Chris Schaefer as the next Director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), effective Feb. 3, 2023.

The Department of Public Safety selected Schaefer as Director after a robust and competitive search followed by panel interviews with CDPS leadership, CBI staff, and statewide and federal partners including law enforcement and district attorneys.

Statement Regarding Disaster Emergency Fund Performance Audit

(Dec. 12, 2022) -- On Dec. 12, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) released a performance audit for the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund (DEF), which was created by the General Assembly in 1992 to help ensure that funds are available to meet disaster emergencies in the state. Auditors did not identify any expenses from the Disaster Emergency Fund that were not in compliance with statutory requirements or the relevant executive orders, but they recommended “closing out disasters” more promptly to release unused funding.

Colorado Department of Public Safety Hires Director of New State Office of Liaison For Missing or Murdered Indigenous Relatives

(Nov. 30, 2022) -- After a robust, nationwide search with input from Colorado Indigenous stakeholders, the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) is pleased to announce that the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice has hired Arron Julian to be the director of the newly formed Office of Liaison for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR).  

Improving Public Safety: Polis Administration Opens Grant Application to Help Law Enforcement Combat Illegal Opioids

(Nov. 29, 2022) – Today, the Polis administration, through the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) within the Colorado Department of Public Safety, announced that law enforcement agencies can now apply for grant funding to help them investigate, enforce, prosecute, and disrupt illegal opioids including fentanyl in Colorado.

Colorado School Safety Expert Participates in Roundtable Advising White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse

​​​​​​​(Oct. 11, 2022) -- A member of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) was tapped to provide her expertise during a roundtable discussion that will inform recommendations for concrete actions the Biden-Harris Administration can take to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence.