The Colorado Crime Wave: An Economic Analysis of Crime and the Need for Data Driven Solutions
Daniel Fenlason | Published on 1/10/2022
The total cost of crime in Colorado exceeded $27 billion in 2020. While costs are disproportionately felt by victims, this implies an average cost per Coloradan of $4,762 per year. The 2021 costs will grow, as the violent crime rate is on pace to be the highest since 1994, a 10% annual increase.
$27 billion in total costs equates to 77% of the size of the state budget ($35 billion).
$8.5 billion in tangible costs is $1.5 billion more than the combined total market value of the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Avalanche and Rapids ($6.77 billion).
Intangible costs related to victim suffering, reduced quality of life and other societal costs totaled more than $19 billion.