Colorado § 25-20.5-1203 - Gun violence prevention awareness and education - violence intervention grant program - rules.

§ 25-20.5-1203. Gun violence prevention awareness and education - violence intervention grant program - rules.

(1) The office shall increase the awareness of, and educate the general public about, state and federal laws and existing resources relating to gun violence prevention, including the following:

(a) The availability of, and the process for requesting, an extreme risk protection order pursuant to article 14.5 of title 13;

(b) The availability of, and the process for requesting, a protection order pursuant to article 14 of title 13;

(c) How to report a lost or stolen firearm, including reporting requirements in state law;

(d) Best practices for safe storage of firearms, including safe storage requirements described in section 18-12-114;

(e) Accessing available mental health and substance use resources and how to refer people to needed mental health and substance use treatment services, including suicide prevention; and

(f) Safe and responsible gun ownership, including increasing awareness of compliance with state and federal law.

(2) (a) To promote awareness and education as described in subsection (1) of this section, the office shall:

(I) Conduct awareness campaigns directed toward gun owners, parents and legal guardians of children, and professions that provide services to people and communities disproportionately affected by gun violence; and

(II) Develop and provide materials and training resources to local law enforcement agencies, health-care providers, and educators to assist those agencies, providers, and educators with educating the public about the laws and resources described in subsection (1) of this section and other effective gun violence prevention strategies.

(b) The office may focus public awareness campaigns in communities identified by the office as disproportionately affected by gun violence.

(c) The office shall conduct awareness and education campaigns in a culturally competent way, including by providing materials and resources in multiple languages.

(d) The office may use television messaging, radio broadcasts, print media, digital strategies, or any other form of messaging deemed effective and appropriate by the office to achieve the goals of this section.

(e) The office shall post the materials developed pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(II) of this section in an accessible manner on the office's website for local education providers, as defined in section 22-1-150, to access and distribute to parents, guardians, and legal custodians of elementary or secondary school students.

(3) At the request of the executive director of the department, the office shall support and provide assistance for other education campaigns and programs conducted by the department that are related to gun violence, including education and programs relating to firearms safe storage and suicide prevention.

(4) (a) Subject to available money, the office may establish and administer a grant program to award grants to organizations to conduct community-based gun violence intervention initiatives that are primarily focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation by providing culturally competent intervention services.

(b) To be eligible for a grant award, an organization must demonstrate the ability to conduct effective community-based gun violence intervention initiatives that meet the criteria described in this section. The office shall prioritize awarding grants to organizations that conduct gun violence intervention initiatives with individuals and in communities identified as having the highest risk of perpetrating or being victimized by gun violence in the near future.

(c) An initiative conducted with a grant award must use strategies that are evidence-informed and have demonstrated promise at reducing gun violence without contributing to mass incarceration, such as hospital-based violence intervention programs, group violence interventions, evidence-based street outreach programs, violence interruption and crisis management programs, and individualized wraparound services. To improve the effectiveness of a gun violence intervention initiative, a grant recipient shall conduct regular evaluations of each initiative, including facilitating community input and engagement.

(d) The department may promulgate rules necessary for the administration of the grant program, including grant application procedures, criteria for determining the amount and duration of the grants, and reporting requirements for organizations that receive grants.

(e) In administering the grant program, the office shall collaborate with stakeholders as needed to ensure equity in the distribution of grants. The office shall consult with stakeholders to develop grant priorities, set criteria for determining the amount and duration of grants, select grantees, and determine reporting requirements. Stakeholders must include individuals and families impacted by gun violence; organizations with expertise in gun violence prevention and gun safety, including gun dealers, shooting ranges, and firearms safety instructors; and communities of color.

Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1299), ch. 270, p. 1560, § 1, effective June 19. L. 2025: (2)(e) added, (HB 25-1250), ch. 351, p. 1889, § 1, effective August 6.