Victims Compensation

Thousands of innocent people become victims of crime every year in the state of Colorado, sometimes with great financial loss. To better protect and assist these victims and members of their immediate families, the Colorado General Assembly enacted C.R.S. 24-4.1, the Crime Victim Compensation Act. The Victim Compensation program is fully funded through fines collected from adults and juveniles who have been convicted of crimes, including traffic offenses. Because of this, the funds available to help victims change from year to year. Awards to victims are made by the Crime Victim Compensation Board of the District, whose three members are volunteer citizens appointed by the District Attorney.

If you or a loved one has been victimized by a violent crime, the Victim Compensation Program may be able to help. While no amount of money can ease the trauma of a violent crime, Victim Compensation can help relieve the resulting financial burden on victims and their families.

PERSONS QUALIFYING

Victims of violent crimes
Families and dependents of deceased victims
Persons who are authorized to act on behalf of the victims

LOSSES THAT MAYBE COMPENSATE

Losses directly related to the compensable crime are eligible for reimbursement and include:

Reasonable medical and hospital expenses
Mental health expenses
Replacement or repair of dentures, hearing aids, eyeglasses and other medically necessary devices
Out-patient care
Homemaker and home health services
Funeral expenses
Lost wages
Loss of support to dependants
Residential property damage, including doors, locks, windows or other security devices damaged during the commission of a crime

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Law enforcement must be notified of the crime within 72 hours.
The victim must cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrator. There does not have to be an arrest or conviction to receive compensation.
The injury or death of the victim was not the result of the victim's own wrongdoing.
The victimization occurred on or after July 1, 1982.
The application for compensation must be submitted within one year from the date of the crime; six months for property damage claims.
Health and/or homeowner’s insurance must be utilized if available.

Note: The Compensation Board may waive some of these requirements for good cause or in the interest of justice.

FINANCIAL LIMITS

Some financial limitations do exist. The Board may award up to $15,000, pending fund availability.

HOW TO FILE A CLAIM

Complete and print the application available on-line and return it to:

VICTIM COMPENSATION BOARD

Eighteenth Judicial District
7305 Potomac St., Suite 300
Centennial, CO 80112-4041

You can open and print the Crime Victim Compensation Application (Adobe PDF Format) by clicking on the links at the top left of this page.

The Board meets monthly to review clams. Applicants will be notified of the Board’s decision.

Note: If a victim's compensation claim is denied or the award reduced, the victim has a right to ask the board to reconsider its decision. The victim should request reconsideration of the board's decision in writing.

For assistance in completing your application or for additional information, please call 720-874-8620.

Lexus page with complete statute. http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0

Or State Courts page http://www.courts.state.co.us/exec/stateindex.htm