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Always Remembered

If you have lost a loved one to a homicide or if you have a loved one who is missing, you are considered a Co-victim of that crime.

Our Victim Advocates are here to offer you support, assistance, compassion and understanding. Please contact us:

303-239-4649 or 
303-239-4147 Spanish
cbi.victimsupport@state.co.us

What Can We Do To Help

  • Contact the law enforcement agency investigating your case for updates
  • Act as your liaison with your investigator or others involved in your loved one’s case
  • Provide services in the language that you speak
  • Offer you help in finding the resources you need
  • Assist you with getting DNA samples, photos and medical records to NamUs (for Missing Persons)
  • Most importantly, we can offer you emotional support, compassion and a caring advocate

Support Group For Loved Ones of Missing Persons

Is someone you love missing?

We are here to help!

Join us for a support group designed specifically for the loved ones of missing persons. Your needs are unique. This group understands, and will introduce you to others going through similar experiences.

This therapist facilitated peer support group gives you the opportunity to share with others who, like you, are missing someone they love. Whether that person has been missing for a short time, or for decades, there are others who can share in your challenges and support you as you find ways to cope.

Please join us! For more information contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Victim Support Team at 303-239-4649 or email CBI.VictimSupport@state.co.us

You and your loved ones are never forgotten!

Missing Persons Resources

Public Alert System

Types of Alerts 

Most people are familiar with Amber Alerts, for children that have been abducted.  The CBI issues other alerts when the public's help is needed.  Click the link below to see other types of alerts and their history.

There you will find information on the bills that authorized the alert, the type of alert and the bureau's responsibility. Each alert type has a separate page containing specific information. Please see our FAQs page for any further questions or contact us using the information listed at the bottom of that page.

https://cbi.colorado.gov/alerts

If you are interested in training or educational presentations please contact us at:


(303) 239-4649 or email CBI.VictimSupport@state.co.us

  • Cold Case Homicides

  • Cold Case Resources

Cold Case and Missing Persons Tip Line Call - 303-239-4244

Cold Case Homicides

Unsolved homicides may cause Co-victims years of pain and grief.  We understand how frustrating and difficult it can be not to have answers, to wonder if anyone is still investigating your loved one’s case, to have unanswered questions and no resolution. We are here for you.

The state of Colorado has a Constitutional Amendment that provides certain rights forvictims of violent crimes. It is called the Colorado Victim Rights Amendment (VRA).The VRA was created to ensure that crime victims are afforded rights in their interactions with the law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Among those is the right to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect, and the right to be informed, present and heard at critical stages of the process. The VRA also includes rights for the family members of homicide victims, including cold case homicide.

Here at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, we understand how powerfully homicide effects those who know and love the victim. The impact of trauma in these cases is immense. Therefore, we refer to the family and loved ones of a homicide victim as a Co-Victim.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has identified you as a Co-Victim in a Cold CaseHomicide. The Colorado VRA states that Co-Victims in Cold Case Homicides have rights. This includes the right to be updated regarding the progress on the case on a yearly/annual basis. Knowing that some people may not want to hear from Law Enforcement unless there is new evidence or movement on the investigation, the Colorado State Legislature has made this notification optional for Co-Victims. A CoVictim must “Opt In” to receive notifications. Once you have opted in, you will be notified once a year of the status of the case. Of course, you may hear from the investigating agency at other times as well if there is any new information to share. If you Opt In, you may at any time revoke that and Opt Out of receiving annual notices. If you choose not to Opt In at this time, you may change your mind and Opt In at any time in the future.

Our Victim Assistance Team would like to assist you with the process of Opting-In or Opting-Out of notifications. If you could please complete the form (link below), and return it to us, we will make sure that the law enforcement agency handling your loved one’s case is aware of your choice.

We understand that when a homicide investigation is listed as a cold case, and remains unsolved, the effects for Co-Victims could be considerable. Prolonged grief, dealing with the unknown, feeling uninformed and even forgotten are a few of the impacts that you may be experiencing. 

Whether you decide to Opt-In or not, we know that coping with an unsolved homicide can be devastating. Our Victim Advocates are available to provide assistance and guidance, and to support you and your family. Our services are offered to you at no cost.We are most frequently asked to assist with emotional support or counseling options, support groups with people experiencing similar situations, financial or legal assistance, help managing social media, or assistance in getting information about the case progress.However, you may ask us for assistance with anything that you need, and we will do our best to provide you with resources and support. If you would like to speak with a Victim Advocate, please feel free to contact us.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Victim Assistance Program
690 Kipling Street
Lakewood CO 80215

Phone: 303-239-4649 | 303-239-4147 Spanish
Email:  CBI.VictimSupport@state.co.us
Please visit our Website: https://www.CBIVictimSupport.com

Request for Annual Notification

As the result of the Crime Victims’ Rights Amendment to the Colorado Constitution, Co-victims have the right to be notified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) or by the Investigating Law Enforcement Agency on an annual basis regarding Cold Cases status. However, only Co-victims who request to be notified will receive annual notification. If you would like to receive annual notification, please tap the form link below and complete the form and return it to the above listed address or email it to CBI.VictimSupport@state.co.us.

Tap Here To Access Form

Crime Victims Rights

The Victim Right Act (VRA)

The State of Colorado has a Constitutional Amendment that provides specific rights for victims of violent crimes. It is called the Colorado Victim Rights Amendment (VRA).The VRA was created to ensure that crime victims are afforded rights in their interactions with the law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Among those is the right to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect, and the right to be informed, present and heard at critical stages of the process. The VRA also includes rights for the family members of homicide victims, including cold case homicide.

While not ALL crimes are covered by the VRA, at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, we believe ALL VICTIMS deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect and  our advocates are here to assist all victims. If you are a victim of a VRA crime, you will be given information about your rights and the specifics of your case.  If you have questions about your rights, or need assistance, please contact our Victims Assistance Program.

If you feel that your rights have been violated, you may contact our victim advocates for support. You may also file a complaint with the VRA Compliance Program:

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dcj/file-vra-complaint

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Victim Assistance Program
690 Kipling Street

Lakewood CO 80215
Phone: 303-239-4242
Email: CBI.VictimSupport@state.co.us

Please visit our Website:
https://www.CBIVictimSupport.com


For more information about crime victim's rights the Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center has created a summary handbook. Tap here to view the handbook PDF.

Agents

Interpretation or Translation

If you need an interpreter for victims of crime or missing persons, victim advocates may be able to assist you.

Start with the local agency.  Some local advocates have access to interpreters.  If not, CBI has a contract with the Colorado Language Connection.  

Their interpreters are available 24/7 but they prefer you request them via their website, https://www.coloradolanguageconnection.org/ 

Use their request form (a yellow box pops up with a link to the form) or email them to request an interpreter/translator at clc@auroramhr.org  

If you need help requesting an interpreter, please contact Hazel Heckers on her cell phone.

Constitutional Rights for Crime Victims - Required Notice

The Colorado Constitution has an Amendment that guarantees victims of violent crimes certain rights when interacting with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. As Law Enforcement Officers, you have an obligation to provide crime victims with initial notification as soon as possible. The initial notification may be short and simply advise the victim that they have rights and a victim advocate will follow up with them to discuss these in detail. CBI's victim advocates will coordinate with the local advocates to ensure the formal notification of rights is done and documented appropriately. 

The crimes that are covered by the Victim Rights Act (VRA) include, but are not limited to: homicide, cold case homicides, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and human trafficking.  In homicide and cold case homicide cases, the deceased victim’s next of kin is the recipient of the victim rights notifications. 

As many victims are experiencing trauma and may not be able to handle too much information, we recommend that you give victims a simple overview and then a referral to a victim advocate for a formal notification. 

A simple overview will include the following:

  • As a crime victim, you may be entitled to certain rights under the Colorado Constitution. 
  • You have the right to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect by law enforcement and criminal justice personnel. 
  • You have the right to be informed, present and heard at critical stages of the investigation and criminal justice process. 
  • A victim advocate will assist you in understanding all of your rights and in dealing with the trauma that this incident has caused. May I have our victim advocate contact you? 

You may also give the victim assistance information to the victim so that they may reach out as needed.  We have included a brochure that you may give the victims if you would like to help them understand their rights and how to reach out for assistance. 

For Cold Case Homicides a different set of rights exist. In these cases, a victim is entitled to receive a yearly update on the progress of the case, even if no progress has been made. They are also entitled to receive notification if there are any changes to the status of the case. There is a section in this App that will provide more information specific to Cold Cases.

Victims that were under 18 years old at the time of the crime may have additional rights once they turn 18 years old.  Please notify the CBI advocates in these situations so appropriate notifications can be determined.

CBI’s Victim Advocates receive extensive training in the VRA, and can answer questions and provide the formal notifications.

A printable brochure about victim’s rights is available here.

Death Investigations

Many of the cases that CBI Agents work are death investigations.  If there are local advocates, they may provide assistance and have their own death brochure.  If not, a printable brochure for loved ones of sudden death cases is available here.

Chaplains

Remember, Chaplains are available to support Agents in difficult situations.  If you feel the victims you are working with would prefer to speak with a Chaplain, that is also an option.  You may call Chaplain Kevin Shive at 303-947-5643.

Victim’s Assistance Unit 303-239-4242. For emergency situations, call Hazel Heckers' cell number.


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