El Paso County Victim Assistance Program Resources

El Paso County

Victim Assistance
Your Rights & Resources

READ THIS FIRST

If you are a victim of any of the crimes listed below, your right to be informed and participate in all critical stages of the criminal justice process related to that crime is guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution. If you are a victim of a crime this site will provide you with information that may be helpful to you during your time of need.

Tap on a box below to access the information which may contain content, phone numbers and links to other resources.

Victim Assistance Program

If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911. If you would like to report a non-emergent crime, please dial El Paso County Dispatch at 719–390–5555.

THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VAP) is sorry to learn you have been a victim of a crime. You may have experienced injury, loss, confusion, and a disruption in your life. Feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, vulnerability, anger, and frustration may occur. If you have any questions regarding your case, please reach out to our Program, A victim assistant will assist you to navigate this process.

VAP Main Line: 719-520-7078

Address: 27 E Vermijo Ave, C/S Colorado 80903

Email: Shrvap@Elpasoco.Com

Proudly serving the Law Enforcement Jurisdictions of El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain PD, Manitou Springs PD, Calhan PD, Monument PD, and Palmer Lake PD.

Monday – Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. If you would like to speak or meet with a Victim Assistance Program Advocate, please call to schedule an appointment.

Our VAP Staff is an authorized Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Application Assistant, and we are Spanish Bilingual.

Crimes Covered by the Victim Rights Act

The Constitution of the State of Colorado and the laws of the state [Section 24-4.1-302(1) C.R.S]
guarantee certain rights to victims of the following criminal acts:

Murder–1st and 2nd Degree; Manslaughter;
Criminally Negligent Homicide; Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault;
Assault—1st, 2nd or 3rd Degree;
Harassment Bias Motivated;
Menacing;
Kidnapping– 1st and 2nd Degree;
Sexual Assault (all) & Unlawful Sexual Contact;
Sexual Assault on a Child;
Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification;
Robbery & Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Robbery of a Controlled Substance;
1st degree Arson 18-4-102
Criminal Invasion of Privacy 18-7-801
Incest and Aggravated Incest;
Child Abuse;
Sexual Exploitation of a Child;
Crimes against at-risk adults or juveniles;
Any crime with an underlying factual basis of Domestic Violence;
Stalking;
A bias motivated crime - harassment, ethnic intimidation;
Ethnic Intimidation;
Careless driving resulting in death;
Failure to stop at an accident that results in death or serious injury of another person;
Retaliation against or tampering with a witness, victim, judge, prosecutor, juror or elected official;
Intimidation and Aggravated Intimidation of a victim or witness;
Indecent Exposure;
Violation of a Protection Order issued against a person charged w/ Sexual Assault or Stalking;
Human Trafficking in Adults and Children;
Burglary—1st Degree and 2nd Degree
Any attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, or accessory of the above listed crimes;
Crimes involving Child Prostitution
Posting private image for harassment or pecuniary gain;

If a victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights may be exercised by the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, significant other, or other lawful representative.

Victim's Bill of Rights

A The following is a summary of the rights guaranteed by the Victim Rights Act (For a complete listing of your rights, please refer to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-4.1-301 through 24-4.1-304 at http://dcj.ovp.state.co.us):

To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse;
To be informed of all “critical stages” of the criminal justice process (victims of crime must request notification, in writing, for probation critical stages);
To be present at specified critical stages in the criminal justice process;
To be informed about what steps can be taken including information about protection services, if there is any intimidation or harassment by a person accused or convicted of a crime or anyone acting on that person’s behalf;
To be present and heard regarding bond reduction or modification, a subpoena for the victim’s records, acceptance of a plea agreement, sentencing or modification of a sentence, any request modification to the “no contact” provision or criminal protection order or the petition for expungement;
To be heard by phone or similar technology when a victim cannot appear in court;
To be informed of the existence of the criminal protection order and upon request of the victim, the procedure for modifying the protection order if a procedure exists;
To receive a free copy of the initial incident report from the investigating law enforcement agency; except that the release of a document associated with the investigation is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency based on the status of the case or security and safety concerns in a correctional facility, local jail, or private contract prison;
To have the victim’s social security number redacted or excluded from criminal justice documents when records are released to someone other than the victim, a criminal justice agency, or the defendant’s attorney of record;
To be informed of the process the district attorney can use to request protection of the victim’s address (the court may or may not grant the request);
To consult with the district attorney prior to any disposition of the case or before the case goes to trial and to be informed of the final disposition of the case;
To be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellations, if known in advance;
To receive and prepare a victim impact statement and to be present and/or heard at the sentencing hearing;
To have the court determine restitution and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil judgment against the person convicted of the crime;
To prevent any party at any court proceeding from compelling testimony regarding a victim’s address, telephone number, place of employment or other locating information;
To receive a prompt return of property when it is no longer needed as evidence;
To be informed about the possibility of restorative justice practices;
To be informed of the availability of financial assistance and community services;
To be provided with appropriate employer intercession services regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials;
To be assured that in any criminal proceeding the court, the prosecutor, and other law enforcement officials will take appropriate action to achieve a swift and fair resolution of the proceedings;
Whenever practicable, to have a safe, secure waiting area during court proceedings;
To be informed of and have input about a motion to sequester the victim from a critical stage;
To be informed of any request for progression from the state mental hospital and the right to be heard at any hearing which a court considers such a request;
To be notified of the referral of an offender to community corrections and to provide a written victim impact statement to the community corrections board and, if permitted by the board, to provide an oral victim impact statement. In addition, a victim has a right to provide a separate oral statement to the community corrections board if the board is considering a transitional referral from the department of corrections;
To be heard by phone or similar technology by the community corrections board when the victim is otherwise unavailable;
Upon written request, to be informed when a person accused or convicted of a crime is released from custody other than the county jail, is paroled, escapes or absconds from probation or parole;
Upon written request, to be informed of the results of a probation or parole revocation hearing;
The right to be informed of the filing of a petition to cease sex offender registration;
Upon request, to be informed when a person who is accused or convicted of a crime is released, discharged, or permanently transferred from the custody of the county jail;
Upon written request, to be informed of and heard at any proceeding at which any post-conviction release from confinement in a secure state correctional facility is being considered;
Upon written request, to be informed when a person convicted of a crime against the victim is placed in or transferred to a less secure correctional facility, program, or placed on non-residential status, or is permanently or conditionally transferred or released from any state hospital;
The right, at the discretion of the district attorney, to view all or a portion of the presentence report of the probation department;
To be notified of a hearing concerning a petition for sealing of records;
To be informed of the governor’s decision to commute or pardon a person before such information is publicly disclosed;
To be informed of the results of any court-ordered HIV testing;
To be informed of any rights which the victim has pursuant to the Constitution of the United States or the State of Colorado; and
To be informed of the process for enforcing compliance with the Victim Rights Act.

Additional rights and services are provided to child victims of crime. Law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges are encouraged to designate one or more individuals to try to ensure that the child and his/her family understand the legal proceedings and have support and assistance to deal with the emotional impact of the crime and the subsequent criminal proceedings.

24-4.1-303 (10)(IV) Upon request of the victim, the law enforcement agency shall provide the victim in a cold case information concerning any change in the status of the case. In addition, the law enforcement shall provide an update at least annually to the victim concerning the status of a cold case involving one or more crimes for which the criminal statute of limitation is longer than three years.

24-4.1-302.5(1)(b.8) Upon request of a victim who has had forensic medical evidence collected that has not resulted in a conviction or plea of guilty, the victim has the right to be notified by the law enforcement agency of the status and location of the victim’s forensic medical evidence.

24-31.902 (2)(b)(I) Upon request of the victim’s designee, all video and audio recordings of a death must be provided to the victim’s designee at least 72 hours prior to public disclosure.

Forensic Medical Evidence – Sexual assault victims are provided forensic medical exams without any out-of-pocket expenses for services. For “OPT IN” notifications regarding forensic medical evidence, contact the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the case. Notifications include: location of evidence, testing, results of DNA, DNA matches and destruction of evidence collected. The right to file, prior to expiration of the 60 day period, an objection with the LE agency, CBI or accredited crime lab that is proposing to destroy forensic medical evidence. Case status and the right to receive a physical document identifying rights under the law after an exam has been completed.

VINE - Victim Information Notification Everyday

VINE is a proactive notification system that sends you an automatic alert anytime an offender’s custody status changes. information is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You will be notified about the release, transfer, escape, or death of an offender by text message, phone call, email/or TTY.

VINE Service will keep trying to reach you. If there’s no answer or the line is busy, VINE will continue to call every half hour for 48 hours. VINE will leave a message on an answering machine but will continue to call every two hours up to 48 hours, or until your preselected 4 digits, P I N # 1 2 3 4 is entered to stop the notification calls.

For more information about VINE, you can call 1-888-263-8463, or register at www.vinelink.com. You can also reach out to the Victim Assistance Program main line for additional enrollments or modifications to the existing notification.

Crime Victim Compensation Fund

Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) is a victim service program created by Colorado law to help crime victims recover financially from the physical and emotional injuries caused during a criminal act. The funds for this program are collected from the fines paid by convicted defendants. The CVC program can help victims of certain crimes pay for specific crime-related expenses or losses. You can Apply online at: https://covictimcomp.org/

Please reach out to the Victim Assistance Program Advocates to learn more about Crime Victim Compensation eligibility and program information related to your crime.

How To File A Protection Order

Protection or Restraining Orders can help stop harassment, retaliation, intimidation and other specific acts against everyone named in the restraining order as a “Protected Person.” For more information on protection orders and how to file contact:

Getting a Protection Order | Colorado Judicial Branch

Obtain A Copy Of The Case Report

For more information on obtaining a copy of your case report, please contact the Victim Assistance Program or to the Records Unit with the Law Enforcement Agency of your jurisdiction.

District Attorney's Office

For information about the prosecution of your case, you can contact the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Division at (719) 520-6000. District Attorney Victim Advocates can give you information about court dates and locations, updates on your court case, instructions on how to give your input on the case, and referrals to community agencies.

4^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office FAQs: FAQs (da4colorado.gov)

Victim Advocacy FAQs: Victim Advocacy (da4colorado.gov)

Colorado 4^th Judicial District Court: El Paso County | Colorado Judicial Branch

Video Advisements FAQs: FAQ-Video-Advisements-07-2022.pdf (state.co.us)

If you are a victim of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and you want to talk to the district attorney’s office about your case, it’s EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you contact the district attorney’s victim advocacy fast track office at 719-520-6162 or 719-520-6124 by 9:00 a.m. on the next business day following the offender’s arrest. Or you text “Vhelp” to 719-483-1850 and a DA’s Office Advocate will respond to you about your DV case. For more information on this, please visit the Domestic Violence Fast Track Program link: Domestic Violence Fast Track Program (da4colorado.gov)

Safe Passage

Safe Passage is the local children’s advocacy center serving the families of the 4th Judicial District. It is a child and family-friendly center in which a team of trained professionals from multiple agencies evaluates children who may have been abused. The team includes, but is not limited to, law enforcement, social workers, medical personnel, forensic interviewers, and victim advocates. For more information please visit: https://www.safepassagecac.org/

U-Visa

Through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000, Congress created the U Visa (U non-immigrant classification) to provide legal status to victims of specified crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal act. The U Visa provides eligible crime victims with nonimmigrant status the ability to temporarily remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement.

Who is eligible for a U Visa? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:

Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity.
Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.
Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.

Additional information can be found through the following link: Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status | USCIS

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of U Visas to crime victims and is dedicated to reviewing and responding to certification requests. If you are an individual with nonimmigrant status and a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that tis investigated by El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, you or your representative can email the I-918 Supplement B form to shrvap@elpasoco.com or mail the form to the Victim Assistance Program at 27 E Vermijo Ave Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.

Para asistencia e información en relación con U Visas, por favor comuníquese con la Supervisora del Programa de Asistencia a Víctimas Pamela Mancini al 719-520-7272.

VRA Complaint Process

As a victim of a violent crime, you have certain Constitutional and statutory rights. These rights are listed in this brochure. If you feel your rights are not honored, you can make a complaint.

Please attempt to address your concerns locally by contacting El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services.

If you feel you are unable to address your concerns at the local level or your efforts to resolve your concern have been unsuccessful, you may request assistance from the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board by contacting the Victim Rights Act Specialist at:

Colorado Department of Criminal Justice

700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000

Denver, CO 80215

(303) 239-4442 or 1-888-282-1080

Victim Services Survey

Your responses to this survey are used to measure the effectiveness of the services provided by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program. The Victim Assistance Program is primarily grant-funded and the information provided will be used for grant reports. Your input and opinions are important to us! Please take a few moments to complete this survey and help us improve our services to crime victims in El Paso County. Thank you for your feedback!

Victims Services Survey | El Paso County Sheriff (epcsheriffsoffice.com)

Encuesta de Servicios a las Víctimas | El Paso County Sheriff (epcsheriffsoffice.com)