THE VICTIM SERVICES UNIT 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 the RTD Police Victim services unit, and an advocate will assist you.

If you have questions concerning the status of your case, or need to speak to someone about your case, please contact one of the units at RTD Transit Police Department.

RTD Transit Police Department
1900 31^st St. Denver, CO
303-299-3239
**Select appropriate option from phone tree list**

Investigations
303-299-3239
PDinvestigations@rtd-denver.com

Victim Services
303-299-3223
victimadvocate@rtd-denver.com

If all local efforts to obtain your rights have failed, you may request assistance from the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board.

Please contact:

Division of Criminal Justice
Office for Victims’ Programs
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80215
303-239-5719 phone
303-239-5743 fax
https://dcj.colorado.gov/

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;
• Crime of careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury;
• Assault—1st, 2nd or 3rd Degree;
• Harassment Bias Motivated;
• Harassment of a Transit Worker
• 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.

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):

• Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
• Be informed of and present for all "critical stages" of the criminal justice process
• Be informed about what steps can be taken and protections can be afforded if he/she is subjected to any intimidation or harassment
• Notification of any change in the status of the accused including release or discharge from the county jail
• Information on charges filed
• Information on charges not filed in misdemeanor cases
• Have SSN redacted from criminal justice documents if released to the public.
• Assurance of swift and fair resolution of the proceedings
• Consult with the District Attorney prior to any disposition of the case or before a case goes to trial and be informed of the final disposition of the case
• Be informed of the status of the case and any scheduling changes or cancellations
• Prepare a Victim Impact Statement and to be present and/or heard at sentencing
• Restitution and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil judgment
• Prompt return of the victim's property when no longer needed as evidence
• Information on the of the availability of financial assistance and community services
• Appropriate employer intercession services regarding court appearances and meetings with criminal justice officials
• Whenever practicable, to have a safe, secure waiting area
• Be informed of the results of any court-ordered HIV testing
• Be informed of any post-conviction proceedings related to DNA issues
• Upon request, provide victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than 3 years, an annual update concerning the status of the case
• To be informed of any rights which the victim has pursuant to the Constitution of the United States or the State of Colorado
• Request a copy of the law enforcement report and other documents related to the case, including the right to receive a free copy of the initial incident report. The release of any such documents associated with the investigation is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency based on the status of the case.
• If a victim or a victim’s designee is unavailable to be present for the critical stages described in paragraph (d) of this subsection (I) and the victim or the victim’s designee wishes to address the court, the right to request that the court, within the court’s resources, arrange and provide the means for the victim or the victim’s designee to provide input to the court beyond a written victim impact statement.
• Be informed of the existence of a criminal protection order under section 18-1-1001, C.R.S. or section 19-2-707, C.R.S., and upon request of the victim, information about provisions that may be added or modified, and the process for requesting such an addition or modification.
• Disclosure by agent of defense-initiated victim outreach.
• Be heard if there is a hearing for sealing of records or expungement of juvenile records
• 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.

If the 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.

After conviction of a crime against a victim, your state or local correctional authorities will provide you the following information:

• The institution where the person is incarcerated or otherwise being held
• The projected release date of the person
• Any release of the person, including furlough, work release, or community corrections in advance of release
• Escape of the person
• Any release or discharge from confinement of the person and conditions of that release
• The death of the person while in a correctional facility or program

As a victim of the crimes listed, you may be entitled to the following services:

• Immediate crisis intervention and follow-up support

• Special services for juvenile, elderly, or victims with disabilities

• Referral to public and private individuals and organizations providing:

• Medical and other emergency services

• Mental health and social services

• Financial assistance

• Translation or interpretation services

• Intervention with creditors, landlords, and employers

• Legal resources

• Transportation and childcare services

• Information about victim/offender dialogue

• Victim Compensation services

• Other support services

VINE is a proactive notification system that sends you an automatic alert anytime an offender’s custody status changes. If the suspect in your case has been arrested, you will be registered for VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) an automated notification system that will notify you of the offender’s custody status by telephone, text or e-mail.

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.

To modify or opt out of offender status notifications please call 1-888-263-8463 or visit www.vinelink.com. Follow instructions or speak with a VINE representative to disable notifications. To modify or opt out of your registration online:

Go to www.vinelink.com

• Click on Colorado

• For Spanish, click the upper right corner

• Select Edit Your Registration

• Enter your Phone Number and PIN

• Check the box next to the registration you wish to change. If you wish to cancel a registration, please select the "Disable" button.

**Please note if you disable your registration, you will not receive notification if the offender bonds out or changes facilities.

For additional questions about Victim Notification, call the appropriate Sheriff’s Office or Victim Services Program.

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 Services Unit Advocates to learn more about Crime Victim Compensation eligibility and program information related to your crime.

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

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

Email: policerecords@rtd-denver.com

Phone: 303-299-3213

If you have questions concerning the prosecution or court status of your case, please contact the Victim/Witness Unit in the District Attorney’s Office in which your case was filed.

Adam’s County Office

1000 Judicial Center Dr Brighton CO

303-659-7720

Victim/Witness Unit
 303-659-7735

Arapahoe County Office

6450 S. Revere Pkwy Centennial, CO

720-874-8500

Victim/Witness Unit
 720-874-8500

Boulder County Office

1777 6^th St. Boulder, CO

303-441-3794

Victim/Witness Office
 303-441-3794

Douglas County Office            

 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO
720-733-4500

Victim/Witness Unit
720-733-4531

Broomfield County Office

17 DesCombes Dr. Broomfield, CO

720-887-2199

Victim/Witness Unit
 303-659-7735

Denver County Office

520 W. Colfax Ave Denver, CO

720-913-9001

Victim Witness Unit
 720-913-9000

Jefferson County Office

500 Jefferson County Pkwy Golden, CO

303-271-6800

Victim Witness Unit
 303-271-6800

Weld County Office

915 10^th St. Greeley, CO

970-356-4010

Victim/Witness Unit
970-400-4746

You may qualify to apply for financial assistance from each of the judicial districts. Please contact the victim witness unit of each District Attorney to get an application and information on Victim Compensation.  

The U-Visa program provides undocumented immigrants who were/are the victim of a crime with a temporary immigration status. U-Visa recipients must demonstrate that they are helping, or have helped, with a criminal investigation. For more information on this program, please contact your respective law enforcement agency in the appropriate jurisdiction where your victimization occurred.

Upon request of the victim, correctional officials will keep confidential the victim’s or family’s addresses, phone numbers, places of employment, or other personal information.

Victim Assistance Programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age in the delivery of services.

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

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

Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 24‑4.1‑302.5 grants crime victims the following rights:

• Notification when forensic medical evidence is submitted to a certified crime lab (this letter provides that notice).
• Notification upon receipt of DNA analysis results.
• Quarterly updates (March, June, September, December) if results are still pending.
• Updates on whether DNA was obtained and if it matches any state or federal database profiles.
• At least sixty days’ notice before evidence destruction, with the ability to object to Law Enforcement, CBI, or the lab.
• Notification of any change in case status (e.g., case closed or reopened).
• A physical copy of your rights following the exam.
• If you agreed to evidence analysis, you’ll receive all notifications above. To opt out, email Julie.Mckinster@rtd-denver.com or call 303-299-3223 Monday-Thursday 7 am-5 pm for more information.
• Please note:  Medical-only kits or anonymous reports will not receive 90-day updates.
• State statute (C.R.S. 24 33.5 120) also requires notifying you of the earliest possible destruction date. We retain sexual assault evidence kits until authorized by the District Attorney to destroy them. However, a placeholder date—100 years from January 1 of the kit collection year—is entered in databases; the kit will not be disposed of then.

Please note:  Medical-only kits or anonymous reports will not receive 90-day updates.

The state statute (C.R.S. 24‑33.5‑120) also requires notifying you of the earliest possible destruction date. We retain sexual assault evidence kits until authorized by the District Attorney to destroy them. However, a placeholder date—100 years from January 1 of the kit collection year—is entered in databases; the kit will not be disposed of then.

If your assault occurred outside our law enforcement agencies, your evidence will be transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction. That agency will be responsible for keeping you informed about all updates, including testing status, notifications, and rights. To opt out of notifications, please contact the agency now in custody of your evidence. If the jurisdiction is unknown, we will continue to provide all required notifications and updates on your behalf

If you’re a survivor, you can check the status of your Sexual Assault Evidence (SAFE) kit online. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Colorado tracking portal at https://trackit.colorado.gov/ 
2. Enter your SAFE kit number.
3. View real-time updates on your kit’s progress.