Teller County Victim Assistance Program 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 Teller County Dispatch at 719-687-9652.

VAP Main Line: 719-304-5722

Address: 11400 US Highway 24 | Divide, CO 80814

Email: nielsens@tellercounty.gov

Proudly serving the Law Enforcement Jurisdictions of Teller County Sheriff’s Office and municipalities within the county.

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.

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;
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.

Critical Stages

A victim's rights are related to certain “critical stages” in the criminal justice process. These stages include:

• Filing of charges and the decision not to file charges;

• Preliminary hearing;

• Any bond reduction or modification hearing; *

• Arraignment hearing;

• Motions hearing;

• Any subpoena for a victim’s mental health, medical, education or victim compensation records; *

• Disposition of the complaint or charges against the person accused; *

• Trial;

• Sentencing, modification of the sentence or Re-sentencing hearing; *

• Appellate review or appellate decision;

• Post-conviction DNA testing and court proceedings initiated based on the result;

• Sentence reconsideration; *

• Probation revocation hearing;

• Resentencing following a probation revocation hearing and request for early termination;

• The filing of a complaint, summons, or warrant by probation for failure to report or because the location of a person convicted of a crime is unknown;

• The change of venue or transfer of probation supervision;

• Request for release from probation supervision prior to the expiration of the defendant’s sentence;

• Request for release from community corrections prior to the expiration of the defendant’s sentence;

• An attack on judgment or conviction for which a court hearing is set;

• Parole application hearing and full parole board review hearing;

• Parole, release, or discharge from imprisonment of a person convicted of a crime;

• Parole revocation hearing;

• Transfer to or placement of a person convicted of a crime in a non-secure facility;

• Transfer, release, or escape of a person charged with or convicted of a crime from any state hospital;

• Any petition by a sex offender to terminate sex offender registration;

• Any hearing concerning a petition for expungement of a juvenile offender’s records; * and

• The execution of an offender in a capital case;

• The decision to enter into a diversion agreement;

• Any court ordered modification of the terms and conditions of probation;

• Any hearing concerning a petition for expungement;

* In addition to the right to be informed and present, the victim also has a right to be heard at the following hearings: 1) bond reduction or modification; 2) a subpoena for the victim’s records; 3) the court accepts a negotiated plea agreement or a plea of nolo contendere; 4) sentencing; 5) modification of the sentence; 6) the defendant requests a modification of the no contact provision of the criminal protection order; 7) a petition for expungement of juvenile records; and 8) a hearing for a request for progression from the state mental health hospital.

Victims who are unavailable to attend a hearing where they have the right to be heard may request that the court provide them an opportunity to be heard through telephone or other similar technology by making a request to the district attorney’s office.

When any person attempting defense-initiated victim outreach contacts any victim of any crime, the person shall immediately provide full and unambiguous disclosure of the person’s legal name and the fact that the person is acting as an agent for the person accused of the crime or for the defense team of such person.

Victims Rights Act

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.

24-4.1.302(1)(cc.6) Failure to stop at the scene of a CRASH, in violation of section 42-4-1601, where the CRASH resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.

24-4.1-302(1)(II) SOLICITING FOR COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH A CHILD, in violation of section 18-7-4.2 procurement of a child for sexual exploitation, in violation of section 18-6-404; pimping of a child, in violation of section 18-7-405 INDUCEMENT OF COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH A CHILD, in violation of section 18-7-405.5; ENGAGING IN COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH A CHILD, in violation of sections 18-7-406; SOLICITING FOR CHILD PROSTITUTION, IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 18-7-102 AS IT EXISTED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2026; INDUCEMENT OF CHILD PROSTITUTION, IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 18-7-405.5, AS IT EXISTED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2026; OR PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTED CHILD, IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 18-7-406, AS IT EXISTED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2026;

24-4.1-302(2)(e.5) Any subpoena or application for records concerning the victim’s medical history, mental health, OR education; victim’s compensation RECORDS or records that are privileged pursuant to section 13-90-107

24-4.1-302(2)(aa) RECEIPT BY A DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF A NOTICE THAT A CRIME LABORATORY EMPLOYEE ENGAGED IN A WRONGFUL ACTION, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 16-12-307 (1);

(bb) AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING ON POST-CONVICTION PETITION FOR RELIEF HELD PURSUANT TO SECTION 16-12-312; AND

(cc) A RESTITUTION ASSESSMENT HEARING HELD PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-1.3-603.

24-4.1-302(3) "Lawful representative" means AN INDIVIDUAL who is designated by the victim or appointed by the court to act in the best interests of the victim; EXCEPT THAT IF THE VICTIM IS A CHILD OR AN AT-RISK ADULT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 18-6.5-102, "LAWFUL REPRESENTATIVE" DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DEFENDANT OR ALLEGED OFFENDER IN THE UNDERLYING CASE.

24-4.1-302.5(1)(a.5) THE RIGHT TO REQUEST, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OR PRIVACY OF A VICTIM, TO HAVE THE VICTIM REFERRED TO BY AN ABBREVIATION, PSEUDONYM, INITIALS, OR ANOTHER PREFERRED NAME DURING HEARINGS;

(applies to District Attorney’s Office’s)

24-4.1-302.5(1)(j.8) The right to obtain any incident recordings as described in section 24-31-902. 24-31-902 Incident recordings – release -tampering – fine

24-4.1-302(2)(q.1) A TRIAL FOR CIVIL COMMITMENT OR ENHANCED PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 16-8.5-118;

(q.2) A HEARING TO TERMINATE A CIVIL COMMITMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 27-65-202 OR AN ENHANCED PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 25.5-10-508;

(q.3) THE TRANSFER, RELEASE, OR ESCAPE OF A PERSON OR THE PLACEMENT OF A PERSON INTO A COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING OUTSIDE OF INPATIENT CARE AT THE DISCRETION OF CDHS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 16-8.5-101, WHEN THE PERSON IS UNDER A CIVIL COMMITMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 27-65-201 OR AN ENHANCED PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT UNDER COURT SUPERVISION PURSUANT TO SECTION 25.5-10-507 WHEN THE CRIMINAL CASE INITIATING THE CIVIL COMMITMENT OR ENHANCED PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT INVOLVED A VICTIM.

24-4.1-302(2)(j.6) THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF ANY REQUEST FOR CHANGES TO MATERIAL TERMS OF A CIVIL COMMITMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 27-65-201 OR ENHANCED PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 25 .5-10-507 ON BEHALF OF A PERSON IN A CIVIL COMMITMENT OR PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE INVOLVING THE VICTIM, AND THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT BY APPEARING IN PERSON, BY PHONE, OR VIRTUALLY BY VIDEO OR AUDIO, OR SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY, AND HEARD AT ANY HEARING DURING WHICH A COURT CONSIDERS THE REQUEST. AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (l)G.6), "REQUEST FOR CHANGES TO MATERIAL TERMS" INCLUDES ANY REQUEST TO BE RELEASED FROM AN INPATIENT SETTING TO AN OUTPATIENT SETTING OR TO BE MOVED INTO A COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING OUTSIDE OF INPATIENT CARE AT THE DISCRETION OF CDHS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 16-8.5-101.

(Applies to District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s)

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.

Agency Responsibilities

Criminal justice agencies have certain responsibilities for assuring that victims receive their rights. These responsibilities are explained in the sections below:

Law Enforcement
District Attorneys
Courts
probation
dept of corrections
juvenile parole board
dept of human services & state hospitals

Law Enforcement's Responsibilities

Law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to provide victims of crime with written information about:

• The rights enumerated in the Victim Rights Act;

• The availability of financial resources such as victim compensation benefits and how to apply for those benefits;

• The availability of protective court orders in order to obtain protection from the person accused of committing the crime; and

• The availability of a free copy of the initial incident report. Law enforcement maintains discretion to determine when the initial incident report can be released to the victim.

In addition, law enforcement agencies are required to:

• Provide information about community services such as crisis intervention services, victim assistance resources, legal resources, mental health services, financial services, applicable protection services, and other support services;

• Provide information about interpretation services, assistance in dealing with creditors due to financial setbacks caused by the crime and childcare to enable a crime victim to cooperate with the prosecution;

• Provide the victim of crime with the business address and telephone number of the district attorney’s office, the file number of the case and the name, business address and telephone number of any law enforcement officer assigned to investigate the case;

• Keep the victim of crime informed as to whether a suspect has been taken into custody, whether the suspect has been released from custody, any bond conditions imposed upon the suspect, register the victim for notification from the jail of an escape, release, transfer or death of the suspect;

• Update the victim on the status of the case, prior to the filing of charges;

• Upon the request of the victim, return the victim’s property within 5 working days when it is no longer needed for evidentiary reasons;

• Inform the victim of the existence of the criminal protection order and upon the request of the victim, the procedure for modifying the protection order if a procedure exists;

• Inform victims of the offender’s change of status from jail;

• Inform victims of crime about decisions not to file charges in misdemeanor cases;

• Inform all victims of cold cases of any change in the status of the case; and

• Upon request, provide victims of cold cases for which the crime has a statute of limitations of longer than three years with an annual update concerning the status of the case;

• Provide information on forensic medical evidence that has not resulted in a conviction or a guilty plea, upon request of the victim.

Victim Responsibilities

Victims of crime have the following responsibilities:

• Keep appropriate criminal justice authorities informed of their or their representative’s current name, address, email address, and telephone number, and any changes in this information;

• Provide a written request to the Probation Department if they want to be notified of information regarding the probation process;

• To request notification by the court of a defendant’s petition to stop sex offender registration; and

• To request that correctional officials keep their address, telephone, place of employment and other personal information confidential.

Enforcing Your Rights

The Process for Ensuring Your Victim Rights

Colorado state law provides that victims of crime may enforce compliance with the provisions of the Constitutional Amendment by contacting the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board (Board).

What to do if you feel your rights have not been provided to you:

If possible, first attempt to seek compliance at the local level. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Contacting the person whom you feel has not provided you with your rights and explaining specifically what has not been done;

• Seeking assistance from your victim advocate, or other supportive persons such as a counselor; and

• Seeking assistance from the elected official or the head of the agency you feel is not providing you with your rights.

Contacts may be verbal or in writing. Accurate records of your efforts to seek compliance at the local level will be helpful to you and to the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board (Board) should you decide to file a formal request for compliance with the Victim Rights Act.

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

Colorado Department of Public Safety

Division of Criminal Justice 700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000

Denver, CO 80215-5865

303-239-4497

The Crime Victim Services Advisory Board

The Crime Victim Services Advisory Board (Board) is a statutorily mandated Board appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety. The Board has statewide representation and its members include representatives from law enforcement and district attorneys’ offices, as well as legislators, victims of crime and members of the community.

The Board is mandated to review any reports of non-compliance with the Victim Rights Act and determine if there is a basis in fact to the report.

The Board has designated a Victim Rights Act Subcommittee, which meets on a regular basis, to review all written complaints of non- compliance with the Victim Rights Act.

The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) provides staff assistance to the Board and the Victim Rights Act Subcommittee. Reports of non- compliance are reviewed by the Division of Criminal Justice staff who attempt to resolve issues as early as possible in the compliance process.

The staff at the Division of Criminal Justice will talk to you about your concerns regarding non-compliance with the Victim Rights Act. Following that discussion, the staff will contact the agency identified in the complaint. It should be noted that the vast majority of complaints are successfully resolved by DCJ at the local level through informal mediation and intervention. Some complaints, however, cannot be resolved informally and proceed to the formal complaint process described below.

The Formal Complaint Process

1. A copy of the complaint will be reviewed by DCJ staff and the Victim Rights Act (VRA) Subcommittee to determine if the complaint is within the purview of the Victim Rights Act.

2. DCJ staff and the VRA Subcommittee will review the complaint to determine whether the allegation(s) would rise to the level of a violation of the VRA.

3. If the complaint falls within the purview of the Victim Rights Act and the allegation(s) would rise to the level of a violation of the VRA, a copy of the complaint and all the information accompanying that complaint will be sent to the identified agency(ies).

4. DCJ staff and the VRA Subcommittee may also make an informal request for information of the identified agency(ies) to assist in the determination of purview and whether the allegations in a complaint would rise to the level of a violation of the VRA. In addition, DCJ staff and the VRA Subcommittee may make an informal request for information to determine whether the goal of the VRA compliance has been met and/or whether the identified agency(ies) met its obligations as enumerated in the VRA.

5. The agency’s response will be provided to the victim, who has an opportunity to provide any additional or clarifying information.

6. All the information from both the complainant and the identified agency will be reviewed by the Victim Rights Act Subcommittee to determine if there is a basis in fact for a Victim Rights Act violation.

7. If there is not a basis in fact, the case will be closed at that time.

8. If there is a basis in fact, the Subcommittee will set forth requirements for the agency that is found to be in violation. These requirements are designed to improve a current problem and to help prevent similar concerns within the system on behalf of future victims.

9. The victim will be kept informed of the outcome of the Subcommittee’s meetings and of the progress the agency makes in fulfilling the requirements.

10. Either party has a right to request a reconsideration of the findings of the Victim Rights Act Subcommittee. If the Subcommittee does not grant a request for reconsideration, the party requesting the reconsideration may appeal the Subcommittee’s decision to the Board.

11. Either party may request an appeal to the Board of the Victim Rights Act Subcommittee’s reconsideration findings as to whether or not there is a basis in fact that a victim’s rights were violated under the VRA.

12. If an agency is unwilling to fulfill the requirements, the case will be referred to the Governor’s office. The Governor then refers the case to the Colorado Attorney General to file a suit to enforce compliance with the Victim Rights Act.

Crime Victim Compensation

Victims of crime often need financial assistance as a result of the crime. A victim may apply for compensation for costs related to medical expenses, lost employment, mental health treatment, burial expenses, the loss of medically necessary devices such as eye glasses or hearing aids, the loss of support to dependents, and damage to home security devices such as doors, windows, and locks. Each Judicial District has a Victim Compensation fund. Persons convicted of a crime or a traffic offense pay into this fund. Contact your local District Attorney’s Office for information on how to apply for Victim Compensation.

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.

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 Teller County Sheriff's Office Victim Services 719.304.5722.

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

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

Teller 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 Teller County Sheriff’s Office, you or your representative can email the I-918 Supplement B form to nielsens@tellercounty.gov or mail the form to the Victim Services Unit at 11400 US-24, Colorado 80814.

Para asistencia e información en relación con U Visas, por favor comuníquese con la Supervisora del Unidad de Servicios a Víctimas Shawn Nielsen al 719-304-5722.

Colorado Sexual Assault Kit Information

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 nielsens@tellercounty.gov with your name, birth date, and case number—or call us at 719-304-5722 (M–F, 8 am–4 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:

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

Important: This online system only covers kits processed on or after July 1, 2025. If your kit was submitted before this date—or if you’ve misplaced your SAFE Kit number—please contact our victim assistance program directly for assistance.