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Spotlight on Crime in Colorado Springs

Introduction and Key Findings

Since 2019, crime in Colorado has skyrocketed and has become a major issue for policy makers to focus on across the state. Ahead of local municipal elections, CSI is highlighting important issues, including crime, that voters care about at the local level. This report analyzes the current state of crime in Colorado Springs through the lens of publicly available data on crime levels and rates. Common Sense Institute (CSI) used data from the Colorado Crime Statistics website and from the Colorado Springs Police Department.[i] CSI also used data from the City of Colorado Springs Annual Budget and Resource Allocation Reports to analyze the police department budget and manpower.[ii] The number of incidents of crime in Colorado Springs, represented by the blue line in Figure 1, has fallen by 9.3% since 2010. At the same time, the population has increased by 17.4%, thus lowering the city’s total crime rate. This is in contrast to the 45% increase in incidents in the state overall, which is represented by the red line in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Number of Crime Incidents in Colorado Springs and Colorado

 

Key Findings

  • Total crime incidents in Colorado Springs have fallen by 9.3% between 2010 and 2022. At the same time, total crime in Colorado has increased by 45.3%
  • The average monthly crime rate in Colorado Springs has decreased by 15.9% since 2010, driven primarily by a 21.1% drop in the property crime rate and a 23.2% decrease in the rate of crimes against society.
  • Nationwide, out of 188 cities of 100,000 or more people, Colorado Springs ranks 13th in arson and 16th in rape in 2022.
  • Concurrent with the decrease in the crime rate, spending per resident by the Colorado Springs Police Department has increased by 72.9% since 2010.
  • Annual spending in 2022 dollars, on all police functions, increased by 27.3% from $125 million in 2010 to $159 million in 2022. This is equivalent to $322 per resident in 2022.
  • Black residents are disproportionately victims of crime in Colorado Springs. Although comprising 5% of the population, they total 15% of crime victims.
  • In comparison to Denver, Colorado Springs has a:
    • 33% lower total crime rate,
    • 34% lower rate of crimes against persons,
    • 33% lower rate of crimes against property, and
    • 35% lower rate of crimes against society.
  • For specific categories or crime, Colorado Springs is:
    • 21% lower in non-consensual sexual assault,
    • 60% lower in robbery,
    • 64% lower in theft from motors vehicles,
    • 37% lower in aggravated assault,
    • 20% lower in murder,
    • 22% lower in burglary, and
    • 72% lower in auto theft than Denver.

Crime in Colorado Springs

The data in this section come from Colorado Crime Statistics. Figure 2 shows the evolution of the average monthly crime rates in Colorado Springs and Colorado since 2010. The average monthly crime rate in Colorado Springs has fallen by 15.9% from 7.1 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 6.0 in 2022. As of 2022, Colorado Springs’ crime rate is 7.7% higher than Colorado’s. In 2010, Colorado Springs’ crime rate was 67% higher than Colorado’s. The convergence of crime rates is due to both increased crime throughout the state and decreased crime in Colorado Springs.

Figure 2 – Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents in Colorado Springs and Colorado 

Figure 3 – Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents in Colorado Springs by Major Crime Categories
Table 1 shows the average monthly crime rates in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as the changes from 2014 to 2018 and from 2018 to 2022 by major crime categories. The total crime rate in Colorado Springs fell by 8.2% from 2014 to 2018 and 0.6% from 2018 to 2022. The rate of crimes against persons increased by 20.8% from 2014 through 2018 before rising by an additional 5.1% from 2018 to 2022. The rate of crimes against property increased by 0.9% from 2018 to 2022 after falling by 16.1% from 2014 to 2018. The rate of crimes against society decreased by 22.8% from 2018 to 2022 after increasing by 33.3% from 2014 to 2018. Some notable changes in specific crime rates include those of sexual assault, which increased by 28.8% from 2014 to 2018 but fell by 37.1% from 2018 to 2022, robbery, which rose by 27.5% from 2014 to 2018 but declined by 34.5% from 2018 to 2022, aggravated assault, which increased by 29.4% from 2014 to 2018 and increased again by 34.5% from 2018 to 2022, and vehicle theft, which increased by 39.3% from 2014 to 2018 and an additional 5.3% from 2018 to 2022.
Table 1 – Colorado Springs Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents
Crime Rate Percent Change
Average Monthly Crime Rate 2014 2018 2022 2014-2018 2018-2022
Total Crime Rate Colorado 4.55 5.09 5.57 11.8% 9.5%
Total Crime Rate Colorado Springs 6.57 6.03 6.00 -8.2% -0.6%
Crimes against Persons 0.83 1.00 1.05 20.8% 5.1%
Crimes against Property 5.32 4.47 4.51 -16.1% 0.9%
Crimes against Society 0.42 0.56 0.44 33.3% -22.8%
Sexual Assault 0.14 0.18 0.11 28.8% -37.1%
Robbery 0.08 0.10 0.06 27.5% -34.5%
Aggravated Assault 0.22 0.29 0.39 29.4% 34.5%
Shoplifting 0.65 0.46 0.29 -29.4% -36.1%
Burglary 0.52 0.49 0.45 -4.5% -8.3%
Weapon Law Violations 0.11 0.12 0.15 16.5% 18.9%
Theft from Motor Vehicles 0.65 0.66 0.63 3.0% -4.5%
Auto Theft 0.33 0.46 0.48 39.3% 5.3%
Source: Colorado Crime Statistics

Figure 4 shows the evolution of the average monthly rate of crime against persons in Colorado Springs relative to Colorado. Colorado Springs’ average monthly rate of crime against persons has generally been higher than Colorado’s, though the difference narrowed in 2021 and 2022. Since the pandemic (2020), the rate has fallen.

Figure 4 – Crimes Against Persons: Average Monthly Crime Rates per 1,000 Residents

Figure 5 shows the evolution of the average monthly rate of crime against property relative to Colorado. Colorado Springs’ average monthly rate of crime against property has been consistently higher than Colorado’s but is trending downward while Colorado’s continues upwards.

Figure 5 – Crimes Against Property: Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 in Colorado Springs and Colorado

Figure 6 shows Colorado Springs’ average monthly rate of crime against society relative to Colorado. Crime against society is a catch-all category that includes drug crime, gambling, and prostitution, among others. Colorado Springs’ average monthly rate of crime against society appears to be positively correlated with Colorado’s, though not in all years.

Figure 6 – Crimes Against Society: Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 in Colorado Springs and Colorado

Crime in Colorado Springs Relative to Other Large U.S. Cities

Using the latest report from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) for the third quarter of 2022, CSI converted the number of crime incidents to crime rates based on the populations of each reporting city. 168 cities reported to the UCR in Q3 2021 and 188 reported in Q3 2022. Table 2 shows Colorado Springs’ rankings across several major crime categories. Areas of largest concern are highlighted. Colorado Springs ranks 13th in arson and 16th in rape in 2022 out of 188 cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Colorado Springs has much lower crime rates in all categories of crime than Denver (with the exception of arson, in which it ranks 13th and Denver ranks 36th). Colorado Springs is one of six Colorado cities of 100,000 or more people, that did not have a category of crime ranked in the top ten nationally.
Table 2 – 2021 and 2022 FBI 3rd Quarter Colorado Springs Crime Rates Ranked among Reporting Cities[iii]
Year Violent Crime Murder Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Property Crime Burglary Larceny/Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson
Arvada 2021 130 122 127 100 128 42 69 41 25 79
2022 133 156 123 126 130 61 85 65 36 59
Aurora 2021 29 64 9 21 31 29 47 66 4 15
2022 17 56 30 12 17 24 54 68 4 29
Centennial 2021 140 115 153 139 132 104 104 115 62 58
2022 169 168 179 179 157 131 122 149 75 112
Colorado Springs 2021 59 84 31 82 59 51 43 50 47 26
2022 62 72 16 94 57 51 34 53 50 13
Denver 2021 34 38 20 28 36 6 11 11 2 42
2022 25 46 10 29 29 6 22 13 3 36
Fort Collins 2021 115 137 74 145 112 111 133 102 121 78
2022 142 168 133 172 132 120 148 110 138 77
Greeley 2021 74 114 98 78 69 75 82 78 60 115
2022 54 65 51 69 50 41 74 62 15 18
Lakewood 2021 52 108 49 27 63 8 20 10 8 38
2022 53 102 60 32 58 14 30 22 8 21
Pueblo 2021 13 25 1 20 18 7 3 13 7 5
2022 5 17 2 6 8 4 3 8 5 5
Thornton 2021 117 118 17 118 136 46 88 49 23 80
2022 140 142 24 111 161 49 123 50 23 51
Westminster 2021 100 35 89 81 100 17 64 21 6 34
2022 128 153 102 92 134 27 78 36 9 35
Quarterly Uniform Crime Report data for the nation are derived from National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reports voluntarily submitted to the FBI. The FBI Quarterly Uniform Crime Report data release for Quarter 3, January – September 2022, was made available on November 28, 2022. This report is based on data received from 12,104 of 18,964 law enforcement agencies in the country. The Quarter 3 release presents the number of violent and property crime offenses known to law enforcement for agencies with resident populations of 100,000 or more that also provided data from the previous year.

Crime Rates in Colorado Springs Relative to Denver

Table 3 is a comparison of average monthly crime rates in major crime categories in Colorado Springs and Denver. Colorado Springs has a 33.5%-lower total crime rate, a 34%-lower rate of crime against persons, a 33.2%-lower rate of crime against property, and a 35.3%-lower rate of crime against society. Colorado Springs also has a 21.4% lower rate of sexual assault, a 60%-lower rate of robbery, a 37.1%-lower rate of aggravated assault, a 22.4%-lower rate of burglary, a 63.5%-lower rate of theft from motor vehicles, and a 72.1%-lower rate of auto theft. Orange highlights indicate which of each pair of rates/changes is worse.
Table 3 – Colorado Springs Average Monthly Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents Compared to Denver
Crime Rate in 2022 Percent Change 2018 – 2022
Average Monthly Crime Rate Colorado Springs Denver % Difference Colorado Springs Relative to Denver Colorado Springs Denver
Total Crime Rate 6.00 9.02 -33.5% -15.9% 43.5%
Crimes against Person 1.05 1.59 -34.0% 23.7% 22.3%
Crimes against Property 4.51 6.75 -33.2% -21.1% 59.5%
Crimes against Society 0.44 0.68 -35.3% -23.2% -10.0%
Non-consensual Sexual Assault 0.11 0.14 -21.4% -37.1% -5.2%
Murder 0.008 0.01 20.0% 28.6% 33.3%
Robbery 0.06 0.15 -60.0% -34.5% 4.1%
Aggravated Assault 0.39 0.62 -37.1% 34.5% 60.2%
Arson 0.04 0.02 100.0% 50.0% 62.5%
Burglary 0.45 0.58 -22.4% -8.3% 24.0%
Weapon Law Violations 0.15 0.29 -48.3% 18.9% 57.4%
Theft from Motor Vehicles 0.63 0.96 -63.5% -4.5% 176%
Auto Theft 0.48 1.72 -72.1% 5.3% 43.5%
Source: Colorado Crime Stats

Spending and Manpower in the Colorado Springs Police Department

The crime rate in Colorado Springs has been declining (see Figure 2). The Colorado Springs Police Department has had a significant role in crime reduction, so CSI evaluated its budget and workforce data to determine how spending on police protection per resident and the number of police officers per resident have changed over time. Figure 7 shows the spending by the Colorado Springs Police Department per resident in nominal and 2022 dollars and the total city population. Nominal spending per resident has increased by 47.3% from $218.82 in 2010 to $322.22 in 2022. In 2022 dollars, spending per resident has increased by 8.4% from $297.32 in 2010 to $322.22 in 2022. Prior to 2022, spending per resident was increasing rapidly before falling in 2020. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, spending was $282.63 in nominal terms and $323.4 in 2000 dollars. Spending declined further in 2021 before rebounding in 2022.

Figure 7 – Spending by the Colorado Springs Police Department per Resident

Figure 8 shows the total personnel and the number of sworn officers in the Colorado Springs Police Department per 1,000 residents from 2010 through 2022. Sworn personnel includes law enforcement officers who have taken an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, their state, and the laws of their agencies’ jurisdictions. Sworn officers also have the responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of life of the communities they serve. Total personnel per 1,000 residents have increased by 3.6% from 2.22 to 2.3. Sworn personnel per 1,000 residents has increased by 5.84% from 1.54 to 1.63. The share of sworn personnel among total personnel has risen by 2.9% from 69% in 2010 to 71% in 2022, indicating that the police department has not shifted funding from law enforcement duties to other non–law enforcement duties.

Figure 8 – Number of Sworn and Total Positions per Resident in the Colorado Springs Police Department

Who Are the Victims of Crime in Colorado Springs?

As shown in Figure 9, Black people in Colorado Springs are victimized by crime at a high rate relative to their share of the population. White people constitute 65% of the population and are victims of 73% of crimes. Black people constitute 5% of the population but are victims of 15% of crimes.

Figure 9 – Crime Victims as a Percent of Population by Race

Conclusion

The information in this report is intended to help voters and elected officials better understand the key areas of concern, so as to better focus policy and resource discussions. In contrast to Colorado, the crime rate in Colorado Springs has declined over the past 12 years. Further exploration of the contributing factors will be important to sustain this trend, and to inform other jurisdictions of policies and practices that have contributed to this decline.

Appendix

Table A1 – Crime Rates in the City of Colorado Springs
Category of Crime 2014 2018 2022 Change 2014-2018 Change 2018-2022
Crimes against Person 0.83 1.00 1.05 20.8% 5.1%
    Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter 0.00 0.01 0.01 483.3% 14.3%
    Negligent Manslaughter 0.00 0.00 0.00
    Justifiable Homicide
    Kidnapping/Abduction 0.04 0.06 0.07 40.4% 21.2%
    Rape 0.06 0.08 0.05 23.0% -38.5%
    Sodomy 0.01 0.01 0.01 37.5% 18.2%
    Sexual Assault with an Object 0.00 0.02 0.02 941.7% -28.0%
    Fondling 0.06 0.07 0.04 5.3% -41.3%
    Incest 0.00 0.00 0.00 68.8% -100.0%
    Statutory Rape 0.00 0.00 0.00 -100.0%
    Aggravated Assault 0.22 0.29 0.39 29.4% 34.5%
    Simple Assault 0.34 0.42 0.39 21.9% -5.8%
    Intimidation 0.08 0.05 0.08 -34.4% 50.8%
    Human Trafficking, Commercial Sex Acts 0.00 0.01 0.00 200.0% -77.8%
    Human Trafficking, Involuntary Servitude 0.00 0.00
Crimes against Property 5.32 4.47 4.51 -16.1% 0.9%
    Arson 0.02 0.02 0.04 40.0% 50.0%
    Bribery 0.00 0.00 0.00
    Burglary/Breaking & Entering 0.52 0.49 0.45 -4.5% -8.3%
    Counterfeiting/Forgery 0.11 0.10 0.05 -9.2% -54.2%
    Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property 1.47 0.62 0.89 -57.8% 44.5%
    Embezzlement 0.00 0.01 0.00 -57.1%
    Extortion/Blackmail 0.01 0.01 0.02 25.0% 110.8%
    False Pretenses/Swindle/Confidence Game 0.14 0.11 0.05 -20.7% -54.5%
    Credit Card/Automated Teller Machine Fraud 0.02 0.12 0.11 711.1% -13.0%
    Impersonation 0.31 0.05 0.02 -83.2% -59.7%
    Welfare Fraud
    Wire Fraud 0.01
    Identity Theft 0.00 0.28 0.31 11200.0% 10.3%
    Hacking/Computer Invasion 0.01 0.01 -27.3%
    Robbery 0.08 0.10 0.06 27.5% -34.5%
    Pocket-picking 0.00 0.01 0.00 300.0% -78.6%
    Purse-snatching 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.0%
    Shoplifting 0.65 0.46 0.29 -29.4% -36.1%
    Theft from Building 0.21 0.21 0.18 1.6% -16.0%
    Theft from Coin Operated Machine or Device 0.03 0.02 0.02 -39.5% -17.4%
    Theft from Motor Vehicle 0.65 0.66 0.63 3.0% -4.5%
    Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts/Accessories 0.14 0.25 0.35 74.6% 40.1%
    All Other Larceny 0.63 0.44 0.53 -30.3% 20.0%
    Motor Vehicle Theft 0.33 0.46 0.48 39.3% 5.3%
    Stolen Property Offenses 0.02 0.04 0.02 110.0% -47.6%
Crimes against Society 0.42 0.56 0.44 33.3% -22.8%
    Drug/Narcotic Violations 0.20 0.26 0.16 30.5% -37.5%
    Drug Equipment Violations 0.09 0.14 0.10 56.9% -31.0%
    Betting/Wagering
    Operating/Promoting/Assisting Gambling
    Gambling Equipment Violations
    Sports Tampering
    Pornography/Obscene Material 0.01 0.03 0.02 126.7% -38.2%
    Prostitution 0.01 0.00 0.00 -82.9% -100.0%
    Assisting or Promoting Prostitution 0.00 0.00 0.01 50.0% 100.0%
    Purchasing Prostitution
    Weapon Law Violations 0.11 0.12 0.15 16.5% 18.9%
    Animal Cruelty 0.00 0.00 66.7%
Total 6.57 6.03 6.00 -8.2% -0.6%

[i] Colorado Crime Statistics (state.co.us) [ii] https://coloradosprings.gov
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