Crime Victim Rights Act (VRA)
The VRA in Colorado ensures that victims are treated with fairness, dignity and respect and are free from intimidation, harassment and/or abuse. The VRA also helps to ensure that victims are informed of critical stages of the criminal justice process and that they may be present for and heard at certain stages as well. Below is link to the Victim Rights Brochure that covers additional information.
The Crimes Covered Under the VRA Include:
- Murder – 1st and 2nd degree
- Manslaughter
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Vehicular homicide
- Assault – 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree
- Vehicular assault
- Menacing
- Kidnapping – 1st and 2nd degree
- Sexual assault to include Unlawful sexual contact, and on a client by psychotherapist
- Sexual assault on a child – to include by one in a position of trust, and sexual exploitation of children
- Invasion of privacy and invasion of privacy for sexual gratification
- Robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated robbery of controlled substances
- Incest and aggravated incest
- Child abuse
- Crimes against at-risk adults or at-risk juveniles
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
- Any bias-motivated crime
- Harassment – ethnic intimidation
- Careless driving that results in the death of another person
- Failure to stop at the scene of an accident – that results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person
- Intimidation or aggravated intimidation of a witness or a victim
- Retaliation against a witness or victim, judge, prosecutor and juror
- Tampering with a witness or victim
- Indecent exposure
- Violation of a protection order - against a person charged with committing sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence
- Human trafficking – adults and children
- Burglary – 1st and 2nd degree
- First degree arson
- Posting a private image for harassment or posting a private image for pecuniary gain
- Any criminal attempt, conspiracy, criminal solicitation, or accessory involving any of the crimes specified above.
Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) is a program that may assist with funds to pay for medical expenses, mental health support, medically necessary devices (dentures, eye-glasses, hearing aids, prosthesis, etc.), loss of income due to injury, home health services, funeral expenses, exterior residential property (doors/locks/windows, crime scene cleaning, vehicle re-key), and/or lost support to dependents in the event of death.
In order to apply for CVC assistance, a victim must sustain mental injury, physical injury, death or damage to exterior residential property, as a result of a compensable crime. Family members of victims who are killed in the commission of the crime are also eligible.
Eligibility requirements also include:
- Crime is reported within 72 hours
- The injury or death is not a result of the victim’s own wrongdoing or substantial provocation
- The victim must cooperate with law enforcement officials
- Victimization occurred on or after July 1, 1982
- Applications must be submitted within one year from the date of the crime and within six months for residential damage.
In Aurora, there are two counties that cover the city, Adams County and Arapahoe County. Victims may apply to Arapahoe County or Adams County, depending on the county in which the crime occurred. If you are uncertain, please check with your victim advocate for assistance.
For more information visit Arapahoe County Crime Victim Compensation
For more information visit Adams County Crime Victim Compensation
The Aurora Police Department does not and will not enforce, investigate, or detain individuals based on their immigration status. Our policy is not based on politics or personal philosophy. It is based on public safety. It is our goal to ensure that all individuals within Aurora feel safe in reporting emergencies and working closely with the APD to ensure our city remains a safe place for all. The city’s responsibility is to provide services to all residents, enforce local laws and build strong community partnerships.
If you'd like additional information about the certification process for U-Visas, or to submit a request, please send an email to apduvisacert@auroragov.org.
Visa U e Inmigración –
El Departamento de Policía de Aurora no aplica, investiga ni detiene a personas en función de su estatus migratorio. Nuestra política no se basa en política o filosofía personal. Se basa en la seguridad pública. Nuestro objetivo es garantizar que todas las personas dentro de Aurora se sientan seguras al informar emergencias y trabajar en estrecha colaboración con la APD para garantizar que nuestra ciudad siga siendo un lugar seguro para todos. La responsabilidad de la ciudad es brindar servicios a todos los residentes, hacer cumplir las leyes locales y construir asociaciones comunitarias sólidas.
Si desea información adicional sobre el proceso de certificación de Visas U, o enviar una solicitud, envíe un correo electrónico apduvisacert@auroragov.org.
According to the Victim Rights Act, Colorado Revised Statutes 24-4.1-301, a case is considered a “cold case” when it is not solved within one calendar year from the date of occurrence. At this time, you can elect to have the VSU Advocate contact you annually to check in about the investigation. If there is a status change in a case, survivors will be contacted outside of the annual notification. However, contact can be made at any time with the detective and advocate. Notifications can be done by phone, mail, or email. If you do not currently receive updates and would like to opt into annual notifications for the homicide of a family member, please contact apdvsu@auroragov.org.
The mission of the Aurora Police Department Victim Services Unit is to train already compassionate community volunteers in crisis intervention skills, education in the complex judicial system and knowledge about appropriate referrals to victims and survivors of crime and traumatic events within the city of Aurora.
Our volunteers may respond to cases involving:
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Homicide
• Suicide
• Traffic fatalities
• Natural death
• Other traumatic incidents, as requested
Volunteer Qualifications:
• At least 21 years of age
• Live within the Aurora response area
• Have a reliable vehicle and good driving record
• Submit to a background check and polygraph test
• Have a cellphone
• Able to commit to two 12-hour on-call shifts a month - 6 a.m.-6 p.m., or 6 p.m.-6 a.m.; dates of your choice
• Commit to two years of service
• Attend mandatory monthly meetings - Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Attend 45 hours of initial training
Application Process:
• Complete the VSU Volunteer Application Form, which are accepted year-round.
• If accepted, you will be invited to interview for acceptance into training. Basic Academy Trainings will be held annually.
• A 45-hour mandatory training will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, 6-9 p.m., and three consecutive Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Have any questions about upcoming classes or the application process? Please email the Victim Services Unit at APDVSU@auroragov.org.