Duran, Pugliese Respond to Rise in Domestic Violence, Urge Support for Survivors

(Denver, CO – September 26, 2024) – With domestic violence incidents on the rise in Denver, Majority Leader Monica Duran and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese are calling for additional action to protect those who are suffering in silence. While most overall crime has declined in Denver, domestic violence has risen by 4 percent in the city, leaving families in turmoil and victims in danger.

“This is not just a statistic—it’s real people and real lives being shattered behind closed doors,” said Majority Leader Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “While we celebrate that violent crime overall is dropping in Denver, there’s more we can do to stop the rise in domestic violence and support survivors.  We must do everything in our power to support additional services and funding for  survivors and ensure they are heard, protected, and no longer forced to live in fear.” 

Earlier this year, Representatives Duran and Pugliese sponsored HB24-1122, Protection Orders for Victims of Crimes, to bring vital legal protections to those who need them most. The law aims to provide stronger and longer-lasting protection orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual violence while removing barriers that often leave survivors vulnerable.

“Every day we delay action, another survivor is left to fend for themselves in a system that too often fails them,” said Minority Leader Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs. “This law is about giving them more than just legal protections—it is about restoring their sense of security and dignity.” 

HB24-1122 introduced key changes to close dangerous loopholes in the legal system and strengthened protections for survivors, including broadening the definition of domestic violence and sexual violence, improving survivor safety standards by removing the “imminent danger” standard, and extending temporary protection orders for up to a year. It also cuts down on abusive litigation, and if requested, transfers shared phonelines into a survivor’s name and control. The alarming rise in domestic violence has been deeply felt across the community. As we approach Domestic Violence Awareness Month, both leaders stress the importance of coming together to offer more than just words.

“We cannot just be bystanders. We must be the lifeline for those who feel trapped, for those who feel there is no way out,” Duran added. “The fear, the pain, the isolation—these are things no one should endure alone.”

In 2023, Majority Leader Duran and Minority Leader Pugliese also passed HB23-1107, which provided funding to services and programs that support crime survivors, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The law designated $3 million to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program inside the Department of Human Services to fund community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs statewide. These programs provide critical services for victims and survivors of crime including shelter, counseling, safety planning, and support for medical appointments. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. SafeHouse Denver, the Rose Andom Center, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline offer 24/7 support to those in need.

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