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PROFILE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN COLORADO�

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Firearm Deaths in U.S. and Colorado, 2014-2024

    • U.S.: 44,446 firearm deaths, 2024
    • Colorado: 967 firearm deaths, 2024
    • Also 1,314 nonfatal firearm injuries
    • 2,281 deaths and nonfatal injuries. More than 6 people/day.
    • Colorado’s firearm death rates were higher than U.S. rates every year between 2014 and 2024.
    • Both Colorado and U.S. showed declines after 2021 peak. Not as low as pre-pandemic.

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Colorado Firearm Deaths by Intent, 2024

  • Suicides accounted for 74% of all firearm deaths in Colorado, 2024 – 717.
  • Homicides by firearms accounted for 22% of all firearm deaths in CO - 210.
  • Firearms were used in 54% of all suicide deaths in CO.
  • Firearms were used in 69% of all homicides in CO.

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Trends in Firearm Suicides and Homicides in Colorado

  • Firearm homicide: 32% decline since peak in 2022
  • Firearm suicide: Much smaller decline since 2021 peak, no change 2022-2024
  • Both firearm homicide and suicide remain higher than pre-pandemic rates

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Firearm Homicides in Four Large Colorado Cities

  • After peaking in 2021 or 2022, firearm homicides in all 4 cities declined.
  • Denver firearm homicides showed greatest decline: after 2021 and especially 2024-2025.
  • 2025 number was less than half of 2019 number. A little over a third of 2021 peak.
  • Unique among 4 cities

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Demographics of Gun Violence in Colorado

Firearms were the most common cause of death among Colorado’s population aged 15-24 in 2024: 152 deaths

  • 90 firearm suicides – 89 in 2023
  • 58 firearm homicides – 76 in 2023

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Firearms were 2nd most common cause of death for 5–14-year-olds (12) after motor vehicle deaths (16)

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High Risk Groups for Firearm Homicide

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  • Rates for Black males aged 15-44: 17 times that of White non-Hispanic males in the same age group.
  • Rates for Hispanic males aged 15-44: 7 times that of White non-Hispanic males in the same age group.

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High Risk Group for Firearm Suicide: White non-Hispanic males aged 75 and over

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Over four times higher than firearm suicide rate in the total population

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Domestic Violence Deaths

  • DV incidents resulting in death peaked in 2022
  • DV deaths peaked in 2021 and 2022.
  • Followed by decreases in both in 2023 and 2024
  • Still higher than in 2018

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DV Deaths Caused by Firearms

  • Firearms by far the most common cause of DV deaths
  • 75% in 2024

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DV Deaths by Firearms: Victims and Perpetrators

  • Great majority of DV deaths caused by firearms – both victims and perpetrators
  • 2020-2024: 242 DV victim deaths (primary and collateral victims) – accounted for 13.5% of all homicides in Colorado

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THANK YOU

CFCU is a Project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center.