Colorado Victim Compensation Program
If you are the victim of a violent crime, you may be eligible for assistance through the Colorado Crime Victim Compensation Program. The funds for this program are collected from the fines paid by convicted defendants. Awards to victims are made by the Crime Victim Compensation Board, whose three members are local citizens appointed by the District Attorney.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a victim of a compensable crime, a relative of a victim, or a witness at the scene. A compensable crime means an intentional, knowing, reckless, or criminally negligent act of a person that results in residential property damage to or physical or psychological injury to another person or results in loss of or damage to eyeglasses, dentures or other medically necessary devices and which, if committed by a person of full legal capacity, is punishable as a crime in this state. Expanded to include careless driving resulting in death and hit and run resulting in death.
- The crime must have been committed in El Paso or Teller County.
- The law enforcement authorities must be notified within 72 hours.
- Application must be filed within one year from the date of the crime.
- The victim must cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and the prosecution.
- The injury or the death of the victim was not a result of the victim's wrongful act. The victim must not have provoked the injury.
- If the victim has insurance, those benefits must be utilized before compensation funds can be awarded.
- The Board may waive some of these requirements in the "interest of justice".
COMPENSABLE LOSSES INCLUDE
- Reasonable medical and dental expenses
- Mental health counseling & alternatives
- Replacement of prosthetic devices
- Lost wages/ loss of support to dependents
- Burial/funeral expenses
- Outpatient care
- Homemaker services
- Property damage is limited to maximum of $500.00 for replacement of doors, locks or windows on residential property
- Emergency assistance
COMPENSATION DOES NOT COVER
- Loss of money or personal property
- Damaged or stolen vehicles
- Pain and suffering