Senate Passes Bipartisan Hansen Bill to Increase Safety at Faith-Based Institutions
Legislation would boost resources to enhance safety measures at places of worship, other community spaces to protect Coloradans
DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, that provides grant funding to ramp up security at faith-based institutions facing increasing threats, including synagogues and mosques.
HB22-1077, cosponsored by Senator Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, would create the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The program would offer grants to eligible entities to enhance the physical security of Colorado’s faith-based and charitable organizations.
“Throughout this session, we’ve worked to pass legislation to build a safer Colorado for all, and this bill builds on that progress by ensuring the safety and security of marginalized communities,” said Hansen. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and this bill will help protect Coloradans who experience threats, violence, hate crimes, and other forms of bigotry in their places of worship, community centers, schools, and other spaces.”
Currently, the federal government provides grants for this purpose through the Department of Homeland Security, but a recent increase in threats has led to unmet security needs for Colorado-based organizations. HB22-1077 would provide $500,000 for these grants with a maximum award of $50,000.
Marginalized communities are facing growing threats from violent extremists who are targeting sacred spaces such as mosques, temples and synagogues. In Colorado, there has been an increase in violent rhetoric and threats. In 2019, there was an attempted bombing at a synagogue in Pueblo and an individual was recently arrested after threatening congregants with a weapon outside of the Downtown Denver Islamic Center.
The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Track the progress of the bill HERE.