Senators Fields, Sullivan, and Hansen Applaud Newly Available Grant Funding for Gun Violence

Grants will fund projects aimed at preventing gun violence by promoting responsible gun ownership practices, safe storage, and mental health & substance use resources

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention announced that they are now accepting applications for grants to prevent gun violence in communities across Colorado. State Senators Rhonda Fields, D–Aurora, Tom Sullivan, D–Centennial, and Chris Hansen, D–Denver, who championed the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, applauded the announcement and what it will mean for Coloradans.

The new grant program is designed to fund projects that conduct community-based and evidence-informed gun violence prevention initiatives. Funding may be used for education, training, and community programs addressing topics such as responsible gun ownership practices, safe storage, mental health, and substance use resources.

“We first established this office because we knew it was imperative to collect data and discover the root causes of gun violence,” Sullivan said. “I’m incredibly pleased that the Office is ready to implement evidence-based strategies that will reduce gun violence, prevent mass shootings, and save lives. No single action will end gun violence for good, but with offices and initiatives like these, we are continuing to combat this epidemic.” 

“Too many people across the state have had their lives cut short due to preventable gun violence,” said Fields. “We created the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to pursue a holistic approach to tackling gun violence by collecting data, and investing in community-led violence prevention programs. We know there’s still much more work to be done, but this is a step in the right direction in our fight to end gun violence.”

“This Office is about taking proactive measures to keep our communities safe and save lives,” Hansen said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis. By giving local groups tools to train and educate their communities, we can interrupt this cycle of violence and enhance public safety.”

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was established by House Bill 21-1299, sponsored by Sen. Rhonda Fields and then-Rep. Tom Sullivan alongside Sen. Chris Hansen, and Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was created to take a comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence, including conducting public awareness campaigns and community-based intervention programs, promoting research, and presenting gun violence prevention tools.

For priority consideration, applications should be completed by 6 p.m. MST on Feb. 9, 2023. Learn more about the program HERE.

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