Denver’s 2026 budget is being decided now.
Tell Denver Leaders to fund what works.
Denver spends the bulk of its public safety budget reacting to crime after it happens. Research shows that community-led programs designed to prevent violence, reduce repeat offenses, and support victims are proven to work, yet they remain underfunded by our city.
Join us in calling on Denver’s leaders to include at least $5 million in the 2026 city budget to launch a Community-Led Safety Grant Program: a sustainable, city-backed investment in the people and organizations doing the effective work on the ground to keep our neighborhoods safe.
EMAIL Mayor Johnston &
Denver City Council
Tell them Fund What Works to make our neighborhoods safeR.
Copy and paste the email below to let them know you support the Community-Led Safety Grant Program! You can customize the message with why community-led safety is important to you.
To:
Amanda.Sandoval@denvergov.org, Amanda.Sawyer@denvergov.org, Chris.Hinds@denvergov.org, Darrell.Watson@denvergov.org, Diana.Romerocampbell@denvergov.org, Flor.Alvidrez@denvergov.org, Jamie.Torres@denvergov.org, Kevin.Flynn@denvergov.org
Paul.Kashmann@denvergov.org, Sarah.Parady@denvergov.org,
Serena.Gonzales-Gutierrez@denvergov.org, Shontel.Lewis@denvergov.org, Stacie.Gilmore@denvergov.org
CC: Mike.Johnston@denvergov.org, Mayorsoffice@denvergov.org, Kym@ccjrc.org
Subject: Support the Community-Led Safety Grant Program
Dear City Council,
I urge you to support the allocation of $5 million in the 2026 budget for a Community-Led Safety Grant Program. The city spends over half a billion dollars responding to crime after it happens. It’s time to invest in what prevents harm in the first place.
Community-based programs in crime prevention, violence interruption, victim support, and recidivism reduction are essential to creating the kind of safety Denverites deserve. If Denver wants to be serious about safety, we can’t afford to lose ground. The city must invest more than ever in what works to make our communities safer.
Thank you for your leadership.
Sincerely,
NAME
Neighborhood or Zipcode
If Denver wants to be serious about safety, we can’t afford to lose ground
In April 2025, the Trump administration cut without warning a federal prevention grant that provided $2.7 million to youth service organizations in Denver. More federal cuts are on the horizon.
Denver must not only fill the gap, but invest more than ever in what works to make our communities safer.
OUR PROPOSAL TO THE MAYOR
Community is proposing that Denver include $5 million in the 2026 budget to create a Community-Led Safety Grant Program to provide services in:
Prevention
Stopping Harm Before it Happens
Intervention
Responding Before
Harm Escalates
HEALING
Supporting Victims and
Repairing Harm
Recidivism Reduction
Stopping Harm from
Happening Again
We’re building a movement
We’re joining together demand that Denver invest in real community safety, not just more of the same systems that fail to prevent harm.
