Colorado Races to Boost Security at High-Risk Sites After Boulder Attack

Following the June 1 firebombing of the Run for Their Lives chapter in Boulder, Colorado leaders are scrambling to secure funding to protect nonprofits and places of worship that could be potential targets of violence.

Why it matters:

The attack has spotlighted the vulnerability of ideologically targeted organizations, including synagogues, mosques, churches, and advocacy groups.

What’s happening:

Governor Jared Polis has directed the Department of Public Safety and state budget officials to speed up the release of security grants to organizations considered sensitive or at high risk.

A 2022 state law established a $500,000 yearly fund to bolster security at vulnerable sites.
In 2023, $408,255 was distributed to nine organizations, including:
- Four churches
- Two religious schools
- YMCA centers in Boulder and Longmont
- Girl Scouts of Colorado

This year, lawmakers added $1 million more to the program, with plans to distribute it to 30 nonprofits identified by federal officials as “high-risk.” However, no state grants have been released yet in 2024.

The holdup:

The governor’s office blames federal delays—specifically the Trump administration—for holding up $3.4 million in federal aid earmarked for Colorado. Even after a court ruling lifted a hold on the funds, the money remains undistributed.

The bottom line:

As extremist threats rise, Colorado is pushing to strengthen protections for vulnerable institutions—but bureaucratic and federal delays are stalling urgently needed support.

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