Colorado's Big City Mayors Team Up: Focus on Young Offenders and Housing

In Colorado, the mayors of the state's three largest cities—Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Denver—have joined forces to write a letter to Governor Jared Polis and other state leaders. They're kicking off the 2025 legislative session by urging a focus on public safety, specifically juvenile crime and housing issues. The mayors highlighted a concerning trend: an increase in violent juvenile offenses like aggravated assault and gun violence. For example, Colorado Springs saw a wave of over 45 smash-and-grab burglaries in 2024, which were linked to juveniles. They blame this rise on a lack of funding and a cap on juvenile detention beds, which forces the release of some offenders. Governor Polis has proposed a budget to increase bed spaces and provide more services for at-risk youth, which the mayors support.Another key issue addressed was housing attainability in large cities. The mayors believe that politically motivated construction defect legislation has stalled the building of condominiums, which are often a first step into homeownership. They want to see reasonable laws allowing builders to fix any issues, protecting both buyers and sellers. The mayors also commended Governor Polis's goal to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states. They hope to work together in 2025 but emphasize the need for cities to have the flexibility to address local crime concerns.