Crime Victim Compensation

Colorado’s Crime Victim Compensation law created 22 different Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) programs that are in each judicial district across the state. In Park County, Crime Victim Compensation can be applied for through the 11th Judicial District office in Canon City (see contact information below). The monies for victim compensation programs come from fines that the court orders paid for convictions of felony, misdemeanor and some traffic offenses. Each CVC program follows the Victim Compensation law and state victim compensation program standards.

You may apply for Crime Victim Compensation if:

  • You or your family member were physically, mentally or emotionally injured or died as a result of a crime that happened in Colorado after July 1, 1982.   
  • You are the victim of a crime in Colorado that resulted in damage to your residence.  
  • You or your family are Colorado residents who were a victim of a crime resulting in injury or death that happened in a state or county that does not have a victim compensation program.

To Receive Crime Victim Compensation, Colorado’s Law Also Requires:

  • The crime was reported to the police / sheriff department OR there is documentation that a forensic examination was conducted by a licensed or registered nurse or medical provider.
  • You or your family member(s) reasonably cooperated with police, sheriff and/or prosecutors.
  • The victim’s injury or death was not the result of the victim’s involvement in a wrongful act or substantial provocation.
  • A local victim compensation board can waive the requirements above for good cause.  

 

It is recommended that Crime Victim Compensation applications be accessed by contacting Victim Services directly. VICTIM SERVICES IS NOT THE APPROVING AUTHORITY FOR CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION APPLICATIONS! Victim Services may assist with general questions & application information, as well as submission to the approving authority on an applicant’s behalf, but may not offer instruction on the specific elements of the application to be claimed. Such instruction constitutes legal advice, and therefore an applicant should consult with a lawyer prior to submission. Decisions on these applications are made by a review board that convenes once a month in Canon City. Once an application is submitted for consideration, any additional information that may be required can be submitted as it becomes available. There are no longer statutory limitations on when a crime must be reported or when an application must be submitted.  Once an application is submitted, questions about an application’s status may be submitted to:

Barb Topliss

136 Justice Center Road, Rm 203, Canon City, CO 81212

Phone: 719-269-0177

Email: btopliss@da11thjd.org

For more information about Crime Victim Compensation, please visit OVP: Crime Victim Compensation | Division of Criminal Justice