As a proud Coloradan, I am proud anywhere I go to say in addition to the beauty around us that “‘Colorado has the highest average elevation of any U.S. state and its capital, Denver, is nicknamed the “Mile-High City” because it sits at 5,280 feet above sea level—exactly one mile’” (SIDDER, 2015)1. I strongly believe that everyone will be excited to hear more. If so then I would include that, “During World War II, a special unit of the army trained in Colorado to prepare for combat in high, snowy altitudes.”1 This shows how much contribution Coloradans proudly made as contributions in making our nation who we are today. This is just a few reasons why Colorado has a significantly high number of tourists.

However, something is just not right – the high crime rate in Colorado is overwhelming, which is why I would like to petition against it. I now feel like my pride would easily sink down low if not lowest, if my audience would ask “how safe is Colorado?” because studies by World Population Review reveals that “Colorado stands on the 4th highest position in the 2024 States with the Highest Violent Crime Rates” (World Population Review, 2021). This is not something that anyone would be happy to discuss. History records that, our Colorado state “made history in 2012 when Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana” (Harper & Jorgensen, 2022)2. This is not an accusation of marijuana, but marijuana and opportunities are just at the center of investigation as other opportunities because studies are continuing to investigate the correlations, and other explanations beyond marijuana. This study team adds that “the primary concern regarding legalization is how these policy changes affect crime rates, so researchers have begun to estimate the effect marijuana legalization has had on crime rates.”2 The study outcome can make a huge impact because while this study looks at the correlation between marijuana and crime, another study captioned “Resource booms and crime’ researching evidence from oil and gas production in Colorado” has been “developing a simple model that demonstrates an oil and gas boom could increase or decrease crime as employment opportunities, inequality, and other aspects of the local economy change.” (Gourley & Madonia, 2018)3

Citing that, ‘“previous literature has examined how resource booms affect household income and infant health, the effects of resource booms on crime remain largely unstudied,’ and then wondering “whether or not if a change in oil or gas extraction leads to any change in crime?” shows that crime rate in Colorado has no easy way to understand. The researcher concludes that “several forces can influence behavior in opposing directions.”3 prompting readers to ponder if neither marijuana explains the current high crime rates, the what is the underlying cause?

Consequently, I am petitioning the Colorado congresswoman Degette and the entire Colorado policy makers for an immediate action to change the terrible trajectory that Colorado finds herself in today.

Failure to address this current crime rate in Colorado implies that the situation can worsen over time and then the criminal justice system will be overwhelmed with the prosecution of crimes while tourists may stay away, and we would not be able to spend beautiful moments at our beautiful parks nor hike without fear of being hurt or even killed.

Thank you for taking prompt action on my petition.

CITATIONS

3.Gourley, P., & Madonia, G. (2018). Resource booms and crime: Evidence from oil and gas production in Colorado. Resource and Energy Economics, 54, 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reseneeco.2018.07.001 

2.Harper, A. J., & Jorgensen, C. (2022). Crime in a Time of Cannabis: Estimating the Effect of Legalizing Marijuana on Crime Rates in Colorado and Washington Using the Synthetic Control Method. Journal of Drug Issues, 53(4), 002204262211341. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426221134107 

1.SIDDER, A. (2015, May 10). Colorado Pictures and Facts. Geography. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/colorado 

World Population Review. (2021). Crime Rate by State 2020. Worldpopulationreview.com. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/crime-rate-by-state