Victim Rights

As a crime victim in the State of Colorado, you are entitled to specific rights, including:

• Be treated with fairness, dignity and respect and be free from intimidation, harassment or abuse throughout the criminal justice process
• Be notified of and present at court proceedings in your case
• Consult with the prosecution about the disposition of the case
• Be heard at the defendant’s sentencing, modification of sentence, acceptance of a plea, bond reduction or modification, or parole hearing
• Have the court determine restitution
• Upon written request, be informed of the status of the case post-sentencing
• Information about what steps can be taken in case there is any intimidation or harassment
• Apply for victim compensation in cases involving violent crime.
  • Weld County: Contact the Weld County Victim Compensation staff at (970) 400-4748 or weldvictimcompensation@weldgov.com
  • Larimer County: Contact the Larimer County Victim Compensation staff at (970) 498-7200
• Information about and referrals to services and assistance
• Be informed about the legal remedies available to you

This is a partial list of victims’ rights in the State of Colorado. For a complete list, contact your local law enforcement agency, the Weld County District Attorney’s Office or the Larimer County District Attorney's Office.

If you are a victim of any of the following crimes, the Colorado Constitution and CRS Title 24 Article 4.1 Part III guarantees your rights. If the victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights are guaranteed to the victim’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, significant other or other lawful representative.

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Criminally negligent homicide
• Vehicular homicide
• All assaults including vehicular assault
• All sexual assaults
• Menacing
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Incest
• Child abuse
• Sexual Exploitation of children
• Crimes against at risk adults
• All crimes involving domestic violence
• Stalking
• Bias motivated incidents
• Careless driving that results in a death
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident that has resulted in a death
• Retaliation of a victim/witness
• Intimidation of a victim/witness
• Tampering with a victim/witness
• Indecent exposure
• Violation of a Protection order against a person charged with sexual assault

The initial shock following a crime, sudden death or other trauma is a harsh and painful reality for everyone involved. However, everyone reacts differently when faced with a crisis.  Some common reactions may include:

• Shock, disbelief or numbness
• Anxiety, panicky feelings
• Feeling lost or having difficulty concentrating
• Irritability, tearfulness or anger
• Blaming, self-doubt or guilt
• Sleep disturbances or loss of appetite
• Flashbacks and unwanted memories
• Depression and sadness
• Withdrawal and isolation
• Relationship problems
• Unexplained physical pain

After some time has passed, it is possible to experience a full life after a crime or tragedy. As most people work through their feelings about the event, they begin to accept that they did the best they could in the situation and have renewed energy to focus on their lives again.

Remember that your loved one has just experienced a stressful event, regardless of how they may be acting now. Listen carefully to them and allow them to share what they are feeling. Do what you can to help them feel safe. 

Avoid statements that may make the victim feel they were to blame for the crime. Instead, reassure them that it was not their fault. Allow them to take control back over their own lives and be there to support them.

People who care about victims can often feel stress too. Do not be afraid to seek help for your own needs.

Victims of certain crimes and their immediate family members may be eligible for financial assistance from the Colorado Crime Victim Compensation Fund. Victims may receive help with many of their losses directly related to the crime, such as medical and mental health bills, funeral costs, lost wages, and replacement of doors, locks or windows damaged during the commission of a crime. 

There are eligibility requirements for victims to apply for monies from the Crime Victim Compensation Fund and funds are not necessarily awarded to every victim who applies.

For more information, contact the Weld County District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program at (970)-356-4010 Ext. 4946 or the Larimer County District Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program at (970) 498-7200.

You can request a copy of police reports from the following police departments:

• Greeley Police Department Records & Evidence
• Evans Police Department Records Request Form
• Weld County Sheriff Records Unit
• Aims Campus Safety and Security Department Records Request
• Windsor Police Department Records Request
• Fort Lupton Police Department Records Request
• Loveland Police Department Records Request
• Larimer County Sheriff Records Request
   

The following services are available for crime victims in Weld County. You may access any or all the options below.

Law Enforcement

• Greeley Police Department - (970) 350-9605
• Evans Police Department - (970) 339-2441
• Weld County Sheriff's Office - (970) 356-4015
• Windsor Police Department - (970) 674-6400
• Fort Lupton Police Department - (720) 652-4222
• Loveland Police Department - (970) 962-2000
• Larimer County Sheriff's Office - (970) 416-1985

Community Resources

• Banner North Colorado Medical Center (970) 810-4121
• UC Health Greeley Hospital (970) 652-2000
• North Range Behavioral Health (970) 347-2120 - Provides a variety of mental health services to individuals of all backgrounds and needs in Weld County, with offices in Greeley, Frederick, Fort Lupton and Windsor.
  • Walk-in Crisis Center: 928 12th Street, Greeley, CO 80631
  • Crisis Stabilization and Withdrawal Management Support: 1140 M Street, Greeley, CO 80631
• Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center (SAVA) - Provides a 24-hour rape crisis hotline, individual advocacy, counseling, support groups and prevention education services.
  • 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline: 970-472-4200 or 877-352-7273
  • Greeley Office: (970) 506-4059
  • Fort Collins Office: (970) 472.4204
• A Woman’s Place - Provides a shelter to victims and children, legal advocacy, case management, safety planning, counseling, support services, child and youth programs and outreach services in Weld County.
  • Crisis Line: (970) 356-4226 or (866) 356-4226
  • Email info@awpdv.org
• Weld County Human Services - Provides assistance with applying for food assistance programs in Weld County and Colorado.
  • Greeley: (970) 400-6012
  • Fort Lupton: (303) 857-4052
• Larimer County Human Services - (970) 498-6300
• Weld County District Attorney’s Office - (970) 356-4010
• Larimer County District Attorney's Office - (970) 498-7200

Aims Student Counseling Services

Aims counselors are available to help with any personal struggle you are going through. 

Call Counseling Services at (970) 339-6255 or email counseling@aims.edu to connect with the team. 

Dean of Students CARE Resources

The CARE Resources page has various resources Aims students can access at Aims and in our community.

Note that CARE and Counseling services are unable to provide walk-in or crisis services. In the event of a life-threatening emergency please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you are having mental health concerns, you can call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for immediate support.

Aims Title IX

At Aims Community College, we are committed to ensuring that every member of our community learns and works in an environment free of sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Consistent with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Aims Community College does not discriminate against students, employees or members of the community on the basis of sex in any of its programs or activities. Sexual harassment (including sexual violence) is a kind of sex discrimination and is prohibited by Title IX and by Aims Community College. Learn more about Title IX at Aims.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development VAWA

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website section on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides essential information about housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. HUD explains that VAWA ensures survivors cannot be denied housing assistance or evicted due to the violence they have experienced. It covers various HUD programs, including public housing, voucher programs, and other federally assisted housing programs. The site details how to file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) if VAWA rights are violated, with options to file online, by email, mail, or telephone.

Additionally, the website provides guidelines for requesting emergency transfers for those in imminent danger or who have experienced sexual assault in their housing unit. It outlines the requirements for housing providers to keep information about a survivor’s victim status confidential. The site also offers access to forms and additional information, including the Notice of Occupancy Rights and Model Emergency Transfer Plan.

For more detailed information, please visit the HUD VAWA page.

Additional support services

Find additional support are the Weld County District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program. They can be reached during normal business hours at (970) 400-4746. You can also email weldvictimwitness@weldgov.com or weldvictimcompensation@weldgov.com. 

Their services include assistance with completing forms to apply for restitution or victim compensation funds, case status updates, contact for input before critical stages of the criminal justice process, and support before and throughout a trial.