In November, Colorado voters will decide whether to give $350 million in state funding to local law enforcement agencies across the state and a one-time $1 million payment to families of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Proponents of Proposition 130, also called the “Back the Blue” initiative, say the goal is to help recruit, retain, and train officers. If passed, the $350 million in funding would be divided between local law enforcement agencies and could be used for salary increases, hiring and retention bonuses, more training, and establishing more law enforcement to address specific areas or types of crime, like gang activity and stolen vehicles.
The group Advance Colorado pushed to get Proposition 130 on November’s ballot.
Rachael Flick, the widow of fallen El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputy Micah Flick, supports Proposition 130 because she said it would give agencies the ability to hire more officers and crack down on crime. She said a $1 million death benefit would’ve helped her family immensely when some of their victim compensation funds ran out.