One of the most important functions of my office is to provide support for crime victims. Every day, I see and feel the trauma and suffering of fellow community members who are victims of crimes, often gun crimes.

The support my office provides includes guiding victims through the arduous process that is our criminal justice system. Crime victims also receive support from several excellent community-based organizations in Denver. Since the pandemic, victim service agencies report significant increases in people needing their help, without which many victims will face long-term physical and mental health issues, homelessness and re-victimization.

In Denver County alone last year, federal funds supported at least 28 programs that served 20,928 people. These important community programs are in grave jeopardy. During the last several years, the financial support provided by government agencies for crime victims has plummeted. The U.S. Department of Justice reports federal funding for victim support services has dropped 75% during the last six years. In Colorado, that has resulted in a decline in funding from $56 million in 2018 to $13 million in 2024. The federal funding my office receives has also been cut and, as a result, we had to eliminate one of our victim advocate positions.

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The good news is by approving Proposition KK Colorado voters have a chance this year to help fill some of this funding gap and reduce the reliance of victim service organizations on ever-shrinking federal dollars.  

Proposition KK would create a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearms parts and ammunition. Firearm dealers, manufacturers and ammunition sellers would be responsible for paying this tax, not the people who buy firearms. There are exceptions for small firearms dealers, as well as for law enforcement and military personnel.

Proposition KK is expected to generate up to $39 million in the first year. Of that $39 million, $30 million would go to providing crucial services to crime victims, such as on-site crisis response, counseling and emergency financial services; $5 million would go toward mental health services for veterans living in state-run centers; $3 million would fund much-needed behavioral health services for youth; and the remaining $1 million would support school safety and gun violence reduction programs. All of these programs and services are desperately needed to help prevent crime and support crime victims.

After nearly eight years as Denver’s district attorney, I have watched as financial support for victim services has been drastically reduced. I have also seen the continued devastation caused by gun violence. For example, 86% of the 94 domestic violence-related homicides in Colorado last year involved firearms. What’s more, domestic violence has increased 14% this year compared to last year. Victims are in urgent need of support services. 

In my opinion, it makes perfect sense gun manufacturers should help fund services for victims of crimes caused by guns in the same way money raised by taxes on alcohol and tobacco sales help fund programs for people adversely affected by those products.

Please join me in voting in favor of Proposition KK and supporting our veterans, our young people and the victims of crime.

Beth McCann is the Denver district attorney, now in her second term. A Democrat, she was first elected to the post in 2016 and will step down after completing her term at the end of this year.