Community violence

Overview

Community violence happens in public areas between individuals who are not related and who may or may not know each other. Community violence can include homicide and assault, and can sometimes involve gangs, which are groups associated with criminal organizations that engage in illegal activities. In 2023, the national violent crime rate was 22 crimes reported per 1,000 people aged 12 and older. Colorado had the highest violent crime rate in the country in 2023, with 45 crimes reported per 1,000 people.

When community violence is fatal, it is often referred to as homicide. In 2023, homicide was the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (aged 10–24) in the United States; for adults aged 25–34, homicide was the third leading cause of death. In 2023, homicides involving firearms made up 79% of all homicides in the United States.

Nonfatal community violence can include nonfatal shootings, crime, and assault, and often results in physical injuries. In the United States, over 700,000 young people are treated and released from emergency departments every year for injuries due to assaults.

Community violence can occur anywhere, but the risk of experiencing or being exposed to community violence increases in places with high levels of access to firearms and/or when communities are impacted by poverty, racism, racial segregation, low employment, tensions with law enforcement, and homelessness. Black and Latino men (aged 10–24) are 3 to 7 times more likely to be killed by community violence than their white peers.

Living in a community with high levels of violence can lead to fear of participating in community activities and slow community progress in growing businesses and the economy. Fear of violence can also prevent people from walking, biking, or using parks, which results in more people developing chronic diseases like diabetes or obesity. People who survive shootings or other violence, or who are exposed to violence, may develop mental or emotional health problems. Mental health treatment options may be limited by a lack of mental health professionals or because of the stigma around seeking help.

In Colorado

• In 2024, about one-third (32%) of all violent crime in Colorado involved a firearm.
• Similar to national trends, 71% of all homicide deaths in Colorado in 2023 involved firearms, and 30% of those firearm deaths were among males aged 15–24.
• In Colorado, the percentage of homicide deaths that involved firearms increased from 56% in 2010 to 71% in 2023.
• Although only 4% of Colorado’s population identifies as Black or African American, this 4% of the population represented 23% of the deaths from firearm-related homicides between 2006 and 2023.

While the greatest number of homicides involving firearms occurred in more urban areas of Denver, El Paso, Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson counties in 2023, some rural areas, such as Rio Grande, Montezuma, and La Plata counties, experienced higher rates of firearm-related homicides. In 2023, there were three firearm-related homicides in Rio Grande, four in Montezuma, and three in La Plata counties.  

Prevention and intervention

Community violence involving firearms can be prevented by addressing the needs of individuals and the community circumstances that lead to firearm-related community violence.