**Colorado Springs Violent Crime Rate Climbs, Bucking Downward Trend Seen in Other Major Colorado Cities**

**COLORADO SPRINGS, CO** – While most of Colorado’s largest cities have seen a drop in violent crime since 2022, Colorado Springs is an exception, experiencing a notable increase, according to a new report from the Common Sense Institute. The study, which analyzes crime trends across the state, highlights a complex public safety landscape where local outcomes vary significantly.

The report reveals that Colorado Springs saw its violent crime rate rise by 12.2% over the period studied. This increase stands in stark contrast to the trends observed in other metropolitan areas. The city of Aurora, for instance, recorded a significant 36.25% decline in its violent crime rate during the same timeframe.

Across the state, the broader findings from the Common Sense Institute suggest a general improvement in public safety. In addition to the decrease in violent offenses in most major cities, property crime rates have also fallen. The institute’s analysis aims to shed light on the economic consequences of crime and emphasize the ongoing need for effective public safety policies.

Despite the report’s findings of an overall statewide decrease, some residents have expressed skepticism regarding the data. Concerns have been raised about whether changes in how crimes are reported or analyzed statistically could be influencing the numbers.

Furthermore, some residents question the role law enforcement agencies may play in shaping crime statistics and suggest that legal practices, such as plea deals that reduce the severity of charges, might skew the data to show a decrease in more serious offenses. Others have pointed to specific areas, like Denver and Green Valley Ranch, as places where they believe crime has not followed the reported downward trend, suggesting the positive picture is not universal.