Reports Of Hate Crimes Nearly Doubled In Colorado In 2018

DENVER (AP) - Hate crimes in Colorado nearly doubled in 2018 compared to the number of cases the previous year. Colorado Public Radio reports the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recorded 185 hate crime cases in 2018 compared to 96 in 2017.

The agency's new report says hate crimes are on the rise after declining from 2016 to 2017.

The most common offense was intimidation, followed by assault and vandalism.

There were 112 victims of racial bias crime and 32 victims of sexual orientation and gender identity bias. The agency says there were 26 victims of religious bias as anti-Semitic crimes continue to rise.

An official says increased collaboration between state and local law enforcement may have contributed to an increase in hate crime reports.

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