Transforming Safety Initiative

History and Funding Focus

Reduce crime and prevent recidivism

  • In 2017, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition worked with community members and a bi-partisan group of state legislators to try something different. They wanted a new approach to public safety that invests in strategies that strengthen communities as a way to prevent crime in the first place. This new vision became House Bill 17-1326.
  • The bill reinvests $4 million a year in savings from parole reforms to create a three-year pilot in N Aurora and SE Colorado Springs to fund small business lending and a community grant program.
  • PPCF was selected to facilitate the local planning process and manage the grant program for Southeast Colorado Springs.
  • Organizations must be a qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit serving El Paso or Teller Counties.

Guidelines and Timeline

Community Grants Program

The most comprehensive source of information is held at the Transforming Safety Colorado website. Here you will learn about the full history, the local planning team, community advocates, how to apply, and where to get more information.

Learn more

Who is eligible to apply?

The Transforming Safety Initiative is a very competitive funding application with specific criteria for eligibility. The goal is to prevent crime and reduce recidivism in Southeast Colorado Springs.

  • Support adults and youth who are or have been involved in the criminal justice system in order to reduce recidivism or incidence of reoffending.
  • Improve community-based supports to reduce violence and neglect in families.
  • Help youth (up to age 25) develop the skills and resilience to avoid, reduce, or stop high risk behaviors that can lead to involvement with the criminal justice system.
  • Serve Southeast Colorado Springs – as defined by the Local Planning Team
For more information, contact info@ppcf.org
  • Address systemic causes of economic, racial, and academic disparities.
  • Be a nonprofit, school, or religious institution.