Colorado Department of Public Safety

The meeting included updates on personnel changes, noting two new District Attorney representatives and the departures of representatives from Littleton PD and Weld County Sheriff's office, with replacements expected in February. Statistical updates were provided for the Cold Case Database, totaling 1973 cases. Discussions covered ongoing work with the Cold Case Grant, including reviewing homicide cases for ViCAP entry, and efforts with the SAKI Grant through judicial meetings across the state, focusing on future FIGG eligibility. Plans were detailed for developing a one-day Cold Case Training Class for late spring/early summer and updates on the NamUs platform migration. The Missing Person Open House scheduled for November 20, 2025, was announced, alongside planning for the Colorado Missing Person Day on February 4, 2026. Updates were given on drafting a Unidentified Human Remains (UHR) Best Practices Protocol, slow progress on Lawfully Owed DNA data collection, and Forensic Services dashboards detailing turnaround times and outsourcing success for sexual assault kits. CODIS statistics for the third quarter were presented, covering samples received, profiled, and hits by crime type. Work continues on 25 Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) cases. Under New Business, the Missing Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) update showed the MIPA Alert as the most used alert since implementation in 2022. The Sunset Review Report recommended continuing the Cold Case Task Force until 2039. Presentations were given on the process of Facial Reconstruction by a Forensic Artist and the Role of Forensic Pathology in Cold Case Investigations, including retention times for various evidence types. The Open Forum segment featured a family member sharing a perspective on navigating an unsolved cold case investigation.

This strategy outlines Colorado's direction to ensure it remains a prepared, safe, and resilient state. It focuses on strengthening cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, enhancing preparedness and response capabilities to reduce reliance on external funding, preventing targeted violence and terrorism, improving detection and response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) incidents, and safeguarding against infectious diseases. The overall vision is a prepared, safe, and resilient Colorado, capable of preventing, protecting, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from all hazards.

The meeting covered administrative items, including the posting of materials to the website. The committee discussed changes to the Cybersecurity Advisory Subcommittee (CAS) purpose statement, focusing on collaboration and community support. Feedback was provided on the Whole of State Cybersecurity Plan, including discussions on EDR deployment, governance, planning, and the use of a self-service portal. The Subcommittee approved the 1st year objectives in the Whole of State plan. Agenda items for the next meeting include a Purpose Statement Review, a Colorado Cybersecurity Insurance Presentation, a vCISO Overview, and a Grant Funding Discussion.

The meeting included the election of board officers and reappointment of board members. Updates were provided by the OSS Director and team on the Educator Safety Task Force, trauma-informed drills, and the School Safety Resource Center. Summer updates included de-escalation training, re-unification workshops, restorative practices training, mental health preparedness training, and various summits and training sessions. Fall events were announced, including youth gaming training, mini summits, and the annual Colorado Safe Schools Summit. The Grants Unit provided updates on SAFER and SSD grant awards, grant closeout, internal audits, the JAG Grant, and grant data analysis. The Crisis Response Unit discussed new staff, the JAG position, trauma workshops, MH Awareness for Educators, and the Classroom Incident Response Team. Updates were also given on the National Institute of Justice Grants, including threat assessment work and Project Unite.

The meeting included welcome remarks, introductions, and a review of new members. Discussions covered the planning for the Access & Functional Needs Conference, including planning and mitigation strategies, operations, and a tabletop exercise for response and recovery. The group also discussed strategic goals, data highlights informing AFN planning needs, strategies for building CMIST Response teams, and research ideas to strengthen current practices. Updates were requested for the annual report, and missing partner connections were identified, including DOT, Tribal partners, New Americans, and HCPF. The meeting also included a public comment period and open discussion.