Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available To Help Public Safety Agencies Address COVID-19 Pandemic

DENVER –  U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn today announced that $14,207,832 in grant money has been allocated to Colorado public safety agencies to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic.  The announcement was part of the Department of Justice making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department will move quickly to make awards once applications are submitted, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

“Congress and the President have made this funding available on an emergency basis so we can do our part to protect Colorado residents impacted by COVID-19,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “Eligible Colorado agencies should apply for this money and be forward thinking in how to serve our citizens during this very stressful time.”

“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”

The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

The Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice will receive $9,184,619 to respond to state needs.  Colorado’s allocation as well as other state/territory allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-state-allocations.pdf or in the chart attached.  In addition to the state’s allocation, Colorado agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are also eligible to apply to BJA for additional emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions in and the amount of money they can apply for can be found attached or by going to https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-allocations-co.pdf.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.