Report a Hate Crime in Fort Collins - City Guide

Civil Rights and Equity Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado residents who experience or witness a hate or bias-motivated crime should report it promptly to law enforcement and to the City Civil Rights & Equity office. This guide explains reporting options, evidence preservation, what the City can investigate administratively, and basic enforcement pathways so survivors and witnesses understand next steps.

If the incident is an emergency, call 911 immediately and preserve any evidence.

Reporting options

  • Call 911 for threats or violence; use the Fort Collins Police non-emergency reporting options or online reporting for non-immediate incidents. Fort Collins Police Services reporting[1]
  • Contact the City of Fort Collins Civil Rights & Equity office to report bias incidents, request information about administrative remedies, or request city-level assistance. City Civil Rights & Equity[2]
  • Preserve evidence: photos, screenshots, messages, clothing, and witness names; write a contemporaneous statement about what you observed.
  • Prosecution: criminal charges for bias-motivated conduct are pursued by the county district attorney after police investigation.
You may report to both police and the City Civil Rights office; doing so preserves criminal and administrative options.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties for bias-motivated crimes in Fort Collins depend on applicable criminal statutes and the charges filed by the prosecuting authority. Specific fine amounts and statutory sentence ranges are determined under state criminal law or charging decisions by the Larimer County District Attorney; the City pages referenced above do not list fixed fine amounts for hate/bias crimes.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited city pages.
  • Escalation: penalties vary by the underlying offense and whether the act is charged as a misdemeanor or felony; the City pages do not specify escalation tiers.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders, restraining orders, restitution, and criminal records are possible outcomes depending on conviction.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: Fort Collins Police Services investigates reports and forwards cases to the Larimer County District Attorney for charging and prosecution.
  • Appeal and review: criminal defendants may appeal convictions through the state appellate process; administrative reviews of city decisions follow the City’s published procedures or ordinances where applicable.
If you need legal advice about appeals or defenses, consult a qualified attorney promptly.

Applications & Forms

No unique city form for hate-crime reporting is published on the cited City pages; victims file a police report with Fort Collins Police Services or contact the Civil Rights & Equity office for administrative intake.

How to preserve evidence and support an investigation

  • Record date, time, location, and descriptions of events and people.
  • Save digital evidence (screenshots, messages) and avoid altering original files.
  • Get witness names and contacts and tell them how investigators can reach them.

FAQ

How quickly should I report a hate crime?
Report immediately for emergencies (911) and as soon as practicable for non-emergencies; early reporting preserves evidence and witness memory and improves investigative options.
Can I report anonymously?
Anonymous tips may be accepted by police, but providing contact information helps investigators follow up and improves the likelihood of prosecution or administrative action.
Will the City guarantee prosecution?
No. The City and police can investigate and submit charges, but prosecution and penalties are determined by the county district attorney and courts.

How-To

  1. Call 911 if there is immediate danger or violence; otherwise contact Fort Collins Police Services through their non-emergency or online reporting options.
  2. Preserve evidence: collect photos, messages, and witness names and secure originals where possible.
  3. Submit a police report and request a copy; ask the investigator for the case number and investigator contact.
  4. Contact the City Civil Rights & Equity office to report the incident and learn about administrative remedies or city-level supports.
  5. Follow up with the assigned investigator and, if charges are filed, get information on court dates and victim services.

Key Takeaways

  • Report emergencies to 911 and non-emergencies to Fort Collins Police Services.
  • Contact City Civil Rights & Equity for administrative intake and support.
  • Preserve evidence immediately to support investigation and prosecution.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Fort Collins Police Services reporting
  2. [2] City of Fort Collins Civil Rights & Equity

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data