After Boulder attack, Colorado to offer $250,000 security grants for places of worship

Colorado will offer in protection grants for places at increased vulnerability of attack such as synagogues mosques and places of worship Gov Jared Polis released Monday The new grant follows the June firebomb attack in Boulder on a group of people marching in assistance of Israeli hostages The grant s announcement also fell on the day that one of the firebombing casualties Karen Diamond died Related Articles Man pleads not guilty to hate crimes in attack on Boulder demonstration for Israeli hostages Boulder attack suspect indicted on additional federal hate-crime explosives charges Boulder attack suspect s motivations debated in court as feds press hate-crime charge Non-Jews stand in solidarity with Temple Emanuel Letters Federal judge transfers deportation occurrence for Boulder attack suspect s family to Texas court Sadly as antisemitism and other forms of hate and instances of violence are on the rise we know that our places of worship religious schools and other places of gathering in communities face increased peril Polis noted in a message This additional encouragement will help ensure that upgrades are made to increase safety The new money builds on the annual million in grants available through the Colorado Nonprofit Safety Grant campaign that was established by law in The new money comes from an emergent necessities fund established during COVID- recovery according to the governor s office The new grant will go to organizations with emerging assurance requirements The Colorado Division of Homeland Defense and Exigency Management and the Colorado Department of Residents Safety will develop the specific criteria for the new money and announce them soon according to the news release about the grant Mohamed Sabry Soliman the man suspected of carrying out the firebombing attack faces more than state and federal charges including first-degree murder and violating federal hate crime law Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter The Spot