Colorado Crime Wave of 1937

The year 1937 saw a significant spike in crime rates across Colorado, with the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program documenting a surge in lawlessness across the state. As the Great Depression continued to grip the nation, crime rates nationwide were on the rise, with Colorado being no exception.

Nationally, the FBI UCR program reported a significant increase in crime rates, with violent crime rates jumping 10% between 1936 and 1937. In Colorado, this trend was mirrored, with a marked increase in violent crime reported throughout the state. This uptick in crime was largely driven by the desperate circumstances faced by many Coloradans, including widespread unemployment and poverty.

According to the FBI UCR data, burglary and larceny were among the most common crimes committed in Colorado in 1937. As the economy continued to contract, many citizens turned to crime as a means of survival. The FBI UCR program reported a significant increase in property crime, with burglaries and larcenies accounting for a large portion of reported crimes.

The impact of the Great Depression on Colorado’s crime rates was exacerbated by the state’s isolation and lack of access to resources. With limited law enforcement presence in many rural areas, crime often went unreported, and those who did commit crimes often went unpunished. This created a culture of lawlessness, with many residents turning to crime as a means of survival.

As the nation struggled to recover from the Great Depression, Colorado’s crime rates continued to rise. The FBI UCR program reported a notable increase in reported crimes, with violent crime rates continuing to climb. The data from 1937 paints a grim picture of crime in Colorado, highlighting the desperate circumstances faced by many residents and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order in the state.