Gov. Jared Polis announced that $250,000 is available for organizations at “increased risk” of threat following the attack on a group of Jewish demonstrators in Boulder earlier this month. 

The funds, made possible through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, will be available to synagogues, mosques and other places of worship. The governor said the state is reaching out to previous applicants to encourage them to apply for the additional funding. 

“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 risk,” said Polis. “This additional support will help ensure that upgrades are made to increase safety.”

On June 1, members of the group Run for Their Lives were attacked during a weekly demonstration to raise awareness of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the group, injuring 13. One of the victims, 82-year-old Karen Diamond, died as a result of her injuries on June 25.  

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program, established by a 2022 legislation, provides funding to organizations that are at risk of terrorist attacks. A similar grant program is run at the national level by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Awardees can use grant funds for security equipment, security-related planning, exercises and training, hiring security personnel, and other security enhancements.

The Colorado General Assembly provides $1 million in funding to the program each year. The additional $250,000 will be deployed on a rolling basis, according to the Governor’s Office. Organizations will be able to apply for the funding regardless of whether they have applied for federal security grants. 

The state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Department of Public Safety have not yet released application criteria.