Denver leads 29 U.S. cities in homicide decline, report finds

By the numbers: Homicides in Denver fell 45% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, per CCJ, a nonpartisan think tank.

• Since January 2019, killings are down 31%.

Other major crimes also fell year-over-year:

• Carjackings: -27%.
• Car theft: -46%.
• Robbery: -20%.
• Residential burglary: -19%.
• Non-residential burglary: -36%.

Yes, but: Not every trend is positive. Drug offenses rose 5%, and shoplifting ticked up 12%.

The big picture: CCJ's report analyzed monthly crime data from 42 cities going back to 2019. It found that most criminal activity has fallen below pre-pandemic levels — a major narrative reversal from the COVID-era crime spikes.

• Nationally, homicides are now 14% lower than in early 2019.
• 11 of 13 tracked offenses declined in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
• Domestic violence was the only crime to increase, while drug offenses remained largely flat.

Go deeper: Deadly crime in Denver near a record low.