FBI Denver
Public Affairs Specialist Vikki Migoya
FBIDN_PublicAffairs@fbi.gov
July 28, 2021

FBI Denver Division Announces JEWISHcolorado as FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient for 2020

Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider is pleased to announce JEWISHcolorado as the FBI Denver Division’s recipient for the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for 2020.

Every year since 1990, FBI field offices have had the opportunity to nominate one individual or organization for the FBI DCLA in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the education and prevention of crime in their communities. For 2020, FBI Denver nominated JEWISHcolorado due to their commitment to raising awareness in the diverse communities we serve through educational programming related to preventing fraud and increasing awareness about hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and violent extremism.

In January 2020, JEWISHcolorado supported FBI Denver’s objective of increasing engagement and raising awareness with our communities through hosting an interagency elder fraud prevention presentation in the theater of a local Jewish community center. This event featured presenters from FBI Denver with state and federal partners, which was attended by more than 150 community members.

“The pandemic impacted the way we engage with our communities, but JEWISHcolorado and their partners, the Rose Community Foundation and Secure Community Network, continued to seek opportunities to actively engage with FBI Denver in support of community outreach efforts, demonstrating their dedication to enhancing the relationship between the FBI and the communities we serve,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The FBI is grateful for their support, proactive efforts, and continued partnership.”

In July 2020, JEWISHcolorado accepted a role in Colorado Courage, FBI Denver’s multi-faith and affinity-based council established to raise awareness and collaboration among community organizations to identify and share concerns about civil rights, hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and violent extremism. The council consists of faith-based, gender-based and affinity groups, and local chapters of national organizations. Colorado Courage meets quarterly with the FBI Denver Field Office and local law enforcement to encourage information sharing and awareness concerning these threats. JEWISHcolorado has utilized its membership on this council to offer informational seminars and best practices to other council members who have experienced violence or threats of violence.

“FBI Denver is proud to partner with JEWISHcolorado. It is an honor to recognize this organization for its support in serving and protecting the communities of Colorado. We are grateful for their collaboration and commitment to serving the public,” said SAC Schneider.

The Rose Community Foundation strives to support inclusive, engaged, and equitable Denver communities through philanthropy driven by values. The Foundation works to strengthen diversity and generosity and utilizes grantmaking, advocacy, and philanthropic services to achieve this. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has granted more than $322 million to nearly 2,000 organizations and initiatives and has supported nearly 70 nonprofit organizations in creating and growing endowments to sustain their vital work into the future.

The Secure Community Network was founded in 2004 under the auspices of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The Network is focused on ensuring the safety, security, and resiliency of the Jewish people on behalf of 146 Federations, 50 Jewish nonprofit organizations in North America, 300+ independent communities, and partners in the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors.