Boulder County Issues 'Message Of Resilience' After Shooting

BOULDER, CO — Boulder County commissioners and public health officials penned a letter Wednesday to residents as the community continues to grieve the 10 lives lost in the grocery store shooting.

"The horrific attack on our fellow community members and fallen peace officer Eric Talley ... has been devastating for us all, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic through which we have already faced life-threatening illness, isolation, and loss of life," the letter read.

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and our entire Boulder community."

Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley was memorialized Wednesday in Lafayette. More than 500 law enforcement vehicles took part in a procession that escorted the hearse carrying Talley's body to the service at Flatirons Community Church.

"We want to affirm and reiterate our thanks to all first responders and essential frontline workers in Boulder County for their commitment to the safety of our residents," the letter from county officials read.

"Our Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Office, the Boulder Office of Emergency Management, and the Boulder District Attorney, have all played a major role in honoring the lost members of our society and providing public safety, criminal justice, communications, and investigative services to the community at-large and the victims’ families."

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"We also want to extend our support to our municipal partners, the Boulder Police Department, Boulder Fire Rescue, and the City of Boulder, who were on the front lines of this response. They were aided, immeasurably, by first responders from many areas of our county and the metro area – and we are grateful to them as well. The same is true for the many non-profits providing mental health support and tangible services to those grieving or suffering in the aftermath of the mass shooting."

Remembering The 10 Boulder Shooting Victims: Who They Were

County commissioners and public health officials also outlined the many organizations that are helping community members.

"Our Housing & Human Services, Community Services, Boulder OEM emergency support personnel, and District Attorney's staff have been working continuously behind the scenes to set up a Victim Assistance Center (VAC) with the help of numerous non-profit partners (American Red Cross, BOCOVAD, Medical Reserve Corps, Mental Health Partners, Salvation Army, Veterans Affairs, VIA, and others)," the letter read.

The Victim Assistance Center is providing on-site behavioral health support, with access to long term support avenues, officials said. The center is also comforting survivors of the attack, consoling loved ones of those lost, coordinating with the FBI and local enforcement on returning personal belongings to families, and providing victim advocate services.

King Soopers staff are also on site to offer human resources and other support to employees and the community, officials said.

"Now, more than ever, we all need to support one another," the letter read.

"We know that many community members are struggling with fear, trauma, and grief. Many community members have connections to the victims. We want you to know that help is available – and will be available in the coming months – because we all process trauma and grief in different ways."

You can find a list of resources on this Boulder County webpage. The county's call center is also available to help connect you with resources — 720-776-0822.

"In addition to these services and resources, BCPH and Boulder County will continue to support policy initiatives on firearms safety with the support of our Boulder state legislative delegation," the letter read.

"Such proposals would include, for example: safe storage of firearms; reporting of lost or stolen firearms; increased mental health services; a ban on assault-style weapons; and the ability of local governments to enact stronger firearms safety ordinances than State of Colorado laws.

"As we move forward, let’s do it with patience and compassion for each other and continued commitment to strengthening the health of our community."

The letter was signed by Jeff Zayach, the executive director of Boulder County Public Health, and Boulder County Commissioners Matt Jones, Clair Levy and Marta Loachamin.