Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Protect Nonprofit And Religious Community Spaces at Heightened Risk of Attack

Oct 9, 2026 | Press Releases

Denver - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Safer Spaces for All Act, legislation to better equip at-risk nonprofit institutions to protect their visitors and help ensure that all Americans can visit their places of worship, schools, and community centers freely and without fear. Congressmen Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) led companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"In light of the recent surge in anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and other violent hate-based incidents in the United States, the importance of programs that provide religious communities with increased security cannot be overstated," said Bennet. "We have a responsibility to confront prejudice everywhere, and the Safer Spaces for All Act is an essential step forward for Colorado."

"Antisemitism, Islamaphobia, and other forms of hate have no place in our country," said Hickenlooper. "Unfortunately, we see hate rear its ugly head all too often. This bill will ensure that Americans feel secure when they enter their places of worship."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides at-risk nonprofit organizations - like synagogues, mosques, schools, community centers and other places of gathering - with critical resources to bolster their security amid heightened risk of attack. The program is particularly important to faith-based organizations that are encountering a troubling rise in prejudice and animosity.

The NSGP Improvement Act of 2022 expanded the eligible uses of NSGP funds to include payments to contracted security personnel and administrative expenses. However, grantees currently cannot use NSGP funds to pay permanent salaried security employees, or hire personnel to apply for NSGP funds. For organizations in remote areas particularly, it can be logistically difficult to reliably find private security vendors or off-duty law enforcement to hire for their level of security needed. This bill would help the NSGP accomplish its intended goal to keep at-risk organizations safe by further expanding eligible uses of NSGP funds.

Specifically, the Safer Spaces for All Act would allow NSGP funds to be used to:

• Hire permanent onsite security personnel;
• Hire off-duty police officers; and
• Hire personnel to apply for NSGP funding (capped at 5% of total grant) so that applying organizations do not have to rely solely on volunteers.

"Security is not one-size-fits-all. For many houses of worship, community centers, and other nonprofits - trained personnel and the capacity to manage security funding are just as critical as the cameras, barriers, and other physical improvements. The Safe Space for All Act would provide institutions the flexibility to use NSGP funding where it can have the greatest impact - making the program more accessible, responsive, and effective. JEWISHcolorado and the Jewish Community Relations Council thank Senator Bennet for his continued leadership in strengthening this vital program and helping communities gather, worship, learn, and serve safely," said the Jewish Community Relations Council.

"Having an off-duty Denver Police Officer present during our daily and Friday prayers transformed our security landscape. While physical fortifications are essential, they cannot replace the immediate deterrence and peace of mind that a trained officer provides. For our community to truly feel secure while fulfilling our daily worship, grant programs like the NSGP must allow funding for active security personnel," said Rafaat Ludin, Executive Director of the Downtown Denver Islamic Center.

Bennet has a strong record of working to protect religious communities from targeted violence. In December 2025, Bennet led his Colorado Democratic colleagues - U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, and Jason Crow - on a letter to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urging the DHS to protect religious communities in Colorado and across the country by implementing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act, legislation passed through the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. In June 2025, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote to Senate leadership advocating for $500 million for the NGSP program in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. In April 2024, Bennet led the effort to pass the April 2024 national security supplemental, which included $400 million for the NGSP.

The text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.

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