It’s sadly common knowledge that rape cases are often not taken seriously enough by law enforcement. One stark example of this is Colorado’s shocking 568-day backlog in processing sexual assault exams and rape kits. In response to the issue, Kelsey Harbert decided to take matters into her own hands to push the state and police to act faster and take these cases more seriously.
Harbert donated $6,000 to help process the backlog and, along with survivor Angelique Perrin, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise more money for the cause. She is now working with local crime labs across Colorado to ensure the untested rape kits finally get the attention they deserve.
Harbert acknowledged that her donation alone wouldn’t solve the deeper problems behind the delays. Still, she believes the act sends a powerful message to the state about the need for urgent change. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which plans to outsource 1,000 rape kits for processing, each kit costs around $2,000 to process. The agency said it appreciated the donation, explaining that the $6,000 would cover the cost of testing six kits in-house or three at outside labs.
This is just the beginning. Harbert and her team aim to raise a total of $3 million through the fundraiser. Their goal is to help clear the state’s backlog of over 1,700 kits and bring the current 568-day turnaround time down to a more reasonable 90 days.
Harbert also criticized Governor Jared Polis, accusing him of downplaying the seriousness of the backlog in public while quietly delaying progress behind the scenes. She believes he has the power to resolve the crisis much more quickly, but has chosen not to act with the urgency it deserves.
The funds raised will be distributed to CBI and municipal labs through a mechanism in the Department of Public Safety, which allows public agencies to accept private donations as grants. Harbert also explained that any leftover funds will go to the Colorado SANE Nurse Program to help expand access to forensic exams for survivors in underserved communities.
Many people on the internet applauded the Colorado woman’s efforts to address the state’s rape kit backlog. One Redditor commented, “A good way to thin out MAGA politicians.” Others remarked that anyone pushing back against her attempt to help is part of the problem, not the solution. As one user bluntly put it, “Literally anyone upset about the rape kit backlog being cleared needs a HARD side eye.”
