Our History

CSPV was founded in 1992 by internationally renowned violence researcher Dr. Delbert S. Elliott to reduce violence and promote positive youth development. Since then, CSPV has successfully led over 130 comprehensive school and community initiatives in Colorado, nationally, and internationally, totaling over $100 million dollars in grant funding.

Fifty years ago, the Kerner Commission Report focused on identifying what should be done to address violence. The report stated, “the nation must stop doing what doesn’t work and replicate what does work at a scale equal to the dimensions of our problems.” For over 30 years, CSPV has been a pioneer in studying and identifying what works and championing the use of evidence-based programs, practices, and policies with the highest scientific standards. This includes ending the use of programs that lack evidence of effectiveness or have harmful effects.

CSPV has learned firsthand about the challenges to implementing what works and has spent over 30 years studying those challenges and developing processes to address them. In response, CSPV researchers have designed, conducted, and led comprehensive school and community initiatives and research studies that involve working in partnership with schools and communities to strategically select and effectively implement evidence-based programs, practices, and policies using a public health approach. CSPV is housed within the Prevention Science Program within the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder.