Rape victims in Colorado wait 558 days on average for their forensic evidence kits to be processed due to a statewide backlog. For that year and a half, victims are left in limbo — unable to pursue criminal charges, restraining orders or any semblance of justice. There are 1,424 sexual assault kits awaiting testing as of March 31, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). More state funding is on the way, but two survivors are ready to take the issue into their own hands. Kelsey Harbert and Angelique Perrin launched a GoFundMe in March seeking to raise millions for CBI to clear the backlog. “At a certain point, we’re going to have to do it ourselves,” Harbert says. “When a kit is not processed in a timely fashion, that’s very much like mental torture for people. And every time a kit is not entered, that [assailant] is undetected and free to harm again. It’s a huge public safety concern.” ✍️ Read the full story by hannahmetzgermedia at westword.com or at the link in o...