Driven by a surge in school threats and safety concerns, Safe2Tell saw an “unprecedented” 74% increase in reports in September compared to last year, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

Established by the Colorado Assembly in 2017, Safe2Tell Colorado is a harm and violence prevention program that allows students and the community to anonymously report safety concerns.

September’s monthly report shows 4,729 reports, outpacing the previous record set earlier this year.

In February, the state fielded 3,224 reports.

“This past month highlights exactly why the Safe2Tell program is so critical — to prevent the worst-case scenarios from happening to Colorado students,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a news release. “The program remains a vital tool for students and communities to proactively address safety concerns.”

Statewide there was a 162% increase in the number of reports to Safe2Tell compared to August. The most common issue was suicide with 354 reports, 305 for bullying and 253 school safety concerns involving staff, according to state data.

Student reports on staff ranged from inappropriate language and allegations of a teacher-student relationship, to a student reporting depression or anxiety.

Six-in-10 interactions occurred in the metro Denver area.

The Colorado increases reflect a wider national trend seen in September, state officials said.

“We typically see an uptick in reporting after a tragedy like the one in Georgia, as students become more vigilant,” Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins said in a statement.

Safety consultants say it’s normal to experience an uptick in reports following a high-profile mass school shooting.

The headlines on Sept. 11 out of Georgia, then, likely inspired heightened vigilance from those who might be more likely to report concerning social media posts.

Authorities allege that 14-year-old Colt Gray killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Colt Gray wounded seven others before being apprehended by police.

Colt Gray, who will be tried as an adult, has been charged with four felony counts of murder. His father, Colin Gray, 54, has also been charged in the case with authorities accusing the elder Gray of allowing his son to have a weapon.

Safe2Tell reports do not drill down to the district level.

District specific data would require a formal public information request under Colorado’s Open Records Law, Scott Pribble, a Denver Public Schools spokesperson, has said.

“Immediately following the school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, our students reported numerous messages on social media platforms that either directly or indirectly mentioned threats against their schools,” Pribble said in an email to The Denver Gazette.

The district’s Department of Climate and Safety investigates reports with law enforcement partners, Pribble said.

The Attorney General’s office also noted a rise in reports related to threats (239) and planned school attacks (193).

False reports comprised just 2.1% of all submitted reports.

“We encourage students to speak up, knowing they are making a difference in keeping their peers and schools safe,” Weiser said.

To make a report “from anywhere, at any time,” call 1-877-542-7233 or text “S2TCO” to 738477 or visit Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app.