The number of anti-Jewish incidents in Colorado has declined for the second year in a row, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s 2006 annual "Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents."

Colorado also slipped from 10th to 11th in the most incidents among 45 states and the District of Columbia that are audited.

Of the incidents in Colorado and Wyoming, 12 were acts of harassment — a decline of 27 incidents from 2005 — and 11 were acts of vandalism — an increase of three from 2005, the audit indicates.

A total of 37 anti-Jewish incidents were reported in Colorado last year.

Nationally, a total of 1,554 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 2006, representing a 12 percent decline from 1,757 reported in 2005.

"While we are pleased to see a decrease in reported anti-Semitic incidents in our region, there is still much work to be done," said Bruce H. DeBoskey, ADL’s Mountain States regional director. "It is extremely important that people continue to report ugly, hateful incidents to law enforcement agencies and to ADL so together we can shine the light on such hurtful acts."

Of the total number of incidents reported in the Mountain States Region in 2006, two were committed against synagogues; six against individuals; three against public property; two against Jewish institutions and six against public institutions.

In addition, four incidents took place in public schools.

The ADL Audit identifies both criminal acts such as vandalism, violence and threats of violence, and non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation including hate propaganda leafleting and verbal slurs.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.