criminal justice reform
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Colorado expands access to DNA testing after criminal convictions
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A new state law took effect on Sunday, increasing eligibility for people convicted of felonies to receive DNA testing. Before Sunday, only people who are actively incarcerated could receive DNA testing. Now, it’s open to people on felony parole, registered sex offenders, people who have completed their sentences, and people who were found not guilty…
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Rewritten bill strips out Colorado’s effort to increase minimum age to criminally charge kids
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For the second year in a row, Colorado legislators passed a proposal originally intended to stop charging children under 13 with most crimes. But the legislation is once again heading to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk without that key provision. The minimum age for criminal prosecution in Colorado is 10. As drafted, House Bill 1249 sought to raise the…
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Felony status for indecent exposure in front of children passes Colorado legislature
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Indecent exposure is the only child sex crime in Colorado classified as a misdemeanor, instead of a felony. But that will soon change if Gov. Jared Polis signs a new bill into law. House Bill 1135 would make it a felony crime if a person over the age of 18 exposes or touches their genitals for…
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Colorado moves to limit use of four-point restraints in prisons
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In Colorado prisons, inmates deemed to be a threat to themselves or others are often strapped to a bed by their arms and legs with metal restraints, left alone for hours or even days in this position. In at least one instance, a person was kept in these restraints for 39 days straight in the Colorado…
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Restrictions on no-knock search warrants pass Colorado legislature
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Three years ago, Breonna Taylor was fatally shot in her Kentucky apartment by police executing a no-knock warrant for her ex-boyfriend. Taylor’s death inspired national outrage and debate on the use of search warrants that allow police to forcibly enter people’s homes without warning. Colorado lawmakers are now tackling the issue with Senate Bill 254. If made…
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Colorado Democrats OK bill to prevent police from lying to minors during interrogations
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After more than a year of trying, Colorado Democrats passed a bill Monday to restrict police from lying to minors during interrogations. If signed into law by the governor, House Bill 1042 would make any statements obtained by juveniles during custodial interrogations inadmissible in court if law enforcement knowingly presented untruthful information to the juvenile during the interrogation…
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Colorado House OKs increasing minimum age to criminally charge kids after heated debate
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The Colorado House approved a bill on Monday to stop charging children under 13 with most crimes, advancing it to the Senate for consideration. Currently, the minimum age for criminal prosecution in Colorado is 10. House Bill 1249 would raise the age to 13, except when a child is suspected of committing homicide. This would remove children aged…
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Colorado reduces prison sentences for inmates pursuing higher education
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Colorado has among the worst recidivism rates in the country, with more than 50% of people released from prison ending up back behind bars within three years. Now, the state is taking a new approach to address the issue by incentivizing prisoners to pursue higher education. House Bill 1037 reduces prison sentences for non-violent offenders who complete higher…
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Colorado advances proposal raising minimum age to criminally charge kids to 13
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Colorado could soon stop charging children under 13 with most crimes, if a bill passed by a House committee becomes law. Currently, the minimum age for criminal prosecution in Colorado is 10. House Bill 1249 would raise the age to 13, except when a child is suspected of committing homicide. This would remove children aged 10, 11 and 12…
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Colorado lawmakers target indecent exposure in front of children
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In January 2020, two Larimer County sisters ages 14 and 16 were sitting in a parking lot eating a snack after school when a strange man drove up to them. The man raised his pelvis to his window and exposed his genitals to the girls, masturbating in front of them. The man was immediately apprehended…
