Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter keeping you informed about policy concerning educational equity and criminal justice reform. You will also hear from us about opportunities to engage in advocacy on topics important to you.
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Legislation of Interest
We’re excited to announce that two of our key criminal justice reform policies passed their own legislative hurdles:
HB 25-1081, Reporting Statistics on Restitution, was signed into law by the Governor this week! As you may recall, this bill requires enhanced data collection on restitution demographics, prioritizing transparency and accountability. It seeks to address systemic inequities by revealing who owes restitution, who receives payment, and any potential barriers in the process.
HB 25-1214, Appropriate Use of Prison Beds, reforms sentencing and parole by requiring courts to review key information before sentencing and notifying them when individuals near parole eligibility are sentenced. It expands treatment options to certified recovery residences, removes payment requirements for mandated treatment after positive drug or alcohol tests, and presumes parole for low-risk inmates with mandated monthly status reports. This bill passed the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 7-4!
HB25-1135 Communication Devices in Schools, requires all public and charter schools in Colorado to establish policies on student use of communication devices during school hours by July 1, 2026. These policies must specify any restrictions and exceptions for device use throughout the school day. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously.
SB25-200 Dyslexia Screening and READ Act Requirements, aims to enhance early elementary education in Colorado by making school readiness assessments optional and allowing, rather than requiring, individualized readiness plans for preschool and kindergarten students. It mandates that parental communications about READ plans include information on dyslexia characteristics when applicable. This bill is being heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 31st at 1:30pm.
HB25-1147 Fairness & Transparency in Municipal Court, aligns municipal courts with state legal standards by ensuring sentencing parity, improving access to indigent defense, and enhancing transparency in court proceedings, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 31st at 1:30pm.
HB25-1148 Criminal Protection Order & Protection Order Violation, revises Colorado’s criminal protection orders by clarifying required elements and limiting conditions to victim safety. It ensures courts inform defendants of penalties for violations and restricts substance-use prohibitions to relevant cases. Courts must review orders at case resolution, and officers get discretion in enforcing certain violations. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 31st at 1:30pm.
SB25-155 Legislation Inside Advisory Council, establishes the Legislation Inside Advisory Council to advise the Colorado General Assembly on issues affecting incarcerated individuals. The council will contract with a nonprofit for support, define its membership, and outline duties, including reporting during the Department of Corrections’ annual “SMART Act” presentation. Additionally, an advisory review committee will recommend up to three bills each interim session. This bill is being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 31st at 1:30pm.
Our Take: Protecting Progress, Funding Colorado’s Future: Supporting the Forthcoming 2025 School Finance Act
Last year, our state made historic progress by eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor and updating the school funding formula for the first time in 30 years. These changes promised much-needed resources for students in poverty, English learners, and students with special needs. However, with a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, this progress seemed at risk.
Fortunately, the newly released state budget proposal protects K-12 funding, ensuring no cuts to public schools despite fiscal challenges. The forthcoming 2025 School Finance Act builds on this commitment by increasing school funding while
At a time of financial uncertainty, this proposal strikes a fair balance between the state’s budget constraints and its promise to fully and equitably fund public education. Our schools cannot afford to go backward—and this budget ensures they won’t.
Take Action: Let’s Ensure Sustainable and Equitable Funding for Colorado Public Schools, Act Now!
Your voice is crucial in safeguarding Colorado’s commitment to public education. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Let’s stand together for stable, equitable school funding—no compromises, no setbacks.
What We’re Reading
- The Colorado Sun, Colorado lawmakers finalize budget proposal. Here’s what they cut to close $1.2B gap — and what they didn’t.
- CPR News, New school funding proposal in Colorado would soften the cuts for K-12
