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 share several priority bill updates:
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 out of the House Finance Committee with a 7-6 vote.
HB 25-1146, Juvenile Detention Bed Caps, was adjusted by a “strike below” amendment which has changed this bill to overhaul juvenile detention funding in Colorado. Starting in 2025-26, $1.98 million annually will support alternatives to detention, while the $1.36 million requirement for emergency beds is repealed. The detention bed cap rises to 254 in 2025-26, then adjusts to 125% of projected need starting in 2026-27, excluding youth charged with class 1 felony-level acts. The Division of Criminal Justice must report detention projections, and the General Assembly must fund beds accordingly.
HB 25-1116, Reporting Statistics on Restitution, is off the Governor to sign! This bill would ensure the Department of Corrections regularly checks for outstanding warrants on inmates and notifies them, courts, and public defenders. It encourages timely resolution, including virtual court appearances, to prevent legal issues from delaying reentry.
SB25-208, Department of Corrections Inmate Phone Costs, proposes adjustments to the Department of Corrections’ (DOC) responsibility for covering inmate phone call costs. Under current law, the DOC is required to cover 100% of these costs starting July 1, 2025. This bill modifies that requirement by mandating the DOC to cover 75% of inmate phone call costs beginning July 1, 2025, and then increasing to 100% coverage on and after July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1,436,165 from the general fund to the DOC for inmate telephone calls. This bill is passed third reading in the House.
SB25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act, strengthens protections against voter discrimination, expands multilingual ballot access, improves accessibility for tribal and disabled voters, and creates a statewide election data office. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee on April 14th at 1:30pm.
HB 25-1204 Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), aligns with federal ICWA while adding stronger state protections. It ensures tribal involvement in child welfare cases, prioritizes placement with family or tribe, and mandates reporting and oversight starting in 2027. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on April 23rd upon adjournment.
Our Take: HB25- 1116 Heads to the Governor: Advancing Justice with Stand’s Relentless Advocacy
We are thrilled to announce that HB25-1116, a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing re-incarceration by ensuring individuals in the Department of Corrections (DOC) custody address outstanding warrants or pending cases before release, has passed both chambers of the Colorado legislature and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.
This legislation mandates the DOC to conduct comprehensive searches of court records at key points during an offender’s incarceration to identify any unresolved legal matters. By proactively addressing these issues, the bill seeks to facilitate smoother reintegration into the community and prevent unnecessary re-incarceration due to overlooked legal obligations.
We have been a steadfast advocate for HB25-1116, working tirelessly to advance this critical reform. Our efforts included organizing community support, providing testimony, and engaging with legislators to highlight the importance of this bill in promoting fair and safe reintegration for returning community members.
The passage of HB25-1116 represents a significant step forward in our commitment to criminal justice reform and the well-being of our communities. . We appreciate the support of the many advocates who engaged along the way to getting this bill passed.
Take Action: Eliminate Medical Co-Pays for Incarcerated People: Support HB25-1026
Our priority bill, HB 25-1026, Repeal Co-payment for Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Health Care, would eliminate medical co-pays for incarcerated individuals in Colorado—fees that currently range from $3 to $5 per visit. While that might seem small, incarcerated people earn just $0.69 to $1.81 per day, making access to basic healthcare a major financial burden. It’s the equivalent of charging a $900 co-pay to someone earning minimum wage.
What We’re Reading
- The Colorado Sun, Supreme Court allows Trump to cut teacher-training money. How might it affect Colorado?
- Chalkbeat, Colorado delays rules aimed at ensuring high-quality preschool — again
- Chalkbeat, Colorado lawmakers reject bill on child care chains backed by private equity
