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 promising progress updates on a couple of our priority bills:
HB25-1320, School Finance Act, extends the transition to Colorado’s new school funding formula by one year, now fully implementing it in 2031-32. This bill increases funding for education by nearly $256 million. This bill passed third reading in the House!
HB 25-1026, Repeal Co-payment for Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Health Care, stops the Department of Corrections from charging medical fees to incarcerated individuals seeking healthcare, separate from what is billed to insurance and already provided by the state. This bill passed third reading in the House and is awaiting scheduling in the Senate Judiciary committee.
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million annually will support alternatives to detention, while the $1.36 million requirement for emergency beds is repealed.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. This bill passed the House Appropriations Committee with a vote of 9-2.
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 mandates 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 off to the Governor’s desk!
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 is off to the Governor’s desk!
SB25-200 Dyslexia Screening and READ Act Requirements, updates Colorado’s READ Act to include stronger screening for dyslexia by 2025-26. This bill passed the House Education committee with a vote of 12-1.
HB25-1274 Healthy School Meals for All Program, refers two ballot issues to the voters in November to allow the state retain a portion of TABOR refunds and to increase taxes by $95 million annually by increasing state taxable income to support the healthy school meals for all program. This bill passed third reading in the House.
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 passed second reading in the Senate.
Our Take: SB25-208 Heads to the governor: keeping families together
Colorado is on the cusp of a significant criminal justice reform milestone. Senate Bill 25-208 (SB25-208), which ensures the full implementation of free prison phone calls by July 2026, has passed both chambers of the legislature and now awaits Governor Jared Polis’ signature.
This legislation builds upon the foundation laid by HB23-1133, legislation we championed that passed in 2023, to eliminate the financial burden of prison communication. Under HB23-1133, call costs were reduced by 25% in the first year, 35% in the second year, with the goal of making all calls free by July 1, 2025. SB25-208 adjusts this timeline, requiring the Department of Corrections to cover 75% of call costs starting July 2025 and 100% by July 2026.
Research consistently shows that regular communication between incarcerated individuals and their families leads to better outcomes both during incarceration and upon reentry into the community, thereby reducing recidivism.
Prior to HB23-1133, Colorado families paid over $8.8 million to stay connected with incarcerated loved ones. The financial burden of prison phone calls has disproportionately impacted Black, brown, and low-income families.
As we await Governor Polis’ signature, we thank the many advocates that worked alongside us to bring this policy to reality Together, we are fostering stronger communities and a more just Colorado.
Take Action: EEliminate 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
