Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter where we’ll cut through the noise to bring you clear, timely updates on what’s moving and what it means for educational equity and efforts to increase opportunities for Colorado families.
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Priority legislative update
Momentum is building on one of our justice reform priority policies. Read on to see where it’s headed.
HB26- 1017 Criminal Restitution Prohibited for Insurers, would change how criminal restitution works by removing insurance companies from the definition of a “victim” for restitution purposes. Under the bill, insurers could no longer collect restitution through the criminal courts when they suffer losses; instead, they could pursue those losses through civil lawsuits against offenders if necessary. This bill is tentatively scheduled to be heard on February 3rd in the House Judiciary Committee, upon adjournment.
Legislation of Interest
SB26-005 Rights Violation in Immigration Enforcement Remedy would allow people to sue in Colorado state courts if they believe their federal constitutional rights were violated during civil immigration enforcement, even if the person who caused the harm wasn’t acting under “color of law” (the appearance of having legal power). The bill creates a new cause of action with a two-year time limit for starting the case and lets plaintiffs seek legal, equitable, or other appropriate relief for injuries tied to immigration enforcement activities. This bill was introduced in the Senate and is awaiting scheduling of a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB26-1064 Youthful Offender System Updates would update the state’s youthful offender system, which is a sentencing option focused on rehabilitation for younger justice-involved individuals. The bill revises eligibility and intent language to emphasize trauma-informed care, equitable treatment, and preparation for reentry, adds requirements for evidence-based rehabilitative and life-skills programming, and expands procedural protections and reporting requirements aimed at better supporting juveniles and young adults in the system. This bill was introduced in the House and is awaiting hearing scheduling in the House Health & Human Services Committee.
Our Take & take action
HB25-1135, legislation we advocated for last year, requires school districts develop a policy for cell phones in schools by July 2026. School boards are having conversations now, and have an opportunity to impact the daily experience of every student in Colorado.
The evidence is clear: bell-to-bell phone-free policies, where phones are put away for the entire school day, are the most effective and equitable approach. These policies reduce distractions, strengthen school culture, support student mental health, and give teachers the space to teach and students the space to learn.
This isn’t about punishment—it’s about creating learning environments where young people can focus, build real relationships, and develop the skills they need for life beyond the classroom.
Take Action: be apart of the phone free schools conversation
Want to learn more or be part of the conversation? We invite parents, educators, and community members to join our Phone-Free Schools Community Information Session to hear what we’re learning, ask questions, and explore what this could look like in districts across Colorado.
Creating phone-free schools will take collaboration—and we’re excited to keep building this movement together.
If you have time, take a look at our video on Phone Free Schools:
What We’re Reading
- Chalkbeat Colorado, Colorado Democrats plan ballot measure to raise money for schools
- Colorado Sun, State budget writers reject request to fund more prison beds in Colorado
