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
In addition to one of our justice reform priority bills moving through the Capitol, we are excited to share that another policy priority was introduced:
HB26- 1232 Court Costs Assessed to Juveniles would prohibit Colorado courts and the state from assessing or collecting administrative fees, costs, and surcharges against juveniles involved in the justice system or their parents, guardians, or legal custodians when the offense occurred before age 18 and sentencing was before age 21. This bill was introduced in the House and is awaiting scheduling in the House Judiciary Committee.
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 scheduled to be heard on the House Floor next week for second readings.
Legislation of Interest
SB26-068 Modify Administration of Education Assessments would direct the Colorado Department of Education to limit standardized summative assessments to only the minimum extent necessary while still effectively measuring student learning, and, if needed, to apply for a federal waiver to reduce or modify those assessment requirements. This bill was introduced in the Senate and is awaiting scheduling in the Senate Education Committee.
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 is being heard for second reading in the Senate this week.
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 to better support juveniles and young adults in the system. This bill is awaiting scheduling in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Our Take: Our Capitol Day of Action
Last week, our Capitol Day of Action was a powerful reminder that policy is personal.
Stand families from across Colorado came to the Capitol not just to observe the process — but to actively participate in it. Parents and community members met directly with lawmakers to share their lived experiences and talk about how our priority policies are shaping classrooms and communities across the state. From school funding and ninth grade success to justice reform and student well-being, they made it clear: these issues have real impact on real people.
Throughout the day, participants met directly with lawmakers, received a tour of both the House and Senate chambers, and learned firsthand about the dynamics of how legislation is introduced, debated, amended, and passed. For many, it was their first time inside the Capitol and seeing democracy in action brought a new level of understanding to how decisions get made.
We’re especially grateful to the legislators who took time to meet with us including Assistant Majority Leader Jen Bacon, Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, and Representatives Yara Zokaie, and Michael Carter, as well as Senator Mike Weissman & Senate President James Coleman. These conversations were thoughtful and direct
Capitol Day wasn’t just about meetings; it was about building confidence, deepening civic understanding, and ensuring that the families most impacted by policy are at the center of the conversation. When families lead, Colorado moves forward.
Take Action: Close the Loophole. End Juvenile Administrative Fees. Protect Families.
The Colorado Legislature eliminated juvenile administrative fees in 2021, but without clear statutory protections, some families are still receiving charges in court. HB26-1232 closes this loophole, prevents courts from assessing or collecting these costs, and aligns courtroom practice with state policy.
The bill will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee.
Email Committee members today and urge a YES vote to ensure families are fully protected.
